China’s minority groups, particularly those such as the Yi (彞, approximately 8 million strong), have been marginalized for years. They often live in remote mountainous areas, relying on agriculture and facing educational and economic disadvantages. Their primary settlements are in the autonomous prefectures of Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi.
Years ago, I visited a group of our online seminary students in the Daliang Mountains, which included Brother W and his wife. Brother W and his wife have been committed to the Daliang Mountains for many years, willing to delve deep into the land and let the gospel be a light to the children there. Brother W was originally affiliated with a mission organization that operated a farm locally, not only providing jobs for locals, but also hoping to create an outlet for the gospel. Unfortunately, due to government restrictions on religious activities at the farm, Brother W and his wife ultimately decided to go it alone and establish a church in the town.
Apart from preaching the word of God, the W couple also care for the children there by helping them with their studies—16- and 17-year-old children perform academically at a junior-high level. Many of these children have been orphaned or abandoned, with parents incarcerated for drug-related offenses or lost to AIDS. These teenagers often find themselves as the primary caregivers for their younger siblings.
When I first visited the Yi Autonomous Prefecture, I was stunned by the poverty and social problems I witnessed. The prevalence of drugs, alcoholism, and AIDS is overwhelming. When we arrived, the neighborhood children swarmed around us, knowing we had brought food. One house that we visited was tiny, a mud hut less than 100 square feet, crammed with just two beds, a table, and two pots. Two siblings were living in dirty and chaotic conditions. I saw the older sister doing her homework in dim light and asked, “Have you eaten tonight?” She looked up and replied, “No, I’m not hungry.” I knew that hunger wasn’t the issue—it was that there was no food. We quickly gave her a few mooncakes. Although it was just a drop in the bucket, it would at least keep her and her sibling from going hungry for a day.
Despite the grim reality, I found a glimmer of hope during my first visit to the Daliang Mountains. Coming to church and learning about God has been a lifeline for the children. Under the guidance of Brother W and his wife, they have found a loving community and a purpose in life. The children have made remarkable progress, turning away from a life of crime and focusing on their studies. Their church has become their sanctuary, a place where they feel safe and loved.
The Yi people have a complex social structure, similar to India’s caste system, divided into nobles, commoners, and slaves. Although slavery has been abolished, social mobility remains limited, and class stratification is evident. Despite long-standing economic difficulties in some Yi communities, there is a strong sense of prejudice against outsiders, especially the Han Chinese, and a conservative attitude towards interethnic marriage. Among the over 8 million Yi people today, there are just over 300 large clans (jia, 家), each headed by a “jiazhi” (家支) which plays a crucial role in the development and operation of the entire clan. This traditional family system and class consciousness continue to exert a strong influence on Yi society and are among the unique cultural characteristics of the Yi people. This makes evangelism in the region challenging.
This region has been designated as an “extremely impoverished” area by the government of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As external aid increases, so does the local population’s dependence on outside resources. However, this aid often remains superficial and fails to address the root causes of the problem. Many charitable organizations, after a brief stay, primarily distribute supplies and engage in formal publicity, lacking a deep understanding of the local needs and long-term development of the region, and failing to provide sustained support. Their hasty comings and goings, without follow-up, make it difficult for local residents to escape poverty, leading to a vicious cycle of long-term dependency. As a result, local problems persist and fail to improve effectively.
Unlike many charitable organizations, Christian mission organizations, and Brother W and his wife aim to bring real change. They have been working in the area for a long time, actively seeking sustainable support models to eradicate poverty at its root. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and various lockdowns, foreign missionaries were forced to leave, although local believers and workers have remained. Many churches and organizations, both local and foreign, are still seeking opportunities to return to this desolate land and continue their work post-pandemic. Yet, the implementation of this idea indeed faces many challenges. The possibility of returning to the mountainous areas is slim, and much of the gospel work has shifted to areas where the Yi people now gather on the plains, or to those who have migrated for work. As this effort continues, they also face the rise of local heresies, which pose significant challenges to the gospel work.
At this stage, our efforts are focused on seeking opportunities for ministry in areas where Han and Yi communities coexist. These contexts bring both unique challenges and opportunities. We trust that God, in his perfect timing, will open new doors and provide fresh ways for his work to continue. We pray that he will guide us as we faithfully serve and share his love in these places, and that his light will shine even brighter in the midst of these difficulties.
Image credit: Daniel Tsai
Daniel Tsai
Daniel Tsai is the Executive Director of Overseas Campus Ministries (OCM). OCM was founded in 1992. By targeting Chinese intellectuals, through the use of literature, internet, media, and discipleship/leadership training, we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, build up the Christian’s spiritual life, provide training for kingdom ministry workers, and …View Full Bio
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