THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504260205
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
Since August 1985, Russell and Martha Boone have been missionaries with Trans World Radio in Swaziland, South Africa - 8,800 miles from their U.S. homeland.
They returned home on furlough in January, two African-born children in tow. After spending time with their families, they go to Guam. They plan to alternate months of furlough with Russell's parents in Michigan and Martha's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Garratt, in Martha's hometown of Suffolk.
The Boones left the 105-degree weather of Swaziland's dry season to enter Virginia's chilling winter temperatures. They also traded their three-bedroom cinder block home with only ``natural'' heating and air conditioning for the conveniences of home and the comforts of family.
One of the most difficult parts of their departure from Africa was the farewell to their Swazi church family, 25 different nationalities.
But the Boones have no regrets about the sacrifices they've made - or the blessings they've received - while serving as missionaries. ``It really makes you appreciate what you have a whole lot more,'' said Russell, who is known over the airwaves of South African radio by his American nickname, ``Pencil.''
``The Lord doesn't call you overseas necessarily for what you can do, but for what he can do in you . . . I feel I've gained so much more than what I've given and if I've touched another life here and there along the way then that's an added blessing.''
While in Swaziland, Pencil served in a number of positions with Trans World Radio. First, he assembled programs from other studios for airing in Swaziland. Then, he became the voice of ``Day Break,'' a popular wake-up program to Southern Africa. Finally, in 1989, he became one of the main producers for a two-hour youth program aired Mondays through Thursdays on Trans World's 50,000-watt AM station. In the daytime, this station is heard throughout Swaziland, but at night it can be picked up by all the English-speaking countries in South Africa.
Pencil served as executive producer of this program from 1991 until returning to the states in January 1995. During those years, young people all across South Africa heard the message of the Christian faith through the music and dialogue of Pencil Boone and his staff.
In his last year with the Swazi station, Pencil received 895 letters from his listening audience. One Islamic boy in Zimbabwe wrote for encouragement. Since his conversion to Christianity, he had been kicked out of his family and feared a death threat would be placed on his life. Another writer, a Hindu girl, corresponded with the Swazi station for two years concerning how she could live her Christian faith within her Hindu household.
Other topical programs aroused the questions and interests of African youths - programs on suicide, loneliness and premarital sex received many responses and gave the Trans World staff an opportunity to correspond with people individually.
A sophisticated computer system aided Pencil in his day-to-day program planning and operation. One computer program which lists songs by topics from 1,500 albums and 1,000 CD's could scan this information in 15 seconds and locate potential music compatible with an upcoming topic. Computers also proved to be valuable assets in handling the flood of daily correspondence from radio listeners. According to Pencil, E-Mail has also aided Trans World missionaries in working more effectively together as an international organization.
While Pencil was busy with radio programming in Swaziland, Martha's life revolved around home and family. ``I could basically cook anything we have here, but everything's from scratch,'' she said. And while grocery stores existed in their village, certain items were still hard to find.
Acording to Martha, grocery shopping was a half-day excursion, and to pay bills meant hand-delivering them to their proper destinations. But Martha enjoyed the quality time she had at home in Swaziland with their two children, Anna, age 7, and Russell, age 5. ``It was a very positive experience to have them exposed to a different culture and different things,'' Martha commented. ``And it's easier to keep them from materialism. . . there were no TV commercials to deal with and they wore uniforms to school.''
As a certified teacher, Martha also spent several hours in their Swazi home each week tutoring children with special learning needs in reading and math. ``They are very weak in their teaching of phonics and the children either teach themselves to read or many of them don't read,'' she noted.
Cherishing the fond memories of their many positive experiences in Swaziland, the Boones are now anticipating the challenges awaiting them in Guam. This 40-mile by 10-mile island is populated by 130,000 people and houses two large military bases. Their Trans World Radio audience from Guam will include the large English-speaking populations in New Guinea and Australia. In addition, half the world's population is within the reach of Guam's Trans World airwaves.
Pencil's responsibilities in Guam will include developing a seven-day youth program to be aired four hours a day targeting Asian youths. ``It's nice to be going somewhere that's more American,'' Martha pointed out. ``I think it will make an easier transition for the kids back into American life.''
``It's the best of both worlds,'' Pencil noted. When asked if he plans to continue his career as a Trans World missionary, Pencil responded with the title to Keith Dudley's new song: ``Until the World's Without A Need . . .''
The Boones will be visiting relatives and friends in Suffolk and Michigan throughout their furlough. For further information about their mission work or to schedule a speaking engagement, call 539-6274. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Russell and Martha Boone are on furlough from their Trans World
Radio missionary jobs.
by CNB