Missionary Bio

International Mission

Transburg,William and Renee

Serving in Tanzania

Bill and Renee Transburg
Tanzania, East Africa

The Transburgs began their missionary career in, what was called Zaire in 1986. After two evacuations and the mission's decision to not place resident missionaries in Zaire, they moved to Tanzania and began to teach at Haven of Peace Academy (HOPAC).

Renee is the librarian at HOPAC. Her main work centers around maintaining the existing stock, updating volumes of books, DVD's video's and other media. She has built the library from 850 volumes to 25,500 volumes. She also tutors students who have problems reading, teaches EAL to parents and national staff members. In addition to her work at HOPAC she is the Sunday School Superintendent at the church plant, Reach Chapel, that they attend in Dar es Salaam.

Bill teaches general science to grades 6 & 7. He teaches biology to grade 8. He teaches IGCSE biology to grades 9 & 10. He heads up the science department at HOPAC and tutors students who desire extra help in biology.

The Transburgs have three grown children and four grandchildren. The family includes Tamra and family in Texas; Brian and family in Wisconsin; the youngest, Peter, is in Mozambique.

Their home church is Bethany EFC of LaCrosse, WI.

Bill's Birthday is November 27.
Renee's Birthday is October 15.
Their wedding anniversary is December 31, 1966.

Their mailing address is:                                    E-mail Address: William.Transburg@efca.org
Bill and Renee Transburg
Haven of Peace Academy
PO Box 70027
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Ministry Description:
Bill and Renee are currently serving in Tanzania, working in missionary children’s education.

The Transburg’s have three grown children: Tamra, Brian, and Peter.

Country Profile:
Tanzania is located in eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point, is located in northeastern Tanzania.

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work force.
Over 35 million people live in Tanzania. (This number fluctuates due to the effects of AIDS.) Tanzania’s mainland population is 99% native African (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes). The other 1% consists of Asians, Europeans, and Arabs. Both Arabs and native Africans live on the island of Zanzibar (off of Tanzania’s northeastern coast).

On the mainland, Christians make up 45% of the population, Muslims - 35%, and people with indigenous beliefs - 20%. More than 99% of the people of Zanzibar are Muslim.
Kiswahili or Swahili (Kiunguju the name for Swahili in Zanzibar) is one of the official languages. English is also and official language and the primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education. Arabic is widely spoken in Zanzibar. There are also many local languages, which are the first languages of most people.

Testimonies:
When William was growing up, he accomplished all the “necessary” things to be a Christian: baby baptism, confirmation, church and youth group membership, and even read the Bible infrequently. After confirmation, he became disillusioned with the church. By the time he arrived at college, the church was something he did to please his parents. After marriage, he and his wife rarely went to church. Needing some tie away from their three demanding, young children, Renee went to a rally put on by the Interfaith group. It didn’t sound like something William would be interested in so he stayed home. At the rally, Renee saw the love of God portrayed in the scriptures and lived out in other’s lives. She began to realize that all her “goodness” was as filthy rags (dirty diapers) in God’s sight, that nothing she could do on her own would please God. She received Christ as her Savior and her Lord and has never regretted that decision. Renee came home a different woman. William watched her closely for several months. He soon desired what she had. In the fall of 1975, he gave his heart to Jesus Christ. God led William to a Christian man who discipled him for many years.

Home Church:
Bethany EFC, La Crosse, WI

Birthdays:
William–November 27
Renee–October 15

Wedding Anniversary:
December 31