Wednesday 11 March
By Rev Alan Miller, Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling
Guizhou province in south-west China, although famous for its mountain scenery, is one of China's poorest and most inaccessible regions, and home to many different ethnic minorities, among whom the Miao are one of the largest. Many Miao became Christians during the 19th century thanks to the effort of missionaries like the English Methodist, Samuel Pollard, who in addition to creating the first written form of the Miao language and translating the Bible, is said to have first brought the potato, now an essential of their staple diet, to Guizhou.
Rev Alan Miller
Facing the challenges of isolation, poverty, food insecurity and poor education, the Amity Foundation, a Christian-inspired NGO based in Nanjing, has supported development projects in Guizhou in health, education and agriculture for many years. These Miao women, from a majority-Christian village and wearing traditional dress, are participants in an Amity project to improve understanding of health, hygiene and nutrition in their local community, supporting one another to raise their own standard of living and that of their village.
As Christians we are called to live out our faith in practical ways that support and build up the poorest among the world's peoples, towards whom we believe God has a favourable bias, and who are often found living as minorities on the margins of mainstream society. Today we remember and give thanks that the education and development work of the Amity Foundation, supported by partners from around the world, gives concrete expression to the love of God and the hope of the God's kingdom embodied in Jesus of Nazareth.
Christian Aid
Daily Reflection
Through our partners, women like Elema have found support networks to turn to in difficult times.
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