Daily Prayer: the Melichi people of Southeast Asia
The Melichi people inhabit a mountainous region of Southeast Asia. The population is scattered among a variety of large and small villages./ The Melichi place a high value on conforming to group expectations within their culture Christian missionaries came to the Melichi region around 1920 and many Melichi became Christians at that time. Before responding to the gospel message, they were animists who worshiped local gods and nature. The number of Christians has steadily grown since the first missionaries arrived, with estimates that the population now 75% Christian.
Currently, seven denominations have established churches in the area./ All of the local denominations have agreed to cooperate on a translation project and have selected individuals to make up a translation committee. God has called experienced and well-qualified people to work on the translation team.
- Praise God that the consultant’s review of Luke 1-12 was successful and uncovered places in these chapters that needed further attention. Pray that the upcoming evaluation of the second half of Luke by the consultant will culminate in a translation that speaks compellingly to Melichi people.
- Pray that arrangements for the publication of Luke and Acts, which is expected to happen in 2008, will go smoothly without glitches.
- The team continues drafting the very challenging books of Romans and Revelation. Pray that God will enable the team to finish translating Romans and Revelation. Pray for their encouragement.