"The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples" (Deuteronomy 7:7). The Bible teaches that the Lord values a people group regardless of its size. We know from His Word that small groups like the Chukchis of Eastern Siberia are as dear to His loving heart as those from large people groups like the Russians. They were identified by outsiders in the 1930s and have no Christian believers.

It is easy to understand why missionaries and others have overlooked the Chukchi people. They are surrounded by many other better-known cultures. Like most of their neighboring peoples, the Chukchis live by reindeer production, fishing, fur trapping, and mining. Summer temperatures barely make it above freezing in their eastern homeland along the Bering Sea, and winter temperatures fall well below zero.

The Chukchis are an industrious people, and they are also very artistic. They are skillful bone carvers. Songs and dances are an integral part of their traditions. They value education and literature very highly.

* Scripture Prayers for the Chukchi in Russia.

Pray that the Lord will have compassion on this very small people group and send Christians who are willing to bring the Good News of Jesus to the Chukchis