Joining God’s Work in the World: Timothy, TWR Electrical Engineering Intern

College students relish their summers. Thankfully for TWR, Timothy Zhuang chose to spend his summer serving as an TWR electrical engineering intern on Guam. Timothy graduated in June from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), with a degree in electrical engineering. He holds the distinction of being the first Californian and the first student from a quarter-system (as opposed to the more common semester-system) to intern with TWR on Guam. As he begins his first full-time postgraduation job, he views his internship as “just spending my last official free summer the best way I could think of.”

During his first year at UCSB, Timothy attended an event sponsored by the campus ministry InterVarsity, at which The Traveling Team gave a presentation on missions. Representing TWR and other ministries, the team visits campuses across the U.S. to mobilize students to get involved in missions. Interested in engineering opportunities where he could share his technical skills and experience a faith-based environment, he requested a brochure. From there, he said, “TWR came out on top.”

Timothy arrived on Guam at a crucial time in the ministry. Super Typhoon Mawar struck the island less than a month prior to his arrival, causing extensive flooding and power outages and taking TWR’s shortwave station off the air. Timothy eagerly joined the team on Guam, arriving at his originally scheduled time: just three weeks after the storm. Today, the station KTWR is back on the air, and Timothy played a part in it.

He explains that he has faced many new things with his projects, but he finds it fulfilling build something useful today that draws on concepts he learned in one of his early computer science courses. He has found his engineering theory studies “extremely useful, but working with and talking through how to complete a project with experienced professionals are invaluable.”

Timothy shares,

“While on Guam, my projects focus on voltage display for the power supply to the transmitters. Information is key to the proper functioning and troubleshooting of our transmitters broadcasting content to Asia. We want to know exactly how much power we receive from the power supplies every second. With the project I am working on, we will be able to provide [that information].”

Timothy says he and the team experience “real joy and encouragement” when they receive feedback from listeners confirming that TWR’s once-silenced transmitters have been revived. He loves the close-knit of TWR with many people — leaders, staff, supporters — genuinely rooting for its success. “We remember the families of each worker in our morning prayers, their present and their approaching endeavors.” he says. Timothy first experienced missions during high school when he joined his church youth ministry's short-term summer trip. They spent a week on a Navajo reservation in Arizona hosting a vacation Bible school.

Serving on Guam this summer marks the first time Timothy has lived away from home for an extended period. He has been challenged with creating his own routine all over again for his internship and listening to what God has for him, including where God wants him to be and finding community and fun on Guam.

Throughout college, he has enjoyed being a part of the InterVarsity community. Timothy loves playing the piano, and he uses his musical talent to serve on his church's worship team. As for activities this summer, he snorkels and hikes the beautiful and verdant Guam terrain.

All that exercise will help Timothy balance another of his summer activities. As soon as he opens a menu at one of the many restaurants on Guam, he says, the tempting and diverse cuisine sends his mind into hyperdrive. He wants to try all the options.

With Timothy’s adventuresome personality comes a steadiness he credits to the Lord. Regardless of the opportunity or challenge, he relies on his faith powered by his favorite Bible verse:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
(Isaiah 41:10)

Images: (top, left) Timothy chose to give his skills to the gospel and spend his summer serving with TWR on Guam for the summer.(bottom, right) Timothy’s time on Guam has not been without its adventurous activities as he explores the diverse island nature.