A few years ago Guy Willson, arranged the donation of two Woodmizer sawmills for the work, these have enabled us to train the locals in their use and to provide themselves with an income through selling small amounts of timber, they also repay some of the initial cost to encourage ownership and avoid the expectation of handouts, from ‘Dim Dim’s’. (white men)
In the last couple of months Aus Aid www.ausaid.gov.au approved a grant that will be split between Masurina Lodge www.masurina.com and Living Water Mission to construct two traditional sailing boats. (Masurina Lodge is run by a close friend of Guys who is also committed to helping the local people)
In the process of building these boats, the locals will learn boatbuilding and woodworking skills under Guys instruction. When complete they will be used to carry cargo, timber and other exports to Australia and between the islands.
We are very grateful to WorkingSail a company in the UK that builds these
pilot cutters and has been kind enough to assist us with a set of plans for our
project.
www.workingsail.co.uk
The grant includes the building of a new workshop, renovation of an existing one, along with the required tools, the purchase of two small speedboats and the building of a 3 bedroom house
with an office.
Whilst the above is ongoing L.W.M. is also involved in teaching in local churches and discipling young Christians through
the Basic Concepts Course.
The long term plans are as follows:
• Buy and install a refurbished Bukh 24hp diesel engine for our workboat.
• Build a mission base / training centre, on land provided to us by a local tribe on Normanby Island.
• Teach locals in ministry and in practical skills such as sailing and boatbuilding to enable their ministries to be self supporting and effective.
• Install a micro hydro electric scheme to provide power to the local village and the base, primarily for
the operation of power tools and lighting.
• Install satellite internet at the base.
This is the type of vessel that we will be building, they are based on the old pilot cutters of the Scilly Isles.