Open Mozambique Trip
When
Saturday, June 15, 2024 to Saturday, June 29, 2024

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Experience Mozambique – June 15-29, 2024

Next year, you have the chance to build community in southeast Africa. The Mozambique Initiative is hosting an open trip to Mozambique for United Methodists on June 15-29, 2024. Mozambique Initiative Conference team member Paul Fensterman, member of Church of the Shepherd in St. Louis, will lead the team.

On this trip you will learn more about the United Methodist Church in Mozambique and see first-hand efforts and projects led by the Mozambique Initiative. Together with the team, you’ll learn from local leaders about changing agricultural techniques, witness how health care is deployed in rural contexts, see how children are pursuing their educational dreams, and, most of all, experience the life and culture of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique. This experience will provide memories and friends for a lifetime.
 

Rough Itinerary and Cost

In Mozambique you will stay in comfortable hotels and guest houses for the duration of the trip. However, travel between visit sites in Mozambique often takes many hours and is sometimes on rough roads. Achieve the goal of seeing the different ways the UMC is connecting in and with communities across Mozambique will sometimes require travel to remote locations.

Things you will see: The trip will cost an estimated $2,500 USD plus airfare to and from the U.S. A deposit of $1,500 per participant is due to the Conference Office by January 15, 2024.
 

We Provide

Once you are in Mozambique, your trip cost covers:
  • Trip-related transport while in Mozambique
  • Three meals a day
  • Translators
  • Lodging
  • Mozambique tourist visa

You Provide

  • Airfare to and from Maputo, Mozambique (estimated $2,000 USD)*
  • Passport fees (if you don’t already have a valid passport)
  • Immunization and medical fees
  • Snacks
  • Souvenirs
  • Additional travel before or after trip
* A note on airfare: MI will be happy to help you locate and book airfare. Given that participants will be leaving from different airports and may require different itineraries, we offer this as an effort to provide individuals flexibility over price, schedule and airline. Those wishing to travel with Paul are more than welcome to join his itinerary departing from St. Louis Lambert Airport.
 

Health Requirements

Travel to and from Mozambique can be grueling. Depending on the airline and route, it may mean up to two days, one-way of flying time. Once in Mozambique, overland routes also prove challenging. Participants should expect to ride in close quarters for multiple hours over rough roads. A general level of fitness is required to participate in this experience. Mobility and ability to traverse rough terrain is a requirement for those wishing to travel.
 

Ready to Learn More? Sign up for an upcoming virtual info session.

 

About Your Trip Leader: Paul Fensterman

I am very excited to lead a team to Mozambique. This will be my third trip to Mozambique and my first trip post-COVID. In addition to my two prior visits, I have participated or led eight trips to Guatemala and Honduras.

My wife Melanie and I have three sons: Max, a recent Truman State graduate and newly employed with a real world job; Meyer – who will be a senior at Mizzou; and Oliver who will be a junior at Missouri S&T.

I’m a big soccer fan (St. Louis City season ticket holder). If you see me join in a pick-up game in Mozambique, please be gentle in your game critique! I also enjoy the outdoors playing golf, and I really love splitting firewood in the winter.

As for my career, I am the North American finance manager for logistics at Royal Canin based in St. Charles.

To paraphrase Matthew 28:6-7, we are hoping to come and see – come and be – and then go and tell. Come to Mozambique and see all that God has done through the Mozambique Initiative partnership. Come and be in community, in partnership, in worship and in prayer.

Then go home to Missouri and tell everyone the great works you’ve seen – brought to life by God’s will and his love for his children the world over. Let that experience fill your heart. Find ways to raise funds for Mozambique Initiative work, invite others into this ministry and grow God’s plan for this partnership.

Mozambique is a big, wild, beautiful place. God’s creation and people in Mozambique have left a big imprint on my heart, and I wish that for you also. I have learned so much about our siblings in Mozambique and how faith in God motivates them every day. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you!