Hmong of Laos

A picture embroidered by Christian Hmong living in Laos. Our teacher bought this at http://www.christianfreedom.org.

A friend of our teacher came to visit our class today.  She told us the story of her family.  She and her family are part of a group of people called the Hmong.  She wrote it on the board and spelled it with an “H” at the beginning.  But, she said you don’t say the H-sound.  It is silent.  So, her people are called the “Mong.”

Her family moved to the United States from Laos more than 30 years ago, when she was a little girl, when communism took control of the government in Laos.  Back then, many of the Hmong were Christians, and they had fought against communism because communism says people shouldn’t believe in Jesus.

Her mother and father moved to the United States.  But, her aunts, uncles, and grandparents all stayed behind.  There are still Hmong Christians in Laos, but there are many Hmong who don’t believe in Jesus yet.  She doesn’t know if her grandparents are still alive or if they have asked Jesus into their hearts.  She wants to visit them and tell them everything she has learned about Jesus.

And, she wants to tell her aunts and uncles, too.  But she knows it could be very hard for them to follow Jesus.  Sometimes in Laos, when someone chooses to believe in Jesus, their family makes them move away from home.  They won’t let them live with them anymore.  She doesn’t know what might happen to her family.

“Dear God, please help the Hmong people, living in the United States, Laos, and everywhere else they are living right now.  Please help them every time they have to move to remember that You always know where they are and what they need.  Take care of them.  Please help them trust You to bring lots of good things out of all their moves.  And, please help the Hmong who don’t believe in You yet to understand and accept You as Savior.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.”

China-Dai Lu

Today, our teacher told us about the Water Throwing Festival.  I’d never heard of such a thing.  Because of an old legend, the Dai Lu people in China have a festival at the beginning of every year called the Water Throwing Festival.  They splash water on each other in order to try to wash away their sins.  Then, during the new year, they do as many good things as they can so they won’t be punished after they die.

Most of them don’t know that water can’t wash away our sins.  Only Jesus’ death and His resurrection can save us.  He washes us clean from all the wrong we have done.  And He helps us do good things because we love Him, not because we’re afraid of being punished.

“Dear God, please help the Dai Lu people.  Please help them learn that water can’t take away their sins—only You can.  Please help them learn about Jesus’ death and resurrection, and help them to trust You to take them to Heaven after they die and not be afraid.  Thank You.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.”