Aruba
Aruba
is an autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was a
part of the Netherlands Antilles with Curacao and Bonaire until 1986.
This new political relationship gives Aruba more freedom without being
totally independent. There are several oil refineries on the southwest
coast of the island. However, this is not the main source of income.
From November through March, three or four cruise ships per day stop in
Aruba. Ships come less often during the rest of the year. White sand
beaches, blue water, sunken ships dotting the coast and duty-free
shopping are the main attractions. In addition to the cruise ships
there are several flights daily to the US, Venezuela, and other
destinations. Aruba is located just 15 miles off the northwest coast of
Venezuela.
“Aruba’s first inhabitants were the Caquetios
Indians from the Arawak tribe. Fragments of the earliest known Indian
settlements date back to about 1000 A.D., as do the ancient painted
symbols still visible on limestone caves found at Fontein, Ayo and
elsewhere. Pottery remnants can still be seen at the Museum of
Archeology.
Some centuries
later, the first Europeans landed on Aruban shores. Spanish explorer
Alonso de Ojeda is thought to have arrived about 1499. The Spanish
promptly exported the Indians to Santo Domingo in the Dominican
Republic, where they were put to work in the copper mines.
In 1636, near the
culmination of the Eighty Years’ War between Spain and Holland, the
Dutch took possession of Aruba and remained in control for nearly two
centuries. In 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars, the English briefly
took control over the island, but it was returned to Dutch control in
1816. Although Aruba continues to exist within the Kingdom of the
Netherlands, it functions independently.”
The Church of the Nazarene
The
organization of the first Church of the Nazarene in Aruba took place on
Sunday, February 13, 2000 in an evening service. Thirty-two people were
received into membership. A church board was appointed to serve through
the year with new elections to take place in January 2001. Also the
secretary and treasurer were appointed for one year. Of the 32 received
into membership, only two were by transfer from another Nazarene church
(the pastor and his wife). Rev. Leontes Augustin was appointed pastor.
Other members originate from different countries: Venezuela, Columbia,
Peru, Suriname, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Aruba. The services are
conducted in Spanish. Papiamento is the common language on the island.
Spanish is second, however English is widely spoke due to tourism. With
all these languages it is a bit surprising to learn that Dutch is the
official language of the island.
The Church of the
Nazarene is not yet officially registered in Aruba. However, we have a
good report with the Government and some license to operate as a
denomination. Currently Aruba is a part of the Suriname district (Phase
1). This church plant is unique in that the initiation and inception
originated from another Caribbean country.
Sources:
Rev. Leontes Augustin
Dr. John Smee
Rev. Bryan Heil
Rev. Curt Luthye
http://www.aruba.com