The cloves of the northern Moluccas and the nutmeg of the central islands were traded in Asia long before Europeans heard of the "Spice Islands." With the arrival of the Portuguese in 1511, many decades of conflict began. The struggles for control of the region caused great loss of life during this period. The victorious Dutch earned large profits, but by the end of the eighteenth century, the spice trade had greatly diminished. As a result, the Moluccas were no longer so desirable. The Haruku are located on a tiny island in the Moluccas ("Spice") Islands. This chain of islands is located in the eastern portion of Indonesia and includes most of the islands between Sulawesi and New Guinea, and between Timor and the Philippines. The northern islands within the chain are Halmahera (the largest of the Moluccas), Morotai, Ternate, Tidore, Makian, Bacan (Batjan), Obi, and Sula. The central and southern islands include Buru, Ceram, Ambon, the Banda Islands, Kai (Ewab), Aru, Tanimbar, Babar, Kisar, and Wetar. The population is mostly of Malayan origin.

Like the other tribes on this tiny Haruku Island, the Haruku people grow several in demand spices, especially nutmeg, cloves, cumin, and ginger as cash crops.

Although the Haruku are nearly all Muslim, a small percentage have become Christians. On this small island, the tribes are evenly divided between those who identify as Muslims and those who identify as Christians.

The Haruku do not have any Christian resources available in their own language. Fervent intercession and further mission work will need to be undertaken to strengthen the believers and see the people on this remote island reached with the gospel.

Pray for the Lord to provide an abundant harvest for the Haruku people as a testimony of his power and mercy. Pray for a Holy Spirit-driven movement to Christ among the Haruku people. Pray for the Haruku to have a hunger and thirst for righteousness that will drive them to the foot of the cross.

Scripture Prayers for the Haruku in Indonesia.