¡Bienvenidos!

La Caramuca is a village near the city of Barinas, capital of the state of Barinas. The name La Caramuca is derived either from an American Indian tribe or a type of tree.

Some characteristics of the community:

•  Most family income is earned from agricultural or domestic work (recently more petroleum deposits were discovered, raising prospects for oilfield employment).
•  Church attendance is sparse and pastoral care is deficient. Many children have not been baptized, many couples live together without being married, There are high levels of idolatry, witchcraft, spiritism, alcoholism and prostitution).

The city of Barinas was established in 1577. After Venezuela's War of Independence and Federal War (a civil uprising), the state received its name in 1859 in honor of the capital.  The state's total population is 583,521 as of 2000. The city of Barinas is the main urban center with a population of 320,000 or 42.2% of the state population.

The state of Barinas is called "The Gateway to the Venezuelan Prairie." Although most of its terrain is flat, there is a transitional zone where the High Plains of Venezuela merge with the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

Objectives

General:

• Establish in western Venezuela a center for theological education of and ministry to the Lord's servants who, sharing in the new life in Christ, will have the ability to reach others.
• Beginning with our small opening, and under God's guidance, evangelize unreached sections of the country.

Specific:

• Promote an evangelistic aspect to programs and activities that have already been developed: a preschool, directed studies and recreational activities.</li>
• Develop activities that enable the proclamation of the Word of God, for example, daily devotions, vacation Bible schools, Sunday school, Bible studies, evangelistic visits.
•  Apply strategies identify and involve people to execute the program. Cooperate with the Lutheran Church of Venezuela in the provision of human resources for theological instruction and pastoral care as part of the program.
• Reach the unevangelized areas of los Llanos (the Plains) and the Andes.