Arunthathiyar in India
aroon-DAH-dee-yur

The Arundhatiyar live in south India. Their traditional occupation is making leather goods. The Indian villagers pay them for their leather products by giving them a fixed quantity of grain. They are also engaged in rearing pigs, goats and sheep, or working in industries, construction and other kinds of manual work. They are known to adorn their bodies with tattoo designs. The main languages of the Arunthathiyar are Tamil and Telugu. Other Indian people treat the the Arunthathiyar as Dalits or outcastes. The literacy rate of the Arunthathiyar rate is less than 20%.

Ministry Obstacles
Higher caste Indian believers may not want to associate with Dalit Arunthathiyar. The gospel will have to be presented in oral and visual form to the Arunthathiyar.

Outreach Ideas
Teachers can help the Arunthathiyar learn to read and write. Workers can help them learn new job skills. Films and radio programs are available in both Tamil and Telugu.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the tiny number of Arunthathiyar believers. Pray that they would be trained to share the gospel with their brothers and sisters.

Pray for the entire people group
* Pray that the Arundhatiyar people may receive help from NGOs through educational and developmental programs. * Ask God to send workers to help these needy people hear the gospel and improve their lives both physically and spiritually. * Pray the Lord will start a movement of Arunthathiyar families experiencing God's blessings

Scripture Focus
"And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:3

Presented by Joshua Project
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