Introduction / History
The original homeland of the Hmong Njua is Southeast Asia. Large groups of Hmong still live in Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and southern China. During the time of French colonization of Indo-China, some Hmong came to French Guiana in South America to work on sugar plantations, rice farms, and in the logging industry. After the Vietnam War, many more Hmong left Southeast Asia. Hmong now live in France, the USA, Australia and many other nations.

Some Hmong in French Guiana still speak their language of Hmong while others speak French as their first language.

French Guiana is not considered a colony of France but an overseas department of the European nation. French is the official language. In the past decades there has been a movement for independence by people living in French Guiana. If Guiana becomes an independent country, the economy will take huge hit as France puts far more money into French Guiana that it receives.

What are their lives like?
Most Hmong Njua occupy the middle class in French Guiana. They own small businesses and restaurants. They work as teachers and as middle level administrators for the government. The Hmong, as a small minority, try to keep a low profile. They tend to marry within their group. The Hmong try to maintain their Southeast Asian language and culture. Some Hmong have been in Guiana for generations and consider themselves more French than Hmong.

The Hmong practice monogamy or one wife for each husband. Parents encourage their children to graduate from universities and enter the professions. Some Hmong are found in the highest levels of French Guianan society.

What are their beliefs?
Most Hmong Njua in Southeast Asia are animists. Animists believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature. The majority of the Hmong in Guiana claim the same folk religion. They are susceptible to being deceived by strong influential figures. One of their legends tells of a Hmong savior who will come and lead them into their own land where they will be left alone in peace. In recent years thousands of Hmong in Vietnam have followed a miracle-working leader who claims to be the Hmong savior.

A small group of Hmong in Guiana claim to be Roman Catholic Christians.

What are their needs?
More than half of the Hmong Njua have yet to receive a clear presentation of the gospel. The Hmong in Guiana need to see that the gospel is not just for Westerners like the French but is for their people too.

Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the Hmong as a testimony of His power and love.

Pray that the Hmong people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.

Pray for workers who will share the good news and tell the Hmong how to follow the Lord.

Pray for a movement to Christ among all the Hmong Njua to begin this decade.
* Pray for the availability of the Jesus Film in the primary language of this people.