Since Josh and I are headed to Uruguay in a few days and I really didn't know too much about the country other than it was located in South America and they spoke Spanish, I decided to do some research so I could know what to expect and what the local dialect was. I was told that since Josh and I are the only ones that can really speak any Spanish, we will be the translators. THAT should be interesting. :) So I wanted to find local words for specific items and see what was culturally appropriate to do or say (you'd be surprised at how widely this varies...words you might say in one country to mean something perfectly innocent, would be highly offensive and rude in others). So, google time!After trying a few websites in Spanish and not finding much, I found this website which featured an article from an North American that went to Uruguay for 6 months and learned some local phrases that he thought might be helpful to others. Some of the information about the culture was somewhat common knowledge to me having been to another Latin American country, but other information was very informative and the phrases were extremely helpful (because I would have NEVER known what was being said to me if they say some of these things). The article was well-written and pretty funny. This glimpse into the culture just made me want to read more. So....another google search!
After clicking on several websites including this one, I was astounded to see Uruguay referred to as a missionary graveyard time and time again. Apparently, Uruguay is mostly athiest or agnostic. Most people don't attend any church and don't see a need for "religion" in their lives. It may take years to win a single convert to Christ! That means sometimes one or two full missions terms (4 years each) with little to no growth in your church. It's easy to see why missionaries would get discouraged and give up or feel like they must be out of God's will. This is a nation that is in GREAT spiritual need! They are european-influenced, mostly mid-class people and have enough food to eat and clothes to wear, but are spiritually starving. Does this remind you of another country? It does me! Reading all of this just makes me more spiritually aware to the culture we are about to go into and gives me a hunger to pray for the people! Please join with me in prayer for the missionaries in Uruguay that they would be greatly encouraged and strengthened by God and most of all for the people of Uruguay, that their hearts would be softened to the Gospel of Christ. Pray that we have the opportunity to witness to the people of Uruguay and God-given words come to our lips.
Also, I want to challenge you. If you've never had a burden for a certain country to pray for it's people and the missionaries and pastors serving there, start researching the country, culture, and beliefs. I guarantee you that your heart will be ignited with passion! Start reading about U.S. culture and what our youth believe. It will cause you to pray like you never have before!
