Episode 46 - Welcome to the Workshop

This might seem an odd time to post this given that I’m currently far away from CRMF, but a friend recently asked me to write about what we do in the electronics workshop at CRMF, and so I thought I’d share it with you as a good reminder both for you and for myself. It’s hard to describe exactly what we do in the Electronics Workshop, as every day is different, the only thing that is guaranteed is that we will be using our skills to help the remote communities and churches of Papua New Guinea. The Workshop is usually a hive of activity, the main job being done in the workshop itself being repair work. The items being repaired vary greatly, from broken radios which serve as the only connection to the outside world for remote communities, to broken PA systems used by the local Churches to teach about Jesus, to broken solar lamps for use in communities that have no electricity. We even fix the occasional piece of medical equipment, not to mention a whole miscellany of our own equipment which has broken down. When the workshop is quiet, it either means that it’s coffee break, or everyone is out, working in the field, usually on installations. We install a variety of systems, from radio’s where there are no communications, to VSAT (satellite internet) for remote organisations who need web access (such as hospitals), to solar systems for places with no access to electricity. Of course there is also our own equipment to keep up to date too. As the Senior Technician it is my job to make sure that all of our work gets done, that any deadlines are met and that our work is done in order of priority. My most important task however, is looking after the staff in the workshop. Giving them the support that they need, ensuring that they are continually learning and growing and keeping them focused on why we do what we do – to support remote communities and churches, to the glory of God.

Part of the Dream Team