Angry Tribe over Work

Hello Gang,

Well I have settled it, I think time goes as fast here and in the states!

The hospital has had it’s ups and uppers since I sent out the last update. We have foundations and block walls 7 courses high on almost 4 of 7 buildings now. Praise the Lord we keep moving ahead!

Prayers are still needed and especially at this time. I have been working with a local tribe that is upset because they are not getting the electrical work and are threatening to stop any electrical contractor that comes to the site to work. They have paid money under the table to some one that they thought was going to get them the electrical contract and he could not get it for them. Now they want the work. Myself and the head of security Sailas Wuksik have been in meetings almost all day the past two days trying to sort out a compromise with the situation. (my pidgen is getting much better after all this!)

The owner of the construction company was on site today and I spent 1 1/2 hours trying to get him to listen and understand what I thought was a good compromise. He finally told his project manager to work up a contract to try the situation to help ease the situation. In Alaska we write contracts to sub-contractors with the claws that he is only allowed a certain percentage work workers to come from out of town and the rest local hire. So we presented this to them this afternoon and they still want the contract. I have explained that the PNGIF (Aussie) fund will not allow this because the contract went out for bid and this tribe was #2 on the list. But they say they lowered their price to get the job and I have been trying to get them to understand (with Sialas’s help) that is does not work that way.

I think we have bridged the gap some what but we meet again tomorrow at 9:00 am to further the discussion.

Well back to the site! It has been a little rainy but with the foundations in the ground we are good to go! Peter Numa and I went to Mt. Hagen yesterday and met with the manager of PNG power. After our 45 min wait we talked to him and we think they will be on site next week to start the removal and relocate of the power lines that cross the project.

Lots of concrete floor is getting poured by hand mixer each day and lots of block is going up! Yeppers we are keeping the building going despite perimeter events. Oh did I mention that the contractors project manager had a man break in to the office while he was there last night and turn over the desks and threaten him? Well he was upset that the block layers did not rent his house! Hm…. Well as I said we are moving forward. With the Lord in it how can it not succeed.

Well I hope you enjoy a couple of pictures of the site I will try to send more. thank you for your prayers they are working!
Pics, 1 one of a man measuring cement for the mixer 2 view of the mixers and guys running wheel barrows 3 view of Operating Theater. Next email 1 emergancy building 2 Plumbing in the walls 3 men laying out the waiting area on the OPD building.

If their is someone else you would like me to send it to send me their email and I will add them or pass it on all you want.

Michael