together -Jan 2016
SIM NZ quarterly magazine #148
SIM NZ quarterly magazine #148
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Learn<br />
The Bhojpuri of North India<br />
Pray<br />
Love<br />
The home area of the<br />
Bhojpuri-speaking people<br />
extends from the Himalaya<br />
foothills to the Ganges plains.<br />
In history the warriors of<br />
Ujjani Rajput came from their<br />
villages. Mahatma Gandhi<br />
launched his passive resistance<br />
campaign in their midst.<br />
Most of the estimated<br />
50.6 million Bhojpuris live in<br />
houses made of mud and sticks<br />
with thatched roofs and dirt<br />
floors. Many now live in the<br />
mega-cities of India. Most are<br />
vegetarians, growing rice, wheat and sugar cane. They are also involved in<br />
cottage industries, such as weaving. They enjoy storytelling, dance, folk<br />
songs and films.<br />
These people believe that they will cleanse themselves from sin by<br />
bathing in the sacred Ganges River. Many Bhojpuri come to the ancient<br />
city of Varanasi, considered to be Hinduism’s holy city, to die, because they<br />
believe the direct gateway to heaven lies through the most ancient part of<br />
the city.<br />
Because they have been viciously conquered several times by outsiders,<br />
who often forced their religion on them, they are strongly resistant to the<br />
gospel. SIM and partners work among them, including some Kiwis. Five<br />
years ago there were no churches among these people. Today in Eastern<br />
Uttar Pradesh alone there are close to 5,000 house churches — nevertheless,<br />
there are still thousands of Bhojpuri villages with no church. The New<br />
Testament has been translated into Bhojpuri, with work in progress to complete<br />
the entire Bible. The Jesus film and Christian broadcasts and audio<br />
recordings are available in their language.<br />
The Bhojpuri are a warm-hearted people, whose lives revolve around<br />
their families. It is through natural networks developed in families that the<br />
gospel finds the most acceptance. Friendship evangelism and relationshipbuilding<br />
are effective strategies that reach the heart of their culture. People<br />
from the lower castes have been most responsive to the gospel.<br />
PRAY: for more workers willing to befriend Bhojpuri-speaking people,<br />
build strong relationships and tell them about the God who loves them.<br />
18
Change language