Through the Seasons

Care Packages

First of all, I want to say THANK YOU for the care packages that have been sent.  I know of 2 for sure and both are still in transit.  I can’t wait to see what’s in them.  It’ll be like Christmas!  I also want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has asked about sending care packages.  We’re grateful and very humbled that you would think of us and even go to the trouble of sending us a package. 

We’ve been asked what we want/need/like/etc.  Jonathan put a list on the main page of the website under “Care”.  It’s been a while since that was posted and I don’t know what’s on there but Jonathan and I sat down and brainstormed today about what we may need, want, and miss. 

This is hard for a couple reasons.  First of all, we’re living on a survival level right now and our basic needs (and beyond) are being met so we aren’t desperate for anything.  A few of our needs, albeit minor ones, could be met by getting things out of storage in Dar es Salaam but that’s not going to happen so we’re doing without those small things.  Another little problem we have trying to generate this type list is coming up with things that can be shipped.  For example, I’d love to have some sour cream, Dean’s french onion dip, tombstone frozen pizza, tater tots, and a pumpkin pie…smile…  But we did, in fact, come up with a list and I’ll put it below for anyone interested. 

Candles
Lotion
Bible Study(ies)
Dried fruit
Instant Grits (packets)
Instant Oatmeal (plain flavor – packets)
Cookie/Brownie/Cake mix (the less ingredients I have to add to it, the better)
Frosting
Nuts to snack on
Trail mix
Kettle korn (unpopped – microwavable packets)
Movie butter popcorn (unpopped – microwavable packets)
Starburst
Tootsie Roll Pops (suckers)
Hard candy but we can’t think of specifics right now
Sugarfree gum (sweet flavors if possible)
Tangerine Altoids
Strawberry Mentos
Twizzlers
Splenda packets
Salad Dressing dry mix packets (where you make your own)
Dip dry mix packets (where you make your own)
Flavored snack crackers
Pecan Sandies
Decaffeinated Iced Tea Bags
Wordsearch puzzles
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Babywise (not 100% sure of that title but heard it was a good baby book)  Are there any books good at preparing you for labor??

And anything else you know of that can be shipped that we may like. You may have ideas of your own of things we’ve never heard of. I’m guessing on the salad dressing and dip dry mixes. I know the actual dip and salad dressing would be hard to ship but if there were a way to ship a little packet where I could add something to it to make my own, that would be great. It just depends on what has to be added to it. For example, I don’t have sour cream and I would think you’d add that to dip but I could be wrong. I don’t know anything about those dry mixes. We’re just grateful for anything we get really. It reminds us we’re loved…smile…

As far as how to send the packages, www.usps.com should help. There is a flat rate box, I believe, where you get a certain sized box, fill it up, and send it for one flat rate, which I think is about $37. I don’t know the details very well though so check with the post office.

Our address here is:
Our names (of course)
C/O Riverside Campsite
PO Box 238
Iringa
Tanzania

I would say shipments could safely be made from the U.S. through November 5th. We leave here December 15th and although the post office says packages should arrive in 7-10 days, many here have experienced a 2-4 week ship time and once it arrives we must find a ride to town and get it out of customs. Cards and letters though can be mailed through November 15th safely.

In the near future we’re going to make a list of baby items we need and send them to my parents who are going to register at Target for us so I’ll let you know when that happens as well. One thing we’ll need help with along those lines is shipping costs. We’ll need a few big items that can’t be purchased here along with many small things as well. Shipping them will be a large one-time cost but there is no alternative for us. If you’re interested in helping in this way we’ll keep you updated and you can simply send a contribution into Wycliffe. But more on all this later.

Thank you all so much for caring about us and wanting to not only send us things we need but treat us with things we simply want as well. We’re so grateful!!