Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(Proverbs 1:8,NIV)
Aruba
》 Country Profile
Continent | America
Population | 120,000
Area | 180㎢, A Dutch territory in the southwestern part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean.
Capital City | Oranjestad (30,000 people)
People Groups | Total 9 groups, Antillean 80.2%, Latin American 11.3%, Dutch 4%
People Groups Unreached | 0
Official Language(s) | Dutch, Papiamento
Total Languages | 9
Bible Translations | Completed 7, New Testament 1
Religion | Christian 95.5% (Protestant 5%, Catholic 80%), Non-religion 2.7%, Ethnic religion 1.3%, Buddhism 0.3% Evangelical 9.9% 12,000 people
》About Aruba
Aruba was discovered by Spain in 1499 and taken over by the Netherlands in 1636. In the 19th century, a gold rush occurred, and the opening of oil facilities in 1924 brought significant wealth. In 1986, Aruba separated from the Antilles to become an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A planned independence in 1996 was postponed indefinitely following a 1990 referendum. Aruba has a governor, appointed by the Dutch king for a six-year term, and a Prime Minister, Evelyn Wever-Croes, elected by parliament, who has been in office since 2017 on a four-year term.
Aruba’s economy has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. The main industries include tourism, aloe exports, oil refining (with crude oil imported from Venezuela), and offshore finance. Aruba exports livestock products, handicrafts, and aloe to countries like Colombia, Venezuela, and the United States. Most essential goods, such as food and manufactured products, are imported from the United States and the Netherlands. With a thriving tourism industry, Aruba welcomed over two million tourists in 2017. Aruba’s GDP per capita is approximately $37,500.
》 Scripture Focus
| Proverbs 1:2-5, 7-9 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Pray for the life-giving power of the gospel to take root in Aruba. About 80% of the country’s population identifies as Catholic, yet most residents are nominal believers. There is a need to restore a true reverence for God and a pursuit of holiness in their daily lives. Many are still influenced by superstitions from indigenous religions, and the number of those with no religious affiliation is also increasing. We can be thankful that evangelical Christians in Aruba are being challenged and encouraged by immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean islands, and Asia. However, local Christians are often influenced by prosperity theology and other teachings they encounter through international preachers on television and the internet. Let’s pray that the churches in Aruba will turn back to the Scriptures, gaining wisdom, understanding, and a foundation in sound doctrine. Pray that God’s Word will lead them, giving prudence to those who are simple and helping young people develop knowledge and discretion. Let’s also pray that the wise may listen and add to their learning and the discerning get guidance they need to fulfill God’s plans.
Anguilla
》 Country Profile
Continent | America
Population | 18,000
Area | 91㎢, A British coral island in the Caribbean Sea of the West Indies.
Capital City | The Valley (1,000)
People Groups | Total 5 groups, Anguillian (mixed race) 93.3%, Chinese 2%, British 2%, American 2%
People Groups Unreached | 0
Languages | English, Creole English
Total Languages | 3
Bible Translations | Completed 2, Partial 1
Religion | Christian 90.6% (Protestant 49%, Anglican 31%), Ethnic religion 4.6%, Non-religion 2%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6% Evangelical 34.6% 7,000
》 About Anguilla
Anguilla has been a British colony since 1650. In the early 1800s, it was part of Saint Kitts and Nevis just because both were British colonies, but Anguilla wanted to separate because the two places were very different in terms of natural environment. In 1980, it officially became its own British overseas territory. The residents here have been given British citizenship. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused a lot of damage to communication systems, homes, and businesses. Since 2020, Prime Minister Ellis Webster has been in charge of this British overseas territory for a five-year term.
Anguilla has very few natural resources and isn’t suitable for farming, so it relies heavily on high-end tourism, offshore finance, lobster fishing, and money sent back by immigrants. As tourism increases, the construction industry is also growing. Anguilla’s GDP per capita is approximately $12,200.
》 Prayer Points
1. Let’s pray for the unity and evangelism of the churches in Anguilla. About 35% of the population are evangelicals. However, there isn’t much cooperation between different denominations, and many people are just nominal Christians with lifeless faith due to religious traditions. Let’s pray that the churches actively teach the Word of God so that everyone who hears it will gain wisdom and guidance, and be renewed through the gospel of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. Also pray that the churches may share the gospel passionately with the tourists who come here.
》 Urgent prayer requests around the world need your prayer!
