New hydro

From time to time, we Kudjip bloggers borrow stories from each other.  I was actually planning to write about the new hydro myself.  Since Erin beat me to it, she was kind enough to share!  [And I have added a few comments of my own.]  Here is a link to her original post about Rebuilding of the Hydro.

"For the past 3 years, our hospital and station has relied on the government power to give us the power we need to function.  Unfortunately, the government power is very expensive and unreliable and the diesel for our generator which provides us power [and is doing so as Steph types her blog] when the government power isn't working is also very expensive.  All of this has made us look for ways to restore our hydroelectric power.

"Last year, AusAID agreed to fund the rebuilding of our hydroelectric power.  [AusAID also funded our new hospital that we moved into in 2009.  Thank you to the people of Australia!]  Earl Hartwig (the guy on the right) and his family have relocated from Ecuador to lead the rebuilding project.  The McCoys and I took a walk down to the hydro to see their progress shortly after I got back and this is what we found.

"There has definitely been a lot of work happening in these past few months, with much of it in redigging and cementing the canal so the water can flow down to the plant that will harvest the power.  The rock baskets are being made to help in rebuilding the dam.  There is definitely a lot more to do, but all of us are looking forward to the day when we are back on hydro power again.  [AMEN!]

"Anytime we have a building project, we always try and support the communities around us by hiring guys to do some of the work.  This helps boost the economy in the villages around us and builds public relations, but also can be problemsome too.  Pray for good relations with the communities, for them to work hard, for there to be little or no fighting and arguing about the work and about their salary.  Pray also for the work to be completed quickly."

[And a few more comments from me...  When I told Earl that I would be posting a blog about the new hydro, he had several specific prayer requests.

• First of all, pray for Earl as he leads this project.  What a huge job!  
• Pray that things will be done in a timely manner, which doesn't always happen in a place like PNG.  Or more importantly, that things will be done in God's time.  
• Please pray for the local workers.  Many of them are not believers.  Some of our missionaries, chaplains, and pastors are doing devotions with the workers each morning.  Pray that they will hear and respond to the Good News.  
• And finally, we have a Work & Witness team from Australia that will be coming next week to help out with the hydro.  Pray for their safety and witness as they work along side of the guys.]

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

~ Psalm 150 (excerpts)