October 6, 2015

Bana: A Time In The Sun

Unpacking the solar equipment.
                                                                                                                            
Each of us on the trip to Bana Health Clinic had a particular area of ministry on this trip.   Tim Deuel was our master electrician.  Ethan was his helper and together they're able to install the solar system.
Of course, it was not without its hurdles.  Tim's tools were to heavy to travel with us on the plane since it was a very full flight.   The ticket agent said they would arrive the next day ... well 3 days later after a special trip back to Wewak they were able to get his tools and begin their work.  


Tim Deuel

Getting the solar panels on the roof of the clinic.






Ethan getting some practical electrical experience.
 job, not one holding a light. Pray for our rural health       
Months ago when asked if I would be interested in making a trip to East Sepik and a village called Bana, I became interested. My part in this team endeavor was to install a solar electric system for the Nazarene Rural clinic located there. This was a particularly interesting project since electrical power there is nonexistent unless you have a generator, and enough fuel to run it. In this case the electricity would be used to power a vaccine fridge/ freezer and lights. Until this project was complete, there would be no possibility of vaccines for the children of this remote village. A clinic too far removed to consider using a generator full time. Transportation of the fuel for a generator being the main problem, solar powered electricity is a beautiful answer for a difficult situation. Bana clinic has a good location for solar being situated at 1,250' above sea level on one of the higher bits of land with no tall trees obscuring the six, 250 watt solar panels location. The system can provide a bit over 2,000 watts of power at 240 volts AC 50HZ. This will be plenty to power the life saving vaccine fridge/ freezer. After installing the system we took the opportunity to also install lights in the exam rooms and also the delivery room. When I say delivery room, I mean babies! Think about your Nazarene Rural health workers as they serve under very difficult conditions, delivering babies with a flash light or torch as we would say here. I've been around for a few deliveries, and you really need both hands for the  and are still smiling after treating more than 20 thousand persons per year.




Installing the framing that holds the solar panels.




Ethan Myers

I enjoyed my time in Bana; It was great getting to spend time with friends serving the people of the East Sepik. I learned valuable electrical skills, gleaned spiritual and practical wisdom from my Christian elders, grew deeper in Christ, broadened my horizons, and had a lot of fun doing it! I thank The Lord for giving me that opportunity. 



 
Tim and Ethan checking out the control panel
and batteries.
















          Stay tuned more to come!















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