Pankhu, Panko   PAN-koo

The Panko of Bangladesh are a relatively small people group. They are located in an area known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts – three hilly lush, green, tropical regions of southeastern Bangladesh, relatively close to the Bay of Bengal. Their homeland is near the borders of India and Myanmar. The region is rich in timber, bamboo, and minerals. The Panko Pankhu build their houses on top of hills, with dwellings made of bamboo, wood, and tin. In their farming, they do "jhum" (slash-and-burn shifting cultivation), which can harm the environment. Younger Pankos are leaving farming to work in non-governmental organizations (NGO's), after they become college-educated. If you do internet searches of them, you may find them also spelled as Pankho, Panku, Pankhu, or Pangku, so these variant spellings all relate to the same group.

Ministry Obstacles

These are vulnerable people who might not be open to outsiders. They expect abuse from others, which might make them distrust gospel workers.

Scripture Focus

"Behold, the LORD God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him."  Isaiah 40:10

Scripture Prayer

Pray for many from this people group to claim this verse by embracing the Lord.

Prayer Focus

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will motivate them to change even though it involves risks. Pray for the Panko Pankhus to have an abundance of gospel materials in their own language. Pray for believers to penetrate their areas with work opportunities, perhaps in business-as-mission or trade. Pray for opportunities for outsiders to take the gospel to the Panko Pankhu community.