Day Three: The Awa People

Who are the Awa?
The more than 73,000 Awa of China are a subgroup of the larger Wa minority group. Although the other Wa subgroups boast large numbers of Christians, there are only a handful of believers among the Awa. The Awa were formerly called "Kawa" - a name which refers to their former headhunting practices, and which most feel is derogatory.

There are several reasons why this particular minority group still remains largely unreached. The Awa live in the rugged mountains of Yunnan Province, which makes simply reaching them difficult. Gaining access to their remote villages is another matter, as they strongly defend their settlements against outsiders. As a result of this isolation, the Awa cling to their customs and traditions, and are very resistant to change. Their religious beliefs, an intense mixture of black magic, animism, and Buddhism, keep them in constant fear and drive them to practice frightening rituals in order to appease their gods. In recent years, however, there have been several accounts of the Lord mercifully and wonderfully revealing Himself to the Awa people.

Points of Prayer:
1. That the Lord will continue preparing the hearts of the Awa to receive His Son. Ask Him to raise up Wa believers to take the gospel to the Awa.

2. That, through Jesus Christ, the Awa will be freed from their bondage to darkness and fear.

3. That the Awa will be welcoming to those who come to their villages for the purpose of sharing Christ.