In January this year, Liz Burns went to Tanzania as a long-term CMS missionary, having spent two years there as a short-term volunteer.  In July, after months of Swahili language study at Iringa in the south of Tanzania, she set up home in Murgwanza, in the country's remote north-west.  Liz joined the team of Kagera Technical and Christian Training Centre with a desire to see more people empowered to study the Bible meaningfully for themselves. The centre provides training and encouragement for pastors, lay workers, evangelists and runs special courses for ministry wives.

In October Liz started teaching each Tuesday, trialling 9 studies she has written on 1 Timothy, comparing the Swahili translation with her English NIV. She said, "Preparation involves a lot of work at this stage, before teaching classes at KTCTC, to make sure that the ideas I wish to convey make sense in Swahili and are not too complex."

Liz is also becoming involved in high school ministry in the many new schools being built in the area. Bible Knowledge is taught to forms 3 and 4, and Religion to forms 1 and 2, but at present there are not enough pastors with the required qualifications to teach the older grades in English.

As in Australia, high school ministry is seen as an important area of work in Tanzania - this is the time when so many people make decisions for Christ in their lives and when they are most active in learning. In a nation where most do not proceed beyond Year 4 at school, secondary students are the future leaders of the country and the churches. A strong foundation of faith is so important.