Tai Yuan The Tai Yuan number over 6 million. The vast majority are
found in North Thailand where they are also known as
Khon
Muang, or Khon Phoern Muang, Lanna Thai or
Northern
Thai. In the 1800's however they were included under
the more general name of Lao. While the name Yuan is not
popularly used by this group in Thailand there is no other
name that is acceptable for this people group in Laos. So
while it is always important to call people by a name that
they find acceptable it is equally important to recognize
that they are the same people whatever they may call
themselves.
The Yuan are very devout Buddhists of the Theravada sect.
Buddhism spread among the Yuan about 700 years ago at the
time that they were migrating south from China into their
present location.
Pray:
-For the Christians in
Thailand that they would receive an outpouring of the
Holy Spirit. May they have a heart to reach out to
their Buddhist neighbors with the gospel of truth.
-For the translation of the
Bible into Northern Thai. For wisdom in producing a good
translation that is easy to understand.
-For the Dai Yuan in Laos &
in China, that the Spirit will be opening doors into
their lives for the gospel
Kham Tibetan
Qiangic speaking Tibetans worship mountain gods and follow
Tibetan Buddhism and the pre-Buddhist, Bon religion. Yearly
rituals are performed to gain the protection and favor of
the local mountain god. Currently, Buddhism and Bon provide
guidance in gaining merit for the next life.
Along with the good weather in Kham Tibetan areas come good
opportunities for travel and visits in this beautiful land.
The Khamba themselves also like to travel at this time of
year! They will gather in various places throughout the
summer to enjoy various festivals and ceremonies.
Pray:
- That
the good weather would yield incredible opportunities
for Seed sowing throughout all of Kham.
- For
the Kham believers who will be joining these festivals.
- That
they would have a Spirit-filled witness to their fellow
Kham and that this occasion would be an opportunity for
them to share about the Celebration that only belongs to
those who follow Jesus Christ.
- Especially for the rural and nomadic Tibetans that are
otherwise rarely contacted for the rest of the year –
that they would also have opportunity to hear the gospel
in a dialect they understand.
- That
God would redeem these celebrations into ways to honor
and glorify Him!
