5 Easy ways you can practically care for a missionary: 1. Send an email, letter or card (Click HERE for missionary email addresses) 2. Call a missionary through Skype (Download Skype HERE) 3. Send a care package (See tips below) 4. Join with your small group to commit to caring for a missionary long term 5. Serve missionaries whey they are in town on furlough (See tips below) *For Missionary contact information or to sign up to care for a missionary as a small group, contact Cynthia Thomas at cthomas@northwestbible.org. Care Package Ideas: Before You Send:
Ask the missionary before sending your care package. This is important for a few different reasons. First, there are some things for which the missionary may end up having to pay a duty or other tax. Second, if the missionary is in a sensitive location, they may prefer certain things to be delivered to a different address (to be hand-carried in). And finally, you may be sending the missionary something which they can already get in country. Try to find out from the missionary what items they really can't get where they are. Trust me, most will not be shy about telling someone what they really want if they are asked! Don't be afraid to ask the missionary specifically for help. For example, "I'd like to send you some reading material is there a book or magazine you've been wanting to read?" OR "We are wanting to send you some personal items, do you need razors or deodorant? If so, which brands and scents could we get for you?" By asking specifically, it helps us not be so shy in telling you what we need. It is really hard to answer the question "what do you need us to send you?" Shipping/Packing: Often packages have to travel through several countries before they reach their destination. They may be thrown around, crushed, opened, and tax might be charged. They may even have specific things stolen, or they may not arrive at all! So how should you ship things? Here are a few ideas: Envelopes are best. If something is small enough to fit in an envelope, even a big bulky one, it's less likely to be opened. If you have a lot to send, use more than one package. If one is lost, you won't lose everything! The consensus seems to be SEAL things up. That way they're more trouble to open. Tape up the package, then wrap everything inside separately and tape them. You may be able to remove the original packaging to make the package smaller/lighter. Just don't forget the instructions, if such a thing is needed! If you must send liquids, triple bag them! Consider sending food in a different package from soaps, etc. Label with an address in the language of the target country (possibly as well as your language). Have your missionary send a copy of the address, and simply print it out or photocopy it. For shipping companies, DHL seems to be the number 1 choice for reliability. After that, USPS has some good overseas shipping options. What NOT to send:
*Money- There are better ways than sending cash and checks through the mail *Liquids- If you must: triple bag *Chocolate- It will likely melt along the way. *Heavy Stuff- Heavy stuff is ok if it's being carried in, but be careful if you're mailing it. Will it cost more than it's worth? Will the recipient be able to carry it home? One missionary recommended a maximum of 10 lbs/4.5 kg. This rule doesn't apply if you can carry it in yourself. And if it cost a fortune, the receiver won't enjoy it as much. Ideas on Caring for Missionaries in town on furlough: *Use your skills, gifts, resources, etc. to provide for any needs they may have. For example: 1. Doctor or nurse practitioner willing to give checkups 2. Dentist/dental hygienist willing to clean or do checkups
3. Musician willing to give missionary kids (MKs) lessons
4. Tutors to help MKs adjust to new classes
5. Someone wanting to sell/donate a car or who can lend it to a missionary before selling it
6. Someone with a large house who could host a missionary or missionary family while they visit or reside in Dallas
7. Someone who can help a missionary find housing - reasonably priced, furnished apartments in decent neighborhoods
8. Someone with computer knowledge who can fix missionaries' computer problems or teach them helpful new tools
9. Someone in the restaurant business who can treat a missionary or missionary family to a meal
10. People willing to babysit for a date night or while the missionaries speak to a community group
11. People willing to come help a missionary clean an apartment the week before they have to return to the field or move to another state
12. Moms willing to gather hand-me-down toys and clothes to fit the sizes of MKs for the right seasons during furlough
13. Accountant willing to help with financial issues and the complicated taxes we face, particularly for international missionaries
14. Someone willing to host partnership development (fund raising) gatherings
15. Someone who can help a missionary with vehicle problems
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