His Hands Herald
Newsletter for His Hands Puppets March
The Place for Puppets, Programs and Costumes 2026
A Share ...
An excellent way to begin puppet rehearsals is with prayer. Prayer helps puppeteers focus on the reason they are on the team, the holy and sacred mission set before them as they perform with puppets. Each puppeteer on your team brings with them to rehearsal the burden of problems and stresses that weigh on their minds. These burdens can influence the flow of a rehearsal or performance, especially when working with a youth team. Junior high and high school youth tend to have a more intense reaction than those younger or older than they. They are the least likely to be able to put their feelings on hold for the purpose of concentrating on a puppet rehearsal or performance. The members of your team may require your guidance, support, and understanding in dealing with these outside pressures. While prayer may be the quickest way to help your team focus, there may be times when spending a little more time might be beneficial.
Over the years I have written four devotions for puppeteers.
Dedication of Hands -Overcoming Weakness -Losing Sight of the Mission -Handling Criticism
It is my hope that in utilizing scripture to address the challenges associated with puppetry the members of your team will be open to allowing scripture to comfort them in the everyday pressures they experience.
Overcoming Weakness Building Strength and Endurance
Anyone who has ever attempted to perform with a puppet has quickly realized their own weakness and the strength required of the muscles in the arm and hand. Building the strength and endurance necessary to perform successfully with puppets takes determination and will-power. Members of your team will need to develop the ability to work through the presence of temporary pain. Building up the muscles in the arm is like building up the muscles of any other part of the body. It takes exercise. There are many audio resources for puppet aerobics on the market made for the purpose of not only improving puppet manipulation but of strengthening the muscles of the arm. Even with the variety of these resources available, there are only so many activities that can be done with your arm in the air. The members of your team are likely to become bored with the aerobic portion of your rehearsals and find themselves slacking.
Putting on a quality performance also requires repetition which may try the mental patience of your puppeteers. You may need to equip them with a few scriptures that will help them to endure not only the temporary physical pain associated with the muscles of the arm but also to overcome the feelings of monotony and boredom that accompany the process of producing quality puppet performances. These scriptures are designed to assist the puppeteer in remembering that the Lord is always at their side, even when their arm muscles are aching.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
John 17:4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.
Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Off the workshop bench and on their way!
This is how I walk out God's plan for my life: Creating affordable puppets for a puppet ministry that is taking the Gospel to places I will never go. This pair is headed to southern Texas and eventually to children's ministry in Mexico.
Via Con Dios, Rocco and Millo!
AI generated photo to create from
Finished His HandsPuppets
His Hands Puppets Serving Overseas
While His Hands Puppets doesn't ship internationally, through the years there have been occasions when I have sent some of my puppets with those embarking on mission trips. Even though I have no idea who they were given to, how they were used for ministry, or even if they are still in service, it was fun to go back and find their records in my inventory. They have gone to places I will never go, hopefully assisting in the sharing of the Gospel of Christ. With each one that I found on my inventory, I sent up a prayer for their continued service. Maybe the members of your team would have fun praying for these His Hands Puppets missionaries.
1999
Clark - Russia
Jana - Russia
Yuri - Ukraine
2001
Oliver - Ukraine
Hilda - Ukraine
No Pictures
Barnaby - Ukraine 2001
Olivia - Ukraine 2001
Hyun - Mexico 2003
Pepita - Mexico 2006
2006
Cal - Caribbean
Ricco - Mexico
2007
Valeda - Mexico
Archie - Mexico
2009
Gabby - Mexico
Yaakov - Mexico
Ziva - Mexico
2019
Esperanza - Peru
Joleen - Niger
Mike - Niger
Marvella - Niger
If you or someone you know is heading overseas on a mission trip and would like to take guardianship of a His Hands Puppet or two let me know and we can discuss details!
Currently on the Workshop Table
The south end of north bound cattle puppets are getting an update. These puppets were first created in 2004 for our then brand new production "Rugged Faith." Our shows would have a run of three years before a new show was produced. Over the years this show has been brought back into production several times, most recently in 2025 where it received a major update of songs. This segment to the song "What Am I Doing Here?" by MIchael Martin Murphy, has withstood the test of time. While the south end of this 2-piece puppet set still works wonderfully well mechanically, the puppet cow head needs some design attention. I've grown in my building skills since 2004 and believe I can make improvements on the north end.
If you have an interest in this 2-pc puppet, either a new set or a used set, now would be a good time to let me know.
