Itinerant Manggarai field workers take the first step in preparing a field for planting rice on the island of Flores in eastern Indonesia. They will pull the old rice plants and bury them in the mud where the plants will help fertilize the soil. Two weeks later, the field will be ready for planting a fresh crop of rice.

The Manggarai live in the flattest area on the island of Flores. Because no mountains or deep valleys are found there like the rest of the island, the Manggarai produce most of the island’s wet-field rice. With a population of nearly 600,000, the Manggarai are the largest unreached people group (UPG) in eastern Indonesia. IMB Photo

Fort Shri Sudarmalaya Buddhist Temple in the historic city of Galle, Sri Lanka, was built on the site of a former Portuguese Roman Catholic church. Sri Lanka has a long history of religious diversity with a Buddhist majority, and Christian, Muslim and Hindu minorities. IMB workers labor to bring gospel access to those in this area and many other areas who have yet to hear the good news. IMB Photo

Decoratively stitched details on blue burkas lined up in a market. Burkas are traditional clothing for women in Afghanistan. They are generally worn for cultural or religious reasons by those adhering to Islam. The blue burkas are made up of a single piece of cloth, as opposed to the three-piece black burkas. The blue-colored burka, also referred to as the “shuttlecock burka,” is native to Afghanistan and has spread into Pakistan. IMB Photo

Brightly colored prayer flags gently blowing in the wind outside the Wat Chedi Luang, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Buddhist worshippers come to sprinkle water on statues of Buddha, helping to ring in Songkran, the Thai new year. IMB Photo

Thai Buddhists visit the Wat Chedi Luang, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to sprinkle water on statues of the Buddha, helping to ring in Songkran, the Thai new year. They believe this will bring good fortunes to their lives. IMB Photo

During Songkran, the Thai new year national holiday, Thai Buddhists pour water on statues of Buddha. Throwing or pouring the water is meant to wash away bad luck from the previous year, and to represent purification and good fortune. As believers, we know that the only thing that makes us truly pure is the blood of Christ. IMB missionaries labor to share this truth with the nations. IMB Photo

Buddhist worshippers pray and worship at the Wat Chedi Luang, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The most iconic ritual of Songkran, the Thai new year festival, is the pouring of water over Buddha statues to symbolize purification and the washing away of all sins and bad luck. Buddhism is the most prominent religion in Thailand. IMB Photo

Portrait of a man in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramada, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

Portrait of a man in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramada, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

Portrait of a man in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramada, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

A Muslim woman shows off the intricate henna designs on her hand in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramada, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

Portrait of a woman in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramada, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

Portrait of a woman in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramada, the Islamic Holy Month. IMB Photo

Portrait of a woman in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramada, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

A veiled Muslim woman raises her hands in prayer in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

A man collects alms for the poor on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

Muslims in northern Ghana pray on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. IMB Photo

A young boy in shades stands out in the crowd of Muslims in northern Ghana at “Eidigyiŋni” (Eid prayers) on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. 62% of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa is under the age of 25. IMB Photo

Young boys attend prayers in northern Ghana on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. 62% of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa is under the age of 25. IMB Photo

Muslims in northern Ghana gather for prayers on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This annual gathering marks the end of fasting for Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. Around one billion people live in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 21,462 dying daily without Christ. IMB Photo