The People of the Woods
Today is a special Post.
Can you imagine going through this life without a hope of something better? So many times, I've wondered how people who do not know or follow Christ find the strength to even get out of bed in the morning. Can you imagine not having the Word of God to go to, to inspire, strengthen, and motivate you to live a life full of hope in this often cruel world?
A few days ago, Jeff and I received a copy of the Commission magazine, put out by the Southern Baptists. It features missions work being done around the globe. The cover story this issue was about "The People of the Woods" - the Udmurts. ("OOD-merts"). They are an ethnic group in Russia.
Udmurt girls pictured here are dressed for a cultural celebration. The Udmurts live in remote villages, and worship the spirits of the trees and nature. For the most part, they do not know the Creator of those woods, and a full translation of the gospel in their language is yet to be completed.
In Udmurtia, harsh winter covers their villages in heavy snow 6 months out of the year. Unemployment and alcoholism is high, and without the hope found only in Christ, this people group suffers from hopelessness and depression. They have the 2nd highest suicide rate in Russia. In this picture above, a funeral procession carries the coffin of a young Udmurt man who committed suicide - the 3rd this year in this village of only 30 people.
Missions work is being done here, mostly through showings of the JESUS film. The Udmurts are the focus of this year's Day of Fasting and Prayer for Evangelism on May 27th.
Will you join us in praying for the Udmurts?
You can go to www.imb.org for more information, and to watch a really interesting video about the Udmurts. The Day of Prayer is this Sunday - Don't forget the People of the Woods!
Can you imagine going through this life without a hope of something better? So many times, I've wondered how people who do not know or follow Christ find the strength to even get out of bed in the morning. Can you imagine not having the Word of God to go to, to inspire, strengthen, and motivate you to live a life full of hope in this often cruel world?
A few days ago, Jeff and I received a copy of the Commission magazine, put out by the Southern Baptists. It features missions work being done around the globe. The cover story this issue was about "The People of the Woods" - the Udmurts. ("OOD-merts"). They are an ethnic group in Russia.
Udmurt girls pictured here are dressed for a cultural celebration. The Udmurts live in remote villages, and worship the spirits of the trees and nature. For the most part, they do not know the Creator of those woods, and a full translation of the gospel in their language is yet to be completed.
In Udmurtia, harsh winter covers their villages in heavy snow 6 months out of the year. Unemployment and alcoholism is high, and without the hope found only in Christ, this people group suffers from hopelessness and depression. They have the 2nd highest suicide rate in Russia. In this picture above, a funeral procession carries the coffin of a young Udmurt man who committed suicide - the 3rd this year in this village of only 30 people.
Missions work is being done here, mostly through showings of the JESUS film. The Udmurts are the focus of this year's Day of Fasting and Prayer for Evangelism on May 27th.
Will you join us in praying for the Udmurts?
You can go to www.imb.org for more information, and to watch a really interesting video about the Udmurts. The Day of Prayer is this Sunday - Don't forget the People of the Woods!
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Hollie