Mozambique is rich in natural resources and has experienced strong economic growth since the end of civil war in 1992. But chronic food insecurity and high incidence of HIV infection remain significant challenges.

Mozambique lies next to the Indian Ocean in Southern Africa. The total population is about 20 million people. Although Portuguese is the official language, Makhuwa is the most widely spoken of the 23 national languages. Two of the largest rivers in Southern Africa, the Limpopo and the Zambezi, flow through the country. To the west, Mozambique borders Lake Malawi, one of the largest lakes in Africa. The country has a few world-famous beaches, among which are Pemba - popular for its beauty and natural protection -  Jangamo, Bilene, Xai-Xai and Inhambane. Mozambique is rich in natural resources – natural gas, coconuts, cashew nuts, sugarcane, cassava, tea and much more, as well as many minerals and much wildlife. Poverty and HIV/AIDS are some of the biggest challenges facing the country (by 2007 16 percent of the population had been infected). Malaria and cholera are problems too, as are the poor infrastructure, education and health systems in the country – all of which were weakened by the civil war.

OM MOZAMBIQUE

OM started in Mozambique in 1989, training local pastors and leaders through seminars. This grew into a discipleship-training programme, and since 1999, the aim has been to train Mozambicans as missionaries to the least-reached areas of Mozambique. Since 1995, our central base has been in Mocuba, in the Zambezia province. Our ministry areas include Mocuba (Missionary Training Centre), Incaia (Mobilising Mozambican churches for missions), and Mecula (planting churches).