Walak in Indonesia

People Name:	Walak
Country:	Indonesia
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	24,000
World Population:	24,000
Primary Language:	Walak
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	60.00 %
Evangelicals:	6.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	New Guinea
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Walak is a greeting or a word meaning "thank you" as well as a language and a tribal name. The Walak people have been living in New Guinea Island since their ancestors moved from the African continent thousands of years ago. This tribe is called the Balim people by outsiders, because they lived in the Balim Valley and the Mamberamo area near the Kadi River in the Lake Arcbold area. They have a similar culture to the Dani People made famous by Don Richardson's book, "Peace Child."

What Are Their Lives Like?

They live mainly in rural areas of Papua New Guinea.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They became Christians starting in the early 1960s largely from the efforts of Australians missionaries from the United Family Mission (UFMA). They believe in one God and Jesus Christ as Lord. Today, the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches are strong among them. They are officially Christian, but they always face the temptation to revert to the old gods.

What Are Their Needs?

The Walak people used to read from the Dani language Bible, but now they have their own New Testament. They still need the Old Testament in their language to understand why they must remain faithful to the God of the Bible.

Prayer Points

Pray for accuracy in Bible translation, and it will help them to remain true to Jehovah Jireh, their provider. Pray that Walak believers will be used by God to take Christ to unreached people groups in their region. Pray for the Lord to bring about a revival that will give them the willingness to follow Christ wherever He leads them.