Bawean of Indonesia
The Bawean homeland is a 200-square-kilometer island, 120 kilometers north of Surabaya (East Java) in the middle of the Java Sea. Bawean has been known as the "island of women" because the majority of its inhabitants are women. This is because the men tend to look for employment in other lands. Over the centuries the Baweanese have developed their own unique culture. Originally the Baweanese embraced animistic beliefs. Then Hindu and Buddhist influences entered the island until the 1600's when the Baweanese people converted to Islam. Their religious devotion is extremely strong and they pride themselves that 100% of the island's inhabitants follow Islam.

Ministry Obstacles
The Bawean are strongly committed to their current worldview and religion. Much prayer is needed to create hunger to know and follow Jesus Christ.

Outreach Ideas
Christian radio broadcast in the Madura language can be used to reach the Baweanese. Also, many Bawean men are employed in parts of the world where the Gospel is somewhat available.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There probably are no followers of Christ among the Bawean people today. However, we should begin praying for those the Lord will soon call to himself. Pray the Lord will prepare and send teachers and pastors to these new Christian believers so they will be firmly established in the faith.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for employment opportunities for the men of the Bawean island, and for good family relationships.

Scripture Focus
"Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest?' Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest." John 4:35

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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon