A tale about the origin of the Hmong accounts for the origin of Hmong surnames.   As the story goes, there was a great flood which wiped out all but a brother and sister.   Eventually the two married—after much protesting by the sister.   When their child was born, it was was round like a stone, having neither arms nor legs.

Upset over the child’s deformity, the parents cut the infant into pieces which they threw away.  Some parts fell in the garden, and the Vang clan owes its name to the fact that Vang sounds like the word “garden” in Hmong.   The Thao clan is named for pieces that fell in the weeds because Thao rhymes with “weeds.”   Pieces falling on the goat house gave rise to the clan name Li.    Moua, another clan name, sounds like the Hmong word for “pig house” which was where still more pieces fell.
(pp. 7-8, The Hmong—Yesterday and Today by Patricia Moore-Howard, Ph.D., a teacher’s handbook published in Sacramento, CA)

Names are important to Jesus.   He says it’s cause for rejoicing when someone’s name is recorded in heaven, and He promises a “new name” to Christians who overcome.   Millions of Hmong/Miao still wait to hear that Jesus’ death and resurrection can bring “new life” and a “new name.”

Pray:

• Thank You for the unpaid lay leaders who are rising up to share Your Word.  Give strength to the few who are available to disciple and train them. 
• Enable those who are recording initial radio programs in Black Hmong.   Smooth the logistics; but beyond that, place a passion for You in their hearts that will transform spoken words into powerful truth that transforms others.
• Give insight into how Black Hmong programs for the long term can be creatively developed and recorded.  
• Jesus, draw thousands of new Hmong to Yourself – “new names” to be recorded in heaven.   We will rejoice with You as that happens!