I recently read this article describing a once booming Chinese business district in New Orleans. From the 1870s-1930s, the city was home to a substantial enclave. While the Chinese are still located in New Orleans, this article reminded me that much can happen in 60 years. My guess is that if you had asked someone at the turn of the 20th century if the Chinese enclave would be around for the next 40 years, the answer would have been yes.
Though I only have anecdotal evidence, I was told a large population of Hmong in Pennsylvania packed up and moved to Wisconsin in a short period of time. I also heard of a few thousand Vietnamese in Louisville gathering their belongings (almost overnight) and moving to another location in the country.
Societies shift. People move.
The United States is home to the third largest number of unreached people groups in the world. Only a few people are waking up to this reality. Most remain asleep.
It would be horrible if while we are just waking up to the reality of unreached peoples in our backyards, they are gone before we get out of bed.
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Col 4:5, ESV).
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