Joining God’s Work in the World: Hannah, TWR Journalism Intern

Hannah Davis relishes the opportunity God provided for her to serve overseas this summer at TWR’s regional headquarters in South Africa. A senior at North Carolina State University where she majors in professional writing with a minor in creative writing, Hannah calls Raleigh, North Carolina, both her hometown and her college town.

Through the years, Hannah learned about TWR from a few families and friends involved with the global media ministry. Eagerly, Hannah left for South Africa in late May. Just prior to her departure, she shared her thoughts about the upcoming overseas experience.

“I am enjoying building relationships with believers in another country and seeing believers in action in other countries. Also, I am excited to see the country and experience South Africa’s nature. … I also feel so blessed to be able to use my love of writing for the Lord.”

Hannah desires to make a lasting difference. Marietjie Prollius, TWR marketing director for South Africa, says of her:

“Since the day Hannah arrived in South Africa, she has been a valuable part of the Africa Marcom (Marketing and Communications) team. It is a great privilege to have her here at the South African office, using her skills in journalism to write content for a very special project: TWR Africa’s 50th anniversary. Her passion for missions is evident in her enthusiasm and diligence, and her gentle but confident personality makes everyone in the office enjoy her company. I believe her contribution will bear lasting fruit, as staff, donors and listeners benefit from her creative storytelling in a published book for the anniversary. Her footprints will forever remain on African soil and in our hearts.”

Through her local church, Hannah served on a short-term summer mission trip in 2019 to an impoverished community of North Carolina. Though she lived and worked in Switzerland last summer as a nanny, service with TWR marks her first international mission trip.

One thing that sets apart her work at TWR is the people. Hannah said, “I love working with other believers. Wherever you go in the globe, you have family in Christ, and it’s really sweet to experience that in a ministry environment where we have a common goal – to spread the love of Christ to all nations.”

She desires to change the world for Christ through her writing, making her conscientious about writing well for the ministry. One thing that has been challenging is making sure her writing style matches the projects she has been assigned.

“As a writer, it can be intimidating to let others read and evaluate my work,” she shares.

While she misses her family and friends this summer, Hannah takes solace in long walks in nature and writing novels. She flew to Cape Town one weekend to explore the coastlines and to see the wild African penguins and crashing waves of the Cape of Good Hope shores. She also noted the distinction between the rocky Cape Town coastline where the mountains meet the sea and the sandy beaches of North Carolina.

Several unexpected adventures have come her way.

“In Eswatini, I got to visit a pineapple farm,” she said. “Also, I experienced an earthquake during the night here. I was not expecting that!”

Recently, she shared another surprise. There was a cold spell in South Africa, and it snowed for the first time since 2012. Another bucket-list item she completed was getting to participate in a South African barbecue, the braai, which she loved.

Hannah’s favorite Scripture verse supplies a good reminder of God’s work in the lives of his children:

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
(Ephesians 2:10)

Images: (top, right) Hannah Davis joins the TWR Marketing and Communications team in South Africa as a summer journalism intern, (middle, left) As her first international missions trip, Hannah's internship has brought with it many first-time experiences, (bottom, right) Hannah took the opportunity during her internship to explore the beautiful coast of South Africa. [Images courtesy of Hannah Davis, TWR]