Spring 2000

Week eleven

What’s inside:

People Group Focus; Project List; and God’s Heart for the Nations Bible study.

Unreached People Group (UPG) focus: The Tajiks of Afghanistan

The Tajiks are believed to be descended from the Persian Empire. The Tajiks are concentrated mainly in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, though they are represented in about five countries.

The Tajiks are located in both rural and urban settings. They work as migrant farmers, herdsman, traders, and artisans, but all are characterized as hard working. Tradition and culture is highly valued and is passed on through dance, folklore, and folksongs.

The Tajiks are 99% Muslim. They believe that Allah is the one true God and that Muhammad is his prophet. Muslims believe that man is born free from sin, and that all are judged according to their actions and their knowledge of the Koran. Other important aspects of the Muslim faith include prayer five times a day, a pilgrimage to Mecca, observing the month of fasting (Ramadan), and the giving of alms.

Concerns:

The region where the Tajiks live has been war torn for centuries. Only the New Testament has been translated into Darsi Persian, the language of the Tajiks, but only 10 percent of the Tajiks can read this material. The number of Tajiks without Christ in Afghanistan alone numbers more than 3.3 million.

Pray Points:

• Pray that God will restore political stability to the region.
• Pray that Christian workers trained in Darsi Persian will live a witness amongst the Tajiks.
• Pray that media tools, including radio and JESUS films, will be heard and received by open ears and hearts. 
• Pray that refugee work will touch refugees living in Pakistan.

Project List:

There is still time to apply for some projects starting late this summer! Here are some of the opportunities.

Deadline for all projects beginning July 1 and after—April 30.

*Details on all projects are available on the web at www.thetask.org/students on the Global Projects link.

Bible study:

GOD’S HEART FOR THE NATIONS