This sermon sheds light on the challenges faced by the Miao people in southwestern China, highlighting their poverty, lack of access to the Word of God, and the harsh living conditions they endure. Despite their talents and the government's efforts to promote some villages as tourist attractions, the majority of the Miao struggle with illiteracy, limited educational opportunities, and a simple diet. Enterprising Christians are working to establish connections with the Miao to share the gospel and plant churches, emphasizing the need for more laborers in this mission field.

Scattered throughout the rugged mountains of southwestern China are nearly 8 million people the Chinese government has classified as belonging to the Miao national minority. Their colorful clothing and bright smiles relies the abject poverty and spiritual climate of fear in which most of them live. Pushed onto the poorest of land by the encroaching settlement of Han Chinese, they often have to carry water from distant sources and eat out of living by steep hillsides. The Miao speak at least 34 distinct languages, each of which have numerous dialects. Most of their languages are unwritten. Only a few Miao have access to even a portion of the word of God in their own language. They are scattered across seven provinces of China and throughout southeast Asia where they are called the Hmong. Come with us on a visit to several Miao villages in Guizhou province. Guizhou is a beautiful but harsh land. There's a saying in Guizhou that you'll never have three days of continuous sunshine, three acres of flat land, or three coins to rub together. Eighty percent of the terrain is mountainous. Despite extensive terracing, only twelve percent of the land is cultivated. Educational opportunities are limited and the majority of the Miao are illiterate. Their diet is simple, consisting of rice, corn, potatoes, and dried vegetables. The livestock they raise are slaughtered only on special occasions. The Miao are very talented and the government is beginning to showcase some of their more prosperous villages as tourist attractions. This provides increased opportunity for contact with outsiders. The acknowledged need for economic development provides opportunity for more extensive contact. Enterprising Christians are finding ways to establish ongoing contact with the Miao, which is leading to opportunities to share the gospel and plant the church among them. But many more laborers are needed. Will you ask the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into his harvest field among the Miao?