Brenic Beggs Keeps Transmitters Going on Guam
[Estimated reading time: 4 minutes]
Brenic Beggs' TWR internship is taking his engineering experience to new heights as he serves on the island of Guam this summer.
“Working alongside people who have been missionaries for many years is extremely beneficial for me as I am able to learn so much technically and spiritually from them,” says Brenic Beggs.
This summer, Brenic serves on the island of Guam as a KTWR intern in Broadcast Operations. Having grown up in Kansas, he’s gaining many new experiences on the island, and not just for work. On his 23rd birthday, he went to a Micronesian woman’s party with dancing and an entire roasted pig. When the summer ends, he will return to the University of Kansas as a graduate student in electrical engineering.
What projects have you been working on?
As the only engineers on site, the temporary chief engineer and I have the responsibility of keeping the technical side of things running. So far, this has consisted of maintaining our transmitters, monitoring the antenna field for broken feed lines, adjusting program schedules for different transmitters and antennas when they have issues and much more.
What led you to joining TWR?
My roommate told me about TWR’s documentary Lifted, which tells the story of Ivan Schoen, a missionary who packed up his whole family and moved to the heart of the Suriname jungle with his wife and three young children. Prior to watching this, I felt called to serve in the mission field and searched for a way I could use my skills to carry out the Great Commission over the summer. After learning about TWR through the documentary, I applied to be an intern and was very excited about the opportunity.
What is your favorite part about working at TWR?
I have many favorite things about working here. The most important thing to me is that the transmitters are running and making the gospel available to so many people throughout Asia, where it is either against the culture or outright illegal to hear about Jesus. Reading the reports from people who confirm they are receiving our broadcasts is very encouraging and gives us feedback on how we can improve the signal. Morning devotions are something I never thought I would be able to experience on the job, and it is always encouraging.
What is one of your biggest challenges this summer?
By far the biggest challenge has been dealing with the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Being so far away on an island, where the time difference is 15 hours from home, it makes it difficult to find time to call everyone and keep in contact. Though a challenge, I have been able to have regular calls with my girlfriend, a couple friends and family members, even if it isn’t as frequent as I would like. It has been an opportunity for me to really lean on the Lord through it.
When and how did you get interested in missions?
I originally learned about missions work when my older sister graduated high school early to go on a mission trip to Peru. I went on a 10-day trip there when I was in high school and since then grown a heart for reaching those who need hope, and our hope is in Jesus!
How is this internship preparing you for your future?
It has been an incredible introduction into long-term missions, particularly in an engineer’s role! Understanding that I can use the gifts and education that the Lord has blessed me with to carry out his mission in ways that I never thought possible has been incredible to see.
On top of that, being able to work hands-on with high-power shortwave transmission equipment has given me a unique experience that I likely could not have gotten anywhere else, and some of the work directly relates to my continued education. I feel more confident in my understanding of bigger projects and what goes into maintaining them, which helps me become well-rounded for future engineering jobs.
How are you finding Guam?
I never knew it, but snorkeling on coral reefs is incredible, even if I got attacked by an angry parrotfish. The sheer number of fish and different species and colors and behaviors is amazing! My morning commute to work has beautiful mountain views and winding hilly roads. Basking in the Lord’s creation has been a huge part of being in Guam, and I am so thankful for the opportunity. It's truly like no other place I have been to.
Fun fact: Brenic has hiked down the Black Canyon in Colorado on a route nicknamed “the Devil's Slide." The hike has an 1,800-foot elevation change at a constant gradient of 40 degrees!
