140,000 Phuan people live in northern Laos and another 60,000 in central Thailand. The vast majority of these 200,000 people do not know their Creator.

The Phuan language is related to the Lao language but Phuan is a distinct separate language. The Phuan have no books in their language.

Traditionally the Phuan have large families. Phuan men and women share work responsibilities both in and inside of the home. It is as common to see a Dad with a baby tied on his hip as it is to see the Mom working in the fields.
 
The Phuan live on a large plateau in NE Laos - about 1200 meters above sea level. The climate is wonderful, the land is fertile and there are beautiful forests and many resources. The result has been that this area has experienced invasions and wars for centuries. Through history, raiders have come from China and armies from Vietnam. 100 years ago the King of Thailand attacked and took 40,000 Phuan as slaves to dig the canals of Bangkok – hence the population of Phuan in Thailand today. More recently, the homeland of the Phuan was a major battlefield of the Vietnam War resulting in this plateau becoming one of the most heavily bombed areas on earth.
 
Christians among the Phuan are few. Most are secretive about their faith due to persecution. Out of a Lao Phuan population of 140,000 there are perhaps 20 baptized believers. All of these have come to faith since 1990. No Christian work has focused specifically on the Phuan.

• Pray for the handful of Phuan believers in Laos. Pray they will know Jesus more and more and be filled with His love and joy. Pray they may know godly wisdom and boldness in living as followers of Jesus in a communist country.
• Pray for many more Phuan to come to know and love the Lord Jesus. Pray for a vibrant, multiplying group of believers within walking distance of every Phuan person.