GLOBAL PRAYER NETWORK: Dudekula of India

Rabu, 02 Juli 2014

Dudekula of India

The term dudekula is derived from the words dude, meaning cotton, and ekula, meaning to clean. Hence, they are locally called the Dudekula, the cotton cleaners and mattress makers. The Dudekula community is endogamous, meaning they marry only within their own community. They are Muslims, but follow a folk version of Islam. The weekly congregations meet on Fridays and are led by the Hazarat. The Dudekula consider the saint Penugonda Baba their patron saint and attend his annual funeral ceremony every year. Dudekula were originally Hindu, but converted to Islam a few generations ago. Until a few years ago they vacillated between the two religious traditions. Of late they have come under total Islamic ritual, tradition, customs, and manners.

Ministry Obstacles
For someone in the Dudekula community to follow Christ will probably mean loss of friends and perhaps family.
Outreach Ideas
Pray that some people in this community will learn of the Jesus film and Gospel recordings on the Internet in the Telugu language. Pray the Lord will prompt them to download, view or listen to these resources, and that he will give them understanding.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are probably no followers of Jesus Christ today among the Dudekula community. Pray the Lord will give many an increasing interest in Isa (Jesus) as the Koran is read. Perhaps the Lord will appear to some in a dream or vision and that God will prepare those who can explain more about the One they encounter.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray this small community will be able to care for those in the community unable to care for themselves: the widow, the orphan, the indigent.

Scripture Focus
"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49:6