A Day in the Life of David
The other day I was asked to write about what I do here in Shell so that the information could be shared with the Information Technology (IT) department at the MAF headquarters in Redlands. Once I had this written down I realized it would be perfect to share with everyone else interested in our ministry in Shell. I don’t normally like to send something out as wordy as this, and like to include photos, but this one time I’m going to chance it.

I'm afraid a day in my life is not too terribly exciting. My days are filled with a variety of tasks, yet many days seems rather routine, and other days are frustrating and fruitless. The variety is what I thrive on though, and I'm always up for a new challenge. As long as I find a small success now and then, that's reason enough to keep on plugging away.

There have been many days when I have thought I must be one of the least qualified people to take on this job. Here I am just as happy as can be using a Macintosh, and I agree to take on the task of running two Windows networks and setting up three different Linux servers. I've burned a lot of midnight oil, said a lot of prayers, listened to a lot of advice, and it's slowly coming together.

One of the first things I did on returning to Shell in August 2001 was to replace the coax cable network with twisted pair cable. We have twelve workstations and two printers on the network. In August we also set up our Linux e-mail server in Shell and transitioned the users off of the old e-mail system. There were quite a few setbacks and unexpected twists, but we now have a very functional e-mail server with approximately thirty users. I would say the most important aspect of the Shell IT department is providing e-mail service.

Our Internet connection is through a continuous modem connection to the HCJB hospital in Shell. The hospital is connected to the Internet through two separate satellite connections. Needless to say our connection isn't very fast, but it does get the job done. Access to the WWW has become very important to our maintenance and avionics programs. Ordering parts and tools as well as finding critical information about radios and instruments are a couple ways we make use of the WWW. Providing web access is another important function of the Shell IT department. By the way, did I mention that the Shell IT department consists of just one person?

I just recently finished the final setup of a Linux e-mail server in the jungle village of Makuma. This is the location of a long-time GMU base. Three families still work in this location, providing leadership and training for churches as well as working on an OT synopsis translation project. The server connects by HF radio to our server in Shell between six and seven times a day. Power is obtained using a generator, and it's only run 8 to 10 hours a day. An ongoing project for this server is trying to figure out how to use an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to shut down the computer when the power goes off.

The third and final Linux server I am working on is in the Quito office. We have a network in the office with four workstations. As soon as I can work out some problems in the setup, I hope to have this server replace the cc:Mail server in Quito. This has taken much longer than I ever thought it would, and that's because we're dialing the ISP and having clients call in on the same phone line. That threw a wrench in things and I'm embarrassed to say that took a while to figure out.

Helping people out with their personal computer problems also takes up much of my time. Often it's not something that's in my job description, but it is a service I can provide. PC repair options are few and far between here on the edge of the rainforest and I've spent a lot of time learning by trial and error. I’m happy to report that most of these jobs end in success. The more time this old Mac user spends troubleshooting Windows, the more comfortable I become with this aspect of my service here in Shell.

In an organization that uses airplanes to serve and minister, I sometimes feel like I'm just a toe on the body. I'm overwhelmed by the fact that the Lord can use me at all, and that He has chosen to do so. E-mail is so important to every missionary in Shell, not just the MAF missionaries. There are nine families in Ecuador that have access to reliable and convenient e-mail service because of the MAF
e-mail system. That might not sound like much, but for those nine families, our service makes an immense difference in their effectiveness and ability to get the job done.

Last year, while I was a teacher at the Nate Saint School, there was not a full-time IT person in Ecuador. A mechanic, a pilot, and an avionics technician did the job, each doing what they could. Of course they had other things to do besides reinstalling Windows, troubleshooting bad hard drives, and administering the network server. This year they are able to spend more time doing what they came here to do.

So there you have it. A day in the life. None of this would happen without your support. You make it possible, and we thank you.

Praise:

• Dustin’s knee is healed.
• Our ministry support level has reached 100%
• We’ve decided to stay another year!

Prayer:

• The Nate Saint school will need three new teachers by August
• For good health for the family, particularly the allergies that bother Dustin and Ellyn