The tsunami of December 2004 shocked the world at the sheer destruction left in its wake. But as so often happens, our great Redeemer God is working His good purposes in the midst of this human tragedy.
The tsunami event brought to world attention some tiny, barely-known people groups: the aboriginal Andaman Islanders. The Onge, Jarawa, Sentineli, and Great Andamanese people groups are too few in numbers to rate a mention in most people-group surveys. These Stone Age hunter-gatherers attract anthropological attention for two reasons: although Asian, they’re racially related to Africans and Australian aboriginals, and the men, averaging 4’ 10’” in height, are considered pygmies.
Jesus said, Go and make disciples of all nations. So our immediate question is Have these peoples heard the Good News? The shocking answer: they have never heard the name of Jesus.
Because these ethnic groups have come so close to extinction (with no natural immunities, even a common cold poses a deadly threat), the Indian government forbids them contact with the outside world — no missionary work is permitted. But as long as the Great Commission task remains unfinished, God is calling us to reach them. Ask God to open closed doors, as He has done in Asia and Africa and Latin America, and in countries like Korea and Brazil, which have now become great missionary-sending nations.
So please pray, and look forward to the day when we will marvel at what God has done to bring the message of Jesus to every tribe and tongue.
- Religion Animism (there are no Christians)
- Population Onge-105, Jarawa-300, Sentineli-100, Great Andamanese-44
- Bible None
- Ask God to preserve these peoples from extinction
- Pray that Indian Christians find ways to live among them and share the gospel
- Pray that Andaman Islanders will be in that great heavenly crowd from every tribe and tongue, singing praises to Jesus
