A paradise lost, that’s the best way I can describe Zanzibar Island. One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and yet the people there seem just as secluded in their ways. This past weekend my team took a vacation to an island off the coast of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. If you picture the posters on travel agency walls of the beaches that we try to go to and never really get, that is where we were. 
After a 3 hour bus ride followed by a 3 hour ferry ride, we arrived in Zanzibar. They are part of Tanzania but they have their own government (or something like that), which means another stamp in the passport. The hostel was full so we were blessed to have a local contact to help us find another place to stay. We ended up driving a little over an hour to the east side of the island where they found bungalows. Yes, we stayed in beachfront bungalows. If you walk out the front door you step onto the whitest powdery sand ever. It is so fine you can barely feel it on you. The restaurant is less than 20 steps away with sand floors, and the beach another 20. There were no shoes worn while there. Our first evening was spent around a bonfire in a hole dug into the sand. A great relaxing night to get us rested for our adventurous day.
The next morning I woke up at 6am to watch the sunrise with a few others who woke that early. I have never seen such a perfect sunrise. I was in awe of our Creator and felt blessed that I was able to experience the beauty. That was just the beginning of an amazing day.
Saturday was spent on a boat. We drove an hour to another shore, grabbed fins and snorkels and made our way to the boat. The plan was to snorkel around the coral reef and also swim with dolphins. The way that works in the wild is the driver takes the boat out as we all watch for dolphins. When we spot some the boat gets close and then we all jump into the water with the dolphins. The dolphins get bored quickly and soon leave, which means we climb back in the boat as quick as we can and head off to another spot to find more. What a rush to dive into the water and see dolphins around you. The snorkeling was so much fun. To hear nothing but the sound of your own breathing is the best and most relaxing thing. The wide array of fish and the many colors of coral are breathtaking. Blue starfish spotted the ocean floor keeping us all entertained. The day ended with a team dinner on the beach. 
The scenery of Zanzibar will always be what I picture when I think of paradise, but the people will forever be in my prayers. The island is Muslim; all of the women and girls are covered from head to toe and the mosques everywhere. As we were on the beach at dusk, I was getting my hair braided. My head was turned toward the shore and I saw three men on their knees facing out over the water with their faces to the ground. My mind was baffled to think of the people of this amazing place who have very little influence of Christ. A couple guys from our group said they spoke with a man who had never heard of Jesus or heaven. I don’t remember exactly what the conversation was about but it broke my heart to think about the things he had never heard in his isolated home. He told the guys that when he died he just went into the ground and that was it.
As beautiful as the island was, I will never forget the people of the land on…paradise lost.
