Introduction / History

What is now Chile was part of the Spanish Empire from the 1500s till 1810, though they didn’t gain complete independence until 1818. Since many of the Spanish settlers in Chile were ethnically Basque, Chileans are usually a combination of Spaniards, Basques and the indigenous Mapuches.

Chileans have emigrated to other countries at various times. In the early 1800s, Chilean ranchers went to Mexico. Others went to Australia and the United States for mining opportunities. From the 1960s to the 1980s, people fled Chile for political reasons. Some returned to Chile, while others remained in various countries, such as Uruguay. Chileans often come to Uruguay for the free education. Others, especially those without good incomes, come to Uruguay for employment.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Chileans in Uruguay have their own organization, the Círculo de Chilenos Residentes en Uruguay.

Chilean culture is Latin American, but it has its own distinctions. It has its own dance, the cueca, and musical form, tonada. Chileans get together to tell jokes and stories, and to play music and sing. This is called a peña.

Chilean wedding practices involve both a civil and a church ceremony. They don’t have a wedding party, and the groom doesn’t wear a tuxedo unless it’s a high-society wedding. They have a sit-down meal for the reception.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like most Latin Americans, Chileans are usually Roman Catholic, but many are Evangelical. They can become a great mission force no matter where they live.

What Are Their Needs?

Christians, be they Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant, need the Holy Spirit to awaken their hearts to the centrality of Jesus Christ. They need a close relationship with the Lord of lords.

Prayer Items

Pray for revival in Chilean churches, be they Roman Catholic or Protestant.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to draw them closer to Christ.
Pray for them to become a mission force with the lost in Uruguay.
Pray for Chileans to support workers around the world faithfully.

Scripture Prayers for the Chilean in Uruguay.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chileans#Emigration_of_Chileans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Chile
https://en.everybodywiki.com/Chilean_Uruguayans
https://wiki-gateway.eudic.net/wikipedia_en/Chileans_in_Uruguay.html