Tuesday, April 28, 2014 - posted by Steph Flewelling

When we woke Sunday morning the national power was off.  In the shadowy quiet of the early morning we walked down to the Barnabas House for breakfast.  Rains were heavy through the night making a muddy mess of the “road” and a swampy marsh of the “lawns”.  The power came back on during breakfast and for church and then was off until 6 p.m.  As unreliable, powerless you might say, as the national power is here, the power of God’s love and his presence was undeniable as we worshipped under an expansive tent outside on the hospital campus. 

Dr Jim spoke to the crowd in Pidgin (and some English).  He thanked our team by referring to Churchill saying, “Never have so few given so much for so many.”  What an honor!  He told us then about the last instructions of Jesus from each of the gospels and some related remarks in Hebrews.  He challenged us to go, to love, to rely on the Holy Spirit, depend on God.  His word along with testimonies of God’s care, and the great songs of worship launched our Sabbath.  We had worked hard all day Saturday and were ready for a day of rest, of setting aside time to spend with God and his word, and with each other.  Some took naps, long walks, spent some time reading or visiting, and mostly just relaxed. 

I was finally able to get down to the power plant to look at the inner working of the hydro, the place that will actually generate power from the new dam.  We thought the building was locked up, but Cleon was inside and explained the functions of each of the large pieces of equipment that he and Tim have come here to set up, calibrate, align, and prepare for when the water is diverted.  The expertise these two men have to set up the hydro is as unique as their sense of humor …or maybe it’s the fumes from so much welding inside the penstock?  Whatever it is, we’ve enjoyed their company around our table at meal time and their sense of humor. 

Monday the push was on now to prepare the campus for Wednesday morning, the official commissioning of the Hydro plant.  Dignitaries from Australia as well as from the Papua New Guinea government and Nazarene Missions will attend and carry out the ceremonies.  These events will be held under huge, festive, blue and white striped tent that where we worshipped Sunday.  The Garber team worked across campus cleaning up wires, poles, and pole buts, and leveling dirt left where poles had been set.  They installed lights for the basketball court and repositioned an anchor.  After another full day we enjoyed sweet fellowship at dinner with two of the missionaries.  And the power stayed on all day. 

Tuesday, Tom, Gene, and Craig will travel to Goroka to survey a project at the Baptist Seminary.  They took two vans for the three hour drive over what would never be considered roads in the US.  One van carries our men.  The other is a contingency.  We’re praying for their safety and that they can discern the needs at the seminary.