Trip to Town Leads to Tow Back to Kudjip

Friday, I decide to go get the supplies needed for the Volunteer House for Mike. Mike gives me the list of materials, I grab my market bag, Pastor Robert rides along as security and one maintenance worker. Ruben says to me as I pick up the maintenance dyno that the emergency brake was left on does not work. I say OK and off we go.

Well by the time we got to town, we stopped at the market and I see and hear steam coming out from underneath the cab. It smells like hot brakes. By the time I got back to the truck there was no more hot brake smell. I decide to pay attention and see it occurs again while in town. I call Ruben to inform him of what happened he says I will check it when you get back. OK!

We go to Mitre Hardware and pick up supplies which take over two hours. It is amazing at how you have to be patient and wait. There is not hurry. We went to three different hardware stores looking for stain. No luck. Mike is going to have to order it from Lae. In the mean time I have had to call Mike and clarify that I am getting the correct materials because everything looks different and has a different name. I think he turned his cell phone off for awhile. (Later find out he did because he was in a meeting with Stanley about the new hospital materials.)

Off to B&M Electrical to pick up the circuit breakers for the Volunteer House. Phillip informs me that the warehouse closes at lunch so we wait an hour for the complete list of needed breakers. I take the men to lunch at the bakery - meat pies, cookies, and soda. After lunch we get our breakers and head back to Kudjip.

Of course you can’t just go flying down the road, you have to slow down for all the potholes and watch for the people along side the road. As we get to the last new bridge being built, I have to stop. As I stop the truck dies, oil light comes on, and glow plug coil is blinking. I get out of the truck and hear boiling water. I decide immediately that I am not turning the truck back on. I call Ruben and Mike telling them the situation. Ruben said he was on his way with the mechanic.

Pastor Robert, the maintenance man and I visit with all the people along side the road. Watch all the traffic go by and wave at the people. Of course I am the only white skin person but I never felt afraid. After 45 minutes I call Ruben asking where he was. He and Mike were just leaving the station so we waited for about 15 minutes before they arrive. They open out the bonnet and see that the radiator cap is lose. It looks like oil is on the fan belt. I am not happy and feeling very bad that I hadn’t made a better decision in town to explore the smell further. Mike and Ruben attach the rope to the truck and we head down the road to Kudjip. As we pull into the station, I am thanking God for protection and watching over us.

Today, Ruben and and mechanic put water in the radiator and were checking out the engine. I haven’t heard the outcome.