also today: French Polynesia

Challenges for Prayer

1 The penal colony image is only now wearing off, yet the economic, moral and spiritual effects remain

2 The most responsive peoples are the Haitians, Antilleans, Hmong and Brazilians, and it is among these peoples that the AoG, Baptists, (SBC, CMA) and Brethren are growing

3 The least reached peoples:

a) The Amerindian tribes — never has any permanent work been established among the inland tribes

b) The nominally Catholic Caribs (1,900)

c) The inland settlements of largely animistic Maron set up by escaped slaves

d) The Chinese

e) The French and European communities linked with the space programme — few are active Christians

also today: French Polynesia

Geography

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Area 86,504 sq.km. Sparsely inhabited jungle territory in northeast South America.

Population (2000) 181,313 +4.32%AGR

Capital Cayenne 67,000.

Peoples

Afro-Caribbean 70%; European 11%; Asian 8%; Brazilian 8%; Amerindian 3%.

Literacy 83%. Official language French. Guiana Creole widely spoken. All languages 10. Languages with Scriptures 2Bi 3NT 2por 2w.i.p.

Economy

Partially developed coastal strip, and undeveloped jungle hinterland. Unemployment 24%. Income/person $10,580 (37% of USA).

Politics

Overseas Department of France.

Religion

Freedom of religion but secular in outlook.

Churches in French Guiana

Missionaries from French Guiana

4 in 2 agencies.

Missionaries to French Guiana

17 in 8 agencies from 6 countries.

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