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Replace with page 1 of cover PDF Editorial July 2014 RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street Dear praying friends, Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 Tel: (330) 626-3361 After centuries of hard work, [email protected] almost all of the Han Chinese MANAGING EDITOR people who make up the majority Keith Carey of China’s population have been ASSISTANT EDITOR reached with the gospel. Today Paula Fern the largest minority group in WRITERS China is the 17 million Zhuang Glenn Culbertson (pronounced Zhoo-ung) people, Patricia Depew which can be divided into 50 subgroups. We have prayed Patti Ediger Wesley Kawato for the Zhuang before in the GPD, but we usually cover Arlene Knickerbocker either one group or a couple of the major subgroups. Th is Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj time we have attempted to cover as many of the subgroups Christopher Lane Annabeth Lewis as we could. However, information is still lacking for many Robert Rutz of them, even on the Joshua Project web site. Th e last couple Ted Proffi tt of days this month we will cover related people groups. Lydia Reynolds Jeff Rockwell What is unique about the Zhuang people groups? Th ey Jean Smith have their own languages, and they are so big in number Jane W. Sveska that their province, Guangxi, is often referred to as the DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES “Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.” Th e vast majority Keith Carey David Dougherty of the inhabitants are rural, though they are moving to the Robert Rutz cities in great numbers. Another distinction is that there are CUSTOMER SERVICE Christian groups which already pray for them. You will fi nd Dan Eddy out how to get in touch with these groups at the end of the Diane Tolsma opening background article.Last, but not least, the Zhuang Lois Carey peoples have a festival that they celebrate every July 7-12, GRAPHICS so we are praying for them at the right time of year! See day Matt Anderson seven for more details. PRINTER In Christ, Diversifi ed Printers , La Mirada, CA

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Keith Carey, editor, GPD ISSN 1045-9731 Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2014 PS—How many of you would like to help the GPD or U.S. Center for World Mission Joshua Project by volunteering a couple of hours a month 1605 East Elizabeth Street for writing, research, or computer work? Pasadena, CA 91104 Contents of this booklet may be For Joshua Project, contact them at: reproduced if appropriate credit and profi [email protected] subscription information are given. For GPD, contact [email protected], (626) 398-2241 For subscription information, call (330) 626-3361. For comments on content, call (626) 398-2241. 2 Feature of the Month

Pray for a Strong Fellowship Among Every Zhuang People in China

Hong Kong

Sichuan Jiangxi Hunan Guizhou

Yunnan Guangxi Guangdong Hong VIET. Kong Laos LAOS Hainan

3 To Help You Pray Better 4 —by Keith Carey So Unreached The Zhuang People: SoMany, But from the Tai branch. Th Tai the from branch. come dialects their group, alinguistic than rather ethnic an are they Th years. for 2,000 over Province isnowwhat China’s Guangxi in lived have peoples Zhuang prayerguides/31daysforthezhuang.pdf http://www.infomekong.com/downloads/ at: found Zhuang” for the “31 Days called guide to aprayer According the Zhuang. to related are that groups people for pray unreached will we month of the week last the during of them, on each information enough isnot there But since month. this subgroups of for the many praying group. Th minority PRC’s upthe largest make people 17But these million People’s (PRC). the in of China Republic majority Chinese no diff are dress they way the and Zhuang Th wereChinese! youyourself if even Chinese, whoisHan and Zhoo-ung) (pronounced Zhuang I Background Christ. in faith put their have individuals Zhuang 400 one in eff Christian evangelistic Chinese by overlooked usually are peoples Zhuang the Unfortunately, signifi been has there people, these among sent been have workers time “Every said, Zhuang the with situation the tracked whohas missionary One message. gospel to the receptive are they say Zhuang the work with who of those many unreached, still are 50subgroups all Although government. Communist new Guangxi Province, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell who is whois able to tell be youprobably wouldn’t Province, Guangxi China’s in street city acrowded through to walk f youwere ey have about 50 subgroups and 13 dialects. We will be be We will 13dialects. and 50subgroups about have ey cant fruit…but there are still so few workers.” workers.” few so still are there fruit…but cant e term Zhuang was fi was Zhuang eterm e physical characteristics of the of the characteristics ephysical orts. Th orts. e result is that only about about only isthat eresult erent than the Han Han the erent than rst used in 1950 in used bythe rst ough ough The Zhuang People: So Many, But So Unreached

The Zhuang People Have Good Reason to Embrace Christ Th e Zhuang people hold festivals to appease spirits, ghosts, and fairies, and especially their ancestors. One of the most important festivals will happen from July 7-16, and it is called the Ghost Festival. Th is festival is to appease the ghosts of people who have either died in tragic ways or have died without family or children to provide sacrifi ces for their needs. Much like their Han Chinese neighbors, the Zhuang sacrifi ce animals to feed these hungry ghosts and make burnt off erings of fake paper money and clothes for the ghosts to use. Th ey believe that if they don’t appease the hungry ghosts in this way, the ghosts will harm them. Th us, they are motivated by fear of bad luck. For most Zhuang there is little distinction between their present family and the spirits of their ancestors. In their worldview the spirits watch over them and intervene in their daily lives. Rituals and festivals play an important part in their lives. Th ey make regular off erings of fruit or incense to their ancestors. When someone in the family becomes sick or there is a tragedy, the family will take an off ering to the local shaman. Th e shaman will tell them what the problem is and what they need to do to appease the off ended spirit. Th ose who don’t engage in these activities are viewed as people who don’t respect their ancestors and do not wish to be part of the family. In such a culture where the family is supremely important, losing your family means losing your identity. Family pressures on new believers who refuse to worship in the traditional way are almost unbearable. Like many peoples of the PRC, those who live in rural areas are more likely to believe in spirits than those who live in cities. Th e Communist government tried to erase the Zhuang religions from the Zhuang people groups by cutting down their sacred trees and teaching them science, evolution, and atheism. Th e atheistic worldview has caught on more with the urban Zhuang, but only about 15 percent of these people live in cities. About 85 percent of them are rural, but as China becomes more industrialized, more of them are fl ocking to the cities. Barriers to the Gospel Th ere are many reasons why the Zhuang peoples are not being reached with the gospel. People tend to overlook them because they appear to be the same nationality as the Han Chinese peoples, and large numbers of the Han have a strong Christian presence. Th e diverse Zhuang dialects and the lack of Christian resources in their languages have posed diffi culties. Materialism is engulfi ng the peoples of the PRC, including the Zhuang groups. Th e quest for consumer goods has driven men to the cities where they work long hours

continued on next page 5 The Zhuang People: So Many, But So Unreached

and usually can see their families only about twice a year. People who work long hours have no time to think about having meaningful relationships with people or to cultivate their own spiritual lives. As the Zhuang prayer guide said, “Th ey are just too busy working and making money to think about God.” Special diffi culties exist when trying to reach the rural Zhuang for Christ. Th ey are so scattered that it will take many workers to reach them all. Th ey have a traditional, animistic worldview (see above), which might act as a bridge to the various people groups or, in turn, it might act as a wall against those who want to share Christ. Over 80 percent of the rural Zhuang are pre-literate, so anyone who wants to reach them must be able to present the gospel through oral means, e.g. stories, skits, music, etc. Pray that believers who are called by God will use creative strategies to move to areas where they have access to the rural Zhuang. Opportunities for Evangelism: The Arts Th e gospel needs to aff ect the heart as well as the mind. Th e arts are a great way to reach the heart. In the AD400s, Irish monks won the local chieftains in Ireland to Christ by presenting them with illuminated manuscripts of Scripture, decorated with beautiful artwork and even precious jewels. In today’s world workers can use Zhuang art forms to present the gospel to the people in a way that they can understand and appreciate. Th e Zhuang peoples have a song for almost any occasion. Music is an important part of their lives, and the Zhuang people sing anywhere, anytime. Music is enjoyable, and it also helps one remember. Saint Patrick and his team used music to win Ireland to Christ in only 15 years. Likewise, culturally appropriate music can be used to help the Zhuang learn Scripture verses and stories from the Bible. Potentially Zhuang people could sing songs about Jesus while doing their daily workaday tasks. Th ough most Zhuang education is done in Mandarin, the trade language of the PRC, there are a few Christian materials available in some of the Zhuang dialects. On day 12, you will pray for an evangelistic movie created in a Zhuang language. Th e JESUS Film and a 30-minute gospel radio program are also available in a Zhuang language. Pray for God to raise up people to translate the JESUS Film and radio broadcasts into the 13 major Zhuang dialects. Pray for successful eff orts to duplicate and distribute Christian materials to spiritually hungry Zhuang people. Pray for God’s protection and wisdom for translators. Pray for God to raise up talented Zhuang artists and songwriters to produce culturally-appropriate materials that will touch the hearts of these 17 million people.

66 The Zhuang People: So Many, But So Unreached

Needed: A Church Planting Movement At this time the church is either weak or non-existent among every Zhuang sub- group. Th ere is a lot of work to be done. Jesus told us very clearly to pray for workers. Th ese workers can come from a variety of places. Th e Zhuang people who live in urban areas are most likely to be reached fi rst. Some of the urban Zhuang attend universities where there are Christian communities that can tell them about Christ. Han Chinese believers from the PRC and elsewhere can also be used by the Lord to reach the Zhuang peoples. Han businessmen might hire Zhuang workers and tell them about Jesus. Th ere also might be expatriate workers among the Zhuang who are believers. Th ese workers need an eff ective platform such as teaching English, community health, agricultural development, etc. to reach the people. Others can start businesses that employ Zhuang. Short-term teams can help by teaching English, reaching out to Zhuang children, or going on prayer walks. Church planters will have to be able to teach church-planting strategies, biblical truths, and leadership development at the local level without the aid of seminaries. As new Zhuang believers learn biblical truths, they will be able to share them with others, who, in turn, will share them with more people. Zhuang fellowships will need to be small so they don’t call attention to themselves from the government authorities who might see them as a threat. Th e Zhuang church will probably need to be house- church based and ready to multiply. New believers will also need to know truth from error so they can evade the eff orts of cults that seek to damage the Lord’s work. Pray for many mature believers to give up the comforts of home and go to rural Zhuang people groups to disciple indigenous believers in the word. Pray for believers to have a burden to adopt the Zhuang peoples and work with them until the Zhuang can do eff ective work on their own.

For more information: http://www.infomekong.com/downloads/prayerguides/31daysforthezhuang.pdf http://www.omf.org/omf/us/peoples_and_places/people_groups/zhuang_of_china http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuang_people http://unreachedresources.org/clusters/322 http://www.china.org.cn/e-groups/shaoshu/shao-2-zhuang.htm If you would like to receive regular prayer materials for the Zhuang peoples, write to: [email protected]

7 Day 1 Acts 13:52 Biography, James Fraser

f you were given a And the disciples were choice, would you choose fi lled with joy and with the I to enjoy the applause of Holy Spirit. adoring crowds as a concert In the previous sentence pianist, or make good these same people shook the Hong Kong money as an engineer? Th is was the choice that James dust off their feet in protest O. Fraser once had. Th is against those who rejected Xizang Sichuan musically-gifted believer (Tibet) their message. First came Chengdu became an engineer, but in anger, then joy. Serving the Guizhou 1908 dedicated his life to Lord was never intended to Kunming mission work with China Yunnan Guangxi be dull! Within just about . Inland Mission (CIM). Th e MYANMAR VIETNAM every chapter in Acts, you Englishman was 22 years old LAOS at the time. experience an emotional TAILANDIA roller coaster ride along with Two years later James was the apostles. Will you pray stationed in China’s remote mountainous Yunnan Province. At fi rst he worked among the Han Chinese. for workers in China as they Th en the keen mountain climber developed the may experience feelings of habit of climbing mountains and preaching to the discouragement on their Lisu people who also live in Burma (now called mission fi eld? Myanmar). He was readily accepted by the Lisu, though the closest he got to learning their language Pray that the Holy Spirit will was Mandarin Chinese. Fraser lived in huts with mud show His workers what to fl oors, and devoted his intense energy to learning the do and how to feel in the Lisu language. daily grind they face each day. Pray that they will not James had dared to invade Satan’s kingdom which become weary, but be fi lled claimed the souls of the Lisu people. After he had with joy and hope even in ministered for fi ve years to the Lisu with little to show the midst of discouragement. for his eff orts, James became discouraged and even depressed. A few of the group came to Christ, but they were severely buff eted by the Evil One. Fraser himself suff ered from a depression brought on by the enemy of mankind. But eventually, he found deliverance.

Pray that the Lord will deliver today’s missionaries from depression.—KC

8 Day 2 Biography, Continued Acts 20: 31b

ow would Fraser emerge victorious from his Remember that for three bout of depression? It came when he read a H years I never stopped magazine called, Th e Overcomer. He was reminded of James 4:7, where the believer is exhorted to “be clear- warning each of you night minded and self-controlled so that he can pray.” Prayer and day with tears. delivered James Fraser! Here you see Paul’s pastoral Fraser learned to pray out of sheer necessity. His heart for the people he was prayer time was not counted in minutes, but in hours. reaching. Notice that he For years he prayed, fi lling the incense bowls until the was warning them. He was breakthroughs came. And then the Lisu hearts began probably warning them about to be turned from the jaded spirits they appeased the cultural temptations that to the One True God who loved them. A people movement had begun! they would likely encounter and potentially succumb to. But as Lisu began to give their hearts to the Savior, He warned them with tears, there was a need for materials to help them in their new faith. Using his musical abilities, Fraser showing how zealous he was developed a book of hymns with the new believers. It to see them succeed in their was a great joy for the Lisu, who are noted for their spiritual quest to know Christ. great singing ability, to use their talents to praise the King of kings. Pray that today’s missionaries will have the Lisu evangelists were bringing in the harvest, and the heart of Paul to see their people movement to Christ was in full swing. By 1918 fl ocks fi ght the good fi ght there were 60,000 baptized Lisu believers. For his against sin and overcome it part, Fraser organized the new believers into churches with fl ying colors. that became models, not only for the Lisu, but for other people groups as well.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will direct today’s missionaries to pray without ceasing.—KC

9 Day 3 Acts 8:31-35 Biography, Continued

“How can I [understand],” raser went on furlough to England from 1924-29. During this time, he married Roxie he said, “unless someone F Dymond, the daughter of a Methodist missionary in explains it to me?” Then China. You can be sure that he prayed intensely for Philip began with that very the infant Lisu church in China while he was away passage of Scripture and for those fi ve years! told him the good news about Jesus. Upon returning to Yunnan Province, Fraser developed a written alphabet script for the Lisu Philip asked the Ethiopian language. Using this new alphabet, Fraser translated (probably a Gentile proselyte) the Gospel of Mark and a catechism into Lisu. He if he understood what he didn’t fi nish the entire New Testament until 1936, was reading, and the man two years before his death. admitted that he did not. Th ough Fraser died at age 52 of cerebral malaria, Many valuable literature his legacy is still strong today. He set a consistent ministries are being policy of Bible training for entire families and villages of new Lisu believers. Th is was truly a conducted today among some people movement to Christ. He avoided the pitfalls of the world’s unreached of dependency on Western money by having Lisu peoples. But these peoples pastors and missionaries supported by Lisu believers. often have the same problem In doing so, the Lisu church remained strong during as the Ethiopian eunuch: they the years of Japanese occupation and even during need further face-to-face Communist China’s Cultural Revolution of 1966-76. explanation of what they By the 1990s over 90 percent of the Lisu in China were Christian believers. Today Lisu evangelists have read and heard. The reach out, not only to their own people, but also to Great Commission is a call for other neighboring people groups like the Kachins God’s children to live among and the Nosus. peoples isolated from such opportunities. Pray that Lisu believers will emerge stronger in their faith and outreach as they deal with the confusion brought Pray for more face-to-face on by today’s globalized China.—KC laborers in China who will begin from the Scriptures (From “James O. Fraser: Violent Groans and Cries of and preach Jesus to Travailing Prayer,” by David Smithers. Also, Wikipedia, unreached peoples. “James Outram Fraser.”

10 Day 4 Yan’Guang Zhuang People Acts 8:5

he Yan’Guang Zhuang Philip went down to a city tour guide was having T in Samaria and proclaimed fun baffl ing the Korean tourists who came to visit Christ there. the village in Guangxi Philip, a Jew, was sharing Province. Holding back a Hong Kong the good news with the laugh, he told them: “Th ere Samaritans—people who are two million of us.” One of the Koreans checked his were enemies and despised Sichuan Jiangxi Korean-Mandarin language by the Jews. He was having Hunan Guizhou app, and replied, “Th ere are tremendous success. What about a billion Han Chinese a testimony to the love of Yunnan Guangdong Guangxi in your country alone.” With Christ! Think of those groups Hong VIET. a broad smile the young man Kong that you consider enemies. LAOSLaos replied, “Who said anything Hainan Among these peoples are about being Han Chinese? many souls longing for the I’m Zhuang! Th ere are 17 million of us made up of about 50 diff erent Zhuang true and living God. Will subgroups. Only about 13 of the subgroups have major national prejudice blind us to language diff erences. My group, the Yan’Guang, has a the needs of these peoples, population of about two million people.” or will we allow the love of “However,” he continued, “We love music and singing. Christ to break down the Our region is called an ocean of songs because we love barriers of suspicion and singing. We sing for every occasion. Some songs are misunderstanding? Will we carefully practiced for months, while others must be rise to the occasion and put made up as we sing along. Do you want me to sing God’s kingdom ahead of a Zhuang song before we go to the next village?” our prejudices? Th e tourists began to applaud while he belted out a Zhuang love song and playfully fl irted with one of the Pray that God will use us Korean women. to bless the Samaritans in our lives. Pray for the Lord to raise up believers with musical skills to go to the Yan’Guang Zhuang people with the gospel. Pray that some from each of the 50 subgroups will be singing of their love for their Savior, Jesus Christ.—KC

11 Day 5 Acts 1:8 (Message) Dianbao Zhuang People

o you think that things that happened 800 And when the Holy Spirit years ago aff ect you today? History does make comes on you, you will be D a diff erence! For example attacks by the Mongol able to be My witnesses in Empire in the 1200s forced the Dianbao Zhuang Jerusalem, all over Judea people to move to their present location in China. and Samaria, even to the ends of the world. According to the map called “Zhuang: A Guide to Strategically Pray for the Zhuang People of Southern Like the fi rst century China,” the Dianbao are one of 13 “major dialects” in Jewish harvesters, 21st Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces. Th e booklet does century Chinese believers not dedicate a specifi c page per dialect. Instead it are commissioned and focuses on “urgent needs” of the Zhuang people. For example it discusses “expatriate Christian empowered by the Lord to workers,” “trends,” “key opportunities,” “cultural go spread the gospel. Their barriers,” and “bridges” (to God), plus a brief “Samaritans” (ie, people introduction and closing section. It is published by who are culturally close, but the Zhuang Strategic Alliance, Colorado Springs, not the same) are groups CO, and the Mekong Springboard, located in like the Zhuang, who are Chiang Mai, Th ailand. similar to the Han Chinese in From the Joshua Project we learn that the Dianbao many ways. They are not as Zhuang people number 13,000, and their language culturally distant from the comes from the Tay language family. Th ey have Han believers as tribal people developed beautiful and complex folk songs and music through the centuries. groups in neighboring Yunnan Province. Yet these Zhuang Th ey practice traditional animistic religion that “Samaritans” are almost involves many gods and ancestral veneration. Th ere are no known followers of Christ among them, and completely unreached. we don’t know if Christian audio resources are Pray for the Han Chinese available. Historically, missionaries have failed to believers to go to the learn their language or make the Scriptures available “Samaria” in their land with to them, and this has prevented the Dianbao people the life-changing gospel. from hearing the gospel. Pray for open hearts! Pray that missionaries will learn their language and translate the Bible into it. Pray for the evangelization of the Dianbao Zhuang.—TP

12 Day 6 Guibei Zhuang Acts 1:7, 8

ave you ever walked on stilts? It isn’t easy, is it? It is not for you to know the H How about sleeping or eating on stilts? Th at is not easy either. Th e Guibei Zhuang, an indigenous times or dates…. But you ethnic group in Guangxi Province, China, both will receive power when eat and sleep on stilts, since their houses are built the Holy Spirit comes to on stilts! you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of Th e 1.5 million Guibei Zhuang court at a singing the earth. festival. After marriage the couples live in the wife’s community until the fi rst child is born. Th en they None of us knows when move to the husband’s community. Christ will return, but Jesus Despite the presence of missionaries since 1862 told us some essential things (Southern Baptist) and 1895 (Christian & Missionary in this opening part of the Alliance), the religion of most of the inhabitants book of Acts. We will receive remains a mixture of animism, Buddhism, Taoism, the power of the “Helper,” the and ancestor veneration, according to Peoplegroups. Holy Spirit, and by that power org. Fewer than two percent of the Guibei Zhuang have put their faith in Christ. In the last two years we will be His witnesses, church planting has resumed. Some evangelistic beginning where we are and resources like Global Recordings Network materials moving out to the ends of the are available to help evangelize these people. earth. Let us yield ourselves fully to this commission, Pray that more resources will be made available in their empowered by His Spirit until language. Pray that the Guibei Zhuang people will re- men and women from every spond favorably to the witness of the Holy Spirit so that nation acknowledge Jesus as a Christ-ward people movement will begin. Pray for be- lievers to evangelize these people with Global Recordings Lord. Then His Kingdom will materials. Pray that missionaries fi nd a cultural connec- come with fullness and glory. tion that will open the Guibei Zhuang to the gospel. Pray that Satan’s hold will be broken so that their hearts will be Pray that the Father will move us by the power of opened to the good news that God loves them.—TP His Holy Spirit to make us witnesses to the ends of the earth.

13 Day 7 Acts 17:30 Guibian Zhuang People

In the past God overlooked he farmer bowed to the stream that passed by his such ignorance, but now T rice fi eld. He then bowed to a tree, just like his Guibian ancestors had always done. Th en he bowed to He commands all people the mountain visible in the distance. Only then did he everywhere to repent. begin hoeing his fi eld. Th e farmer had to make sure For hundreds of years, the there were no spirits mad at him or his family. Zhuang peoples have lived Like other Zhuang people he will participate in the in spiritual ignorance of the Ghost Festival starting today in hopes of appeasing only One who can save them the spirits of people who died tragic deaths or don’t from sin. Now there are a few have family members. He does not look forward to this event. All it will do is protect him if the people who are willing to ghosts are satisfi ed with his off ering. What if they go to the 17 million Zhuang aren’t satisfi ed? people with the good news that there is a victorious Th e Guibian live near China’s border with Vietnam. Over 2,000 years ago their ancestors were exiled to Savior. No amount of good this region by one of China’s earliest emperors. Th ese works can change the fact exiles had been criminals before being resettled in that we are condemned this region. Th ey quickly intermarried with the local for our sin; but no one can population and became farmers. change the fact that we have a sin-forgiving Savior. Pray that during the Ghost Festival, which runs from Like the Athenians Paul was today through the 16th, that the Holy Spirit will help the addressing, the Guibian Guibian Zhuang people to seek and fi nd the only One who can protect them from the spirit world. Pray that they will Zhuang peoples must repent if develop a hunger for the true God and the true way to re- they are going to be saved. ceive salvation. Ask God to open doors for eff orts to reach the Guibian Zhuang people for Jesus.—WK Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead Guibian Zhuang believers to repentance whenever they stray from His perfect will.

14 Day 8 Lianshan Zhuang Acts 14:17a

he view from the green, misty mountains was Yet He has not left Himself breathtaking, but the Lianshan woodcutter T without testimony: He has had other things on his mind as he walked the mountain trail. Looking back and forth, he carefully shown kindness by giving examined the trees that grew on either side of the path you rain from heaven and through the thick forest. Finding a nice tall tree, the crops in their seasons… woodcutter set his ax aside and knelt before the tree in In this sermon Paul started worship. He asked the tree for forgiveness, and then the gospel message at the he rose to his feet and chopped it down. He hoped the act of worship would keep the spirit of the tree from very beginning: creation. Long attacking him or his family. before we had the theory of evolution, even animists Like the Guibian people we prayed for yesterday, the Lianshan Zhuang worship nature spirits. Buddhism understood the cycle of life has made little impact on this people group. Th e pointed to a God of creation. Lianshan are also descended from convicts exiled to Though this sermon did southern China by one of the early emperors of China not yield the results Paul 2,000 years ago. Few, if any, members of this people wanted, it provides a model group have heard about the Sovereign Lord of lords. for missionaries who want to help animistic peoples know Pray that the Lianshan will soon learn to worship the who provided the rain and Creator and not the creation. Ask God to lead a missionary agency to target this people group for prayer and outreach. the crops, and thus, who to Pray that soon the Lianshan people will have radio broad- thank and trust for everything casts, gospel recordings, and the JESUS Film in their own they have! language.—WK Pray that animistic Zhuang peoples like the Lianshans will begin to thank their Creator even before missionaries arrive to teach them the ways of God more fully.

15 Day 9 Acts 10:2 Liujiang Zhuang People

he sounds of the large, booming drums grew He and all his family were louder in the Liujiang village square. Wearing a devout and God-fearing; he T frightening red mask, the shigong (shaman), made a gave generously to those fl ying leap into the air and started his ritual dance. in need and prayed to God regularly. To the Liujiang Zhuang people watching, this was a time to show respect for their shaman who represented We often think of individuals their many gods. Every part of their lives was in the coming to Christ instead of hands of the gods, and the shaman was their healer entire families. In this chapter, and communicator. Participation in the worship you will see God moving services and the sacrifi ces and rituals related to the gods are a vital part of their lives. Not participating not just one man, but his means disrespect for the gods, which could lead to entire family, to become part tragic consequences. To satisfy their families, many of His Kingdom. We often young Liujiangs who are working in the larger cities, forget that when the head still participate in the festivals when they return home. of the household comes to Most of them, however, no longer believe in the gods. faith, his wife and children Th ere has been an increase in the number of Chinese will usually do so as well. believers who are willing to go to these Zhuang The fact that the number of people. However, most Liujiang are fearful of being believers will increase in this separated from their families and traditions, so they way is well documented by are not open to accepting the gospel. Donald McGavran and other Pray that God will give believers eff ective ways to commu- experienced missionaries. nicate Christ to these people so that they can enter lives free Are we willing to act on of the fear of their gods. Pray that the Liujiang shamans what we learn, or does every and leaders will accept Jesus and be instrumental in lead- generation of workers have ing entire villages to the one true God. Pray that those who to learn the same lessons all become believers will be strong in faith.—PD over again?

Pray that the Holy Spirit will move among entire families and clans, so that the blessings of the Kingdom will reach many.

16 Day 10 Yongbei Zhuang (aka, Central Zhuang) Acts 17:11

ome, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout Now the Bereans … aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come C received the message before him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the with great eagerness and great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths examined the Scriptures of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him every day to see if what (Psalm 95:1-4, NIV). Paul said was true. Th is Psalm to the Lord of lords is not being sung by Not every unreached people the Yongbei Zhuang people. Instead, their musical group is going to study the talents are dedicated to singing the ballad of Liu Scripture like the Bereans. Yet Sanjie, just as they have done for hundreds of years. there are ways to encourage Like other Zhuang peoples, they enjoy her songs a hunger for the Word of God about love and life during the Song Fairy Festival, a singing festival that takes place in the spring. It is also among unreached people a time when Youngbei young people seek “true love.” groups. Today we are reading about a people group that Th e “song fairy” is known and appreciated throughout China. Th ere are statues and temples to Liu Sanjie in loves music, perhaps even numerous areas in Guangxi Zhuang Province, which more than the other Zhuang is the primary home to the Youngbei people. When groups. Since they love ballads a Zhuang songbook is published, the Youngbei will and folk songs, using their present the book as an off ering in front of her statue. style of music would be a Youngbei Zhuang people are strong followers of good way to get them to hear ancestral and spirit worship. Another festival is in the Scriptures. honor of the ox god because oxen are vitally needed for their farming. Pray for the Word to go out to the Yongbei Pray that believers in China will teach the Youngbei Zhuang people and to Zhuang people about God’s grace through Jesus. May they fi nd receptive hearts. soon rejoice and honor Him through songs of praise and worship that will echo throughout this region.—PD

17 Day 11 Acts 4:12 Yongbei Zhuang (aka, Eastern Zhuang)

…there is no other name sudden roar from the mouth of the angry under heaven given to men A (puppet) thunder god caused the Zhuang by which we must be saved. children to scream and then laugh! Th ey had been so mesmerized and intrigued with the story of a This is one of the most Zhuang farmer named Bubo that the sudden roar of “politically incorrect” the god’s voice startled them. statements in the Bible! Who Time has not changed many of the Youngbei are we to say that there is Zhuang’s traditions when it comes to puppetry, salvation in no one else? What music, and folk art. Although many of the young about all the other gods and people desire to move to China’s larger cities, a majority still remain in small towns and villages in spirits whom the unreached the eastern half of Guangxi Province. Th ey live in people groups have trusted two story houses scattered in the rough, rice terraced for centuries? But that is the hills surrounded by beautiful rivers and lakes. Many message we bring. Without still proclaim the layout of their villages is like salvation in the Name of the the backbone of the large dragons that are part of risen Jesus, the unreached their spirit worship. Th ey believe that their natural peoples of the world have no surroundings include malicious spirits that will harm hope for eternity. But with them if they do not provide sacrifi ces and off erings. Him, there is eternal life. To Th e remote location of these Zhuang people has those who accept it, this is made it diffi cult for believers to reach them. In recent the aroma of the gospel, and years, however, new advances in transportation and education have started to open doors to bring more to those who reject it, it is a Yongbei people into contact with the rest of China. stench. Let’s not be surprised if it takes time for trust in Pray that the Yongbei Zhuang people will be released Christ to develop. But that is from their darkness into the light of knowing the Living where prayer comes in! God who is the truth, the way, and the life. Pray that this decade will be a key time when believers will reach the Pray that the Holy Spirit Yongbei Zhuang people for Christ.—PD moves in the hearts of the Zhuang peoples this year to give them faith in only the King of Kings, who was crucifi ed and rose again on the third day.

18 Day 12 Create International (Zhuang Films) Acts 2:36

he 17 million “Let all the house of Israel T Zhuang speak therefore know assuredly over 50 dialects, and that God has made Him very little written both Lord and Christ, this literature is available Jesus whom you crucifi ed.” in these languages. Now when they heard Some of the younger Zhuang who have this they were cut to the Create International Create assimilated into the heart, and said to Peter and Han Chinese culture can speak and read Mandarin. the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall Knowing how great the need is for the Zhuang people we do?” to hear the gospel, God worked on the hearts of His servants at Create International Films to produce four This preaching under the diff erent Zhuang language versions of an evangelistic anointing of the Holy fi lm for the Zhuang people titled, Th e Story of Xiao Spirit was such a powerful Nong. Th is is an animated Zhuang-style cartoon that message that it immediately tells the gospel story from creation to Christ. It is about a young farmer who has worshiped his ancestors resulted in 3,000 baptized from the time he was a child. When he prays to his and committed disciples. ancestral spirits and his mother is not healed, he gets Notice that the fi rst result was disillusioned. A friend tells him the good news. He repentance. The people clearly believes in Jesus, his life is changed, and he begins to understood that they needed tell his friends and family about his new faith. to make changes in their lives, Th e response by some Zhuang who saw the fi lm was and they took ownership well presented in a newsletter from its producers: of their sin. Could it be that “Th ey were not prepared for the joy this fi lm would there are Zhuang peoples in bring—real hope, forgiveness, and eternal life in this China who will respond in the world and in the world to come!” Th ere are still 12 same way when they hear the Zhuang language groups that have no indigenous evangelistic media resources. Create is hoping to gospel in their own language produce two more Zhuang dialect versions by the end in the movie? of this year. Pray that servants of the Pray that these fi lms will become a vital link to reach the Lord of the Harvest will get Zhuang people with the gospel!—PD these kinds of results when More information: youtu.be/tokb-PkF-qM the gospel comes to the Zhuang peoples.

19 Day 13 Acts 2:5 (NIV) Yongnan Zhuang People

s we have already learned this month in our There were many Jews study of the Zhuang people of Guangxi staying in Jerusalem, God- A Province, they are China’s largest minority ethnic fearing Jews from every population. But it isn’t quite that simple. Th e Han nation under heaven. Chinese based government has lumped together This isn’t a perfect analogy, many sub-groups of people under the Zhuang but it is close. The people in identity; but, in reality, these subgroups are very diff erent from one another in their dialects, their Jerusalem were “God-fearing customs, and their practices. Th at is one of the Jews” meaning that they reasons why we are focusing our prayers on the already believed in the Lord, Zhuang cluster this month. An even better reason is but they did not know the that they are almost all unreached with the gospel! Son. Today, many believers, Th e Yongnan Zhuang experienced evangelization both in China and in the area eff orts in the 19th century and also recently during where you live, may have the last 10-20 years. Even among the Yongnan neighbors who are part of an there are diff erent sub-groups and dialects. Th e unreached people group. Like mountainous tropical region where they live makes these fi rst century believers, direct communications among the sub-groups diffi cult, so there is great diversity. the Christian intercessors reading these words live in However, the Yongnan and other Zhuang groups many “Jerusalems” to whom all share several commonalities. Th ey are highly superstitious, and the fear of evil spirits and God may have sent foreign appeasing them dominates much of their daily “visitors.” This is an excellent existence. Th e hope for these people lies in their opportunity for godly believers exposure to the gospel and the power of the Holy to pray that the Lord will raise Spirit to convict hearts. up apostles in various cities who will introduce foreign Pray for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the visitors and neighbors to Christ. Yongnan people who come into contact with believers. Pray for boldness for those who share Christ with them Pray that the foreigners in and for the power of the gospel to convince them of the our midst will have hearts truth and reality of Christ’s sacrifi ce for them.—JS prepared to receive His word and give the believers wisdom in how to present Him to reach visitors in your city and from around the world.

20 Day 14 Yang Zhuang People Acts 9:40-41a

wo years ago we prayed for the Yang Zhuang But Peter put them all T people, and our specifi c prayer was for workers to fi nd a person with an open heart for the gospel in each outside and knelt down Yang Zhuang village. Th is is a biblical prayer! When and prayed; then turning to Jesus sent out 70 disciples in pairs, he told them, the body he said, “Tabitha, “Whatever house you enter, fi rst say, ‘Peace be to this rise.” And she opened her house.’ And if a man of peace is there, your peace will eyes, and when she saw rest upon him…. And whatever city you enter and Peter she sat up. And he they receive you, eat what is set before you and heal gave her his hand and those in it who are sick. Say to them, “Th e kingdom lifted her up. of God has come near to you…. And the 70 returned with joy saying, ‘Lord even the demons are subject to Peter continued to follow us in Your Name’” (Luke 10:5-17). Th en Jesus added, Jesus’ example by raising “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject dead Tabitha by the authority to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in of the command Jesus heaven” (Luke10:20). had given him: “Heal the Th e Bible records that there was a great response sick, raise the dead, cleanse of people believing in Jesus and being healed and lepers, cast out demons. delivered from evil spirits. It was the fi rst great church You received without pay, planting movement! God does not change. He works give without pay.” Jesus the same way today, and missionaries in this area are resurrection power still seeing the same results as the 70 did. works! And furthermore, the Pray and trust that men of peace will be found in Yang best is yet to come! Zhuang villages, and that villagers will experience the Pray that the Zhuang love and forgiveness of Jesus and the peace of mind that peoples will respond with only comes from having a personal relationship with the hope and joy when they true and living God.—JS hear that their wonderful Creator loves them and died on the cross for their sins so that they may have eternal life with Him.

21 Day 15 Acts 2:24 (NIV) Zuojiang Zhuang People

ow would you like to be named after a nearby But God raised Him from river? Th e Zuojiang Zhuang minority group the dead, freeing Him from H is named for the Zuojiang River that runs from the agony of death, because Vietnam through their area of Guangxi Province. it was impossible for death Supposedly their traditional religions are Daoism or to keep its hold on Him. Buddhism. However, like other Zhuang sub-groups, In this speech in Acts 2, Peter they cling to more traditional beliefs in good and evil spirits, and their daily customs revolve around is quoting David, who is appeasing these spirit beings. Some would consider prophesying about the coming them fortunate since they are a minority group and of Jesus and His resurrection. allowed to have more than one child. But this also We know from Scripture that sets them apart as diff erent from the Han Chinese the resurrection is central to majority that are bound by the one child policy. understanding the ways of our One of the main ways to share the gospel message Lord. Without it there is no with the Zuojiang subgroup is through Global victory over the grave. Yet the Recordings Network (GRN). While the entire Bible resurrection is a very foreign has not yet been translated into their dialect, if just concept to people who adhere one believer can be enlisted by GRN as a translator and speaker to share signifi cant parts of God’s Word to Eastern religions like the and the gospel message in their language, many in Zhuang peoples. How do you the group can be reached. explain resurrection to people who believe in something akin Pray for the Lord to raise up the right persons from to reincarnation? among the Zhuojiang Zhuang and all other Zhuang sub- groups to help GRN produce appropriate gospel materi- Pray for harvesters to have als for them. Pray that cassette tapes and other visual and wisdom and discernment audio-visual media will be used as a witness of God’s as they try to explain love for the Zuojiang, and convict and convince many of resurrection to the this group of their need for the Savior.—JS Zhuang peoples.

22 Day 16 Nong Zhuang People Acts 2:4

iver villages in All of them were fi lled with southeastern Yunnan R the Holy Spirit and began Province are often homes for the Nong Zhuang people who to speak in other tongues have been sedentary rice- as the Spirit enabled them. Hong Kong paddy farmers for years. Th eir If only language acquisition lives and livelihoods have been were always that easy! The Xizang Sichuan fairly stable for generations, (Tibet) God-fearing Jews from Chengdu so much so that they have Guizhou every nation heard prophetic Kunming developed elaborate arts— Yunnan Guangxi utterances in their own . long epic songs and intricate MYANMAR VIETNAM brocade embroidery. One very languages, giving them LAOS TAILANDIA unusual accomplishment is the a chance to know of His construction of their raised work. As the centuries have wooden houses completely progressed, most missionaries assembled without nails! have had to preach the However, some modernization has come to the Nong hard way: through years of Zhuang. Even though they speak multiple dialects, language study. This includes most can also communicate in Mandarin, China’s learning subtle nuances that offi cial language. In addition to agriculture, many of them work in government jobs, in local commerce, can change clear meaning and as laborers. Children now attend school, with the into nonsense. majority staying until the ninth grade since study and Pray for the Holy Spirit to book fees have been waived in Nong areas for students enable workers to learn and in the fi rst through ninth grades. Th is relieves a big use other languages, so fi nancial burden for education that exists in much of that peoples like the Nong the rest of China. According to Chinese government Zhuang who are without the historical records, there was never a Christian eff ort Word can clearly understand focused on this ethnic group. His ways. Pray that the modern church planting movement among other ethnic minorities in this area in the last decade will touch and change the lives of the Nong Zhuang as well. Pray for this Zhuang subgroup to be reached by many who want Christ’s Name to be honored by every people, tribe, and nation.—JS

23 Day 17 Acts 3:6-10 Baha Buyang Zhuang People

i Quay waded in the fl ooded rice paddy But Peter said, “I have no swinging her hoe-like tool to remove the weeds silver and gold, but I give L that had sprung up so quickly among the heavy you what I have; in the stalks of ripening grain. Something suddenly moved Name of Jesus Christ of among the weeds! She quickly swung her sharp tool Nazareth, walk.” And he at it. Laughing she held up a Chinese gecko. “Th is took him by the right hand will make good medicine for my grandmother!” she and raised him up; and said gleefully. immediately his feet and Th e terraced hillside rice farms are in southwestern ankles were made strong. China and are tended by the 3500 Baha Buyang Often when I pray for people. While they are multilingual and speak harvesters, I pray that they Mandarin to outsiders, they still speak their own language in their villages. But Li Quay’s language will be fi lled with both the is disappearing and is not yet written in any form. fruit and the power of the Holy Th e speakers are declining in numbers, and the Spirit. If they are fi lled with people are being assimilated into the languages the fruit, then they will hear around them. His voice clearly and act out Li Quay worships at the ancestor altar in the main of love, joy, peace, etc. When room of her house. Although there are times when they demonstrate the power she and her family go without, she is bound to of the Holy Spirit, then no one present food and burn money to assure the comfort can dispute that the sovereign of her ancestor’s spirits in the afterworld. Th ey are God is at work. bound to the rituals of ancestor worship and are afraid to stop providing for those long departed. Pray that His messengers among the Baha Buyang Pray that spiritual bonds will be broken in the name of Zhuang peoples will boldly Jesus, and that the Baha Buyang will accept the truth of seize every opportunity the a living Savior who has already arranged a wonderful Lord off ers to demonstrate eternity for them. Pray that God will call messengers to the fruit and the power of tell the Baha Buyang all about Him.—PE His Spirit.

24 Day 18 Langnian Buyang Zhuang Acts 16:25

huang is a people group cluster in China. Th e About midnight Paul and name means “dried bamboo shoot.” Buyang Z Silas were praying and is a language within this cluster only discovered in 1999 and used by about 3700 speakers. Langnian is a singing hymns to God, and dialect of Buyang spoken by 300 people. It is only a the other prisoners were tiny language in a wide world of languages, so in order listening to them. to interact with others, most Langnian people also The entire prison was fi lled speak other languages. with people who were feeling It is believed that there is not even one follower of hopeless and alone. Yet Christ among Langnian speakers. Th ere are no Bibles, despite suff ering from pain no Christian fi lms or radio programs to reach out to from a recent beating, these them. Most of them have never heard of salvation off ered through Christ. Th ey observe their own ethnic two evangelists were singing religion which is a mixture of Taoism, Buddhism, and praise to a loving God. Such ancestor worship. Th ese 300 people are precious in the behavior is supernatural! Only sight of the Lord. He knows their language and sees the Holy Spirit can produce their need. Will you pray that they will embrace the such joyous behavior in the Lord and follow Him? midst of suff ering. In early church history it was this Pray that laborers will be called to the Langnian subgroup, kind of thing that eventually and that the light of the gospel will penetrate every heart. Pray that leaders of the people will have dreams and vi- brought a large percentage of sions and personal revelations of Jesus Christ and the gos- the Roman world to Him. pel. Pray that there will be a church planting movement Pray for the Lord to thrust resulting in praise and worship ascending to the Lord in out many Pauls and Silas’ to their unique and rare language.—PE the various Zhuang peoples so that they can see the Holy Spirit in action.

25 Day 19 Acts 6:10 Pusha Zhuang People

hing Hua hastily But they could not pulled down his withstand the wisdom C ramshackle house, piled and the Spirit with which some of the wood and he spoke. tin roofi ng on his wagon Have you ever shared Christ and rumbled down the dirt road toward the with someone and you said

Create International International Create next site. He and his something, and wondered, neighbors must move “Where did that come from?” each time they deplete the soil and search for new This is a spiritual battle, land to plant their crops. and the Holy Spirit is with Th e Pusha of southern China are a tribe with a us, ready to help us in the population of about 5,500. Th ey are frequently wisdom arena. We don’t compared to the Buyang-speaking people who are of a have to depend on our similar size. Th e Pusha are considered by the Chinese own wisdom when we are government to be part of the offi cial Zhuang minority doing His work. What a in China. Th ey gave the Pusha a choice of whether comforting verse! to join the Zhuang group, which is the largest artifi cially made minority in China and enjoy political Pray that as the harvesters recognition, or remain isolated and unrecognized. open their mouths to Th eir language is not based on the Tai language speak to the Pusha Zhuang cluster like the other Zhuang groups. Th eir language, people, rivers of God’s customs, and traditions are all their own. wisdom, not their own Th e Pusha are completely unevangelized and without wisdom, will pour through a gospel witness. Th ey follow animism, polytheism, them to be received fi rst by and ancestor worship. However they speak Mandarin their leaders, and then by as a trade language, a language that has Bibles, the whole people group. Christian fi lms, recordings, and radio programs.

Pray for God to call servants to take Bibles and fi lms to this small people group whom God loves. Pray that God will make recordings and radio programs accessible to the constantly moving Pusha population. Pray that Jesus Christ and His gospel will be received with great joy and acceptance among the Pusha people.—PE

26 Day 20 Liuquian Zhuang People Acts 19:19a

id the bride and groom have a falling out or A number who had argument their fi rst night together? No! In D practiced sorcery brought the past, the custom among the Liuquian Zhuang people was that after the wedding night the bride their scrolls together and would return to live with her parents. She would burned them publicly. visit her husband occasionally, until the birth of their Here is a perfect example fi rst child. Only then would the wife and child go to of repentance. Repentance live with the husband. Today more and more young leads to action. In this people do not follow this custom. Most Liuquian Zhuang are farmers, although some live in cities case, it meant destroying and towns. paraphernalia that was binding the people to demons. Various sources describe the religion of the Liuquian Zhuang people as animistic or polytheistic and their Then the new believers may beliefs as Chinese folk religion. It has elements of well have had to deal with a Buddhism, Taoism, and ancestor worship. In the spiritual backlash as satanic spring they celebrate the “Cattle Soul Festival” forces tried to pull the people because they believe that their cattle have lost their back into their grasp through souls as a result of the whipping they received during intimidation and fear. But spring plowing (www.china.org.cn). Th ey prepare notice that it was a group a special meal for the cattle and perform a ritual designed to call back the lost souls. of people who burned their scrolls. It’s much easier to Pray for the Liuquian Zhuang people. God is not willing make a decision for Christ that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Pray that Christ’s when you join others in doing followers will reach the Liuquian in cities and towns, and so. Before a Liuquian Zhuang that the new believers will take their faith in Jesus back to or any other people can the rural areas.—JWS come to Him, they will need to make a decision to turn their backs on all the spiritual bondage that has gripped them in the past.

Pray for decisions for Christ among China’s Liuquian Zhuang peoples.

27 Day 21 Acts 11:28b Lianshan Zhuang

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, The disciples were called all the earth (Psalm 96:1, NIV). Christians fi rst at Antioch. hat man is from the Lianshan Zhuang This might step on some “Tpeople,” my guide said, looking at a young people’s toes, but did you man who was singing like a lark. To me it seemed know that the term “Christian” that the young man blended in with all the Han was originally a derisive Chinese people around him. I asked our guide why term? In today’s terminology, he thought that the singer was a Lianshan and he explained, “Two things give him away. First of all he it means diff erent things to is constantly singing, and secondly, the words are not diff erent people. For example, Mandarin. While music is a universal language, for it might mean a “holy roller,” the Zhuang people it defi nes who they are! Th ey have or someone who jumps and a song for virtually any event and emotion. But they screams to please God. On have no songs of praise for the true and living God.” the other hand, the term For several days we have read about various Zhuang Christian in some cultures subgroups. Almost all of them live in China near is often associated with each other in Guangxi or Yunnan provinces. But the whatever people do in the Lianshan Zhuang group we are praying for today live West. Muslims and Hindus hundreds of miles away near Guangzhou, a major often associate this term commercial center near Hong Kong. Th is location makes them a “gateway group” for their Zhuang with people who are sexually people. And other sources tell us that the Zhuang impure and abuse drugs and people as a whole are a “gateway people” for many alcohol. For this reason, we other groups in southwestern China. avoid the term Christian in the GPD, and try to use a more Pray for the workers in the Guangzhou metro area to accurate term like followers of bridge the divide and bring the gospel to the Lianshan Christ or believers in Christ. Zhuang in their region. Pray that God will inspire song- writers among the Lianshan who will write songs of Pray that unreached praise in their dialect.—GEC Lianshan Zhuang people will understand the diff erence between what they think is a “Christian” and those who truly follow the Lord.

28 Day 22 Prayer Efforts for the Zhuang People Acts 4:29 (NIV)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than “Now, Lord, consider their all we ask or imagine… (Ephesians 3:20, NIV). threats and enable your rayer changes things” is a motto for many servants to speak Your Word “Pfollowers of Christ. Certainly all of you believe with great boldness.” in the power of prayer or you wouldn’t be praying today. I invite you to take a moment and recall some As the gospel penetrates of the answered prayers you have witnessed. Let those Zhuang communities, memories encourage you as we consider the challenge persecution from their of evangelizing the Zhuang peoples. leaders is certain. Some will For several days now, we have read about and prayed consider them to be traitors for various subgroups among the Zhuang. But these to their people by embracing prayer days have only touched the surface. How will a “foreign religion.” This has there be a church planting movement among these 17 been happening ever since million people broken up into 50 subgroups? Th ose the days when the apostles who have had contact with them tell us they are responsive, but the workers are few. So, according uttered this prayer from Acts to our information, all 50 Zhuang subgroups 4. But notice that they prayed remain unreached. for boldness, not for safety. For this reason there is a movement calling individuals The purposes of God were and groups to regularly focus their prayers on behalf more important to them than of the Zhuang people. Imagine the miracles God their own lives. will achieve when a group of believers gives 31 days a month to focused prayer! Pray that as the Zhuang peoples embrace the gospel, One particularly helpful source is: | many believers will, like the http://www.infomekong.com/downloads/ fi rst century disciples, put prayerguides/31daysforthezhuang.pdf If you would like the purposes of God above to receive regular prayer materials for the Zhuang their own. Pray that as they peoples, write to: [email protected] receive this good Word, the people will rejoice in the Ask the Lord for thousands of believers to regularly pray for fact that their suff ering is the Zhuang peoples long after this month is over. Pray that according to “the deliberate these prayer eff orts will result in a church planting move- and well-thought-out plan ment among each one of the 50 Zhuang subgroups.—GEC of God.”

29 Day 23 Acts 3:17-18 (MSG) Bunu People of China

he old woman’s shrill voice pierced the night … I know you had no idea air; her high-pitched song told a grand and lofty what you were doing when T tale! “Heaven and earth he built with his hands. Sun, you killed Jesus, and neither moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and meadows are but did your leaders. But God, the work of great King Pan Hu.” As the Bunu people Who through the preaching reverentially swayed to the song of creation sung at of all the prophets had said the festival of thanksgiving, the children listened all along that His Messiah eagerly as the song crescendoed to the great fl ood would be killed, knew that destroyed all. exactly what you were Th e Bunu peoples know that there is a creator and that doing, and used it to fulfi ll He is good. Like many cultures throughout the world, His plans. they know that there was once a massive fl ood that Unreached peoples universally destroyed the earth. But few believers in Christ have gone to them with the good news that God came weep when viewing fi lm down to Earth and died on the cross for their sins. portrayals of Jesus’ crucifi xion. Some understand that this was, Why is this? First of all, their language diversity poses a challenge. Th ere are 11 Bunu subgroups, and in fact, God Himself killed to they speak a variety of languages and dialects, some pay the penalty for their sins, of which are related to those of the Zhuang peoples and that this was the only we prayed for earlier this month. Anyone who wants way for sin to be forgiven. to take the gospel to them will also have to deal with Will they take responsibility the challenge of geographic remoteness. for their own sins, or will Th e 11 Bunu subgroups in China are nearly 400,000 they think that this is about strong without even one known Christian church. someone else? Only about 100 of them profess Christ, according to Operation China. Pray that messengers to the Bunu people will accurately Pray that the Bible and the JESUS Film will be made convey the life-changing available in each of the languages spoken by the Bunu so message that it was their sins that this people group will come to know the Author of all that put Christ on the cross. creation, Jesus Christ.—EJD

30 Day 24 Southern Dong People of China Acts 17:22

unlight through the lone window illuminated Paul then stood up in the the cool, damp, humid room. A petite fi gure S meeting of the Areopagus occupied a stool in the brightest quarter. She hummed a melancholic tune as she worked on a piece of cloth. and said: “Men of Athens! Her deft fi ngers worked a needle with silk thread. A I see that in every way you beautiful pattern began to emerge. When every Dong are very religious.” girl turns 12, she begins working on her wedding Throughout the world dress. But in her heart, there is unrest, not eager there are missionaries who anticipation or joy. encounter people like the Why is this? As a member of one of the Dong people Southern Dong who are very groups, this girl believes that many things can go religious just like the people wrong if she off ends the spirits. And she will not know that she has off ended the spirits until things of Athens. Is being religious go wrong. Th e fear of these spirits plagues her mind. a step in the right direction? She knows that she must make numerous off erings In this case it didn’t seem to to the spirits of the village if everything is to proceed be since only a few Athenians without any problems. But there is no guarantee that became followers of Christ as even these off erings will ensure that her big day will a result of Paul’s preaching. He go well. didn’t spend much time with Th ere are 2,500,000 Southern Dong people. Most them, but instead went on to of them live in China, though a few live in Vietnam. Corinth where he hoped to About 1,000 of them profess Christ. fi nd spiritually hungry hearts. Yet there are people out there Pray that the JESUS Film and gospel recordings will be distributed into every Southern Dong village. Pray that who have spiritual questions gospel radio broadcasts will be beamed to them in their lan- and have no answers except guage. Pray that the Dong people will hear of Jesus Christ those given by religion. and accept Him into their hearts, so that all satanic bonds How will our missionaries will be broken and oppression will be removed.—EJD fi n d t h e m ?

Pray that the Lord will lead today’s believers to the religious people who are sincerely looking for truth and righteousness.

31 Day 25 Acts 15:10-11 Tai Pong People

e must be taken Now then, why do you try to the shaman!” to test God by putting on “H the old man said fi rmly. the necks of Gentiles a yoke Th e young man shook that neither we nor our his head. “It would be a ancestors have been able waste of time, father. Th e to bear? No! We believe shaman cannot help a it is through the grace of sick boy.” “Of course, he our Lord Jesus that we are can,” the old man argued.

saved, just as they are.” International Create “When you were little, your mother and I took you to the shaman whenever You can understand why you were ill.” Th e younger man sighed and muttered, Jewish-background believers “It is mere superstition.” Th e old man screamed, “I thought that circumcision was demand that you take my grandson to the shaman necessary; the Mosaic Law before it is too late!” was what they understood Th e religious beliefs of the Tai Pong are changing. to be God’s will. They did not Unlike many people groups in China, the Tai Pong understand that with the were not infl uenced by Th eravada Buddhism. For New Covenant came the free centuries they have been animists believing that gift of God: salvation through everything, living or not, has a spirit. Th ese spirits Jesus Christ. Today members need to be appeased, often requiring the assistance of a special spiritual go-between known as a shaman. of unreached people groups However, the younger generations are increasingly are also carrying heavy “yokes” nonreligious, atheistic, and materialistic. that God never intended for No matter what their beliefs are, the Tai Pong have them to bear. In today’s entry, not been reached with the gospel. About a quarter of we learned about people who the population has heard about Christ, but they have must bear the yoke of going not responded to the good news. to shamans for healing. Pray for the Lord to send workers into this waiting har- Pray that the Tai Pong vest fi eld. Ask Him to prepare the hearts of the Tai Pong people will understand that to receive His invitation to salvation and abundant, they can go to Jesus, who eternal life. Pray for a church planting movement and for has compassion for the a great spiritual awakening among the Tai Pong.—CL helpless. Pray that they will embrace Him as well as His healing touch.

32 Day 26 Tai Ya People Acts 2:17, 21 (NIV)

iggles gave way to silence as the children In the last days, God says, I began to listen to the old man’s story about G will pour out my Spirit on their people, the Tai Ya. He pointed to the sky and said, “Once upon a time, instead of a sun like we see all people. Your sons and now, there was a great pearl that provided light for daughters will prophesy, all people. But one day a demon snatched the pearl your young men will see away. Th is left the people without any light. So a hero visions, your old men will named Wannapa followed the demon. He tracked dream dreams. … And the demon to the very edge of hell, determined to everyone who calls on recover the pearl. In order to remember his way back the Name of the Lord will home, Wannapa drew a map on his skin with tree be saved. sap. Unfortunately, the lines of the map were washed away by rain. So Wannapa used thorns to carve the That “everyone” includes map into his skin. Since that time, our people have anybody from the Zhuang practiced the art of tattooing.” peoples and the Tai Ya. And Th e Tai Ya are so well known for their tattoos that once they cry out to Him and they gained the nickname: “those with embroidered are saved, He will pour feet.” Like some of the other Tai people groups, the out His Spirit upon them! Tai Ya are animists. Buddhists refer to them as Tai Ya This means that they can in reference to their illiteracy and lack of education. receive the guidance of the Th eir lack of a written language has made it hard to Holy Spirit and can have a produce gospel materials. personal relationship with God through Christ. Pray for believers to go to the Tai Ya to help them develop a written language and to translate God’s Word for them. Pray for the Tai Ya people Pray for many Tai Ya to hear the good news of Christ and to become so spiritually respond to Him with all their hearts.—CL desperate that they will call out to Him and be saturated by His blessings. Then pray that His Spirit will ignite them to go to “every kind of people” nearby so that they can also be blessed and transformed by His Spirit.

33 Day 27 Act. 7:60 Tay people of China and Vietnam

he Tay people, Lord, do not hold this sin numbering around against them. T 100,000 within China, In his dying breath Stephen are certainly not a prays for those who are signifi cant ethnic population group by brutally killing him. What a Chinese standards. testimony of the work of the Because of this fact, Holy Spirit in someone’s life! they were grouped He could have prayed that Create International Create together with the God would judge them, but Zhuang nationality and are largely indistinguishable instead he prayed for God’s from other Tai-speaking peoples in the area. mercy, just as Christ did on But that does not mean they have no unique customs the cross. Around the world and traditions of their own! Th e Tay are known for there are family feuds that living at the foot of a mountain or near a stream. continue for hundreds of years Th eir homes consist of two rooms: the front one is demonstrating what happens the main dwelling of the men, and the rear room is where the women live. Th eir lives revolve around when forgiveness is lacking. centuries-old traditions such as singing folk songs, Only through the work of the sharing poetry, and dancing. Th ey have acquired Holy Spirit can we forgive as a reputation for cultivating attractive fi elds and Christ forgave sinful humanity gardens, keeping very clean homes, and living in when He was on the cross. a thrifty manner. Isn’t this message worth Th e Tay people moved to China’s Guangxi Province dying for? in the 13th century, after escaping from the advancing Mongolian army. Since that time they Pray for those on the have remained devoted to ancestor worship, and frontiers of mission will have there is a dark undercurrent of fear that goes the love for their enemies through all of their life. At present there are small that will draw the lost to groups of believers among the Tay people in China the cross. and Vietnam.

Pray for signifi cant spiritual breakthroughs among the Tay. Pray that the church will begin connecting with them in more meaningful ways. Pray for barriers of tra- dition and fear to come down.—JR

34 Day 28 Tulao People of China Acts 12:23

hat would it feel like to no longer be thought …an angel of the Lord W of as a distinct, unique person—to simply be cast as part of a larger group? Th is is what has struck him down, and happened to the Tulao people of China. Despite he was eaten by worms having their own language, customs, and ethnicity, and died. they have been offi cially placed within the Zhuang That was the public death of nationality. Th is creates diffi culties for them, not the Herod, a man who proved least of which is seeing their own uniqueness fade into the forgotten past. to be a consistent enemy of the gospel. It’s true that Th e Tulao probably arrived in China in stages over the enemies of the gospel past 1,000 years. It is known that they were severely aff ected by the Taiping Rebellion of 1851-1864 when seldom die in such dramatic tens of thousands of them fl ed the ravaged areas. At ways. But this is a reminder that time the leader of the Taiping army believed that of the fact that our God is he was the brother of Jesus Christ and was called by both a God of mercy and God to set up an earthly kingdom. Because the Tulao love and a God of wrath and did not keep written historical records, we cannot judgment. Knowing this know absolutely their specifi c experiences during this fact, how should we pray for troubled time. But we know that they suff ered greatly. the enemies of the gospel in Animism rules the thinking and actions of the Tulao today’s world? people in China. Perhaps because of Han Chinese infl uence, there is also a degree of ancestor worship Pray that the unreached and Taoism. Th ere has been no evangelical activity peoples will understand among the Tulao people for many years. Th ey have not God’s nature and be drawn been reached by the gospel at all. to His love; but pray that they will also have a healthy Pray for an eff ort to reach the Tulao before they become fear of His wrath. completely indistinguishable from the peoples around them. Pray for spiritual freedom from the longstanding traditions that hold them in bondage.—JR

35 Day 29 Acts 13:11 Yongchun People of China

Now the hand of the Lord is losed off in every way, against you. You are going C the Yongchun people to be blind…. remain a mystery to the outside world. Th ey live in Paul, who himself was a challenging mountainous temporarily struck blind in Hong Kong terrain that allows for only chapter 9 of Acts, is now used limited transportation, and of God to pronounce judgment the government restricts Sichuan them from meeting together. on a false prophet. This man Jiangxi Th e Chinese government was advising the governor of Hunan Guizhou even classifi es them as part of Cyprus and standing in the Yunnan Guangdong a “foreign” tribe. way of the gospel moving Guangxi Hong VIET. In one of China’s least forward on the island. Kong Laos evangelized regions, this LAOS Hainan Certainly we must pray for indigenous people group political leaders. But we must lives among other tribal also pray for those who are people. Th eir home is in the mountainous border area the power behind the throne between Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces, though and wield much infl uence their precise location is unknown. All people in this among the rich and the region (17 subgroups) are clustered into the Zhuang nationality. Th e Chinese government estimates that powerful. By demonstrating there are around 16,000 Yongchun people. As far God’s powerful judgment, as we know, none of them have heard the gospel. Paul opened the way for a Bordering their land to the south is Vietnam, and political leader and the people the porous border puts them at risk for drug and under his infl uence to enter human traffi cking. the Kingdom of God. Th e Yongchun worship many gods. Th ey off er sacrifi ces to their ancestors as well as to demanding Pray for God’s hand to spirits. Th ere are no scriptures or gospel resources direct political aff airs that available in their language. will open the way for many Zhuang people to enter the Pray that the Yongchun will open their hearts to God kingdom of God. who draws all peoples to Himself. Pray that He will send workers who will boldly proclaim His love and dem- onstrate His power to them. Pray for a church planting movement among every people in their region.—LR

36 Day 30 Nung People of Vietnam and China Acts 16:30

e are best at preserving our culture and He (the jailer) then brought “Wcustoms, better than the other tribes them out and asked, “Sirs, who are mixing with outsiders and embracing other what must I do to be saved?” religions,” the Nung grandmother explained to her granddaughter who carried a cell phone and donned Earthquake! What a traumatic a modern indigo-colored dress. In Vietnam the experience it would have desire for modernization has given the government a been to be in this rock-hewn desire to preserve ethnic communities and traditions dungeon when the big one for the sake of tourism. Some of those modernizing hit. This jailer understood trends have aff ected the Nung people in China. Th e grandmother continued, “Now our family in that God was behind the Vietnam has the protection of their government. But dangerous situation, and even though we in China do not have government instantly repented. Other protection, we should not modernize ourselves with people are not so fortunate. new technologies and practices.” Some people face all kinds Th e Nung people of southern China, now numbering of catastrophes, but never 100,000, have earned a reputation in the region understand that the Lord is that borders Vietnam for being some of the best not to be trifl ed with. horticulturists and blacksmiths. Most live in a rural environment where they farm and fi sh. Th ey are even Pray that as the Nung more famed for weaving cloth of indigo color, the people face diff erent symbol of trustworthiness. However, in China the situations, they will Nung are said to be less than trustworthy. understand that they need Although some of the people have mixed Buddhist the guidance and protection teachings into their religion, the Nung are unshaken of the Lord of lords. in their loyalties to their traditional beliefs in an animistic spirit world. Even though there are few known followers of Christ, the Nung do have Christian resources available in their language and even the Gospel of Mark has been translated.

Pray that God will soften hearts to embrace Him and spread His fame to Nung communities on both sides of the border.—LR

37 Day 31 Acts 3:1 (NIV) Far East Broadcasting (FEBC) For the Zhuang

atian found a radio station that played One day Peter and John something in his own dialect of Zhuang! He were going up to the D was used to hearing Mandarin, so this was a special temple at the time of treat. “Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but prayer—at three in I come that you may have life to the full.” Datian the afternoon. had never heard such a thing! Who was this about? Peter shared Christ with all Could it be true that there was someone who could give him a full and happy life? kinds of Jewish people in Jerusalem, and they embraced Datian had just tuned into FEBC radio. Th ough whoever wanted to hear the there are 13 main Zhuang dialects, 90 percent of these people speak two of them. With the help of truth. Extraction evangelism local believers, FEBC is producing broadcasts for (i.e., removing individuals some of these Zhuang people that will give them from their communities in hope in Christ. such a way that they have to FEBC is currently working on a project that will lose existing relationships) has result in having past Zhuang programs collected been the common Western onto a miniature SD memory card for distribution. missionary method for two Th ese cards can play lots of content on MP3 players centuries. But in Bible times, and mobile phones, which are very common among it was much more common the Zhuangs, even in remote regions. for God’s message to be given to the leaders of each people Pray for the Lord to throw open the doors for these mate- rials to become available to all the Zhuang people groups. group. Messengers are now Pray for distribution eff orts; government offi cials are rediscovering God’s ability to suspicious of people distributing materials if they don’t lead them to “men of peace” know the content of them. Pray for workers to be wise as with the authority to receive serpents and harmless as doves. Pray for FEBC to be able and enable the good news to to produce materials in the two largest Zhuang dialects. be welcomed into their whole Pray for God to provide security for those secretly record- family and tribe! ing program materials.—KC and FEBC staff

Pray that God will prepare Chinese believers to reach out to leaders among the Zhuang peoples.

38 g

Front Cover of second month

[Do not print]

Replace with the cover PDF Editorial August 2014 RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Dear Praying Friends, U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street In this issue you will learn Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 Tel: (330) 626-3361 about the Tibetan Buddhist [email protected] people groups and also about MANAGING EDITOR the ways in which they pray Keith Carey and worship. Each day ASSISTANT EDITOR will focus not only on a Paula Fern

specifi c people, but also on WRITERS its religious practices. Glenn Culbertson Patricia Depew As I edited this current issue, my wife called my Patti Ediger attention to an article written in the April, 2014 Wesley Kawato Arlene Knickerbocker edition of Christian Leader that involved the testimony Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj of a Tibetan Buddhist monk who had put his faith Christopher Lane Annabeth Lewis in Christ. It took him several years to completely Robert Rutz understand Christian theology; for some time he tried Ted Proffi tt Lydia Reynolds to straddle both Tibetan Buddhism and Christianity. Jeff Rockwell But there were a couple of comments he made that Jean Smith should aff ect how we pray. He pointed out that Christ’s Jane W. Sveska ambassadors were instrumental in leading him to the DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES Robert Rutz Savior. He heard that the Dalai Lama, after speaking at Keith Carey a church in the U.S., had given a good report about the CUSTOMER SERVICE trustworthiness and character of believers. Th is opened Dan Eddy the monk’s heart to believers and the message that they Diane Tolsma Lois Carey brought. It was the sacrifi cial love of Christ’s followers that encouraged him further in his new faith. Tibetan GRAPHICS Matt Anderson Buddhists have tremendous admiration for those who PRINTER practice sacrifi cial love. Th en fi nally he read Jesus’ words Diversifi ed Printers , La Mirada, CA in Luke 6:27” …Love your enemies.…” Th at settled the issue once and for all. WEB SITE www.globalprayerdigest.org

Th ough we will be praying for Tibetan Buddhists in the ISSN 1045-9731 context of their religious practices, we must remember Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2014 this month to pray that Christ’s ambassadors will U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street demonstrate the kind of sacrifi cial love that only comes Pasadena, CA 91104

from the Holy Spirit. Contents of this booklet may be reproduced if appropriate credit and In Christ, subscription information are given.

For subscription information, call (330) 626-3361. For comments on content, Keith Carey, editor, GPD call (626) 398-2241.

40 Feature of the Month

Pray for a Strong Fellowship Among Every Tibetan Buddhist People

Bay of Bengal

Tibet Lhasa

INDIA

41 aspx TheCall/Ekballo/Ekballo. com/Articles/1000134957/ See: http://www.thecall. harvest.” the into Ekballoed to be laborers for and groups people unreached the of salvation the for praying worship, night and day thefor Lord through create a dwelling place Pasadena California “to in established been has prayer of House Ekballo To Help You Pray Better House ofPrayer R Rebstock ofEkballo and—by Riggs CS 42 Buddhists The Devotion ofTibetan Deep nearby mountain. mountain. nearby overa who of live those language the understand cannot often land of this One people group in ranges. mountain the isolated Pockets of throughout people are harsh. often feet. Th 15,000 above reach peaks mountain the and level sea feet above 10,000 are valleys the Th sochallenging. are lives why isone their reasons of nomadic which the are peoples Background faceother forms of injustice. For are they still example, today, Army Red they bythe killed being are Tibetans few relatively oppression. Although political by Chinese Th Bhutan. in 1,000 and Nepal, in 13,000 Bhutan. and Today, India, in live Tibetans over 94,000 fl Tibetans himself. Lama Dalai the including into exile, Tibetans many Th people werekilled. many and Tibet, took over 1949government. In military Chinese the oppression Chinese the from facepolitical also but they conditions, climate faceharsh Not Tibetans do the only T e Tibetan life and culture are still being threatened threatened being still are culture and life eTibetan divided into 129 people groups. Many of the Tibetan Tibetan of the Many into groups. people 129 divided are which Tibetans 1.5 approximately million here are ed primarily to northern India, Nepal, Nepal, India, to northern ed primarily ey may live at an altitude where altitude at an maylive ey e climate iscold and eclimate isinvasion forced The Deep Devotion of Tibetan Buddhists forced to learn to speak Mandarin Chinese, in essence, requiring their own languages to take a secondary place. Land distribution by the Chinese government has heavily favored the ethnic Han Chinese, often leaving the Tibetans with few resources.

Tibet’s Unique Form of Buddhism In the midst of the challenges of a harsh climate and fi erce political oppression, you fi nd a people dedicated to Buddhism. But the form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet is uniquely diff erent from other forms of Buddhism in the world. Tibetan Buddhists believe that one can attain “nirvana” in one lifetime. Th is form of Buddhism often demands an intense devotion that must be accompanied by radical religious practices. Tibetan Buddhism is also mixed with many of the local religious practices where it is imperative to make sacrifi ces to appease the gods. Bon is an ancient Tibetan religion that has a strong infl uence on the people’s daily lives. It was mixed with Buddhism around the 8th century AD, and it separates the Tibetan form of Buddhism from all other forms of this religion. Bon incorporates occult practices, demon worship, and aspects of shamanism. Th e mixture of Bon and Buddhism in Tibet has produced a religious system based on pleasing very dark spirit beings. Th e fear of their gods is entrenched in their religion, and this fear can be overwhelming. Some experience horrible nightmares or what they call “terrors in the night,” being awakened by intense fear in their sleep. However, even in the midst of this darkness in Tibetan Buddhism, the common people and monks are diligently seeking to fi nd God. Th ey are people of great faith and prayer. In fact their lives revolve around prayer! Th is culture of prayer is embraced by the monks and also by the common lay people. Th ey use many diff erent methods and tools in their forms of prayer. You can see how God has placed devotion to prayer as something which could be redeemed and directed to the true and living God.

Tibetan Forms of Prayer One of the ways the Tibetan peoples practice prayer is by using prayer fl ags. A visitor to the country will notice that these fl ags are hanging throughout the Himalayan mountain ranges. Th e people believe that

43 The Deep Devotion of Tibetan Buddhists

these fl ags will bring blessings and prosperity. When the wind blows upon them, they believe that these blessings will fl ow down the mountains into the valleys and touch the lives of the people. Prayer wheels are also an essential part of Tibetan life. Th ese prayer wheels can be rather small and hand held or as large as an adult. Th e prayers of the people are written on the wheels. When the people spin the wheels, they believe that their prayers are being uttered. Whether they are praying in the monasteries or taking a bus ride, you can see the Tibetans being faithful to bring their burdens and their desires to god using their prayer wheels. Along with the prayer wheels Tibetan Buddhists also carry with them prayer beads. Th ey use these beads to count how many times they are praying their mantras. A mantra is simply a prayer that they pray over and over again. Th ere are typically 21, 28 or 108 beads that they carry. While counting their mantras using the prayer beads that number 21 or 28 they often lie down prostrate. When they use 108 prayer beads, they are repenting of all of the sins that are written in Buddhist doctrine. Tibetans meditate on what they are praying for until it is ingrained into the fabric of their beings. Th is practice takes much discipline and focus. Buddhists believe that power and enlightenment come through fasting; therefore, fasting plays a major role in their spirituality. Th e Tibetans believe that in fasting they are denying themselves food as a sacrifi ce in order to bless others. Th erefore, when they fast, they give food to the poor. Th ere are many diff erent types of fasts. One type consists of no food; other types of fasts limit the kinds of food they eat. Many Buddhists have endured long fasts drinking only water. It is common for monks to fast every day from noon until the following morning. According to tradition, Gautama Buddha advised the monks to fast in this way. Buddhists will tell you that Gautama Buddha himself fasted very intensely for six years.

Redemption for the Tibetans Th ough there is much darkness among these people, there are some things in their lives that fi ll our hearts with hope. Earlier in the article we pointed out that the majority of Tibetans are nomadic in some way. Tibetan nomads rarely settle anywhere for an extended period of time. Th ey often go in and out of the harsh climate of the Tibetan region of the Himalayas. Sometimes they travel through Nepal and northern India. Th is gives them an opportunity to hear the

4444 TheLight Deep The Devotion WIndow ofPrayer Tibetan Campaign Buddhists gospel while temporarily being away from China’s oppressive communist government. Th us the Tibetan nomads may not only be able to hear the gospel, but they could spread it wherever they go. Th ere are also some qualities in the Tibetan Buddhist practices that could cause us to have hope that they may be open to the gospel of Jesus Christ if they have a chance to hear about the Lord. Th ese people are committed to prayer and fasting. God’s plan for them could be that they will become intercessors for His Kingdom of light. Remember, before the foundation of the world God chose the Tibetan people to be in Christ and in love with Him. He gave them the desire and discipline to bow down and humble themselves and pray. When the Tibetans receive a revelation of Jesus Christ, they will become some of the most powerful and eff ective prayer warriors in the Buddhist world.

Prayer Points Pray for God to send laborers to Tibetan nomads. It will take believers who can withstand harsh climates, much travel, and a radically diff erent world view than we have in the West. Pray for peace for the Tibetans amidst the oppression from the Chinese government. Pray that reconciliation will occur between Tibetans and Chinese. Pray that the spirit of fear will be broken among the Tibetan peoples. Pray that they will soon know the love of God that casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Pray that God will open their eyes to Christ and use their devotion, prayers and fasting for His honor and glory. Pray for a revelation of Christ to be released to the Tibetan peoples (Ephesians 1:17-19). Pray that God will raise up and send many laborers to reach all Tibetan peoples with His love that is found only in Christ.

4545 Day 1 Philippians 4:13 (NIV) Missionary Biography: Bob Bowman of FEBC

I can do everything through he story of Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) starts at a time that historians now call Him who gives me strength. T Year Zero—the year 1945, when one world ended These two men were excellent and another began. World War II had just come to examples of putting the a close. Peace fi nally came to a planet exhausted by principle of this verse into six years of relentless confl ict. More than 60 million people were dead. Cities and towns around the world practice. We are all weak in lay in ruins, their populations stunned and starving. our own strength, but God And out of this shattered silence there came a gives us the ability to do yearning for something more meaningful. Two men everything that He wants understood this need and vowed to do something us to do. Prompted by the about it. Holy Spirit, the two godly John Broger was a soldier returning from the men used all that they had to Pacifi c front. Bob Bowman was a Christian radio begin a ministry that is now broadcaster. As old friends who reunited after the reaching millions. war, they developed a deep appreciation for the spiritual needs of Asia. After so much death and Thank the Lord for giving destruction, they felt called by God to set up a radio strength to His workers. Pray ministry that could reach into the void to inspire for His guidance so that you and encourage desperate, disheartened people. can carry out what He wants Th ey wanted to bring the greatest comfort of all to you to do for Him. millions of people, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Th e two men had no fi nancial backing, no supportive board, and no church denomination. But they had courage, and they leaned on this biblical promise from God: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8, NIV).

Pray for faith and perseverance for those God is call- ing in the 21st century to begin new works to extend His kingdom.—FEBC

46 Day 2 Missionary Biography, Continued Galatians 5:6 (NIV)

ne country was For in Christ Jesus especially on their O neither circumcision nor hearts: China. Th is great and ancient land had borne more uncircumcision has any than its share of battle and value. The only thing that Hong Kong suff ered grievously as a result. counts is faith expressing itself through love. And so FEBC had its very fi rst broadcast from a Faith. That fi ve-letter word station in Shanghai. But Beijing that says it all. It took faith this was short-lived. Th e rise for Bowman and Broger to of Communism in China begin their broadcast at a spelled the end of in-country CHINA time when it looked like it Shanghai Christian outreach there. But that didn’t stop Bob Bowman was becoming impossible to and John Broger. By 1948 work in China. They believed they’d relocated FEBC to the Philippines, ready to in the work when common grow their radio ministry anew. sense said to go in a diff erent It has been said that, “faith means believing when direction. But their love for the common sense tells you not to.” After its fi rst lost led them to attempt the broadcasts into Communist China, faith was all impossible. And their act of FEBC had to go on. Radio stations are powered faith helped breed faith in this by more than transmitters; they thrive on listener man who wrote the letter. response. And there simply wasn’t any response for fi ve years, or even 10. Trusting that the Lord would Pray for the Lord to help transform hearts through their broadcasts, FEBC FEBC workers today to persevered. And one day 13 years after they started, discern what seemingly a letter—a single letter—arrived from China. impossible things should It was written by a young man who listened to FEBC be attempted for the glory broadcasts almost every morning. He asked for more of God. Pray for Him to use information and went on to declare: “I am eager to their broadcasts to build understand the truth of Jesus.” faith in those who listen.

Pray for encouragement for those who labor with little or no fruit for their work. Pray that we as a Church will not despise the days of small beginnings.—FEBC

47 Day 3 Galatians 3:8 (NIV) Missionary Biography, Continued

his letter not only confi rmed for Bob Bowman The Scripture foresaw and John Broger that people were indeed that God would justify T listening, it marked the start of remarkable growth the Gentiles by faith, and that has seen FEBC continually expand over time announced the gospel in into all of Southeast Asia, especially Korea, as advance to Abraham: “All well as Russia and Central Asia, with affi liated nations will be blessed programs in Africa, the Middle East, and the through you.” Indian Subcontinent. All nations! That includes FEBC started with shortwave, then AM and FM the thousands of nations radio. Th ey now reach younger generations through (ethne or ethnic groups) in new technologies such as Internet streaming, satellite podcasts, and mobile devices. Asia that await the touch of the mighty Savior. Think From the beginning, when the Lord placed His of how many of these can call in the hearts of two young men and gave them a mission to share Christ with the world, till 2014, be reached through radio, FEBC has grown into a global network, broadcasting a medium that reaches 770 hours a day in over 100 languages. Th ree billion people primarily in the people live within range of FEBC transmitters. Bob major languages of the Bowman died at age 98 on March 12 of this year. world. Even many of China’s minority peoples can be Pray for the Lord to guide and protect FEBC as they con- reached with the Mandarin tinue their tradition of perseverance and faith. Pray for language, though it’s ideal the Lord to raise up enough workers for FEBC to thrive in their calling throughout the 21st century. for them to hear the Word in their heart language. (Written by Far East Broadcasting Company for this is- Pray for God to bless sue of the GPD) China and other countries by extending FEBC’s broadcasts into new languages during this decade.

48 Day 4 Central Tibetan People of China Matthew 6: 7-8 (NIV)

earing that their tongues And when you pray, do and minds may fail to F not keep on babbling like off er suffi cient prayers, the Central Tibetan Buddhists pagans, for they think have used prayer wheels for they will be heard because many centuries to enhance of their many words. Do Bay of not be like them, for your Bengal their prayers. Th ey believe that with each spin of the prayer Father knows what you wheel, another prayer goes need before you ask Him. up. A bell on the wheel helps Often when I read these Tibet them keep track of the number Lhasa of prayers. Th ese prayers are words of Jesus I think of the usually directed to their god, Tibetans with their prayer INDIA Chenrezig, in hopes that he wheels. It’s so easy to fall into will show compassion on the trap of believing that we them. Th e wheels are made will be heard because of our in diff erent sizes and consist of a hollowed box or many prayers. It is certainly cylinder that contains a roll of prayers that are wound a good thing to persevere in around an axle and spun counterclockwise. Th ose who practice Bon, an older shamanistic tradition of spirit prayer just as Jesus exhorted worship, spin the wheels clockwise. Th e words of the us to do in other verses. prayer are “Om Mani Padme Hum.” Om means to ask But the key issue is your for perfection and generosity. Ma asks to obtain purity. relationship to God, not the Ni is requesting tolerance. Padme Hum is asking number of words you speak. for perseverance and wisdom. Multiple wheels are used in the Buddhist temples and some are placed on Pray for the Tibetans to open pathways. embrace the One who hears us as a father hears the Pray that the Central Tibetans will come to know the true wishes of his children. “Father in Heaven” who has communicated directly with people from the time of Adam and Eve. Pray that they will put their faith in the One who designed the universe, not in their many prayers, however sincere they may be.—PD

49 Day 5 Ephesians 3:12 (NIV) Gtsang Tibetan People of China

orgeous in her bright colored silk robe, Norbu In Him and through faith (meaning “jewel”) was excited as she prepared to in Him we may approach G watch the birds with her family during the celebration God with freedom and of their Gtsang New Year. Everyone was using their confi dence. prayer beads in hopes that the gods would give them a This month you are praying good harvest. To prepare for this important ritual, the people clear an area of ground and spread some barley, for Tibetan Buddhist wheat, peas, and buckwheat on it. Th en they wait for people who use all kinds of the birds to arrive to eat the grains. Th e people say the techniques to reach out to birds are from the spirits. If the birds eat everything, gods and spiritual powers. then the people believe that they will have a great These same gods and powers annual harvest. Th e birds came and ate everything “reward” them by putting that day so Norbu gave thanks to the spirits. them in bondage and leaving Th e 700,000 Gtsang speaking Tibetans (10 dialects) them with feelings of dread are a vivacious, happy, and hardworking people who and uncertainty. Why don’t live in a beautiful region located between the Tibet- they embrace the One who Nepal border. Th eir cities of Xigaze and Gyantse loves them and off ers them are two of the largest in Tibet. Th eir religion is a combination of various Buddhist teachings, and freedom and confi dence? In many of the people follow their cultural spirit form some cases they don’t know of worship and traditions. Like most Buddhists, they about Him, while in other depend on their prayer beads which usually number cases they put their faith in from 30 to 108. Th e 108 represents the number gods that aren’t worthy of of sinful desires that one must overcome to reach their devotion. That is why enlightenment. While moving the beads, they repeat we pray for them today. words in prayer that indicate they are asking for perfection, generosity, purity, tolerance and wisdom. Pray for the Gtsang Tibetans Th is is their major source of hope for reaching to fi nd the living, loving enlightenment. Christ who off ers spiritual freedom and confi dence Pray the Gtsang will hear God’s word and know His free for eternal life. Pray for gift of salvation soon.—PD open hearts.

50 Day 6 Nghari Tibetan People 2 Cor 2:15-16 (MSG)

fter completing the required ritual of walking Everywhere we go, people around and climbing Mt. Kailash in Nepal, Joan, A breathe in the exquisite a Western Buddhist, joined other pilgrims in reciting, “We are asked to put our whole bodies on the line to fragrance. Because of feed the hungry ghosts, to heal our suff ering and the Christ, we give off a sweet world’s suff ering.” She hoped she would come to being scent rising to God, which cleansed from all her ills and weaknesses. is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an Over 50,000 Tibetan Nghari people live in a part of aroma redolent with life. northwestern Tibet known as “the roof of the roof of But those on the way to the world,” for it is situated 14,760 feet above sea level. destruction treat us more Th ousands of pilgrims, Buddhist, Hindu, and others come to their region because it is the location of the like the stench from a 18,600-foot Mount Kailash where they seek spiritual rotting corpse. hope of enlightenment. Th e sky burial grounds of For those believers who will the Nghari are found at the base of the mountain. It work among the Tibetan is here that they honor their dead with a ceremony Nghari people, it will be known as the “Sky Burial.” Th e body is dismembered impossible to know who will and then left for vultures. Th is is considered a embrace the gospel and who generous gift to nature as the Nghari believe that after will reject it. When workers death the body is an empty vessel as the spirit has left. Th ere are no known followers of Christ among the begin their ministry, they Nghari Tibetans. will need to preach to all the people. Then it will become Pray that God will bring strong, faithful and prepared clear who is accepting the believers to live and share His word so these people will message and who is rejecting receive His gift of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. it. Until then, they must May the Nghari Tibetan people experience the abundant preach to all who will listen, life promised by Christ.—PD seeking those with hungry spiritual hearts. Reference: jizochronicles.com/writing/ journey-to-mt-kailash/ As you pray for the Tibetan Nghari people, ask the Lord to send those who will welcome Christ and His harvesters, so that they may hear the truth and the truth will set them free.

51 Day 7 Galatians 1:15a (NIV) Amdo Tibetans of China

But when God, who set me emember, Jampa, even the Buddha one time apart from birth…. “Roff ered his body as food for a hungry tigress. Your mom gave her life for our people so we can All seven billion of us have be free from the Chinese.” Th e Amdo Tibetan was been “set apart” by the Lord trying to comfort the girl whose mom died because for His purposes. He gave us she had committed immolation (burning herself) in protest against the Chinese domination of the land. life, and it’s only right that we give that life back to Him. We Around 50,000 nomadic Amdo Tibetans live in the all have a purpose, not only to beautiful grasslands located in western Tibet. Th ey herd their animals in the area that is known for its serve Him, but also to worship large Buddhist monasteries and sacred mountains. Him. What are you set apart to Many important Tibetan Buddhist monks come do? How do you think that we from this region, including the current Dalai Lama, can reach the Amdo Tibetans Lhamo Dondrub. Th e Buddhist teachings and for Christ? loyalty to their leaders have made the Amdo strong supporters of their religious beliefs. Over the years, Pray for the Lord to speak protests and battles against the Chinese have resulted to Amdo hearts about His in the tragic loss of thousands of Amdo lives. Sadly, purpose for their lives. several have recently died from immolation. In Buddhism, although it is not usually encouraged, this form of suicide is viewed as an unselfi sh act for the good of others. In 2009 over 100 Tibetan monks took their lives through immolation in an eff ort to call attention to the struggle against Chinese domination of Tibet. Several mission agencies worked in the Amdo area prior to 1949, and a few small churches remain today.

Pray that the Living God and His Word will be under- stood, accepted, and honored by the Amdo Buddhists in this spiritually dark area of the world where His power, light, and grace are so badly needed.—PD

52 Day 8 Xiangcheng People 2 Cor 1:10-11 (MSG)

ne of the fi rst And He’ll do it again, O things visitors see rescuing us as many times as they approach the as we need rescuing. You Xiangcheng village in and your prayers are part China’s southwest Sichuan of the rescue operation—I Province are strings of brightly colored prayer don’t want you in the dark fl ags fl uttering along the about that either. I can high mountain ridges see your faces even now, above the valley that is lifted in praise for God’s home to the Xiangcheng deliverance of us, a rescue Prayer Flags people. Th eir unique in which your prayers location remained virtually untouched for centuries, a played such a crucial part. remote outpost along an ancient caravan route linking three provinces. Perhaps this remoteness nurtured See how the harvesters you the fi rm, devout character of the Xiangcheng, are praying for depend on making them staunch Buddhists and one of the most you watching their backs? unreached people of China. Just as the people you know Prayer fl ags are commonly seen in Tibetan Buddhist can fail if you’re critiquing areas. Th ese people believe they promote peace, them instead of praying strength, and wisdom. Th ey come in sets of fi ve for them, your frontline colors— blue, white, red, green, and yellow— missionaries can and will get arranged in that order, and they are often inscribed wiped out repeatedly if you with prayers and mantras. Th e colors are symbolic of fail to uphold them, even the various concepts important to Buddhism. to the extent of praying for Th ere are no Christian materials available in the them as though you are in distinctive Xiangcheng dialect. But a few years ago, prison with them! one young man believed in Christ and traveled to Kunming City to learn more about the Bible. He has So pray that way for proven to be a zealous disciple and has a strong desire those He is sending to the to reach his own people for the Lord. Xiangcheng people.

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare the hearts of the Xiangcheng people to hear and believe the gospel. Pray that many will be called to go and make disciples, teaching “them to observe all” Jesus commanded.—JS

53 Day 9 Galatians 4:8 (NIV) Cona Monpa People

solated, mistreated, enslaved, and spiritually bound Formerly, when you did not by Satan—this is what describes the 24,000 Cona know God, you were slaves I Monpa people of southern Tibet. Th ey have their to those who by nature are own distinct dialect, but most can use Tibetan as not gods. a common language to communicate with other Gratitude! This is what the Monpa groups. Cona Monpa people will Nearly three centuries ago the Monpa people feel when they hear about migrated across the Himalayas to southeast Tibet. the one who sets them free Until 1959 they were oppressed serfs of the Tibetans, even having to ask permission just to make a journey. from slavery to the spiritual forces that demand sacrifi cing Th e Monpa have many customs unique to their form their valuable livestock. But of Buddhism. Th ey are the only minority group in China to practice river burial by which a corpse is imagine what it must feel like cut into 108 pieces and hurled into a rushing river for them at this time. There to be washed away. Th is practice is abhorrent to is no end to their servitude to Tibetan Buddhists who consider this the lowest form these spiritual forces. of burial and only used for children and lepers. But perhaps the most destructive of their beliefs and Pray for the Lord to set the customs is their practice of numerous shamanistic and Cona Monpa people free polytheistic rituals. Th e Monpa believe all disease is from the “gods” that are not caused by demons. Th is belief forces them to sacrifi ce gods, and draw them to the their valuable cattle and horses to pacify the angry Light of the World. demons. Many Monpa live in Bhutan, and in 1996 several Bhutanese believers crossed into Tibet for the purpose of evangelism.

Let us pray for the seeds of evangelism planted in 1996 to be nurtured and to grow into a strong people movement that fi nally frees the spirits and souls of these oppressed people to worship their Lord and Creator.—JS

54 Day 10 Medog Monpa People Psalm 150:5-6 (NIV)

he Medog Monpa Praise Him with the clash are isolated most T of cymbals, praise Him with of the year due to resounding cymbals. snow and landslides. Let everything that has Th eir county in Tibet was the last to breath praise the Lord. become accessible to Praise the Lord. land vehicles. Th eir In every culture people enjoy lives sound depressing, music. Some cultures are so yet the Medog Monpa remain a very happy and hospitable people known musically-driven that the best for their love of music, singing, and dancing. Flutes, way to reach them is through drums, cymbals are all as much a part of their everyday music, not through the spoken life as their Tibetan Buddhism. word. Some of the Tibetan Music is for all occasions, particularly at weddings. peoples are musical, including A stranger attending would be surprised to hear the the Medog Monpa. Note bride’s uncle stand up and loudly declare,” Th ese meat that this group clashes their slices are too thick, and the drinks are too cheap!” He cymbals in their rituals, but would loudly bang his fi sts on the table while glowering this does not bring them joy. at everyone. Th is behavior is all part of the traditional But those who praise the true act to test the groom’s family and observe their and living God with the clash reactions. But then the music would continue. of cymbals have every reason Th e vast majority of them follow Tibetan Buddhism. to have eternal joy. Th ey believe in unseen gods, demons, and ancestral spirits. Th e chanting of the Buddhist lamas’ mantras is Pray for the Medog Monpa an integral part of the religion, often used for making to be able to bring a sacrifi ce off erings or inviting the presence of Buddha. In the of praise in song to the past no missionaries have been allowed to work in their wonderful loving God who area of Tibet, and there are no known believers today. created them and died on the cross for their sins. Let us pray that music will soon be used to share the story of Jesus’ love and sacrifi ce for the Medog Monpa, and that they will be among those singing a new song around the throne of God.—JS

55 Day 11 Colossians 2:8, NIV But Monpa People in India

See to it that no one takes he last several days we have looked at various you captive through hollow T groups of Monpa in Tibet. But there are also the Monpa people who live in Arunachal Pradesh, the and deceptive philosophy, area of India near Tibet. Th e combined population of which depends on human all Monpa living in India is 50,000. tradition and the basic principles of this world Th e tiniest sub-group of these Monpa people are the rather than on Christ. But Monpa with only 675 members; they are small in numbers but important to God! Revelation 7:9 tells There is no shortage of hollow us that every tribe, language, and nation will have and deceptive philosophies representation worshipping around the throne of God in this world. The unreached in heaven. Th ere are no known believers among the people groups that we are But Monpa, and less than 20 among all the Monpa groups in India. praying for this month have been saturated with these Th e Monpa are trying desperately to fi nd serenity, for centuries. It is humanly composure, peacefulness, and purity—qualities they feel the Buddha embodies. An altar with a Buddha impossible for them to image is found in every home. Th ey also worship change. But the Holy Spirit anything associated with Buddha, including relics, does the impossible! which are defi ned as pieces of Buddha’s body that remained after creation—a tooth, pieces of bone, a Pray for the Holy Spirit to strand of hair. “Contact relics” include his robe, staff , lead the Monpa people away and begging bowl. from hollow and deceptive philosophies and to the King Th e qualities of life that the Monpa people seek are of kings. actually common to all people, but they are not found in veneration of relics or of a human who lived and died, but did not rise to live again! Only the Risen One is worthy of their devotion!

Let us pray that Monpa hearts will come alive when they hear of a risen Savior, Jesus, who died for their sins so that they can realize the answer to their deepest longings.—JS

56 Day 12 Western Khampa of China Colossians 1:9

ould you rather be … we have not stopped given medicine by your W praying for you and doctor when you are sick or a good luck charm? Most likely, asking God to fi ll you you would prefer the antibiotic. with the knowledge Most Western Khampa people of His will through all would trust the good luck spiritual wisdom and charm or an amulet to make understanding. them well again. Th ese charms Notice how Paul started

Operation China Operation are a part of their everyday his letter to the Colossians A Khampa woman attire, along with long sleeved coats and a long knife or sword. For centuries they by praying for God to give have been devoted to spirits whom they believe will them spiritual wisdom and answer their questions and get them through diffi cult understanding. Isn’t this a times. Many of their monks call up frightening good place to start? We are demons resulting in more fear and bondage. praying for people groups in Western Khampa people live in some of the harshest the Tibetan Buddhist world weather conditions in the world. Th ey dwell on who have been lured away a high plateau that, as long ago as 100 AD, was to worship malevolent spirit called “Headache Mountain.” Th e Western Khampa beings. They desperately need live wholly within Tibet itself. Due to the harsh spiritual discernment! conditions, disease, and lifestyle, their life expectancy is only 45 years. Pray for spiritual wisdom In addition to being isolated from the comforts of and understanding among contemporary life, the Western Khampa are also the unreached people groups separated from the good news of Jesus. In the 1920s that we are praying for this some believers visited this people group riding on month. Pray specifi cally yaks and sharing gospel tracts. But today there is no for the Western Khampa focused eff ort to expand God’s kingdom to them. people to have the spiritual discernment to fl ee from Pray that the Lord will open avenues for the gospel to reach oppressive spirits that draw the Western Khampa. Pray for their everyday lives to be them away from the true blessed by God’s kingdom.—JR and loving Creator.

57 Day 13 Ephesians 6:14a (NIV) Sharchop (aka Northern Khampa) of Bhutan

hen thinking of a pilgrimage, many of us Stand fi rm then, with are reminded of the European pilgrims who the belt of truth buckled W made their way to North America during the 17th around your waist…. century. But this is only one example of a pilgrimage. The belt of truth alone can’t Th ey are still happening today in Bhutan. save you from the enemy of For the Northern Khampa, or as they are often mankind. But it can keep you called, the Sharchop people of Bhutan, a pilgrimage on track, and help you avoid is not simply a one-time journey in order to fi nd a the snares of Satan. Imagine new homeland. Th ese pilgrimages are made on a repeat basis for the purpose of stirring up a sense of if the Sharchop people spiritual urgency. Th ey also believe that the Buddha embraced His truth and performed a certain miracle at each of the various acted upon it. They would destinations to which they come. become a beacon of light in Although slash-and-burn farming was banned in this spiritually dark part of 1969, it is still practiced by the Sharchop people. the world. What a joy that Th ey will plant dry rice for three or four years in the would be! same area until the soil is completely exhausted, then move onto a diff erent area. Pray for the Sharchop people to soon put on the Th ere are about 194,000 Sharchop people living in belt of truth, and never Bhutan. For centuries they have known nothing but take it off . Buddhism and its code for living. It is encouraging to know that there are Bible translations, the JESUS Film, and gospel recordings available in their language. Th ere have been church planting eff orts among this group during the last two years.

Pray that these eff orts will lead to a spiritual break- through among the Northern Khampa people. Pray that the believers will touch the lives of the Northern Khampa, and that those people who make their pilgrimages will meet the Savior who gives generously to those who seek spiritual truth.—JR

58 Day 14 Lhomi People of China and Nepal Colossians 1:20 (NIV)

he Lhomi man effi ciently …and through Him to CHINA slit the fi rst sheep’s throat reconcile to Himself all NEPAL T and moved to the next animal. things, whether things on In a matter of a few minutes, earth or things in heaven, Bay of Bengal all three sheep were lying dead by making peace through on the ground. “Why do the His blood, shed on the cross. sheep have to die?” his young son asked. He was standing Like many other unreached by the fence, watching with people groups, the Lhomi CHINA wide eyes. Th e father answered, believe that sacrifi cing the “We are about to plant millet, life of an innocent animal will NEPAL Kathmandu and we need to make sure it atone for their sin. Where BHUTAN will be a good year for crops.” did they get that idea? Was INDIA “But what does that have to BANG. do with these sheep?” “We it from Satan, who wants to are sacrifi cing them to the lead us astray? Or perhaps guardian spirits who watch over our village. Th e death this belief is of the God who of these sheep will keep us on good terms with the sent His Son as the perfect spirits who control this land.” sacrifi ce after requiring His Although the Lhomi are Tibetan Buddhists, some children to sacrifi ce livestock practice animism and sacrifi ce livestock to appease for many generations. village deities. Th e Bible has not yet been translated into the Lhomi language. Th e majority of the people Pray that the Lhomi people group has never heard the gospel. will soon fi nd that Jesus truly is the Lamb of God Pray for the Lhomi to hear the good news that a sacrifi ce who takes away the sins has already been made for them—once and for all—by of the world. Jesus Christ. Pray for them to be set free from their bond- age to village deities. Ask God to speed the completion of a translation of the full Bible into the Lhomi lan- guage. Pray for the JESUS Film to be made available to them. Pray for the few Lhomi who have put their faith in Christ to share the gospel with their friends, families, and communities.—CL

59 Day 15 Phil 1:11 (NIV) Chimtan People of Nepal

hey walked around the temple once, twice, three … fi lled with the fruit of times, four times… their prayer wheels spinning. righteousness that comes T On the fi fth time around the temple, the young through Jesus Christ—to woman suddenly asked her mother, “Why do we the glory and praise of God. walk in circles?” Th e older woman kept walking and When the Tibetan Buddhists spinning her prayer wheel with a fl ick of her wrist. “You know why we do this. We are accumulating merit, put their lives in the hands of purifying negative karma, freeing those who suff er the Lord, they will be fi lled in the six realms, and seeking enlightenment. Th e with true righteousness, a temple is a center of spiritual power. We are blessed righteousness that comes just being near it.” from Christ Himself. When this Th e daughter considered this for a moment, following happens, God will be praised with heavy steps. “You are right, mother. I do know and glorifi ed! His Kingdom that. But it doesn’t explain why we keep walking will extend to new hearts in in circles. We are always moving, always growing places where darkness now tired, but never arriving anywhere.” Th e older woman reigns. What a contrast to the dismissed this with a shake of her head and continued senseless eff orts to gain merit on, refusing to admit that her daughter was right. Th ere seemed to be no end to the circumambulation. by walking around a temple! Would they ever reach enlightenment? Pray for His Kingdom to Th e tiny Chimtan people group, estimated to be about extend to the hearts of the 370 people, practices their own brand of Buddhism. It Chimtan people. involves circumambulation, as well as some elements of shamanism. Th e Chimtan do not have the Bible in their language (Th akali), and there are no known followers of Christ among them.

Pray for God to send workers to share His invitation to eternal life in Christ with the Chimtan people. Pray for their hearts to respond to His good news.—CL

60 Day 16 Thakali People of Nepal Galatians 2:20a (NIV)

ucked down a narrow alley in Kathmandu, Nepal, I have been crucifi ed with the pagoda-style roof of the hotel towers over the T Christ and I no longer live, town. Breathing in the crisp mountain air and scanning the map in his hand, the tall tourist makes his way to but Christ lives in me. the entrance of the Sunrise Hotel. Coming from the How many of you would sun-washed colors and radiance of the outdoors, his like to really be crucifi ed acclimated eyes slowly begin to perceive the lovely lobby with Christ? That would of the hotel: the beauty of the carved wooden columns; the hand-woven curtains and the polished brass vase mean being totally dead to with fl oating rose petals. Standing behind the front desk self and alive to the things is a beaming Th akali man. “Welcome, to the Sunrise of Christ. It would involve Hotel,” he says, “Your room is ready.” With the snap surrendering your own will of his fi ngers he summons the lobby boy to relieve the in a supernatural, Holy Spirit- guest of his burdensome backpack. directed way. Th e Th akali are excellent businessmen. Many are owners and proprietors of Nepal’s hotels. For centuries the Pray for your will to be Th akalis controlled the salt trade of western and central crucifi ed with Christ. Pray Nepal, making them a very wealthy people group. that many from the Thakali people will also sacrifi ce But like many people who adhere to Eastern religions, their wills to Him in such the Th akalis often practice yoga with hopes of obtaining a way that their light will peace and enlightenment. Th e religion they practice is a shine for all to see. combination of animistic, Buddhist, and Hindu beliefs. Some Th akalis pride themselves on being atheists. According to the Joshua Project, “Th is group is still almost completely unreached with the gospel. A few have heard of and even accepted Christ; but there is still no Th akali-speaking church and no Bible in their language.”

Pray that through their interaction with Christian trav- elers and tourists, the Th akali people will encounter Jesus Christ.—EJD

61 Day 17 Colossians 1:17 (NIV) Gurung People

He is before all things, mischievous smile crept over the mountain and in him all things A guide’s face as he tiptoed into the meditation hold together. room of the Buddhist monastery. He briefl y turned to the shocked foreign trekkers who were following Few people from a Buddhist him and put his fi nger to his lips. He stealthily background understand how tiptoed behind a lone guru who had just sat on the central Jesus Christ is to life. fl oor and tapped him on the shoulder. Th e monk Often believers will present looked up, smiled brightly, stood up, and embraced his brother who was known by many as the Trek Him to Buddhists as a “guru,” Master. Both men laughed, and greeted each other but He is much more. Being in a language the trekkers could not understand. part of the God-head, He is Finally the Trek Master introduced his brother before all things. All things to the foreign adventurers. “People think that all hold together through Him. Gurungs are mountain guides like me; but here is What a huge statement! Will my brother, the guru!” they understand it? Th ough we normally associate gurus with Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhists also have gurus Pray for many from the or teachers who show their devotees the way to Gurung people to put their experience the true nature of reality. Th e Dalai faith in the One who holds Lama has spoken out about the importance all things together. Pray of having a guru. Tibetan Buddhist peoples that they will understand like the Gurungs do not consider gurus to be the awesomeness of Buddhas, but feel that they have much valuable Christ’s claims. knowledge. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Guru#Guru_in_Buddhism) Joshua Project reports that there is less than one follower of Christ for every thousand Western Gurung. Even though the Western Gurung New Testament was fi rst published in 1982, it is no longer in print because there are so few believers and so little demand for it.

Pray for faith in Jesus Christ among the Gurung people that will far exceed their faith in gurus.—EJD/KC

62 Day 18 Bhote People of Nepal 2 Cor 1:3-4 (MSG)

he Bhote woman made her way into the forest All praise to the God and uttering a mantra she had heard from one of the T Father of our Lord Jesus the local monks. It was dark and foggy, the air was dank, Master! Father of all mercy! and the weather was frigid. She knew the spirits were out there, so she needed all the protection she God of all healing counsel! could get. Adjusting the strap on her head that held He comes alongside us a wicker basket over her shoulders, she trudged with when we go through hard heavy footsteps toward the trees to collect fi rewood. times, and before you know She needed it so there could be a meal for her family. it, He brings us alongside She uttered the mantra again, all the while she someone else who is going wondered if it was safe for a common farmer’s wife to through hard times so that use sacred utterances. Would the gods punish her? we can be there for that After an afternoon of gathering fi rewood, she person just as God was returned to her tiny hamlet that clung to the sides there for us. of the steep mountain. Once again she uttered the Intercessor, think of what a mantra before entering her home. She thought that great calling you have! Every perhaps it was true that this mantra did protect her from the forest spirits. one of us has gone through hard times. During this period Th is is how the Bhote people live in their homeland the Holy Spirit teaches us that hidden deep in the forests. Th ey have a life of acute physical hardship, extreme poverty, and we need to go to the cross for intense deprivation—no electricity, healthcare or help. When you pray for the opportunities for an education. In their spiritual unreached Bhote people of lives, they depend on uttering mantras and appeasing Nepal, pray that God will open spirits rather than the sovereign God who created all. their eyes to His wonderful love. Pray also that they will Pray that God will free the Bhote from a life of physical let Him guide them in times and spiritual hardship. Pray also that they will come to of trouble. experience the care of Jesus Christ.—EJD Pray that He will show you how to intercede for them.

63 Day 19 2 Cor 4:1-2 (NIV) Helambu Sherpa People of Nepal

hink of the Himalaya Mountains of Nepal, Therefore, since through home to the Helambu Sherpa people. Now God’s mercy we have this T think of the Four Corners Region of the U.S.A., ministry, we do not lose home to the Navajo Nation. Have they anything in heart. Rather, we have common? Both of these people groups engage renounced secret and in raising livestock and catering to tourists. But shameful ways; we do not the Helambu also grow potatoes and maize; the use deception, nor do we Navajo do not raise crops. Both are traditionally distort the word of God. animist, and the making of sand paintings is part On the contrary, by setting of their religion. forth the truth plainly, we Yet there are huge diff erences. Th e Helambu Sherpa commend ourselves to Buddhist sand paintings (which are called mandalas), every man’s conscience in serve a diff erent function from the Navajo sand the sight of God. paintings. Th e Helambu mandala serves to focus one’s mind on meditation in order to gain wisdom, God has been merciful to each compassion, and enlightenment. By contrast, the of us; we will never face the Navajo mandala paintings focus on purifi cation and wrath of God that we deserve. healing. When complete, the Navajo mandalas are For this reason we will obey destroyed and cast into fl owing water to heal the Him out of gratitude. As we world by transmitting positive energies. Th e patients act in truth and teach truth to who are seeking healing sit in the sand painting others, our actions spread a bit until the ritual is fi nished and is destroyed. more of the kingdom of God While many Navajos follow Jesus, very few to people. Helambu Sherpa do. While the Navajo New Testament is available, little of the Bible is available As you pray for the to the Helambu Sherpas. missionaries bringing the good news to faraway Pray that the Helambu Sherpas will come to realize that places, ask God to work in “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” and the hearts of the Helambu that they should meditate on Jesus for spiritual healing. Sherpa people so that they Pray for the entire Bible to be translated into their lan- can enter into His Kingdom. guage so that they can meditate on His Word. Pray for a people movement to Christ to begin among the Helambu Sherpas. Pray for the Lord to use Navajo believers to reach out to the Helambu Sherpas.—TP

64 Day 20 Sherpa (aka, Bhotia) People Colossian 3:12 (NIV)

oday’s Sherpa group, also known as the Bhotias, Therefore, as God’s chosen live not only in Nepal, but also in India, T people, holy and dearly Bhutan, Tibet, the Republic of Korea, and even New loved, clothe yourselves York City! Th ey number about 30,000, and they are with compassion, kindness, distinct from the Sherpa subgroup that we prayed for yesterday. humility, gentleness, and patience. Th ese Sherpas are Red Hat Lamastic Tibetan Buddhists, and their religion emphasizes Clothe yourselves with monasticism, mysticism, and place spirits. According compassion, kindness, to “Sherpa People” (Wikipedia), diff erent clans gentleness and patience! recognize diff erent mountains and their protective Clothe is a verb. This action spirits. Lamas may or may not be married. It word means that we must be is interesting that some Sherpas are following Hinduism or Roman Catholicism rather than consumed by these virtuous, Buddhism. Only about a dozen Protestant Sherpas godly traits, and practice are known to exist according to Peoples of the Buddhist them regularly. World, P 249. Pray that the few believers On the previous day we read that both Buddhists among the Sherpa people and Navajos practice sand painting. Now we learn will be clothed with godly that both the Bhotia people group and the Navajos virtues that will draw others practice chanting. However, the Navajos use chanting to the throne of grace. as a form of prayer, while the form of Buddhism practiced by the Sherpas uses chanting to prepare a person for meditation and certain rituals. Chanting helps the Sherpa to memorize discourses, gives them confi dence, joy, satisfaction, and increased devotion. Chanting is used in healing rituals and to bless. It focuses one’s thoughts. (“Th e Practice of Chanting in Buddhism,” Urbandharma.org).

Pray for spiritual growth among Sherpa believers so that they will tell others boldly about Christ. Pray for the com- pletion of a Bible translation into the Sherpa/Bhotia lan- guage. Pray for dreams and visions of Jesus among Sherpa Buddhists.—TP

65 Day 21 Psalm 141:2 (NIV) Dzongkha People of Bhutan

igh in the May my prayer be set mountains of before you like incense; may H Bhutan a teenage boy the lifting up of my hands sat in a temple facing be like the evening sacrifi ce. the statue of Buddha. At fi rst glance, this verse Soon he would be 15, and by custom he from Psalm 141 might appear would be required to to be much like a Buddhist Reynolds make a commitment exhortation. In both cases to Buddha. Th at is the way of the Dzongkha people incense is used in worship. But group. Th e boy lit a stick of incense and placed it in the big diff erence is that most a bowl. Th e sweet aroma soon fi lled the room. Th e Buddhists are reaching out to only god the boy had ever heard of was Buddha, and a spiritual force. To the Jewish he wondered if other gods existed. Th e elders had and Christians who read Psalm told him that gods were attracted to incense. Th ey also told him that demons were attracted to incense. 141, prayer is like sweet- Th e boy wondered who would contact him fi rst, a smelling incense for a loving god or a demon. God, a true living being. Th e Dzongkha have lived in the high mountains Pray that the Dzongkha of Bhutan for longer than anyone can remember. people will have a hunger According to legends, this people group converted to for the loving God. Pray that Buddhism during the mid-8th century A.D. Only in they will not settle for a recent years has this people group been contacted by spiritual force. outsiders. High mountains have isolated them from those who could tell them about Jesus Christ, the only source of salvation. Th ere are very few followers of Jesus Christ among the Dzongkha.

Pray that God would lead faithful workers to reach out to the Dzongkha with the message of salvation. Ask God to create a hunger for the true God among this people group. Pray also for the start of radio outreach in the Dzongkha language.—WK

66 Day 22 Gongduk People of Bhutan Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)

urious men and women came out of their huts For you were once darkness, to gawk at the white man who’d hiked into C but now you are light in their village. Th ese Gongduk people weren’t used to receiving visitors. Th ey live in the high mountains the Lord. Live as children of Bhutan, and their villages are very hard to reach. of light… Some wondered if a Dutchman named George Jesus said that He is the Van Driem had returned. George had been the only light of the world; Paul tells outsider to visit the village, and that happened 23 us that as Christ’s followers, years ago. we are light! What a joy and Few outsiders knew of the existence of the Gongduk a privilege! Do you think people group until Van Driem stumbled upon them that the Gongduk people in 1991. He had been hired by the royal government of Bhutan to conduct a linguistic census of certain would like to be a light remote districts in Bhutan. He quickly realized the to those around them? Gongduk spoke a language he’d never heard before Wouldn’t anybody? and reported that fact to the government. Pray that as Tibetan Th e only god the Gongduk have heard about is Buddhists light candles to Buddha. Th ere are no known followers of Jesus symbolize light and truth Christ among this people group. Like many Tibetan everywhere, they will desire Buddhist peoples, they use candles as a symbol of light to learn about the true Light to search for spiritual truth. and Truth of the world, and they will fi nd it in Jesus. Pray that the Gongduk people will fi nd Christ who is the light of the world, and the only truth they need. Pray that the Bible would be translated into the Gongduk lan- guage. Ask God to lead a mission agency to target this people group for outreach. Pray that God would break the hold that Buddhism has on the Gongduk and lead them to Christ.—WK

67 Day 23 2 Cor 3:16-17 (MSG) Lepcha People

Whenever, though, they he deep turn to face God as Moses T guttural hum did, God removes the veil of the orange-clad and there they are—face- Lepcha monks to-face! They suddenly seemed to woo the Buddhist Lepchas recognize that God is a as they gathered living, personal presence, to worship their not a piece of chiseled GPD writer Lydia Reynolds with Lepcha people gods. Th ey believe stone. And when God is this hum will appease the spirits into stopping their personally present, a living suff ering. In this village there is no monastery, so Spirit, that old constricting they now will move to a more auspicious location in legislation is recognized the forest. Near where they will emerge, a gathering as obsolete. of Lepcha believers prepare a feast symbolizing peace for their Buddhist clansmen. Th is church will be As God enters our lives, we are watching the JESUS Film that evening, and they transformed by the Messiah. hope that their Buddhist brothers will join them. Our lives will gradually Some estimate as many as 90,000 Lepchas live in becoming brighter and more the Himalayan region, mostly in the northeastern beautiful, and we will become Indian state of Sikkim. Th ese subsistence farmers more like Him. This same claim to be the original inhabitants of the land. Th ey privilege is available to the follow an animistic tradition, worshipping nature, Lepcha people, if they will spirits, and gods. Buddhism was introduced to them only seek His face! in the early 1700s, and many embraced this religion to supplement their traditional beliefs with worship Pray that the Lepchas will and prayer. Many of the spirits and gods require see the glory of God in the the monks to worship them with appeasement, and faces of those He is sending people spend much money for these services. Faith to them, and that His glory in Christ was introduced to this people group in the will also enter their lives and last several decades, sometimes with the aid of the change them, repeating and JESUS Film. Now indigenous churches are popping duplicating His presence up with regularity. throughout the whole tribe. Pray that the churches will be emboldened with the power of God to reach the Lepcha people group with the gospel.—LR

68 Day 24 Kheng People of Bhutan Galatians 3:28 (NIV)

he aging monk gazed at the mask he would wear There is neither Jew nor in a few hours. He was already dressed in his T Greek, neither slave nor costume for the Tsechu festival. Th e mask had the free, nor is there male and angry look of the 9th century leader Padmasambhava. female, for you are all one Th e aging monk was being honored at the festival as a musician and member of the Royal Academy of in Christ Jesus. Performing Arts. Other monks would look to him as Imagine what Han Chinese he led the celebration with cymbals. Th ey would follow believers could potentially do his lead, playing traditional Tibetan instruments that to help draw Tibetan peoples guide the exquisite Cham dance. Th e elderly monk wanted to worship the gods and help his people. to Christ. They would have to Leading the Cham dance seemed to be the ultimate treat the Tibetans as equals, expression of his desire. Th e Cham dance taught moral as brothers, to show that in lessons—compassion for all—and would bring merit God’s eyes, we are all equal. to those who learned from it. Th is was his off ering to They would all bow together the gods. at the foot of the cross. Meanwhile, a small group of Kheng followers of Jesus gathered to also off er worship and meditation Pray for Han Chinese to their God. Th ey prepared their cymbals and believers to take the instruments, and even had dances of their own. But opportunity to reach out they rejoiced that they needed no mask. God had to their Tibetan neighbors. revealed Himself to them as Jesus, and now the Holy Pray that they will act out Spirit spoke witness of this in their hearts. Th ey, too, of love, even if the Tibetans wanted to help their people and express compassion become abusive. through the love and power of God. Th ere are nearly 50,000 Kheng people living in the southern regions of Bhutan. Th ere are less than a dozen known believers in Christ among this group. Th eir gospel resources are extremely limited.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ to the Kheng people.—LR

69 Day 25 Col 1: 21 (NIV) Matpa People of Bhutan

Once you were alienated eeeeeee!” Four-year-old Jing ran to his mother squealing in fear. A man came from the back from God and were “E of the house waving his arms and swinging his enemies in your minds masked head. Th e gruesome mask was black with because of your evil fur for a beard and mustache; red around the mouth behavior. represented bloody lips and fangs. We are all alienated from the She walked up to the man and scolded him. God who created us because “Grandpa, stop teasing Jing; you’re frightening of our evil behavior. We have him!” He took off his mask, smirked at the child, become His enemies. This and walked out of the room. His daughter put her whimpering child on her lap. She explained, “Jing, is a fearful situation to be in. Grandfather was only teasing you. He was wearing There is only one way out of the family mask for the celebration today. We’ve this problem, and it is not to had that mask in the family for generations. We appease the spirits that want are celebrating the day long ago when a wise man to drag us down with them. defeated the horrible demons through Buddhism.…” People groups like the Matpa And thus the 25,000 Matpa people in the lower areas try to appease such spirits of Bhutan gather yearly for their masked celebrations. because they are afraid, and All of the Matpa people of Bhutan are Tibetan rightfully so. But they should Buddhists with no Christian scriptures, recordings, be much more afraid of the or broadcasts available. But lately the Lord Almighty One who has given us the has sent a beam of light into this spiritually dark place through the immigration of some believers option to chose eternity apart from Nepal and India. from Him.

Pray for a healthy fear of Pray that these immigrants will be loving and bold, and God among the Matpa let their light shine brightly among the Matpa. Pray that people so that they will seek the false idea about Christianity, that it is a foreign reli- and fi nd the one true God gion, will be cast down. Pray that the Matpa will receive who loves them and died on a true understanding and acceptance of the person of Jesus the cross so that their sins Christ.—PE can be forgiven.

70 Day 26 Dzala People of Bhutan Col 1:14 (NIV)

onde took the hand of his mother, assisting her …in whom we have slow climb up the rock face to the top of the hill T redemption, the behind the Buddhist temple. Collapsing breathless at the top, Tonde said, “Now you can be at peace. You forgiveness of sins. have made the climb to the top of the rock face and Before we can inherit the all your sins to this point in your life are forgiven.” kingdom of God, we must “But son, what if tomorrow I fail again? I know this is have our sins forgiven. Before the last time I will be able to climb this rugged hill.” Tonde lowered his eyes and replied, “Th en I will carry we can be forgiven, we you on my back if I have to.” must repent. For Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of Very few Dzala people have ever heard that there’s a Savior who has already paid the price for their God is near” (Matthew 4:17b). sins. Th irteen centuries ago monks from Nepal and With forgiveness through Tibet brought the spiritual bondage of Buddhism Jesus Christ, we have a way to the 15,000 Dzala people living in the highlands to get to heaven. This is the of Bhutan. Since then there has been no Christian reason that we are praying church, although there are Buddhist temples all over that the unreached people their homeland. groups will be able to hear Th e Dzala people are denigrated by other tribes the good news about the because their name, Dzala, sounds like zala, the word God who loves them and for monkey. Th ey live in both physical and spiritual has made a way for them poverty. Th ey have no scriptures, recordings, fi lms, or to go to heaven. broadcasts to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that many from the Pray for God to call workers to tell them the good news. Dzala people will learn Pray that the bondage of Buddhism will be broken, and the about Jesus, repent, and blessing of salvation through Jesus will be understood and enjoy the refreshment of accepted by the Dzala people.—PE having their sins forgiven.

71 Day 27 Philippians 2:10 Bumthangpa People of Bhutan

That at the Name of Jesus thut clasped her older brother’s hand as they ran every knee should bow, in A across the beautiful Choskhar Valley. “Hurry heaven and on earth and Athut, we must get to the market soon to buy rice for dinner!” As they ran to the toe of the valley where under the earth, and every the capital city called “Jakar” is located, Athut’s tongue confess that Jesus brother said mischievously, “Th is city is where Christ is Lord, to the glory of the head of a conqueror is buried. He could not God the Father. conquer us!” This verse makes it abundantly On the way home Athut shifted the small bag of clear that Jesus Christ is rice on her head and pointed to the monastery on sovereign over all the earth. a beautiful hill overlooking the valley. “What’s That means that He is the that?” she asked her brother. He looked at it and one we should look to, not to replied, “As the lamas tried to decide where to build their monastery, a giant white bird fl ew upwards and omens. This is great news for landed on that hill. Th ey knew it was an itas-mo, an the Bumthangpa people, yet omen. So they built there and called it the Castle of they may not know it. After the White Bird.” all, they not only do not realize Th e 40,000 Bumthangpa people of the east-central that He is in charge over the portion of Bhutan are nearly 100 percent Buddhist; entire universe, but they they also believe in the native Tibetan system of also do not know about His omens in nature that represent powerful, wrathful loving-kindness. spirits. However, the love and kindness of God has permeated the people because there is a tiny Pray for the Bumthangpa believing Christian community scattered throughout people to be exposed to the Bumthangpa region. the loving-kindness of the sovereign Lord. Pray for these followers of Christ who are discriminated against in their villages, yet continue to remain faithful. Pray that the testimony of their lives in Christ will draw many Bumthangpa people to Him.—PE

72 Day 28 Nyenpa People of Bhutan Col 2:15 (NIV)

ourists are And having disarmed the gathering in T powers and authorities, He the valley of the made a public spectacle Phobjika Nature of them, triumphing over Reserve of central Bhutan. Travel them by the cross. brochures have lured What irony! To human them to witness reasoning, Jesus appeared to the harmony of nature and local villagers alongside be completely defeated by the sacred Gangtey Monastery. Th e nine-day Black- Necked Crane Festival in early November marks the the powers of hell that drove return of the cranes. Celebrations include dancing, His enemies to crucify Him. drama, and lectures demonstrating the importance of But instead, this barbaric act the cranes to local culture. became a public spectacle Th e Nyenpa people who make up part of the local of Christ’s power over all population celebrate more than the harmony of demonic forces! nature. Th ey see these cranes as beings who previously lived such virtuous and self-giving lives that they Pray that the unreached attained the state of bodhisattvas—one of the four Nyenpa people will soon highest levels of spiritual attainment. For the Nyenpa embrace Jesus’ death on people, the return of the cranes confi rms their belief the cross and resurrection in reincarnation. from the dead as protection from the powers of hell that Th e Nyenpa people practice a strict form of torment them. Buddhism. But while Westerners grow enamored with reincarnation, most Nyenpa see it only as a never- ending cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

In this Buddhist kingdom hardly anyone has a chance to hear the name of Jesus. Pray that followers of Jesus from nearby India will penetrate the darkness. Pray that the Holy Spirit will call laborers to announce his life-changing power. Pray that the Nyenpa people will see Jesus as the means of breaking the cycle of reincarnation.—GEC

73 Day 29 Eph 4:18b (NIV) Kurteop People of Bhutan

They are darkened in nand hands three sets their understanding and A of robes to a senior separated from the life monk and says, “Venerable Sir, I respectfully ask you of God because of the to take this set of robes ignorance that is in them from my hand, and out due to the hardening of of compassion, ordain me their hearts. as a novice in order that When we read such things, I may be free from the we can think of unreached cycle of existence.” So begins the ordination people groups like the Kurteop ceremony for the novice monk. Next he asks the people. Have their hearts senior monk to give him back the robes, and then he been hardened in such a way asks to be ordained as a novice. Each request ends that their understanding is with the phrase, “in order that I may be free from darkened? Does this explain the cycle of existence.” Anand and 10,000 others in their belief in reincarnation? northeast Bhutan speak the Kurteop language. Th is Or is the problem that they area remains one of the least developed parts of the nation, leading to high alcoholism with its attendant have never had the chance problems. Anand seeks to leave the vices and despair to hear about Christ, and of his life by becoming a Buddhist monk. He His resurrection? desires to escape the “cycle of existence.” Entering a monastery promises him that escape. Pray that workers who go to the Kurteop people will have Monasteries dot Bhutan’s landscape with thousands the discernment to know living in them. Th ey depend on off erings from how to proceed given the nearby lay people. In exchange, the monks and nuns hardness of men’s hearts. teach the local people the ways of Gautama Buddha. Help them to fi nd men of peace who will rise Pray that followers of Christ will show the Spirit of above what their people Christ and stand fi rm in their faith. Pray that govern- have believed for hundreds ment policies will open the way for more believers to be of years. able to preach the gospel to the Kurteop people. Pray that the Kurteop people will discover Jesus as the way to the Father.—GEC

74 Day 30 Khamti Shan People Romans 8:11 (NIV)

t dawn, mother rises And if the Spirit of Him who from sleep. Quietly she A raised Jesus from the dead fi nds a dish of sticky rice and Bay of is living in you, He who Bengal vegetables prepared the night raised Christ from the dead before. She carries it into the shrine room. Bowing three will also give life to your South China Sea times, she places the off ering mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you. INDIA before a small raised table. She CHINA starts a fresh incense stick. BANG. This verse is about Th en she goes outside and MYANMAR VIET. transformation! And we need LAOS down the steps from her raised transformation before we THAILAND home to her garden where she gathers a few fl owers and can forgive as the Lord wants CAM. spreads them around the food. us to. Our old nature is 100 Th is is her morning off ering. In percent unforgiving. When the evening, she will repeat her devotion. As various we are walking in the Spirit, family members start their day, they will enter the the Spirit living in us makes shrine room, bow three times, and pray. In addition to forgiving easy. This is because off erings at their family shrine, she will send her sons He paid the price for our sins to the nearby Buddhist monastery to give off erings of food and alms to the monks and nuns living there. and forgave us, so we can pre-forgive everybody from Th is mother and her family are part of the Khamti now to eternity! people, a group related to the Shan, who live in the triangle where Myanmar, India, and China meet. Pray for the Lord to bring Faithful missionaries brought the news of Jesus to this about forgiveness and region long ago, but the Khamti people have yet to reconciliation through Him respond in noticeable numbers. among every Shan people.

Pray that nearby groups who have embraced the gospel will reach out to the Khamti people. Pray that they will discov- er that God already gave the ultimate off ering of His Son for our sins.—GEC

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