Ephesians 5:22- "Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ."

Ying is woken at 6:00 and a basket is quickly put on her back. She must go out and gather enough grass and banana stalks to feed the livestock. She has done this every day for many years, sometimes with her baby sister strapped to her back. Now at 16, she is soon to be married and will have the chance to begin doing this again for a whole new household...her husband's.

As with many underdeveloped nations, the Tai Dam women are the backbone of society. They are born to work, and work they do, from the day they can lift a basket. They can be seen hauling any and all things, caring for their younger siblings, helping their mother, eating in a different part of the house than the men, and even coming in and out of a different door in the house.

When they reach 15 to 18, they get married to serve their husband in raising a family. As such, they "don't need an education" and most Tai Dam women only finish grade 3 or 4. Literacy rates have in the past been very low among women, unless they live in or near a town. If a woman were to leave home in order to study, she would be classified as "no good!"

In Laos and Vietnam, there are women's unions to assist with the needs of the women. However, with so few of the women able to read, these unions have just begun to assist with the needs of the women. Needless to say, the Tai Dam women have relatively no freedom and few opportunities to share their ideas and to better themselves.

Please pray that:

• Tai Dam societies would be transformed by the love of Christ. Men would treat women with love and respect, and women would be able to share their wisdom in helping the society change and grow.

• More opportunities for Tai Dam women may be found, which will not only expand their understanding, but give them a desire to then serve their local communities.