Passive No

This Minangkabau man was selling rice and beans at a traditional market. He agreed to have his photo taken, but then closed his eyes. This is an Indonesian way of saying no, without having to say no. Sumatran culture wants to please and will often give the appearance of agreement, when at heart the people here are rejecting what is being offered to them, or being asked of them.

This is no big deal when we’re talking about taking a photograph in the market, but it’s a HUGE deal when we’re talking about the Gospel. Many Sumatrans close their eyes and hearts to the Gospel message because it doesn’t square with their religion, traditions, or culture. The rejection of being photographed doesn’t have any eternal repercussions, but rejecting Jesus and His Gospel is a different matter entirely. It’s a difficult thing to deal with the passive “no” of Sumatrans.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to open eyes and hearts among the peoples of Sumatra to the saving power of the Gospel.

Pray for open eyes among believers on Sumatra so that they will see the lost peoples around them and care enough to pray and to give and to go so that the nations represented on Sumatra will hear the Good News.

Pray for workers to have wisdom to negotiate the passive “no” that they often receive from people here on Sumatra.