Tu of China

Tu of China The Tu were first recorded in AD 1227, when a Mongol garrison was dispatched to control the area that the Tu still inhabit today. The troops remained there and later married women from local tribes. Until recently Tu girls were expected to be married by the age of 15. After that age, the girl was considered "married to heaven." Unmarried Tu women wear a single ponytail to advertise their status to prospective partners. The Tu are ardent followers of Tibetan Buddhism. Their main religious center is the Youning Monastery, founded in 1604. Shamans and mediums are also active among the Tu. The annual Nadun Festival focuses around the fala, a Tu medium who "impales himself with as many as 12 iron nails and is possessed by the spirit of the Erlang god." Ministry Obstacles Spiritual opposition will surely be encountered when Jesus is presented to the Tu. Workers need to be prepared for this, but not intimidated. Outreach Ideas Although there are no known Christians among the Tu today, there are about 400 Han Chinese believers living in the mountains 25 kilometers from Huzhu. They interact with the Tu and even speak the Tu language. Pray these Han believers will be given a desire to share Christ with the Tu. Pray for the followers of Christ Please pray for those Tu who will soon come to Christ. Pray for friendships to develop with Han Christians, who will be able to disciple them. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Tu will be given the gift of conviction of sin, that they may know they need a Savior. Pray the Lord will be preparing them for the Gospel message when it comes. Scripture Focus "...that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no one else." 1 Kings 8:60		People Name: Tu Country: China 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 253,000 World Population: 253,000 Language: Tu Primary Religion: Buddhism Bible: None Online Audio NT: No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level: 1.1