Interns With Impact 2024: Elizabeth, Electrical Engineering Intern

Elizabeth (right) and fellow intern, Luke (left), are using their skill sets to serve the Lord with TWR this summer in West Africa. 

With engineering, problem-solving and missions experience, Elizabeth serves TWR West Africa as an international summer intern. A recent electrical engineering graduate of Messiah University in Pennsylvania, her love of missions and God’s work led her to share her skills with TWR this summer. Elizabeth also loved the idea of helping ensure that 20 languages are broadcast regularly from TWR’s West Africa Transmitting Station.

“I am excited to apply my training as an engineer to support the reliability of the radio broadcasts to closed countries so that people can hear and respond to the gospel,” Elizabeth said.

Q. How did you hear about TWR?

I first heard about TWR through my church growing up. One of the missionaries my church supported served with TWR, and my Sunday school teacher would quiz us weekly on who our church supports, where they serve, how many kids they have, and what their ministry is. However, it was not until the fall of my junior year in college that I learned that TWR took engineers. TWR was at my college's fall career fair, and an engineering professor recommended checking them out if we were interested in engineering missions. I applied and was accepted for this summer (the summer following my senior year of college).

Q. What do you enjoy most so far in your internship?

I am in this area of West Africa during a unique time where there are so many different missionary families around. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about each of their unique ministries and interacting with their kids. I have also enjoyed learning more about the culture, learning to make bread and sausage from scratch, learning new card games, seeing cars with live goats or cows tied to their roofs, and catching a taxi motorcycle to market.

Q. What are you most eager to do or experience during your internship personally?

I am excited to stay overnight at the cottage on site, learn how to drive the dirt bike, and learn to drive a stick shift car. We stayed at the cottage once, and it was very nice to run around the site in the early morning and swim in the lake in the afternoon.

Q. What is or will be the most challenging for you this summer?

The most challenging aspect so far has been adjustment to the culture. I know very little French. It is also not easy for a woman to run along the streets, so I have developed other creative ways to exercise. I miss hearing sermons in English, worshipping in song in English, biking outside, and running.

Q. So far, what is your favorite thing about TWR?

Not only am I excited about TWR's mission, but I also like working with the people at TWR. Even though there can be a language barrier between me and some of the technicians, I enjoy working with them. There is an even greater sense of accomplishment when communication is successful. Their laughs as we compare cultural practices (such as gas stations) or when I try to learn French and they try to learn English can make my day!

Q. Is this your first ministry/missions experience? If not, where have you served?

This is my first mission experience to last more than a week. In high school, my family took a trip to Chile where we worked on some of the facilities at a Christian summer camp. My brother and I built a stone wall around their pool and installed insulation made of Styrofoam in a shed. During spring break my senior year of college, I traveled with the Collaboratory (an organization at my college) to install a water purification system at an all-girls' school. I did the electrical work and helped to teach Bible and science lessons to the students at the school.

Q. What was the biggest sacrifice you made to be here this summer?

Most of the time I am enjoying my time in West Africa rather than thinking about home. However, I have missed a friend's wedding and helping with my church's soccer camp outreach (our version of VBS to attract more unchurched kids). I miss my family. Since I talk with them on Saturdays, I especially miss them later in the week, but I am thankful that technology allows us to call each other and see each other’s faces!

Q. What is a favorite food or activity that have tried or plan to try this summer?

I have really enjoyed a traditional peanut sauce dish, pineapple juice and mangos!

Q. What is your favorite hobby that you have now or hope to develop this summer?

My favorite hobby is gardening. I have enjoyed learning to make bread from scratch and seeing what is done with banana peels or avocado pits to improve the garden! I have not been a big reader before this summer but hope to develop this hobby. I recently read a book in less than five days, which is a personal record! The Kennedys [Garth and Fiona at the West Africa Transmitting Station] have many books on their bookshelves to choose from any time.

Bonus fact: I enjoy being outside, including gardening and mountain biking. A dream of mine is to bike across the state of Iowa.

Images: (top, banner) Elizabeth (right) and fellow intern, Luke (left), are using their skill sets to serve the Lord with TWR this summer in West Africa, (top, right) Elizabeth sits before a large monitor in the offices of the West Africa Transmitting Station, (middle, left) Elizabeth and fellow West Africa intern, Luke, learn how to make sausage from scratch, (bottom, right) Elizabeth sits amongst the crowd and listens on as local children gather before a speaker.