January 28, 2013
Dear Friends, Brethren and Family
The rest of the story: (the flooded
container)
We lost two of the four donated sewing machines we were hoping to use
with the school, a lot of the medical supplies (surgical kits were still full
of water), a table is ruined on its top, first aid supplies ruined, a case of
salt by the front door is completely ruined, some of the food items that were
in the truck which got soaked in boxes the cans are all rusty now (two bowes
of Kathy's Cheerios were mouldy), a table saw at the back of the container was
laying on its face and the steel top is completely rusted and it will take a
lot of effort to make it useable again, a complete new tool kit I had at the
front of the container was full of water still and now rusty, rolls of toilet
paper that were on the floor in the truck were soaked thus useless, all the
aluminum parts under the hood are corroded very bad. I have not checked the
laminate flooring yet because it got dark but I know it was all soaking wet.
I would put the losses at around $500 even though we cannot replace most of what is lost.
sewing machine corroded and ruined
surgical kits with added water
soaked surgical gowns
table which was at the side of the truck shows level of water
Boxes of bandages, gauge and other first aid stuff completely soaked.
Some of the pill containers (with loose lids) were even full of water
tyres full of water in the back of the container
Addition damage I found this morning when got in the container. This moves my
damage assessment to over $1000.
water still in container
water in solar controller
table saw top
new gas welder kit (note gauges full of water) this was on the floorboard INSDIE
the truck
solar panel kits water damaged (note they are even on 2 x 4's)
laminate flooring
lights and bolts in the solar panel kits (those type of lights cost $60 each
here)
amount of water in the solar controller bag
Friday when we got in the truck to go to town, within 5 miles there was smoke coming out from under it so I went back home and found that there was much water in the transmission (the stick was covered with white not red fluid) and it was coming out of the overflow (someplace) and dripping on the exhaust pipe, hence the smoke.
I have talked with the agents here and they are perplexed as to how water got in the container to the level it was. I went home and checked and see it someone put a hole in the roof at some stage. (no holes) The pictures I sent did not do justice to the extent of the damage.
I took the bike into town to find transmission fluid for the Dodge (so far nobody has any) the cost to have a shop change out the fluid and flush the transmission is over $1200. But until we can source fluid we have no truck.
By Friday afternoon I was able to get everything out of the container and have put fine sand in there soaking up the transmission oil and water off the floor.
I have confirmed that the water did not come from a hole in the side or roof of the container. The only place it could have come was the front door seals (which are slack on the lower corners) and the container had to have been sitting in water somewhere (I would suspect New York -Hurricane Sandy - due to the extent of the rust build-up).
However it is also confirmed that the water level at some time was at least 21 inches as that is where the mold is on all the pieces of wood supporting the interior shelf we build over the truck. There is a level of rust on the inside of the container (as seen in the picture) at the 18 inch level.
All of the laminate flooring ($450 worth) has been sitting out in the sun to dry but it all has mould in the joints and will not be suitable to be used in our house as planned (as Kathy and I have allergies).
Friday - 25 January: I found some transmission fluid that should work but it is $85.00 a gallon here and with the amount of water in the transmission oil I will probably have to have the torque converter drained as well (hopefully we will not have to rebuild the transmission) it will take at least 3 gallons. Right now we are looking at $1,500-2,500 to get the transmission serviceable again. That is half the value of the truck and plus I paid $1400 duty and tax to get it into the country only to find this problem. (no refund from this government) I had thought to bring another transmission but it would have been on the floor and flooded as well.
We will have to see what the insurance people say!
Monday - 28 January: As far I can see you cannot drain the torque converter without taking the transmission out. And that is not going to happen here at the house. I found the AFT IV fluid for $85 a gallon. Today I found synthetic fluid recommended for all Chrysler transmissions that is $8.00 a liter (3'5 l per gallon).
I have taken off the oil pan, cleaned what I could and will fill it, check it and if I have to re-drain and refill. I cannot believe I did not bring any extra transmission fluid with us.
I guess I had better check the diff oil as well.
Here is what the fluid looked like after I drained it.
Tuesday - 29 January
I changed out the transmission fluid and then found the truck would not start.
I had to rebuild the starter. Now it starts!
Inside the starter solenoid on the truck
I thought I had a spare starter as I had brought one back with me as well as another alternator. The pictures show what condition they are in now - worthless!
The extra starter I brought
Inside the case of the spare starter (it was split open from the corrosion)
The spare alternator - does not turn at all.
Front seats
rear diff (yes there was water in it) See exhaust to the right!
right rear
left rear
spare tyre
The exhaust system and shocks are filthy with rust. I will have to change the fluid again to get the water out of the torque converter.
We are beginning to wonder if our name is Job and Mrs Job. I know the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". I am strong enough!!! Please!!!!!
The Lord does provide the strength to overcome all and He has been gracious to us. We will move forward and we ask for your prayers.
Your seed-sowing brother and sister.
Tobey & Kathy
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Contributions for the Huffs, the Bible school and house can be sent to:
Huffs/Bible School
c/ Mt Hope church of Christ
2830 Mt Hope Rd
Webb City MO 64870
or
Tobey & Kathy Huff
c/ 2730 E. 24th St
Joplin. MO 64804
Mailing Address:
PO Box 3229
Port Vila
Vanuatu
Ph: Mobile: (678) 596-8421
Web Site: http://www.oceania-outreach.com/Index.html