The Bayono people are a very remote, located in the heart of Irian Jaya, south of the main Jayawijaya Mountain range, in the swampy lowland rainforest. The climate is hot and humid year-round. Their location is miles from regular transportation routes.

Bayono people are semi-nomadic, living in tree houses 2-15m high and rotating to different areas of the rainforest for hunting (wild boar, cassowary, monitor lizard) and gathering (sago palm, edible ferns, fruit). There is frequent family and social unrest due to revenge killings, kidnappings, fear of spirit taboos, and fear of sickness potentially caused by black magic.
This isolated jungle tribe had their first meaningful contact with outsiders in the mid-2000s when two missionary families began living among them and learning their language. As of 2018 one local Papuan missionary family remains and has become fluent in the Bayono language. He and his family are faithfully sharing the gospel with the Bayono people in the Bayono language.

Bayono people are animists. Their lives are dominated by fearful attempts to appease local spirits to gain their favor and avoid sicknesses or curses. They also fear the use of black magic by their fellow community members. Periodically, they meet for broad community spirit worship festivals.

The Bayono people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life He offers them in John 10:10.

Pray for supernatural victory in the hearts and territories of the Bayono people.
Pray for local Papuan missionaries' health, safety, and strength to faithfully share the gospel amidst enormous trials and challenges.
Pray for the missionary family who is learning the Bayono language for the purpose of translating the Bible into Bayono.
Pray that the eight newly-baptized believers would grow in their faith and reach those around them. These are the first Bayono Christian believers in history.

Scripture Prayers for the Bayono in Indonesia.