When I was looking at all the different routes for the World Race and saw that Route 4 went to Mozambique, I automatically knew that this was the route for me!
Summer of 2008 after high school graduation I went on a mission trip to Mozambique, Africa with an organization called Global Pioneers. This is when I absolutely fell in love with Africa, and especially the country of Mozambique.
There were 5 of us on this trip, My cousin Austin, Katy, Kristin, Abbey, and myself. This was my first time to visit Africa, and I had no idea what to expect, but the second we landed I loved everything about Mozambique. The people are so friendly and colorful, and the country its self is so naturally beautiful.
(family dinner!)
We spent first chunk of our time in the coastal city Beira. We stayed with Anacleto Ferrao, who was a minister in Beira. He and his family run a Christian based hostel that was right on the beach. He and his entire family were such amazing people. We spent most of our time helping around the hostel, which included ALOT of painting. Beira was a very cool city. Every morning we would walk on the beach and see all the local fishermen in small wooden boats hauling in their catch of the day.
The most interesting thing in Beira was the Grand Hotel. A little history lesson, From 1954 to 1963, when Mozambique was a Portuguese colony, this hotel was a luxurious, 5 star hotel, and served as accommodation for business partners, influential people and wealthy tourists. Due to financial issues and civil unrest in Mozambique it close in 1964 and It has since fallen into disuse, and is currently home to over 1000 squatters, including entire families.
When I saw the hotel I was speechless. Its huge! You can tell it was once very nice, but now its literally falling apart, there is no electricity. The entire interor has been completely stripped, and the only thing that remains is the concrete structure. I thought to myself “How in the world are people living in here?” I just couldn't fathom how families, and small children could live in these horrible conditions. Being the adventurous travelers, we decided to go inside and look around. What we saw inside was truly humbling. Its hard to even describe the poverty and hardship that we witnessed. It made me so thankful for everything that God has blessed me with.
Beira was only the beginning of an amazing adventure in Africa.
God had so much planned for us on this trip.
(children playing in water on the roof of the Hotel)
Mozambique will always have a special place in my heart, and I cannot wait to go back next year!
Stay tuned for part 2!
Happy Easter!
