Imagine… hundreds of tiny islands with lush tropical vegetation; pristine white coral sand beaches lined by swaying coconut palms; turquoise lagoons with warm, crystal clear water; beautiful, hospitable people. Sound like paradise?
Now imagine… 120,000 people and the institutions to run an entire nation packed onto an island smaller than threequarters of a square mile; so little cultivatable land that nearly all food must be imported; limited, uncertain fresh water sources; one of the highest divorce rates in the world; a society dominated by fear and distrust.
“The Islands” is an Islamic country – practice of no other religion is allowed, and any “materials contrary to Islam” are banned from entering the nation. Here, however, Islam mixes easily with traditional folk beliefs about the spirit world. Spirit beings from sea or land may interact with humans in helpful or harmful ways, but most Islanders live in fear of the power they are presumed to wield.
The current population is approximately 394,000 with about 30% of people living in the capital. An average household might include six or seven people – more in the capital. The country enjoys a high rate of literacy (93-96%) among both males and females in their national language. English is spoken by most government officials and is the medium of education in most schools. Islander economy is based largely on fishing and tourism. Unemployment among youth ages 15-24 is slightly higher than 22%.
- Ask God to deliver those who are tormented by fear and restore those who have been broken by divorce.
- Pray that Islanders will have a hunger to know God, and that they would have access to his Word and other resources in their language.
- Pray for more intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for “The Islands,” and that more workers will be sent out.
[Jesus answered] “… whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.” (John 4:14, NIV)