Northern South America

Venezuela

Mission Trips

The Basics

With some of the greatest biodiversity in the world, Venezuela’s landscape includes Caribbean beaches, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Andes mountains. Despite being one the world’s largest producers and exporters of oil, poverty is widespread throughout the country. About 60% of its urban population lives in slums. Crime, government corruption, and drug trafficking have severely impacted the economy—and the people of Venezuela are paying the price. While a majority of Venezuelans claim to be Roman Catholic, many are so in name only. Will you help them discover and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ?

Culture

Venezuelans are very extroverted and friendly. A common greeting between women and between women and men is to give the Latin beso, or kiss, on each cheek. Men will shake hands instead or hug if they are greeting someone they know who is of the same social class.

Body language is a popular form of expression in Venezuela. When in a conversation, Venezuelans will stand close together and motion with their hands. Even friendly conversations can appear heated, because of their volume and enthusiastic expression.

Explore

Venezuela’s landscape is so diverse that adventure is everywhere. You can climb a mountain or ski in the Andes one day and hang out on a Caribbean beach the next.

If you get a chance, go see Venezuela’s Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world, in Canaima National Park.

Explore Mérida, which sits at the foot of the Andes. It’s an excellent place for hiking and whitewater rafting—and home to the world’s longest and highest cable car, which reaches 15,529 feet!