Selasa, 12 November 2013

Pala of Laos

 
Pala of Laos
The Pala live in a mountainous area near the Oma, a group with whom they share some cultural and linguistic similarities. They are an isolated group, and are considered relatively closed to new ideas and development. They mostly trade with the Lao and the Khmu. On occasions they venture down to the market in Koua where they buy and barter for products they need. Animism and ancestor worship are the dominant religious beliefs among the Pala. Every home has a sacred ancestral altar, where rituals and offerings are made at appointed times. Numerous spirits and deities are also worshipped by the Pala. Every June, after the rice has been planted, a ceremony called Tgelapeu is held to honor the spirits of the village and the harvest.
Ministry Obstacles
Christian workers should be prepared for spiritual opposition as Jesus is presented to the Pala tribe.
Outreach Ideas
Perhaps churches in Laos which are working to take the Gospel to unreached people groups in their own country will be led by the Lord's Spirit to the Pala tribe. Pray they won't be overlooked.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are no known followers of Jesus among the Pala tribe at this time. Please pray there will soon be many who will become Christ's disciples.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Pala tribe will soon be set completely free from superstition and the worship of created things.
Scripture Focus
"And you shall be my witnesses, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8
 

People Name: Pala
Country: Laos
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 5,200
World Population: 5,200
Language: Akha
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

[E-Alert] "The Devastation is Heartbreaking


As their nation reels from incomprehensible destruction in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, several Philippine ministries are pleading for immediate help and the steadfast prayers of Christian Aid Mission supporters.
One of the strongest storms in recorded history—with winds reaching upwards of 235 mph—slammed ashore November 8 in the central Philippines. Tens of thousands are feared dead and more than half a million are now homeless.
Entire coastal villages were swept away by giant waves reminiscent of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. The wide swath of structural destruction across the archipelago has directly affected some 4 million Filipinos.
The city of Tacloban on the island of Leyte was hit particularly hard, where the death toll is expected to rise to thousands. Clean water and food supplies are running low and reports began to surface Monday of cases of dysentery.
A Christian Aid ministry partner expressed great concern for residents of Tacloban. “We have not yet heard from our believers there. Communication has been cut off,” he said.
Bohol Island, which suffered significant damage from an earthquake three weeks ago, was further ravaged by the typhoon. Missionaries and pastors serving in the area lost everything in the quake, and the typhoon has only added to their distress.
“Due to the strong earthquake, houses, church buildings, roads, and bridges were badly damaged. As a result, most of these believers were temporarily living in tents. Food, medicine, water, communication, and transportation are very hard for them to find,” said a ministry leader who works on the island.
He asked for urgent help for the 25 pastors who were directly affected by both the earthquake and typhoon. In addition, he reported there are “300 to 500 families from these pastors' congregations who are very much in need.”
“No complaints are heard from them for they know Jesus knows what they are going through. Still, they need our prayers for comfort,” he said.
Numerous churches and Bible schools assisted by Christian Aid have also been decimated by the typhoon.
Recovery efforts will take months, even years, and structural damage has been immense across the central Philippines. However, survival is the most pressing concern now, and water, food, and shelter are critically needed.
“The devastation on the islands is heartbreaking,” said another ministry partner. “We covet your prayers.”
Learn how you can help here

Emergency prayer and relief for the Philippines

The Ministries of Francis Frangipane
As most of you know, the Philippines were struck by a monster typhoon. According to some forecast outlets, this hurricane made landfall, with sustained winds of almost 200 mph. Hundreds of thousands have lost their homes; tens of thousands have lost one or more loved ones. Let me encourage you to give to disaster relief. If you have no favorite or trusted agency, we have churches on the ground there that can direct any donation you send us to meet needs without any administration fees. Mark your offering "PI Relief ." www.frangipane.org/support.html

Please continue to pray for this very strategic nation.

Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org

Senin, 11 November 2013

Bharia Bhumia of India

 
Bharia Bhumia of India
The Bharia Bhumia is a forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribe of Madhya Pradesh. They have various clans which regulate marriage alliances. Some of these clans are Bhardia, Bijaria, Amelia, Bagothia, Pachalia, Thakaria, and Mehania. The Bharia are wage-earners, as most are landless. A part of their livelihood is derived from collecting and selling firewood. Some work as laborers for contractors, while a few work as rickshaw-pullers and errand boys. Some are engaged as sharecroppers and graziers. They worship deities like Hanuman. They also worship most of the Gond deities like Baradeo, Buradeo, and Nagbaba. Their important festivals are Holi, Diwali, Bhujalia, Akhati, Shivratri, and Rakhi. Their literacy rate is very low.
Ministry Obstacles
A low literacy rate suggests that printed presentations of the Gospel will be inadequate for the Bharia community. Stories from scripture, recordings, and videos will all be needed and useful.
Outreach Ideas
Jesus needs to be presented to them as more than just another deity in their pantheon of gods. Pray God's people will relate the story of the One who is above all.
Pray for the followers of Christ
Several in the Bharia community have identified themselves as Christians to the Indian census. Please pray for teachers to be sent to these people, to help them become firmly established as followers of Jesus.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Bharia to see the importance of providing a good education for their children. They very much need to raise the literacy rate in their community, and they need to acquire skills to make them employable.
Scripture Focus
"Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name." 1 Chronicles 16:28-29
 

 


People Name: Bharia Bhumia
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 343,000
World Population: 343,000
Language: Hindi
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

KADOS -- Edisi 175 (11 -- 17 November 2013)

KADOS -- Edisi 175 (11 -- 17 November 2013)

Salam sukacita dalam Kristus,

Apakah Anda selalu bersemangat dalam menjalani hari-hari Anda? Seseorang bisa terus bersemangat jika ia mempunyai pengharapan di dalam Kristus. Pengharapan ini akan terus ada jika seseorang tetap percaya dan setia dalam mengikut Kristus. Ingatlah dan renungkan firman Tuhan ini, "Karena masa depan sungguh ada, dan harapanmu tidak akan hilang" (Amsal 23:18). Ayat ini bisa menjadi kekuatan bagi hidup kita karena firman Tuhan tidak pernah berubah dan janji-Nya pasti digenapi. Jika akhir-akhir ini Anda merasa tidak bersemangat dalam menjalani hidup Anda, sekaranglah waktunya Anda berkomitmen kepada Tuhan untuk tetap percaya dan setia pada firman-Nya. Lakukan hal-hal yang berguna dan menyenangkan hati Tuhan. Dan, berdoalah senantiasa. Tuhan memberkati.

Pemimpin Redaksi KADOS,
Santi T.
< santi(at)in-christ.net >
< http://doa.sabda.org >


11 November 2013 -- Pendidikan Informal

Pendidikan menjadi modal penting untuk meraih masa depan. Saat ini, pendidikan tidak hanya didapatkan melalui sekolah formal saja, tetapi bisa melalui sekolah informal seperti: kursus, les, dan bimbingan belajar. Keberadaan pendidikan informal ini cukup membantu para siswa untuk meningkatkan keterampilan dan kecerdasan, baik dalam bidang studi sekolah maupun bidang lain. Marilah kita berdoa agar semua sarana yang mendukung kemajuan pendidikan di Indonesia dapat dikelola dengan baik dan terus berkembang. Berdoalah juga agar pendidikan para siswa di Indonesia mengalami peningkatan sehingga bangsa ini bisa terus maju.

12 November 2013 -- Hari Kesehatan Nasional

Kesehatan itu mahal harganya. Pernyataan ini benar dan sudah dialami banyak orang. Ketika sakit menyerang, kita akan kehilangan banyak kesempatan untuk melakukan aktivitas, berelasi, dll.. Pada hari ini, kita merayakan hari Kesehatan Nasional. Untuk itu, marilah kita berdoa agar setiap orang menyadari pentingnya menjaga kesehatan, baik untuk diri sendiri, orang lain, keluarga, maupun lingkungan. Berdoalah juga kepada Tuhan Yesus agar dinas kesehatan juga semakin giat dalam menolong dan memperhatikan kesehatan masyarakat.

13 November 2013 -- Guru Honorer

Kesejahteraan guru honorer belumlah maksimal. Tidak jarang mereka hanya menerima gaji yang sangat kecil dan kemungkinan besar tidak bisa untuk mencukupi kebutuhan hidup dalam sebulan. Para guru honorer sudah melakukan tugasnya dengan baik. Jadi, setidaknya, pemerintah ikut mendukung dan menolong "status" guru honorer agar mendapatkan kesejahteraan yang selayaknya. Berdoalah kepada Tuhan Yesus agar para guru honorer tetap setia dan sungguh-sungguh dalam melakukan pekerjaannya meskipun gaji mereka sangat kecil. Doakan pula untuk guru honorer Kristen agar mereka menjadi guru yang berkualitas dan menjadi teladan yang baik, sesuai teladan yang diberikan oleh Kristus.

14 November 2013 -- Orang Kristen yang Sakit Kronis

Penyakit bisa menyerang siapa saja. Untuk itu, kita semua harus mempunyai pola hidup yang sehat agar tidak mudah terserang penyakit. Kesehatan seseorang tidak hanya dipengaruhi oleh pola hidup yang sehat, melainkan juga kondisi hati dan cara berpikir. Tidak sedikit orang menderita penyakit tertentu, bahkan penyakit kronis, yang disebabkan oleh hatinya yang terus mengalami tekanan, baik oleh masalah pribadi, kepahitan, kemarahan, kekecewaan, dll.. Sebagai orang Kristen, marilah kita menjaga pola hidup, kondisi hati, dan cara berpikir kita agar tetap sejalan dengan firman Tuhan. Berdoalah untuk semua orang Kristen agar semakin menyadari pentingnya kesehatan dan mau mengupayakan untuk hidup sehat, baik secara jasmani maupun rohani. Berdoalah juga untuk orang Kristen yang menderita sakit kronis agar mereka tetap berpengharapan dan percaya kepada Tuhan sehingga mereka bisa mendapatkan yang terbaik dari Tuhan.

15 November 2013 -- Pembantu Rumah Tangga Kristen

Profesi sebagai pembantu rumah tangga bukanlah hal yang mudah. Seorang pembantu rumah tangga harus bisa mengerjakan banyak hal dan mengatur waktu dengan baik supaya semua pekerjaan rumah tangga bisa selesai tepat waktu. Sebagai pembantu rumah tangga Kristen, melakukan pekerjaan rumah tangga bukan untuk menyenangkan hati majikannya saja, melainkan untuk menyenangkan hati Tuhan. Jadi, sebanyak dan seberat apa pun pekerjaan pembantu rumah tangga, semuanya bisa dilakukan dengan hati yang penuh ucapan syukur. Marilah kita berdoa kepada Tuhan Yesus agar para pembantu rumah tangga Kristen terus setia kepada Tuhan, dan bisa melakukan tugasnya dengan penuh tanggung jawab. Doakanlah juga agar mereka bisa terus dipercaya oleh majikan, dan mendapatkan upah yang sesuai dengan hasil dan pengabdian mereka.

16 November 2013 -- Para Tunawisma

Salah satu kebutuhan pokok manusia adalah rumah. Tanpa rumah, seseorang akan mengalami kesulitan untuk membina hubungan keluarga secara intens, berteduh, beristirahat, dan beraktivitas untuk mengembangkan kesejahteraan hidup yang lain. Sebagai orang percaya, marilah kita mulai memedulikan mereka yang tidak mempunyai rumah/tunawisma dengan membantu dan mendoakan mereka. Berdoalah kepada Tuhan Yesus agar mereka tidak berkecil hati dan tetap berusaha dengan sungguh-sungguh untuk memperoleh kesejahteraan hidup yang layak. Berdoalah juga agar kelak mereka bisa memiliki rumah dengan terus berusaha, berdoa, dan berpengharapan di dalam Tuhan.

17 November 2013 -- Penyebaran Alkitab di Indonesia

Terbukanya banyak akses penyebaran Alkitab di Indonesia disebabkan adanya kemajuan teknologi dan banyaknya orang/yayasan/organisasi Kristen yang rindu untuk membagikan Alkitab kepada orang-orang yang belum menerimanya. Saat ini, Alkitab tidak hanya berupa versi cetak, tetapi juga versi digital. Jadi, penyebaran Alkitab pun bisa dilakukan dengan beberapa cara. Penyebaran Alkitab cetak bisa dilakukan pada saat melakukan penginjilan, acara gereja, kegiatan misi, bakti sosial khusus Kristen, dll.. Untuk versi digital, penyebaran Alkitab bisa dilakukan dengan memanfaatkan HP dan situs. Marilah kita berdoa agar usaha menyebarkan Alkitab ini dapat dilakukan dengan lancar dan maksimal sehingga banyak orang boleh menerima firman Tuhan. Doakanlah juga untuk setiap orang yang telah menerima Alkitab agar mereka bisa menggunakannya dengan penuh tanggung jawab, dan terus bertumbuh dalam pengenalan akan Kristus.

Khattar of Pakistan

 
Khattar of Pakistan
The Khattars are a prominent race in Punjab, and generally well off, except for the very smallest land-holders or tenant farmers. Over the last 50-60 years, this tribe, especially its main families in Pakistan, have intermarried with Kashmiri and Pashtun families. About 2/3 of Khattars in Pakistan are rural, agrarian farmers, mostly small-holders but with some big landowners among them, too. Urban Khattars are mostly in Rawalpindi and Lahore cities. Almost all Khattars are Muslims of the Sunni sect, and often quite devout in the rural areas.
Ministry Obstacles
Nominal Christians who don't truly follow Christ's teachings may be an impediment to the Khattars. Pray they will be able to see that there is a difference between disciples of Christ and those who are Christian only in name.
Outreach Ideas
Workers are needed. Jesus said to pray for workers, for the harvest is ripe.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There probably are no followers of Jesus among the Khattar community at present, but pray for the ones that will soon come to Christ. Pray they will be zealous to learn of Christ and follow Him. Pray they will keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Khattar community to increasingly grow in awareness of Isa (Jesus), his life and his sacrifice for them. Pray the Lord will give them a hunger to know, then satisfy that hunger.
Scripture Focus
"Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest?' Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest." John 4:35
 

 


People Name: Khattar
Country: Pakistan
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 85,000
World Population: 85,000
Language: Panjabi, Western
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: New Testament
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

Muko-Muko of Indonesia

 
Muko-Muko of Indonesia
Part of the Muko-Muko area is swampland or tidal waters, where a brackish mixture of ocean and river water combines. Their villages are governed by a Pasirah (village chief) and his assistants. The role of the Pasirah is to safeguard stability and harmony according to their cultural customs, as well as to collect taxes and community fees. They use the term kaum to refer to a group of families. The kaum is led by a clan chief and his assistants. There are five clans that are still growing: Delapan, Berenam, Empat Belas, Lima Suku, and Gersik Tunggul. Islam is the religion of the majority of the Muko-Muko, but in everyday life they still hold to animistic beliefs. At the core of these animistic beliefs is the effort to get protection from spirits.
Ministry Obstacles
Beliefs in the spirits of mothers who have died in childbirth make the people fearful. They need to find respite from their fear of spiritual beings.
Outreach Ideas
There are many good resources available in the Minangkabau language, including scripture. Pray for workers to take these to the people.
Pray for the followers of Christ
There are no known followers of Jesus Christ today among the Muko-Muko. However, the ones who will soon come to Christ will need teachers and pastors to help them. Pray the Lord will provide these helpers at the proper time.
Pray for the entire people group
At this time the Muko-Muo need agricultural assistance, particularly with their community farms, so that the farms can be better managed and improve people's standard of living. They also need Indonesian language teachers because many of the Muko-Muko cannot speak or even understand Indonesian.
Scripture Focus
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14
 

People Name: Muko-Muko
Country: Indonesia
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 52,000
World Population: 52,000
Language: Minangkabau
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: New Testament
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1