Waray Waray

WHO are they? The word Waray Waray means nothing. And that is what they have—

nothing. Many earn a meager living as farmers, harvesting architectural products like

coconut, rice, corn, white sugarcane and tobacco. The Waray Waray also have several

traditions that can be traced back to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance

is a popular traditional dance that the Waray-Waray often perform at many social

gatherings, especially weddings. The couple dancing the Kuratsa is showered with

money by the people around them. The belief is that the more money is showered upon

them, the more blessings will come their way.

WHERE do they live? The Waray Waray reside on Eastern Samar and Leyte.

HOW many? There are about 3,375,000 Waray people, and less than 2% of them are

estimated to be evangelical Christians. Some churches have been planted among the

Waray Waray, but there is still a great harvest that has yet to be reaped!

WHAT do they worship? The vast majority of Waray-Waray people are Roman

Catholic. They take their religion very seriously and celebrate many saint-focused

holidays.

PRAYER needs:

• Pray that God would provide for the physical needs of the Waray Waray people.

• Pray that the growing number of church plants among the Waray Waray people

would continue to grow and be strengthened.

• Pray that the evangelical Christians within the Waray Waray people group would

become passionate about evangelizing their own people group.

LEARN more: Watch a video filled with photos of a mission team’s recent work among

the Waray Waray.

Imitation is Flattery

Prayer support is important, but sometimes creativity is the hardest part of getting others involved. Well, when you don't have a good idea of your own, it might be a good idea to see what other people have done in the past. That way, you can flatter them through imitation while putting your own twist on it- and get people praying for you and/or your team.

Here are some ideas that I have found that I think could be done easily, and really help you build a support of prayer warriors.

Get people excited before you go. (And remind them that they are going.) When you are excited about something, it is natural to talk about it.

A countdown on a social media is a great way to get people's attention. 

And to remind them that you are going.

Post a video of yourself...tell people who you are, what you will be doing, and share specific ways for them to be praying for you. 

Make team prayer cards. 

Make a team powerpoint slide to run during the announcements at your church and churches in your area.

If you thought of something different or found a great idea to share let us know!

Maranao

WHO are they? Many of the Maranao people make their living through agriculture, by

growing all kinds of crops such as rice, corn, sweet potatoes, peanuts, papayas and

bananas. They also fish in nearby Lake Lanao. In the Maranao culture, arts and crafts

such as textiles, metalwork and woodcrafts are important elements. The textiles in

particular, which are worn to indicate the wearer’s social status, are known for their very

ornate designs and colors. Many Maranao people are educated with college degrees,

but the difficult economy has forced many of these college graduates to return to the

traditional occupations of fishing, farming and crafting.

WHERE do they live? Most of the Maranao people live in the island of Mindanao in the

Philippines – and they have been there since the 13th century! However, in recent years

more have been moving to Manila in search of jobs.

HOW many? Out of over one million Maranao people, only 30-50 are known followers

of Jesus.

WHAT do they worship? The Maranao are one of several major Muslim people groups

in the Philippines, which together constitute about 5% of the Philippines population.

Because of this, the Maranao people consider themselves to be Muslim rather than

Filipino. But while they do practice much of the Islamic religion, they often still hold to

their traditional island beliefs and traditions.

PRAYER needs:

• Please pray that the small group of Christians among the Maranao would be kept

safe, strengthened and encouraged. Pray that they would become active in

sharing the truth about Jesus with their fellow Maranao people!

• Pray that God would rise up missionaries to come and share the gospel among

this large group of unbelievers.

• Pray that the Maranao’s hearts would be softened and that they would recognize

their need to be saved by the one true God!

Sample Support Letters for P52 & NT

Download a sample support letter here.

NT: Sample Support Letter

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P52: Sample Support Letter

Blank Letterhead

Kamayo

WHO are they? Mostly farmers and fishermen, the Kamayo live a simple lifestyle that is

focused on surviving, not thriving. They practice traditional ethnic religions that

emphasize superstition. Another name the Kamayo are sometimes called is Kinamayo.

WHERE do they live? Most live in the Southern Surigao del Su province, with some

also living in Davao Oriental and Agusan Sur.

HOW many? There are about 9,400 Kamayo people living the Philippines, and only

about 3.5% of them are evangelical Christians.

WHAT do they worship? Most of the Kamayo people put their faith in animistic,

traditional ethnic religions. These religions are a major part of not just their spiritual

lives, but their culture as well.

PRAYER needs:

• There are no reported Bible translations in the Kamayo’s language. Pray that

God would call out great translators to come translate the Bible so that the

people can learn more about Him.

• Pray that the existing churches here would be strengthened, and that God would

continue calling out missionaries and pastors from among the Kamayo people.

• Pray against the powers of darkness that are blinding the Kamayo from

worshipping the one true God.

Poster it up!

Download these posters to print and hang in your church and college campuses. 

NT POSTER HIGH RES TABLOID JPEG

NT POSTER HIGH RES LETTER JPEG

P52 POSTER HIGH RES TABLOID JPEG

P52 POSTER HIGH RES LETTER JPEG

WHO are they? The Higaonon Manobo are also one of the eight Manobo people

groups who live in the Philippines. The Higaonon people are known for being good

hunters and farmers, and they often travel from one mountain to the next, looking for

fertile soil for a better harvest. They are warm and friendly people, but they can also be

fierce warriors when intimidated. Like other Manobo groups, the Higaonon Manobo use

the “datu” legal system. One main leader, called the datu, rules over several clans. He

is responsible for the goings-on in the whole community! When a datu realizes he is

about to die, he passes on the title to one of his sons.

WHERE do they live? All eight Manobo groups live on Mindanao, the Philippines’

largest island. The word Higaonon means “people of the wilderness” or “people of the

mountain” which is a good fit for the Higaonon people because many do live in remote

areas throughout the Bukidnon Province!

HOW many? There are about 40,000 Higaonon people, and about 15% are estimated

to be evangelical Christians. That means that 34,000 still need to hear the gospel!

WHAT do they worship? Like the Agusan Manobo, many Higaonon people believe in

many unseen spirits that interfere in the lives of humans and one “great spirit” that

created them.

PRAYER needs:

• Only the New Testament has been translated into the Higaonon people’s

language. Pray that God would call out great translators to come and finish

translating the Bible so that the people can learn more about Him.

• Pray that the existing churches here would be strengthened, and that God would

continue calling out missionaries and pastors from among the Higaonon people.

• Pray against the powers of darkness that are blinding the Higaonon Manobo from

worshipping the one true God.