Muriel Rae, a missionary in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s tells how Big Flowery Miao Christians of that era got a vision for outreach. Living in fear of spirits, the Miao held music festivals once or twice a year to counteract their evil influence. Sacrifices and offerings to the dead were made to protect against spirits who might destroy crops or bring disease. Everyone gathered for the festivities wearing their most colorful clothing. Muriel writes: “Musicians played bamboo pipes ranging in length from three to twelve feet, which when played in unison produced frightfully discordant sounds thought to dispel the spirits.”
Big Flowery Christians had ceased going to these festivals, for they no longer feared the spirits or saw the need of appeasing them.
Muriel’s husband “saw these popular events as tremendous opportunities for the Flowery to mingle with their kinsfolk—to tell them of their own marvelous deliverance from fear. . . . As music resounded in the hills, the Christians moved about in the crowd, their gentle, mild manner [and] glowing faces. . .attracting attention from those who wondered about the radical change in their demeanour. The Christians were quick to explain how they, too, had once been fearful and in bondage. . .but [had been introduced] to One who could set them free.” The Christians promised to visit villages to teach about this “better way.” (
His Banner Over Us Is Love by Muriel Rae, 1995, pages 158-160)
Pray:
- Lord of the harvest, today we pray for vision.
- Give vision to those of us who pray for the Hmong/Miao until we pray with renewed vigor and diligence for workers to go, for funding to support them, for salvation of the Miao.
- Create in Miao Christians a deep longing to see the unreached come to saving knowledge of Yourself. Give them insight into ways to creatively share the gospel. Propel them to spread Your truth among the lost.
Protect and empower key ministry leaders visiting churches in the U.S. over the next few weeks. Give them Your words and Your anointing as they share about the Miao until those who have been ignorant of or indifferent to the spiritual needs of the Miao become passionate.
