A few of the wonderful people I'll be serving alongside for the next year decided to write a blog for each of our countries, focusing specifically on prayer needs within the country. If you want to see the prayer blogs already written for the Philippines, China, India, Nepal, Romania, Moldova, and Swaziland, check out Rebecca Burger, Jesse Morris, and Reagan Taylor. Today, I'm focusing on Mozambique.
- Mozambique is located on on the eastern coastline of Southern Africa, across from the large island of Madagascar.
- It has a population of 23 million people, including 1.6 million orphans.
- The official language is Portuguese, although 99% of the people are part of 1 of 10 major tribal groups that speak different tribal languages.
- The life expectancy is 38 years. Mozambique has one of the highest infant and childhood mortality rates. And there is only 1 doctor for every 37,000 people.
- Mozambique was a portuguese colony until 1975 when the Africans gained independence after a 10 year civil war. During the struggle for independence, the liberation movement was aided by the former Soviet Union and Mozambique was suddenly overwhelmed by Marxist-Socialist Ideology. From 1975-1992 struggled through multiple natural disasters and an ongoing civil war. Mozambique quickly became the poorest nation on earth and the country with the highest human suffering in the world.
- In 1992 the government terminated its failed experiment with Marxism and adopted a democratic constitution. These changes have proved very beneficial for the economy and religious advancement. Today, the country enjoys religious liberty, freedom of speech, and freedom to assemble.
- That being said, the predominant religion of Mozambique is animism, the traditional African religion that believes the spirits of departed ancestors actively influence the affairs of the living. Spiritual activity is almost always detrimental and hostile spirits are often sacrificed in ceremonies. Witch doctors and other pagan customs play a prominent role in the culture.
- Today, Mozambique is still one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 172 out of 182 countries
- The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is over 15%, with some parts of the country at over 30%.
- According to the Mozambique government, 54 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line, 63 percent of rural children live in absolute poverty, and 34 percent of households are food insecure and face perpetual hunger.
God, my heart starts overflowing with emotion as I read about the country of Mozambique. Part of me is excited about all You've already done in the country. You rescued them from the bondage of Marxism and established a government where there is freedom for those people. Thank you! Thank you for burdening the hearts of the people in governement to see the importance of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. But another part of me is so sad because the people of Mozambique don't know YOU. They're using the freedom You gave them as a way to worship ancestor and practice witchcraft. These are Your people. I know it. And I'm claiming it over Mozambique today. I can't wait to bring Your name to that country. I can't wait to tell them about the best kind of freedom that can only be found and experienced in You. I ask for boldness for believers that are already in the country. The idea of poverty is overwhelming to me. In my human mind its hard for me to understand how things will ever be changed…how 1.6 million orphans could be rescued…but I know that ultimately that is something only You can do. I'm confident that You have a big and beautiful plan for the people of Mozambique. There's more brothers and sisters in that country. They just need someone to tell them.
Lord rescue the people of Mozambique…for the glory of Your name!
