Sawmillers needed!! Cyclone Pam recovery

[jclvsall]

Hello FF members,

    I haven't been on here in a while. Too busy cutting crossties trying to keep up with a thirsty tie market.  Good thing right...

    I may have mentioned before that my family and I are missionaries in Vanuatu ( formerly The New Hebrides).   That is my "other job".  Or maybe sawmilling is my other job...

    2 months ago the islands of Vanuatu were devistated by a Cyclone (hurricane) more powerful than Katrina.   

     With the generous support of a few churches a bunch of people and the sponsorship of Woodmizer we are getting ready to load a container with 3 mills to send to Vanuatu. 

    Our plan is to use the mills to cut up downed trees to provide lumber to rebuild with on a few of the more remote islands.

    I am here asking for volunteers who might be inerested in traveling to Vanuatu later this year to help set up and train locals to use these mills.

   We will have 2 LT15s and one Linn. 

   I couldn't think of a better place to find folks who know sawmilling.

We haven't nailed down dates yet. It all depends on when the mills actually arrive.

   Anyone interested can contact me through here.  I will check back.


All Blessings
Brian Renshaw
Vanuatu Field Coordinator
Missionary Ventures International

   

[prittgers]

I am shipping the 2 LT15s this weekend.

Blessings and shalom to the people of Vanatu!

Parker Rittgers, Anchorage, Alaska

[Ianab]

Hmmm.. I'd give it some serious consideration if you needed a swing blade operator.

But I'm afraid that with a band mill it would be the blind leading the blind, and the locals would probably have to teach me  : :P

[prittgers]

I was at Texas Roadhouse the other day.  The music got rowdy and it looked like a bunch of swing blade operators were dancin in the aisles.

Alaska Boy!

[woodyone.john]

I had once hoped to do something similar with VSA.I seem to have plenty of work with my 40 super here in Auckland but I have always wanted to do something like that.Prior to that I used to use a 10 inch Peterson swing blade.I am far from a christian but you could contact me with more details if interested.
cheers john

[jclvsall]

Hey Parker, great to hear they are heading out.  I will PM you with some info you will need to give the delivery guy. 

There are quite a few swing blades in Vanuatu.  I have never used one. 

John, we have an office in Browns Bay. What do you cut in NZ?  I would be interested to hear what your blade choices are. 

Brian

[NZJake]

Hi Brian,

I spent all day Saturday getting these mills ready, making sure it gets out on time (just need some decals and its ready to go).

The Auto unit is heading to Port Villa via airfreight. Hopefully we will get it packed up on Monday. I fly over when its cleared through customs. We have also donated a mill to the government - this one is already there waiting.

So we will hold a bit of a training day at the government center covering both mills. Once I give them notice they will announce it on the radio.

Seems we have a number of mills in the pipe line headed to Vanuatu. The Auto mill will be setup in Tanna island where it was hit hardest.

This is the new 2015 model - first one off the line will be used by Pete and Alison form Australia (they kindly donated the mill with the help of their church - and are actually moving to the islands to cut timber for the locals, while helping with other logistics).

Hopefully we will see other brands of mills operating in Vanuatu supporting the cause!



  

  

 

[woodyone.john]

Jake ,that looks like the perfect jungle machine

[jclvsall]

This is awesome Jake! So glad to see I am not the only gig in town!  We are going to be bouncing around north of Efate where Pam entered the country.  We got reports that folks like you were headed down to Tanna and Erro so we didnt want to double up.  Shoot me a pm with your contact info and we can stay updated on each others projects.   All blessings Brian