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Our Context
 The Republic of Mozambique, a colony of Portugal for nearly 500 years, received its independence in 1975. This was followed by what has been called a civil war but that many point out was actually deliberate destabilization financed and backed by external sources in the region. This destabilization devastated Mozambique until peace agreements were formalized in the early 1990's, though poor infrastructure and high poverty remain significant problems. Its recent history has been that of a democracy, and in 2004 Mozambique had its third general elections which were described by international observers as “free and fair.”
Montepuez is the second largest city in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, with a population of around 60,000 people, and serves as a hub for 6 districts. It has electricity, a cell phone tower, and running water, as well as a large clinic. The area around the city of Montepuez is made up of many villages, both large and small.
The Makua-Metto number roughly 800,000 and are located in the two northern-most provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa. The Metto people live in a spiritually dark area, and while the majority of them would call themselves Muslim, they are heavily bound to witchcraft and fear. Very little Christian witness exists in the area, and the number of Makua-Metto believers amounts to less than 1% of the population.
The culture and way of life for Makua-Metto people is very different from our own in countless ways. Interesting examples like their matrilineal culture (tracing their lineage through one's mother's family, making your mother's brother the most influential male in your life) show that we have very much to learn, and that it will be a fascinating and challenging adventure.
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