'Thanks for your gifts of rice and clothes, but we would be grateful if you could arrange for a place for us to worship the Lord!' The outreach team was totally surprised by the request from the villagers. This mission team had traveled to this remote Kadar village, after obtaining the necessary entry permit from a government official, in order to share God's love with them. But only then did the team realize that the spiritual need was much greater than the material needs.

It is interesting to know how this group of Kadar, living deep inside Parambikkulam Wild Life Sanctuary, a restricted area for outsiders, came to know the Lord. A few years back, Ponnu kutty amma, a Kadar woman, heard the gospel through a radio program, and gave her life to the Lord. Then, overcome with joy, she went around sharing the message of Good News with everyone she knew. A few Kadar believed in Christ and God performed many miracles, strengthening their faith. This is the group of Kadar Christians who asked for a place of worship for themselves. Now that mission agency has appointed a pastor and has found a place in a nearby town where the Kadar Christians can gather for worship and fellowship.

The Kadar live in the Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala and the adjoining forests of Tamil Nadu. They were originally hunters and gatherers of forest produce in this hilly area with dense forest. Now, in addition to their traditional occupations, they have become settled cultivators, agricultural laborers, basket makers, and mat weavers. Sadly, the Kadar are not on a par with the other communities in the region as they have to face a number of issues, such as a lack of proper road connections and few educational opportunities. The Kadar have very little opportunity to interact with outsiders because, as a measure to protect the wildlife, outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering or living in the forest. Let us look to the Lord of the harvest to send His servants to minister to this needy community.

* Scripture Prayers for the Kadar in India.