Day 22: The Yao People

Who are the Yao?
An old saying goes, "Every mountain in South China has its group of Yao."  Nothing could be truer.  The Yao people group actually refers to a collection of as many as 300 distinct subgroups scattered among the mountaintops of the six southern Chinese provinces.  Because of their remote location, the Yao, who primarily raise animals and farm terraced rice-paddies on the sides of steep mountain cliffs, have virtually no contact with the outside world.  This poses a complex problem when it comes to spreading the Gospel.  Although it is reported that Yao Christians number around 10,000, it is important to note that most of them belong to only one or two of the Yao subgroups.  Taking the Gospel to other Yao communities would require these believers to learn entirely new languages and cultures.

Additionally, the Yao people have over the years adopted many Chinese customs and religious practices.  The mystical practices of Taoism in particular have a strong hold on the people, requiring them to take part in complicated rituals.  Aside from Taoist gods, the Yao people also worship spirits found within the household and in nature.

Points of Prayer:
1. That the light of Christ would reach to even the remotest villages and Yao subgroups.

2. For the Lord to raise up and equip Yao believers to minister "cross-culturally" to other Yao communities.

3. For God to rescue the Yao from the bondage of meaningless religious ritual.