A Reason to Celebrate

The Priau people are traditionally animistic spirit worshipers. The festival to their fire god is a multi-day event that begins with a long, bamboo pole planted in the ground. Ceremonies include throwing grain and alcohol into the air, and building a fire to dance around. Some dress like kings, police, soldiers and other figures. Men, and small boys, dance through the night and in the day go to nearby villages to collect offering. The collected money is used to buy a goat and have a feast.

The arrival of God’s word is offering a new reason to celebrate though. Believers celebrated the resurrection of Christ for the first time last year in one village. In another village, 17 people heard the word of God and became believers. Priau believers also celebrated Christmas last year by putting together a program celebrating the birth of Christ.

Praise God that the Priau people are receiving the message of salvation! Pray that these celebrations will become more common as the believers respond to the Word of God in their heart language.

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