East Indian in French Guiana

People Name:	East Indian
Country:	French Guiana
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	13,000
World Population:	1,348,700
Primary Language:	Hindustani, Sarnami
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	20.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.50 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

When France abolished slavery in 1848, they found that their Caribbean colonies would lack an adequate work force. They tried to recruit indentured servants from their colonies in India, but found that there were still not enough people. Next they tried to work with their archrivals, the British, to get the laborers they needed from India. Negotiations went on for years, and the few laborers they recruited from British controlled India often died in the unsafe climate and dismal working conditions. The British soon stopped allowing Indian indentured servants to be sent to French Guiana.

Where Are they Located?

French Guiana is a country on the far northern portion of South America.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are very few descendants of these people who worked on French-owned plantations. Those who are there today are probably involved with fishing and forestry, two key industries in French Guiana.

What Are Their Beliefs?

A little over half of them are Hindu, and about 20 percent are Christian.

What Are Their Needs?

The Hindi Sarnami people in French Guiana need a spiritual hunger that will lead them to Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual hunger that will lead them to Jesus.
There are Christian resources in the Sarnami Hindustani language. Pray that the Hindi Sarnami people will eagerly listen to them and be drawn to the Lord.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among the Hindi Sarnami people in the South America.