The Cantonese are from a region of southeastern China once called Canton, now known as Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. Traditionally, they were regarded as one of the 30 Han Chinese groups, but some consider them to be from the Tai groups.
The large southern city of Guangzhou, which has been continually inhabited for 2,200 years, has always been the center of Cantonese civilization. The Cantonese often migrated to other parts of the world, either as merchants or as common laborers. Today, they live in 36 countries. That includes Puerto Rico, an American territory.
The Chinese, usually Cantonese speakers, began to emigrate to Puerto Rico in the late 1800s, during the final years of Spanish rule. When Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States in 1898, it was required to adhere to American law. Due to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, no more Chinese immigrants arrived for many years. Chinese business families fled to Puerto Rico in 1959 after Cuba s Communist Revolution.
The Cantonese in Puerto Rico are often engaged in business, whether large or small, and often run family-owned shops. Cantonese restaurants are popular in Honduras. Most of them speak Yue Chinese, which sets them apart from the Spanish-speaking majority.
There was a problem with illegal Chinese emigration in the 2010s. Some came because of human smuggling.
Some Cantonese are non-religious or they adhere to traditional Chinese religious practices. Others are Roman Catholic or Evangelical. The latter can be a vital mission force in Latin America or Asia.
Regardless of where they live, the Cantonese people need a deeper spiritual hunger. People who own businesses typically have little time or energy to consider eternal matters.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to do mighty things in Chinese churches in Puerto Rico.
Pray for Cantonese in Puerto Rico to have a spiritual hunger that will lead them to Jesus Christ.
Pray for Cantonese Christians to evangelize and disciple those who are willing to find their way to the one who is the Truth.
Scripture Prayers for the Han Chinese, Cantonese in Puerto Rico.
Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted Used with permission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_immigration_to_Puerto_Rico
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
