Engineering Nerd Work

Sitting in a cubicle in front of a computer screen for long periods of time has never appealed to me.  Unfortunately sometimes it is necessary.  Despite this, in my work this summer at HCJB I have done my best to get outside and work with my hands, two of my favorite activities.  I thought I would tell a little about what I've been up to the past few weeks here in Elkhart, Indiana.

My cube, where I spend as little time as possible.

The Tech Center has quite an interesting group of people.  If I ever get stuck on something I have some smart missionaries to ask for help: a rocket scientist from NASA, engineers from Hewlett-Packard, guys who have built antenna towers in countries I've never heard of, and then there's Herb - he's been a missionary with HCJB for 62 years and still going strong!


Shogo (a fellow intern), Harold (my very knowledgeable supervisor), and I have been working on developing a source of alternative energy for health and radio ministries of HCJB.  The technology we are looking at involves power generation by a solar thermal tower, or solar chimney.  The objective is to determine if it's a feasible option for use in rural areas of the developing world where no electric grid exists.  This could supplement power for a small radio transmitter or a health clinic in a nice and sunny place like Africa.  Some advantages include the use of local materials, simple construction, and relatively low cost.

Bud, Harold, and Shogo in the machine shop.

As it turns out there is not a ton of information on the topic.  Seeing as only one large scale solar chimney has been successfully built and used in the world, we decided to start by building some of our own.  How hard could it be?  We started with a little guy.

Now we're going a little bigger for Prototype 2.  It's been a very educational experience, plenty of mistakes to learn from.  Shogo has been handling most of the electrical work (don't know what I'd do without him) while I've handled a lot of the construction and mechanical aspects.


The concept has been demonstrated, now we just have to make adjustments and improvements for the actual size.  We're still working on testing different designs and getting a few bugs out of our electronic measuring devices.


Some might wonder why a civil engineer is doing this kind of work.  Well, I don't know but I'm learning a good amount as I go.  The great people here at HCJB have done a lot to make sure I feel welcome here.  They found me a civil engineer to act as my mentor.  So thanks to Tom, the county engineer, I've been able to learn about what civil engineers are supposed to do.  He has kindly let me visit some of his project sites around town, and even let me get my hands dirty.  So now I can say I helped build a bridge.

I've managed to keep myself pretty busy.  My time here so far has been full of great experiences.  It's such a great work environment to be surrounded by believers who are radically devoted to the Lord, and who work for God's kingdom behind the scenes, without worrying about getting any recognition.  More important than any of the work I accomplish here are the relationships I'm building with the staff and interns, and growing stronger in my faith.

HCJB Team in Haiti

Here's one story of how some of my coworkers at the HCJB Technology Center have served the needs of others. This is a project in Haiti a few weeks ago where they helped out Kids Alive International. These missionaries have become friends of mine and are a huge inspiration to me. It's great to see their work in action here and around the world.

Go to the Land I Will Show You

In a few months I will be over 8000 miles away in a land I know very little about with a language I will most likely never understand.  So basically, if I dug a hole down through the earth right now, survived the molten core, and came out the other side, I would end up pretty close to where I will be in September.  It's crazy the places God can take you if you're not careful.


My project assignment with EMI this fall will be in Thailand, where the team will be spending two weeks.  I got a list of possible EMI project trips for this fall, and listed my preferences and interests.  Shortly after that I received my project assignment based on the needs for each project, individual skills, and experience.  Needless to say, I am extremely excited!

"Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you."

Genesis 12:1

The project is serving a healthcare ministry in jungle communities by designing safe housing, clean water supply, and sanitation for a village.  However the main goal is to provide training in construction techniques for building new medical facilities in remote areas.

Thailand: Jungle School of Medicine

My project team is still being formed as we wait for volunteer engineers, architects, and builders to offer their time and skills.  Please pray that some great people will follow God's call to help and join us!

eMi Construction Projects in Africa

eMi- construction management from Halle Project on Vimeo.

Here's a look at how Engineering Ministries International has worked with construction management in East Africa.

Hands to Work, Hearts to God

The title of the blog has been changed.  I'm very indecisive about these things.  Maybe it will change again, no guarantees.  So I took the phrase from the Shakers, which are kind of like the Amish, which I guess is appropriate since I'm in Indiana...  Let's not over analyze it.


Anyway I think the title pretty well sums up what the life of a believer should be.  We put our God-given talents to work, we are not spectators in life waiting around for something to happen.  God calls us to work at transforming this world.  At the same time we realize that our work means nothing if our hearts are not devoted to the Lord.  Remembering this helps keep me on track as far as my motivations for what I do.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 

Colossians 3:23-24

Having finished my first week working at the HCJB Global Technology Center here in Elkhart, it's becoming very clear why God wanted me here.  I'm getting opportunities thrown at me faster than I can catch them.  My project is pretty interesting: Shogo Matsuki and I, with our supervisor Harold, are developing an alternative energy solution to provide power to small radio transmitters and health clinics for HCJB ministries in rural Africa.  Getting to know the other interns from all over the country (and world) has been great.  It should be a good summer with these guys (and girl).

The summer crew: Caleb, Shogo, me, Emily, Ian, Brian, and Scott (our intern liaison)

We found Tom, a civil engineer who is going to be my mentor for the summer, and it turns out he lives about a mile from me, go figure.  Tom has offered to show me some project sites around Elkhart, a great opportunity.  I'm also getting involved in a Bible study and possibly a church small group.  Sarah and Andrew have been great hosts, besides all the yard work and dishes they've made me do, I couldn't ask for anything more.

So needless to say, I'm very excited about the experiences I'll have this summer and the impact I can have here at HCJB.  For everyone who has been praying for me, God is answering those prayers in ways I never expected.  That seems to be the way He often works.

Trusting God to Provide

When I first considered working for a mission organization I have to admit the thought of raising my own support was pretty intimidating.  But I have realized that it's not just about raising money, it's about gathering all the people that have had a positive impact in my life and allowing them to be a part of my ministry.  With spiritual and financial support from family and friends I am held accountable while being encouraged.  It's a great feeling to have others stand behind me, giving me the strength I need.

"Two are better than one... if one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 

God has blessed me with supportive family and friends to surround me and lift me up.  I am very grateful to have a place to stay here in Indiana.  My sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Andrew, have kindly opened up their house to me for the summer.  Just another way that God has provided.


I am focusing my financial support raising efforts on my internship with EMI in the fall.  This is because the program involves a more significant financial need, including housing and international travel.  My goal is to raise $7000 before the start of my term in August.  


God is definitely teaching me about dependence on Him.  At times I am tempted to think that I am self-sufficient and don't need help from anyone.  By putting me in this situation, God is showing me this is not true.  The more I trust Him to provide, the more God can accomplish through my service.