Many believe that Hakka communities first migrated to Hainan Island in the aftermath of the Hakka- Cantonese wars in the 1860s. The Hakka were encouraged to migrate to vacant areas by the government. After the Songtao Reservoir was constructed in the 1970s, the Hakka moved to its northern bank and built new communities. Before that time they had lived scattered across various parts of Hainan. "There is evidence that almost as early as 900 AD, wandering farm laborers came by the north and northeastern routes out of Fujian and southern Jiangxi into Guangdong to work for the indolent natives. A census taken of the population of Moichu in the year 976 AD lists 367 such 'guests' and 1,210 'native' residents.

Although considered part of the Han Chinese nationality, the Hakka on Hainan Island speak their own unique language that is unintelligible to speakers of Hainanese Chinese. It is also reported to be distinct from other Hakka varieties in China.

Some believe the Hakka to have originally been a cross between Chinese soldiers and Ikia women. "They adopted most of the Chinese customs, mingled with the natives, and being bold and enterprising, succeeded in supplanting them."

The Hakka of Hainan Island practice traditional Chinese religions, especially Daoism and elements of Buddhism. Most of the younger generation are atheists.

Without a church or a gospel witness, the Hakka of Hainan Island are a relatively untouched people group. In recent years a powerful church planting movement among the Hainanese has resulted in more than 550 house churches being formed throughout the island, but this movement has yet to spread to the area inhabited by the Hakka. The Hakka JESUS Film and Hakka gospel broadcasts are available, but the Hakka on Hainan Island cannot understand them. Because their language is distinct, the Hakka Bible is also of no practical use to them.

Without the guidance of Christ, these people will be spiritually lost in this life and the life to come. They need someone to go to them as Christ-bearers.

* Scripture Prayers for the Hakka, Hainan Island in China.

Pray for the spiritual blindness and bondage to the evil one to be removed so they can understand and respond to Christ.

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.

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

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.

Operation China, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted © Used with permission