Arunthathiyar in India
aroon-DAH-dee-yur

The Arunthathiyar live in south India. Their traditional occupation is making leather goods. Indian villagers pay them for their leather products by giving them a fixed quantity of grain. They also raise 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 Arunthathiyar as outcastes. The literacy rate of the Arunthathiyar rate is less than 20%.

Ministry Obstacles
Higher-status Indian believers may not want to associate with the Arunthathiyar; this is a restriction for gospel ambassadors. The gospel will have to be presented in oral and visual forms to the Arunthathiyar.

Scripture Focus
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn."  Isaiah 61:1-3a

Scripture Prayer
Pray for these blessings for today’s people group!

Prayer Focus
Pray that educational and developmental programs from NGOs would help the Arunthathiyar. 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. Pray that the tiny number of Arunthathiyar believers would be trained and sent out to share the gospel with others in their community.

Presented by Joshua Project
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