Nicaraguan, Mestizo in Spain

Nicaraguan, Mestizo
Photo Source:  Rob Doar 
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People Name: Nicaraguan, Mestizo
Country: Spain
10/40 Window: No
Population: 16,000
World Population: 6,893,800
Primary Language: Spanish
Primary Religion: Christianity
Christian Adherents: 95.00 %
Evangelicals: 22.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Hispanic
Affinity Bloc: Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

After Spanish colonizers settled in Nicaragua, 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.

Nicaraguan mestizos are dominant in Nicaragua, but they also live in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Honduras, and Spain.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Those who have fled to Spain have a common language, but the culture is different. Often they have to settle for low-paying jobs as temporary farm workers. They have to settle for sub-standard working conditions. Some have died of heat stroke working on Spanish farms.

Nicaraguan women sometimes take jobs as domestic workers and house cleaners. They are often living in the house where they work, seven days a week. They are on call all night. Those who are able, learn a trade so they can earn a living and have a life of their own.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are mostly Roman Catholic, but the Charismatic movement is making inroads into the spiritual beliefs of many Nicaraguans in Spain.

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 Nicaraguans 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