Central American, Mestizo in United States
Photo Source:
Masters View / Howard Erickson
|
Send Joshua Project a map of this people group.
|
| People Name: | Central American, Mestizo |
| Country: | United States |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 4,332,000 |
| World Population: | 9,270,200 |
| Primary Language: | Spanish |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 95.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 20.00 % |
| 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 Costa Rica, 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.
In Costa Rica, they are also referred to as Criollo. They are surprisingly less common in Costa Rica than they are in Argentina, the United States, and Panama. There are also some living in Canada, Mexico, and Spain.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Costa Rican diaspora in the United States is looking for new work opportunities and higher wages. That puts their home country in a dilemma. They need a well-educated population with professional skills in Costa Rica, but they also need the funds sent from their diaspora in the United States. The amount of money coming in is insufficient to meet their needs. Few work abroad for this reason. Moving out of the country is a relatively new concept for Costa Ricans, so they are beginning to establish social and professional networks such as Costa Rican Abroad Talent.
What Are Their Beliefs?
They are mostly Roman Catholic, but the Charismatic movement is making inroads into the spiritual beliefs of many Costa Ricans.
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 Costa Ricans in the United States 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.