What are you going to do on Buka Island?

From: DO-DARC Div Admin Reg Centres (Mark Van Rossen)
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 10:28 PM
To: Michael & Cheryl McDaniel
Cc: DO-DARC Assistant (Lorene Van Rossen)
Subject: RE: Hi to you from Ukarumpa

We are also praying for you as you do your partnership development, and Lorene and I have committed to praying for you and Michael, and for all of the PNG Regional Centres, managers, staff and incoming managers every morning before we start work.

As for a brief bio on the role of a Regional Centre Manager, where do I start without scaring you away?  The Regional Centre Manager is EVERYTHING!  If the Plumbing breaks, the hot water system fails, the gutters rust out, the water pump breaks down, the tap washers leak, the drains get blocked or the septic overflows, you are the person people go to.  If the Computers break, the email is down, the server crashes, the anti-virus definitions are out of date, someone needs a new laptop or the computers need upgrades, you are the technician (or you know someone who is).  If the Electricity fails, the light globes blow, the solar water heater fails, the backup generator fails (or needs servicing, fuel or parts), people look to the Regional Manager for a solution. If the staff, students, teachers, guests, translators or visitors have a problem of any kind, the Regional Manager is the go to person – day or night (usually night for some obscure reason – I’m sure they secretly plan it).  If there is a security incident, a vehicle accident, a military / political coup (just had one two weeks ago), or a medical problem ranging from headaches and childbirth to broken bones and funerals, the Regional manager usually finds out first and is the person everyone expects to have all the answers.  If the vehicle or vehicles break down, the Regional Manager is the one they call on, for repairs, rescue or towing.  If a translator, literacy team, survey team or one of our partner organizations needs supplies sent out to their village, the Regional manager is the person they call on.  From buying fan belts for ancient German lawnmowers to mow the airstrip so the plane can land, to buying enough supplies and materials to build a complete three bedroom house – the Regional manager does it all!  If there is a tsunami alert, an earthquake, a cyclone, fire or flood, the Regional Manager is the go to person and has a contingency plan for evacuation or relocation.  The Regional Manager is the Bank Manager, the Accountant, the financial consultant, the debt collector and a clerk.  The Regional Manager is a teacher, a counselor, a chef and a dishwasher, a veterinarian, a gardener, a guard and a friend.  The Regional manager refuels helicopters and planes, loads trucks and boats and communicates by phone, HF radio, email, Skype, 2 way radio and standard mail.  Regional Managers are integral to the work of Bible Translation in PNG.  Translators and Language teams depend heavily on them.  Regional Managers take care of all the details so the Translators and Literacy teams can focus on the work of Bible Translation.

 I hope that helps you to be able to communicate to your friends and potential supporters what it is that you will be getting yourselves in for.  I hope that didn’t scare you at all – all of those things (and more) that I listed above my wife and I experienced in our 5 years managing the Lae Centre.  You don’t have to have all the answers; you just need to know where to look.  It’s the most exciting job around – helping people gives us a buzz and that we can do that in support of Bible Translation gives it so much meaning!

If you have any more questions or need anything from us, please ask – we love this work and will take any opportunity to tell others about it.

 With you in His service,

Mark