Mozambique has been in the grip of animist religions for thousands of years. Today many people retain their traditional beliefs, sometimes alongside an "organised" religion. Arab traders introduced Islam to the coastal regions in the 8th century, and Portuguese Catholic missionaries brought Roman Catholicism in the 16th century. Today, about a quarter of the population is Muslim, mostly in the northern provinces and coastal areas; about a fifth are Catholic; and most of the rest are animists.

ELEPHANTS, GIRAFFES AND LIONS
Mozambique has tropical lowlands, highland plateaus and Indian Ocean coastline. The country is home to zebra, water buffalo, elephants, giraffes, lions, hippopotamus and crocodiles. Just thinking about Africa may bring to mind old missionary stereotypes, but OM's team in Mozambique isn't bushwhacking in safari shorts and pith helmets.

EQUIPPING
OM's work in Mozambique is based around a training center in Mocuba in the north of the country. Mozambican churches choose and send members who show the most promise - the cream of the crop - to participate in a training programme.

At the training center, students receive Bible teaching and practical missions training, all in Portuguese, the common language of the country. They put their training into practice as they visit churches to teach and visit isolated areas to take the Gospel to unreached people.

CAN YOU TEACH?
The team in Mozambique is looking for people to join them to help train students in cross-cultural communication, evangelism and Biblical studies. They also need people to teach hygiene and community health and practical skills such as woodworking. In addition there is plenty of practical work to do around the centre.