Short Term Service
Alliance Ministries Frequently Asked Questions

Things to Bring On Take 12

Deciding what things we need in order to be effective is a personal and variable decision. Your teammates will have different ideas about what they will need and some will have more than you will have. Ask the Lord to you and then make choices you feel will honor Him. Below are some suggestions of items which are recommended to bring.

Shoes:
Bring one pair of good/comfortable hiking sandals or shoes. Also one pair of dress shoes and one pair of athletic shoes would be advisable. Many people wear rubber slip-slops/thongs/flip flops, and these are easily and cheaply available.

Clothes:
Tanzanian Christians are modest in their dress sense. For both genders clothing should be lightweight (cotton) and loose fitting. Clothing is readily available in Dar es Salaam if you are prepared to buy second hand clothing and “seconds.” 

For men clothes should include on pair of dress trousers (pants) , one smarter shirt and tie (short sleeves if possible), t-shirts/short sleeved shirts, a lightweight sweater or sweatshirt, jeans/other casual trousers (pants), shorts (only for wearing at the beach or indoors, pyjamas, towels, underwear, swimming trunks and socks. Hats and sunglasses are also recommended.

For women clothes should include skirts and blouses/tops, one or two dress outfits, underwear, a lightweight sweater or sweatshirt, shorts (only for the beach), pyjamas/nightie, towels, trousers/pants can be worn indoors and with disgression. Hats and sunglasses are also recommended.

Medicines and Health
Many medicines are generally available in Dar es Salaam or any of the other big cities. Mosquitoes are a year-round problem. Prevention (and cures) are recommended, and because these are problems in the area, medicine is readily available. All drugs are available without prescription. If you require a certain medicine, contact Kyle McFarlane, and we will find out if it is available. Toiletries are available, but fairly expensive (especially deodorant). Feminine hygiene products are easily available but expensive. We recommend you bring an adequate supply with you. 

There are several good doctors and dentists in the city. In the case of the need of major surgery you would be medivac - ed out to Kenya. Health insurance should cover this eventuality.

Other Things you Might Want to Bring

• One lightweight sleeping bag per person. This will be very helpful for travel.
• One durable flashlight or torch per person. Cheap torches are available in Dar es Salaam
• A laptop computer. You will need to buy a UPS for your computer when you arrive. We do not recommend that you plug your computer into the electricity supply without one. These cost about $40. Internet cafes are readily available and cheap to use.
• A cellphone. There are three major networks in Tanzania. If you already have a handset please make sure that it is unlocked before you come to Tanzania. Otherwise it will cost you $30 to get is unlocked. Sim Cards for Tanzania networks are available and inexpensive.
• Sheets and pillow cases. Please bring these with you.
• A camera. (Processing is available and so is film but lithium batteries are not so easy to get)
• Sun screen.
• Multi-tool such as Leatherman or Victorinox 
• Musical instrument (if you play)
• Day pack or small backpack
• Photos, pictures, or small touches to make your house a home
• Rechargeable batteries 
• Books: Devotionals, fiction, or personal favorites
• Your Bible
• Favorite cookbook or recipes
• Small travel alarm clock
• Mosquito Repellant

Please note that crime in Dar es Salaam is probably equal with your home cities. However the difference is that, being white, you are a target of petty crime. So don’t bring the fanciest equipment you can find in case you end up getting it stolen.

What you don’t want to bring

• Mosquito nets. These are readily and cheaply available in Dar as well as the medicine for treating them.

What to do now

Sample Units From Take 12 Course

Diploma in Bible and Schools Ministry
Brief Module Descriptions

D1 Hermeneutics

Description 
This module has the following general themes

1. Training in basic principles of biblical interpretation.
2. Reflection on what influences biblical interpretation from culture, church and personal experiences.
3. Development of personal principles which can be applied in biblical interpretation

Content
This module will examine:

1. The Need for Biblical Interpretation through the examination of translation techniques and skills; cultural and church influences; examination of Jesus as a Bible interpretor.
2. The importance of Context in interpretation, including historical and literary context.
3. Literary Genre as a key to interpretation. Different types of biblical literary genre will be studied to include:
   1. Law
   2. Narrative
   3. Epistle
   4. Poetry and Wisdom
   5. Prophecy
4. Apocolyptic
5. 4. Examination of how Jesus interpreted the Old Testament and also how other New Testament writers interpret Old Testament scriptures
6. 5. Word study as a method of interpretation

Learning Outcomes 
On successful completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate:

1. Ability to interpret scripture using principles taught throughout the course.
2. Familiarisation with Concordances and Bible Dictionaries as tools for interpretation.
3. Knowledge of steps of interpretation handling the word of God well.
4. Development of critical skills.

Assessment 
Several lesson assigments
Production of Hermeneutics Jotter reflecting their own principles of interpretation.

Course Length
This course is 10 hours long 

Diploma in Bible and Schools Ministry
Brief Unit Descriptions

D2 New Testament History and Background

Description 
This module has the following general themes

1. Teaching on historical background to the New Testament 

Content
This module will examine the historical context of the New Testament:

1. The Greek Empire in the intertestamental period including an examination Hellenism as a civilisation and its influences in Israel both political and religious 
2. The Roman Empire and its political influence on Israel.
3. Greek and Roman Religion
4. Pharisees, Saduccees and Essenes. Their source, growth, principles and influence.
5. The Temple and the Synagogue; temple worship and Jewish festivals; the growth of synagogues and worship in the synagogues.
6. A study of the missionary journey’s of Paul from historcial, geographical and spiritual points of view

Learning Outcomes 
On successful completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate:

1. Understanding of New Testament History and Background.
2. Knowledge of historical, political and spiritual issues in the New Testament as an aid to better understanding. 

Assessment
Summary of one Apocryphal Book
Exam

Course Length 
This course is 6 hours long 

Certificate in in Bible and Schools Ministry
Brief Unit Descriptions

C2 Biblical Christianity in African Perspective

Description
This module has the following general themes
An examination of some Christian Doctrines using African Theologians reflections.
Development of critical thinking skills for examination of theological convictions.

Content 
This module will establish the authority of scripture as our reference for all our theological thinking. From this base the module will go on to explore and examine theology in an African Context to include the following areas:

1. The Trinity
2. Christian and the Spirit World
3. Origin of Evil
4. Spiritual Warfare
5. Biblical Perspectives on Traditional African Religions
6. Suffering and Related Issues
7. Polygamy

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate

1. Understanding of African Theological Perspective on the issues listed above. New Testament History and Background.
2. Development of critical and analytical skills in relation to theological issues facing the African church.
3. A biblical foundation for development of thinking on issues listed above

Assessment
Assignments set for inidividual lessons 
Preparation of lesson for schools/youth groups on one selected topic

Course Length
This course is 10 hours long 

Suggested Reading List

1. Biblical Christianity in African Perspective Wilbur O’Donavan 1996 Paternoster Press
2. The Bondage Breaker Neil T Anderson
3. Beginners Guide to Spiritual Warfare Neil T Anderson and Timothy M. Warner 2000 Servant Publications, Michigan

Certificate in Bible and Schools Ministry

Brief Unit Descriptions
C1/D3 Practical Schools Ministry

Description
This module has the following general themes

1. Training in specific techniques appropriate for schools ministry.
2. Critical Reflection of various teaching methods.
3. Analysis of Youth/Student Culture in Tanzania.

Content
This module is the largest single module and involves practical application in school on a weekly basis.

1. Teaching Methods will include:
   1. Body language
   2. Voice Projection
   3. Object Lessons
   4. Visual Aids
   5. Narrative
   6. Group Work and student Involvement
   7. Setting Aims
   8. Drama
   9. Preparation
2. The mechanics of lesson structure and delivery.
3. Taking responsibility for and planning whole lessons.
4. Time and student management in lessons.
5. Teaching as a spiritual gift and biblical mandates for teaching scripture.
6. How to Use Road to Life Curriculum; principles, techniques and foundation.

Learning
On successful completion of this module students should be able to Outcomes demonstrate:

1. An ability to teach Bible in schools among students who are both hostile and open to God’s word.
2. Demonstrate use of the range of techniques taught during this module.
3. Ability to teach with confidence lessons from the Road To Life Curriculum.
4. Ability to write, plan and deliver lessons.

Assessment
At the beginning of the course all students will be assigned two or three schools where they will go on a weekly basis. Supervision and assessment of classroom practice will be done periodically by Alliance Staff.
Students of the diploma course will write 5 lessons on selected topics as well as assessment of classroom teaching during the year.

Course Length This course is 50 hours long excluding classroom teaching.

Alliance Ministries, Working Together, Reaching Students.
P. O. Box 31899, Kijitonyama St. (Behind Sc & Tech Bldng), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (EA) Tel: (+255) (22) 264 7 696 /
(0) 741 261 236 / (0) 744 020 489 / (0) 741 607 356 

Website: www.allianceministries.org.uk

Any questions then Email Kyle McFarlane kylejane@africaonline.co.tz

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