Independence and Progress

Tommorrow Sierra Leone will have it's 48th year anniversary of indepedence. Freetown is filled with national flags posted along the streets, and people are waiting in anticipation to celebrate this special time in their country's history. Certain places in town have been under renovations these past two weeks in oerder to prepare for this day, as the city will hold festivals and parties at these sites, not to mention many smaller parties where family and friends get together for "Thanksgiving", as Sierra Leoneans call it.

As we think about the importance of this historic day for Sierra Leone, we are also thinking about the progress that has been made for the PPB factory, not least in successfully installing and testing the machinery! Sometimes it is easy for us to overlook a remarkable step for this program, because we are constantly planning on what to do next in moving PPB forward. But it has been a good learning experience for us in knowing when to take time and celebrate ourselves. Praise God!

Dr. Manary came on April 12th to see us through on setting up the machinery, as well as to observe and help at out clinic sites. As for the setup of the machinery, we worked together in finding a company that was able to electrically install the mixers, and by the 28th we actually were grinding up groundnuts in the big mixer! We are so glad that he was able to come and see first hand PPB Sierra Leone.

Blessings,

Mike and Chelsea

Equipment Arrival

Tuesday morning Chelsea and I received word that the equipment had arrived at the Freetown Shipyard. We were filled with excitement, as well as relief. A shipping company out of Florida organized all things and had the equipment shipped from Charleston, South Carolina. From my understanding it was not a direct trip to Sierra Leone, as the ship first stopped in Hamburg before coming south to Sierra Leone. The estimated time of arrival was March 22nd, but because of the stop in Hamburg, it was delayed for eight days. Upon arrival, the Sierra Leone Ports Authority follows protocol by going through registration and inspection procedures for all crates on the ship. This has taken approximately two and a half days. At around one o’clock today our clearing agent called and said that registration and inspection has been completed and that he has hired a trucking company to delivery the machinery by four or five o’clock today!

This week I have been at the factory everyday making sure everything is in perfect order and that we are prepared for the machinery to arrive at anytime. The time has come! First priority is security. Once the machinery arrives, the masons will close off the open area that was needed to load the machinery inside. Then, I will lock all doors with several padlocks. I told Chelsea today that I may even sleep with the machinery tonight so that I know that everything is okay. We have security for the compound, so this will be unnecessary, but I still feel like I need to after what it took for it to get to Freetown.

Unfortunately Chelsea is up country right now running the PPB clinics, so she will not be here when the machinery arrives. Nonetheless, she will be able to see it tomorrow evening. I will be sure to take pictures of our factory, as you will be able to compare from the pictures I sent awhile back. Thank you all for making this possible. The hard work of all of us, especially through everyone’s thoughts, prayers, and support, has made all this happen. We are so grateful for everything.

Blessings,
Michael