Arakh of NepalThe Arakh avoid transacting a marital alliance for a daughter in a village from which a daughter-in-law has come. Their marriage symbols are vermilion, bangles, toe-rings, and anklets (payal). Divorce (chutti-chutta) is permissible. Remarriage (dharona) is permissible for widowed and divorced persons. The Arakh bury the dead and observe the juria ceremony for three days when the kusha grass, gingelly (til,) and water are offered. This is followed by the dashwan and tereheen rituals.Ministry ObstaclesThere are probably no followers of Christ today within the Arakh community, in either India or Nepal. The community practices Hinduism, a very different worldview than that of the Christian.Outreach IdeasMuch sustained prayer is needed to prepare the hearts of this Hindu community to understand and believe the Gospel of Christ when it comes to them.Pray for the followers of ChristThere probably are no believers in Jesus Christ today within this community, not only in Nepal, but also in India. But pray for those the Lord will soon bring to himself, that they will learn to be joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances.Pray for the entire people groupPray for the Arakh community to be given the gift of conviction of sin, and will be made aware of their need for a Savior from sin. Pray the Lord will then send messengers to them to tell them of who Jesus is and what he has done for them.Scripture Focus"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon