Missions Sharing: Bangladeshi in Singapore
At our prayer meeting in the month of April, Chester from the Missions Committee shared with the church about the Bangladeshi in Singapore and their needs.
Currently, there are approximately 150,000 currently in Singapore with the vast majority here on work permits and serving in the construction and marine sectors. Most are Muslims (Sunni or Sufi) although there are also significant numbers of Hindus among them. There are very few believers, and currently no churches, congregations, or fellowships among them. Thus, they are an unreached people group with very little access to the gospel.
They face many challenges during their stay in Singapore. This includes, but is not limited to:
Separation from families: Many have not been able to see their families and children for more than 3 years.
Cramped living spaces: Often 8-12 men living in the space of a medium bedroom.
Long work hours: Many work manual labor jobs for 12 hours a day, six days a week.
Limited nutrition: Seeking to send more money to their families back home, many eat only rice and curry for every meal.
As we think about this people group that is very much in our midst and among us, let us consider how we can also be keeping them in prayer. We can pray for:
Laborers: Pray that the Lord will send more faithful witnesses from Singaporean churches to this unreached group.
Gospel access: Pray that God will give many opportunities for these witnesses to share the good news of salvation in Jesus.
Open hearts: Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of these men, drawing them to believe the gospel that they heart.
New churches: Pray that through new Bangla believers, churches can be started both here and in their villages and cities back home.