In the middle of the Chilean Patagonia is the "Ultima Esperanza" or "Last Hope" Province. In the 16th century Juan de Ladrillero was desperately searching for a way to escape the Straits of Magellan through the puzzle of the many fiords as his ship sought much needed food and water. His ship sailed into the "Ultima Esperanza" sound. Ladrillero had been ready to give up when he finally found salvation for himself and his crew. They found fresh water and were able to take on provisions in the port of what is now known as Puerto Natales. Southern Chilenos see the need to share living hope of eternal salvation with the thousands of inhabitants of the Patagonia. That living hope can be found only through Christ Jesus. I Peter 1.3 states: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." As Ladrillero found food and water to save his crew, we know that Jesus Christ offers to be bread and water to those who seek His salvation.
What is the Patagonia? In order to pray better for the people of the Patagonia it will help to know where it is and what it is. Many believe that the area was named after large footed Tehuelche Indians at the south of the South American continent. But, what is the Patagonia? Both Chile and Argentina claim parts of the Patagonia. Here the geography differs vastly from that of the rest of the continent. The Andes Mountains that began in the northern hemisphere as the Rockies migrate closer to the Pacific Ocean as they reach the bottom of the earth. The climate is more hostile. Glaciers have carved out the land in most spectacular ways. There are great expanses of flat lands with larger expanses of water, both fresh and salt. The wind sweeps across the plains and down mountains. The trees bare the brunt of the wind in their permanent bent toward the ocean. The Patagonia is the land of penguins, guanacos, pumas, condors, flamingos and many other creations
In Chile the Patagonia is divided into three sections: the Island of Chiloe, south of Puerto Montt, Northern Patagonia with the cities of Coyhaique and Puerto Aisen, and Southern Patagonia with its principal city of Punta Arenas and the island of Tierra de Fuego. It is impossible to travel from one region of the Patagonia to another without taking a boat, a plane, or driving down through Argentina. Many believe that the Patagonia is not just a geographic location but an actual mind set of those living there.
Why is the knowledge of the Patagonia important to Southern Chilenos? In the coming months SouthernChilenos.com will explore the Patagonia and its inhabitants. More than 200,000 people live in the Chilean Patagonia. The Chilean Patagonia is the least evangelized of all of the regions of the country. Less than 10% of the population claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The people are scattered across the region in small towns with strange sounding names such as: Chile Chico, Futaleufú, Puyuhuapi, Cerro Sombrero, and Punta Delgada. There are fishing villages, farming communities and large sheep or cattle ranches. The city of Punta Arenas is the only city with more than 100,000 
inhabitants, and considers itself to be the world's most southern city. Argentina's much smaller Ushuaia on the isle of Tierra de Fuego can challenge that claim to fame. Because of the harsh landscape and weather it is very difficult to reach the people in remote areas to share the Gospel. It is the desire of Southern Chilenos to share the Gospel message with the Patagonians who have not heard it. Part of the task requires preparing Christians in the region to do the same. The only way that people of the Patagonia will be reached with the Gospel is to have Christians unite in the Great Commission to take the Gospel to the "ends of the world".
Who are the Patagonians? South Patagonians make their living in a variety of ways. Those in and around Punta Arenas work in fishing, military bases, the wool industry, oil and natural gas extraction, and in the growing industry of tourism. With a concentration on tourism, a new emphasis has been placed on the protection of native forests and wild lands.
One of the places with the greatest influx of visitors is the city of Puerto Natales. It is a center of tourism with more than 70,000 international travelers a year. They come to see the famous "Torres del Paine" national park, fish in the many fresh water lakes, visit the multitude of glaciers, and to cruise the "Ultima Esperanza" Sound. Rodrigo and Luis are two of dozens who work as tour guides in the area. Each one seems to be excited about this part of the world and want the visitor to enjoy every part of it. Most do not realize that what they are doing is giving honor to the Lord for His creation as they talk about the incredible marvels found there. Recently one of these guides made a recommitment to the Lord and now desires to draw closer to the Lord. Pray for him and for missionary Carlos Carrera as they make contact with one another.
How will the Patagonians be reached with the Gospel? Pray for future volunteer projects that will involve Christian young people interested in coming to Puerto Natales and trekking through the national park with the hundred of others who do so each year, and at the same time share their own relationship with Christ with those they meet along the paths. Might that include you? We are planning such a project for December 2003 through February 2004.
Anther way of reaching the Patagonians is in the area of health care. This isolated region of the country has few doctors and fewer who are specialists. For several years the local health and education authorities have invited Southern Chilenos missionaries to bring volunteer medical teams to Punta Arenas for primary care medical projects. Once again an invitation has been shared. The Lord, in preparation, has placed a young Baptist Family Practitioner in the role of director of health for the region. Pray for Dr. Jorge Flies as he works with Pastor Eliseo Merino and missionaries in preparation for a March 2003 medical project.
Preparing Patagonian Christians to reach out to those around them as well as in places apart from the cities is essential to reaching these people. In a recent literature conference promoted and led by Lifeway Christian Resources more than 60 people from Baptist and other Great Commission Christian churches participated. Ernie and Lee Ann McAninch, Lifeway representatives, Diego Rivadeneira from the Casa Bautista de Publicaciones, and Jackie Bursmeyer led studies emphasizing Christian leadership training; the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit in daily life and ministry, understanding and reacting to the needs of people, and learning new ways of church planting. There is now an interdenominational Bible institute functioning in Punta Arenas to train pastors and leaders from the churches. Pray that the professors and students will capture the Lord’s vision for reaching the Patagonia with the Gospel.
A team of Southern Chilenos missionaries and volunteers will return to the Patagonia on May 15 for nearly two weeks, visiting both the Northern and the Southern Patagonia of Chile. The team has as its goals to learn more about the people and the region; to pray for guidance from the Lord for the future ministries in the region; and to plan a course of response to this Great Commission call to go to the "Ends of the Earth". Pray with and for Mike and Annette Racey, Jackie Bursmeyer, and Paul and Charlotte Stephenson during these days of travel and meetings.
