Saturday, July 26, 1997

Puppets communicate spiritual truths

By LORETTA FULTON / Abilene Reporter-News

LaDonna Hamilton has a simple explanation for what she and her husband do: "We take a point and beat it to death."

That may not sound like effective ministry, but if the instrument used is an engaging puppet like Smiley Riley the Singing Cowboy, then the "beating" isn't so hard to take.

The points that LaDonna and Randy Hamilton have been beating to death for the past 20 years are based on Christian teachings.

"They're built on spiritual truths," Randy said. "We have one chance to impact these children's lives and create an image," Randy said.

If the point is beaten in securely enough, the Hamiltons hope that years later in a conflict situation such as being faced with a decision about drug use, that image will recur and the youngster will have a basis for a right decision.

"We hope that attached to that image is a spiritual truth that will come up," Randy said.

The Hamiltons, who recently moved to Lubbock after living most of their lives in Levelland, were at Whispering Oaks church camp near Buffalo Gap recently doing their puppet ministry and will return to Abilene next week at the invitation of Word of Emmanuel Church.

They will be at the church for performances at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and will do two shows at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2.

A performance for children and adults will be given during the Sunday, Aug. 3, worship service at 10 a.m.

The Hamiltons also will perform at Hendrick Home for Children from 3-5 p.m. Thursday.

Other appearances include First Baptist Family Life Center from 2-4 p.m. Friday and Wylie Baptist Church Development Center on Thursday morning, at a time to be determined.

The public is invited to any of the performances.

"Our church wants this to be an outreach to our city," said Brandon Honeycutt, youth and children's pastor at Word of Emmanuel, North Third and Mockingbird.

The Hamiltons were invited to Abilene by Honeycutt, who once played keyboard with the Hamiltons for performances at the Mescalero Indian Reservation in Ruidoso, N.M.

Most of the puppets the Hamiltons use, and all the sets, were created by them. Their handiwork has become so admired by other puppeteers that they now have a lucrative catalog business selling their Pick Me Products from their home.

"We have stages on six continents," Randy said.

It's easy to see why when the Colonel pops up from behind the walls of "Fort Word" or the Lyin' Lizard spits out falsehoods from a cute-as-can-be chuckwagon.

The dialogue, written by the Hamiltons, is lively and professionally delivered. Randy Hamilton serves as the emcee while LaDonna is hidden behind the sets, performing the various puppet voices.

The Hamiltons perform mainly in Texas and neighboring states. However, they have done gigs in California, Ohio and even Mexico and Australia.

A couple of years ago in Brisbane, Australia, the Hamiltons kept about 800 kids entertained under huge tents for three hours each afternoon while their parents attended a convention.

"It was quite an experience," Randy said. With that many kids watching, a show must be meticulously planned and has to move along at a lively pace or else the children will lose interest quickly.

"Every second has to be programmed or they'll program it for you," LaDonna said.

As entertaining and professional as the Hamiltons' show is, the purpose is instructional.

"The children can project themselves into the position of the puppet," LaDonna said.

In church settings, the program teaches Bible stories and truths.

"We try to make the Bible alive and relevant," LaDonna said.

In secular settings, such as in schools, the emphasis may be on drug abuse, motivation or making right decisions.

"Making a change in the kids' lives is our goal," Randy said.

The Hamiltons were both active in drama productions in their churches growing up and met later in a church camp. He earned a degree in Christian education from a college in Tennessee but has been in the insurance business in Levelland until recently when the couple decided to go full-time with their puppet ministry.

Two daughters, Amanda, 18, and April, 17, used to be a part of the show. But now they're college bound, leaving Mom and Dad to do the show alone.

"They were our first congregation," Randy said.

Over the years the Hamiltons have gone from performing for their daughters to an international ministry. Their cleverly designed western sets feature a chuckwagon, water well, fort and house. A small saddle and other props add authenticity.

But it's the Sesame Street-type puppets and LaDonna's believeable voices that bring life to the characters and make the show go.

Or, as Randy said, "word of mouth," especially their puppets' mouths, is the Hamiltons' best publicity.

The Hamiltons can be reached at (806) 894-9165.