Unreached Peoples: The Miao Hmong People of China — Paul Hattaway

The Miao People’s Poverty and Spiritual Need

Scattered throughout the rugged mountains of southwestern China are nearly 8 million people the Chinese government has classified as belonging to the Miao National Minority. Their colorful clothing and bright smiles belies the abject poverty and spiritual climate of fear in which most of them live.

Pushed onto the poorest of land by the encroaching settlement of Han Chinese, they often have to carry water from distant sources and eke out a living by tilling steep hillsides. The Miao speak at least 34 distinct languages, each of which have numerous dialects.

The Miao’s Unwritten Languages and Limited Scripture Access

Most of their languages are unwritten. Only a few Miao have access to even a portion of the word of God in their own language. They are scattered across seven provinces of China and throughout southeast Asia where they are called the Mong.

Harsh Conditions in Guizhou Province

Come with us on a visit to several Miao villages in Guizhou province. Guizhou is a beautiful but harsh land. There's a saying in Guizhou that you'll never have three days of continuous sunshine, three acres of flat land, or three coins to rub together.

80 of the terrain is mountainous. Despite extensive terracing, only 12 of the land is cultivated. Educational opportunities are limited and the majority of the Miao are illiterate. Their diet is simple, consisting of rice, corn, potatoes, and dried vegetables.

Miao Culture, Livelihood, and Tourist Development

The livestock they raise are slaughtered only on special occasions. The Miao are very talented and the government is beginning to showcase some of their more prosperous villages as tourist attractions.

Christian Contact, Gospel Witness, and Church Planting

This provides increased opportunity for contact with outsiders. The acknowledged need for economic development provides opportunity for more extensive contact. Enterprising Christians are finding ways to establish ongoing contact with the Miao, which is leading to opportunities to share the gospel and plant the church among them.

The Need for Laborers Among the Miao

But many more laborers are needed. Will you ask the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into his harvest field among the Miao?