The container has arrived

Ryan, the Church construction manager here in Kinshasa, lives in Provo and offered to bring items from the U.S. in the shipping container that was coming from his company because it would not be full. The items were gathered in December and shipped sometime after with expected delivery in March, 2014.

It never arrived, so trying to find a container bigger than an elephant proved to be difficult. It was tracked to a certain port but was not received there because the dockworkers were on strike so the ship went to another port and dumped it there.

It took weeks and weeks to find that much out and it proved to be a problem because the local that was ready to help it get through the challenging process of having a container cleared had to have it land in the first port. So it has taken almost four months to locate, beg, borrow, and bribe to get the container released. It arrived this week and Ryan delivered two boxes yesterday. We were expecting the plastic tub Janine had prepared but we also received a box from Wayne and Julie and their children. We opened both and were so thankful for the efforts of Janine and Ralph as well as Juli and Jen and others in the Gale family, oatmeal (much needed), floss, and many things like that. Wonderful CD's with great music to listen to and the richest of chocolate. We will be the hit (we hope) around Thanksgiving if the pumpkin pies materialize as well as cranberry sauce for "turkey", more likely a big chicken (not quite ready to pay $45 for a 6 lb. turkey). The chocolate and nuts are always in demand. Thank you Janine & Ralph.

The other box was a surprise and a rather emotional unveiling. It was from Julie and Wayne Hardinger with a document recounting their experiences with life altering realities. It was an expression of emotions across the spectrum. How do you react when you are told that you will die and it will be within a very short period of time? The personal perspective ended in December because the box was delivered to Ryan to be put with the other things. With all the world-altering experiences they were going through they were so thoughtful and loving to gather wonderful items that will make our lives more enjoyable here in Kinshasa.

The sadness comes from the fact that the box took longer to get here than the cancer took to extinguish the mortal probation of Wayne. We didn't have a chance to thank him personally but I'm sure Julie had a lot to do with the wonderful assortment of goodies like chocolate chips and dried whole eggs. We are making many cakes for PEF loan holders when they make a $100 payment to reduce their debt, so dried eggs will come in handy. The family picture is a treasure, thanks to all who helped and shared time and means. Tears were shed. These experiences make me want to be better so I can live eternally with family members that have made a major impact on my life.

Thank you family,

Elaine & Mark