Missionaries Uruguay

Sharing the Good News in Uruguay

In 1962 Bill and Glenda Fulcher and Paul and Amy Robinson opened the field of Uruguay in Rivera, a border city adjacent to Livramento, Brazil. These two cities are separated only by a monument in the center of a park.

Our first church was actually started in Santa Teresa, about three miles outside Rivera. The Central church in Rivera was begun in 1964.

When Walter and Marcia Ellison arrived on the field in 1965, they concentrated their efforts on the Brazilian side of the border. Molly Barker, a registered nurse, joined the missionary team in 1966. The Fulchers transferred to Panama in 1970. Rick and Linda Bowling arrived in Uruguay in 1985 and focused on training national workers. The couple was unable to return after their first term because of Linda's health.

In 1990 Dennis and Trena Owen transferred from Spain to Uruguay, and Dave Jr. and Becky Franks were appointed the same year. Jaimie and Tammy Lancaster arrived on the field in 1999. Resignations by Dave Jr. and Becky Franks in 1999 and Dennis and Trena Owen in 2007 leave the field with missionaries Molly Barker and Jaimie and Tammy Lancaster.

Geography and Climate

Uruguay, the smallest country in South America, is roughly the size of Missouri. This pear-shaped country is located on the east coast of South America between Argentina and Brazil.

Rolling plains and hills cover most of the land, and forests dot the banks of the country's streams. As surprising as it may sound, Uruguay's tallest mountain measures only about 2,000 feet in height.

Located entirely within the temperate zone, Uruguay has a fairly uniform climate nationwide. Seasonal variations are pronounced, but extremes in temperature are rare. Temperatures range from 50 degrees in June (the coldest month) to 74 degrees in January (the warmest month). Abundance of water makes high humidity and fog common. The absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, makes all locations vulnerable to high winds and rapid changes in weather as fronts or storms sweep across the country.

Seasons are well defined. In most of Uruguay spring is usually damp, cool, and windy; summers are warm; autumns are mild; and winters are chilly and uncomfortably damp. Northwestern Uruguay, however, is farther from large bodies of water and therefore has warmer summers and milder and drier winters than the rest of the country.

Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, and annual amounts increase from southeast to northwest. As in most temperate climates, rainfall results from the passage of cold fronts in winter, falling in overcast drizzly spells, and summer thunderstorms are frequent.

High winds are a disagreeable characteristic of the weather, particularly during the winter and spring, and wind shifts are sudden and pronounced.

Population

A little over 3,000,000 people live in Uruguay. Almost half of this population resides in Montevideo, the nation's capital. Approximately 86 percent of the people dwell in urban centers.

Uruguayans are mainly (90 percent) of European stock. The majority are Spanish origin so the culture has a definite Spanish flavor, and Spanish is the national language. About 25 percent are of Italian descent.

History

Spanish settlers established a colony at Soriano in 1624, and Montevideo was built by Spaniards from Argentina in 1726.

Portugal vied with Spain for possession of Uruguay. Then, Brazil and Argentina controlled the country at different times. Following years of domination by these two countries, Uruguay finally threw off outside control and became an independent nation in 1828.

Although Uruguay has experienced numerous periods of military rule, the country has a long history of democratic government.

Current Conditions

Uruguay is regarded as Latin America's least Catholic country. Approximately 56 percent of the people are Roman Catholics. However, only about 20 percent or less practice their religion.

One-third of the population professes to be non-religious or atheistic. Several cults-- Hare Krishna, Moonies, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormons-- are gaining adherents. Only about 2.2 percent of the people claim to be evangelical Christians.

The government pacted with political subversives (Tupamaros) in Uruguay. The agreement allowed political recognition of the subversives in exchange for a cessation of terrorism. Uruguayan presidents have usually been progressive or traditionally oriented; however, the Montevideo city government has been socialism is very strongly implanted in the politics and labor structure as well as philosophical orientation of Uruguay.

Uruguay has a relatively high standard of living, based on an agricultural economy. About two-thirds of the nation's land is used to raise livestock.

Ninety-five percent of Uruguayans are literate. Compulsory education is provided for eight to 14 year-olds.

Free Will Baptist Ministries

Missionaries have planted a number of churches in and near Rivera and in Melo. All of these are led by national preachers. Churches have also been started in Montevideo and in Malvin Alto, a suburb of Montevideo.

Through the years our missionaries have maintained an active camp ministry to reach the lost and strengthen the saints. Molly Barker has used her medical training to meet the medical needs of the people and show her concern for their souls.

Christian films, radio, and literature have been used effectively in evangelizing Uruguayans.

In 1985 The Sower Bible Institute was launched in Montevideo to train leaders for the national church, but now most of the training is done by extension.