Ecuadorian, Mestizo in Ecuador

Introduction / History

After Spanish colonizers settled in Ecuador, disease killed off a high percentage of the indigenous population. War and slave-like working conditions ended the lives of many of their young men. Spanish men were usually single; they often married indigenous women. Their children were what we call mestizos. Though ethnically part European and part Amerindian, culturally they could be either or both. For that and other reasons, mestizos are hard to define. One cannot generalize about their worldview.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In general, white people are in a higher economic class than others in Latin American countries like Ecuador, but this isn t always the case. Mestizos can be anything from day laborers to the very wealthy. Ecuador is mainly mestizo.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are mostly Roman Catholic, but the Charismatic movement is making inroads into the spiritual beliefs of many mestizo Ecuadorians.

What Are Their Needs?

Like other Christianized or semi-Christianized people, mestizos need a fresh work of the Holy Spirit to bless their lives. They need the peace and joy that come from a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for mestizo Ecuadorians to accept and embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in their churches and homes.
Pray for the Lord to use them to win, equip, and disciple many from Latin America s least-reached ethnic groups.
Pray for the Lord to bring healing and love to their families and communities, showing the entire country what God can do with those who are submitted to Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project