Mennonite in Bolivia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Mennonites in Bolivia settled first in 1953 in Bolivia, coming mostly from Mexico and Canada. Mennonites in South- and Central America very seldom assimilate into other people groups, so in Bolivia too they founded colonies where native Bolivians are not allowed to settle.


Where Are they Located?

They are settled in approximately 60 colonies, mostly in the Departmentos Santa Cruz and Beni.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most are farmers of crops or cattle. Since the Altkolonier banished all modern (post-1920s) technological Items, these groups live without electricity, radio and so on. Many of these Altkolonier are very poor. Other groups are more open to civilization and they are more progressive.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Many of the Mennonites belong to the Altkolonier-Colonies. They are influenced by many human made laws that regulate even the simplest of everyday things (e.g. - the prohibition of colored tights, rubber tires for vehicles or wage labor). Most sermons are held in High German, which cannot be understood by most. The sermons are read from old collections of 150 years of age and are constantly repeated. Reading the Bible is forbidden to all who are not ordained preachers. Most previously lived a life that is characterized of alcohol and drug abuse. With baptism they have to accept the rules. If individuals start attending Bible-believing churches, they are excluded from the community (and family) and are economically marginalized. The non-Alkolonier often have a legal background, which leads to many problems in the church life. There are many divisions.


Prayer Points

Several mission agencies are the Mennonites for about 20 years. Some have received death threats from Alkoloniern or mafia groups who cooperate with them. To train Mennonites as disciples, education is very important to enable people to an independent reading of the Bible. Since they only accept teachers with Mennonite background, these often come for a limited time from Germany.


Scripture Prayers for the Mennonite in Bolivia.


References

http://www.bolivienhilfe.net/ueber-bolivienhilfe.html


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Mennonites
People Name in Country Mennonite
Alternate Names German; German Mennonite; Low German; Mennonite German; Mennonite Low German; Volga German
Population this Country 80,000
Population all Countries 493,000
Total Countries 12
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 13677
ROP3 Code 106548
Country Bolivia
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Santa Cruz department.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Bolivia
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Santa Cruz department..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 3.50 %)
100.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Plautdietsch (80,000 speakers)
Language Code pdt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Plautdietsch (80,000 speakers)
Language Code pdt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Plautdietsch
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Joshua Project  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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