A lot of catching up to do for the blog… Wednesday night the hospital campus sponsored a pizza pot luck in the Haus Win, a lovely large gazebo with an expansive thatched roof and two rows of bench seating underneath. Dr Scott explained the political and financial background of the hydro project as coming from the PNG government and an Australian donor. Good to hear of the generosity of these organizations enabling the hospital serve this district of PNG. We were honored and humbled by the thankfulness of these folks, not to mention their many delicious variations on pizza and desserts!
Today is Saturday. Yesterday, the men came in a little early to allow the Thomas team time to clean up and pack. Some statistics for the project to date:
·
22
poles set
·
20
anchors
·
18,000’
of 1/0 overhead
·
9,000’
of 4/0 overhead
·
Installed
air break
·
5
underground risers
·
1,000’
URD cable
·
28
main breakers
·
28
services
·
Installed
the manual transfer switch
·
Wired
the hydro building
As
they worked, they also removed approximately 15,000’ of wire and 28 old
services. These men poured their heart
& soul into the work, including watching each other’s backs, maintaining a
high level of safety and excellence in all their work, and all the fraternity
jabs... We’re so grateful to each one
and will miss their camaraderie.
Everyone shared their pictures. The suitcases were packed and then we had a delightful dinner with guests Bill & Jackie and Dr Andy & Judy. The lights went out, not for lack of power, but for the team to turn in for a good night’s sleep.
This morning, the trucks were here early to carry the Thomas team to Mt Hagen for the first legs of their trip home. Goodbyes on the porch with a circle of prayer, bitter sweet. There’s no picture, only my memory of Tommy’s weathered face looking out the shotgun side of Earl’s truck. His lake blue eyes, the crow’s feet turned up at the edges in the biggest smile as he said to Jonathan, “I hear we might be back in January…” Then several of the Garber team threw flowers on the first truck as it pulled away. This is an old PNG tradition.
.JPG) |
| The I-TEC work team posing for a team picture before the Thomas' team departed. |
We already miss our brothers and friends. Carol, the clotheslines were "slapped full" of sheets, but weather threatened all day and then poured rain on them after lunch just before they were dry! I think the sky waited until you left and then cried on our laundry.
Gerard will leave tomorrow morning joining the Thomas team in Brisbane. The rest of the team will carry on for another two weeks.
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