Mission Minutes June 2006

July 11, 2006 is the day of prayer for the Isaan people group. This month as you pray for the Isaan please pray for a mighty movement of God among the Isaan. The Isaan have lived for thousands of years trapped in spiritual bondage, being deceived by Satan through Buddhist and Animistic beliefs. There are approximately 18+ million Isaan living around the world. Less than 1% claim to be Christian. Of the 321 counties in Isaan half of these counties have no church presence.

Isaan people, while calling themselves Buddhist, often make offerings and pray to spirits for protection and provision for ancestors who may be suffering from previous bad deeds/lives. During July, the "Buddhist Lenten" season begins. The "Buddhist Lenten" season is a three month period where Buddhist monks stay in their temples to meditate and study, while devout Buddhist lay people seek to make merit through offerings to the monks and denial of various pleasures (drinking, smoking, meat, etc.). It is held during the rainy season when Isaan people will also be praying for spirits to give them rains in order to grow their rice and crops. Pray that the Isaan would come to know the security of hope and salvation through Jesus, and power of Almighty God to provide all their needs through His power at work within them and nature.

Please join us on July 11^th for the Day of Prayer for the Isaan. Please pray that millions of Isaan will have the opportunity to hear the story of Jesus Christ and His redeeming love.

This lady is giving food to the monks hoping to gain merit for her good works.