Quote from Forum Archives on February 8, 2003, 7:30 am

Posted by: btolliver <btolliver@...>

Greetings to our In-Pact partners, friends, and family!

 

Of necessity, we're sending this little extra note, minus any news or prayer requests.  In response to some inquiries already made by a number of readers about "Care" packages, we're sending this information along in order to help you understand the situation here in Ukraine.  We'll answer two basic questions:

    1.  What is appropriate or needed?

    2.  How can I get it to you?

 

What is appropriate or needed?

 

    1.  Food items:  These are always things we would enjoy having but are either difficult or impossible to find here.  So, anytime we get things like this, we think it's Christmas all over again.

        Mountain Trail Mix (fruit, nuts, M&M kind preferred) (Available at Sam's)

        Flavored whole coffee beans (French Vanilla, Hazelnut Creme)

        Microwave popcorn (always a treat)

        Granola Bars (Sunbelt brand preferred)

        Slim Fast "energy" bars

        Cheese cracker packs (Austin brand preferred)

       

    2.  Personal Care items:

        Jergens lotion "Original" and for "Extra Dry" skin.

 

    3.  Entertainment items:

        A good devotional, biographical, or Christian fiction book (ask about specific titles)

        Music CD's (ask about specifics)

        DVD movies (ask about specific requests)

            I Love Lucy, Andy Griffin Show, Abbott and Costello, Victor Borge, etc.

            Swiss Family Robinson duo, Animal types, adventure, etc.

            Good PG or G rated family type.  (Not into action or drama.)

        Jigsaw puzzles

        Christian Magazines  such as Moody Monthly, Christian Life/Charisma, etc. Anything newer than Dec, 2002 we don't have.  (We get Focus on the Family already)

        Music DVD (Gaither, etc.)  (ask about what we already have)

            Musicals, Praise and Worship, Mark Lowry, Anthony Burger, Dino

            Music with scenery

 

    4.  Other items:

        Greeting cards

        Letters

        Pictures of you

        Videos or audio cassettes of you

 

    5.  Another great idea:  If you're wanting to send books, music, CD's, DVD's, etc. go to www.amazon.com and buy a gift certificate for us.  There is a warehouse in Germany, and we can go on line and order what we'd like to have as your "care" gift to us.  You can do the same with other companies, but you need to keep in mind the often excessive shipping costs.  And, sometime we even have to pay customs fees that are more than the value of the item.

 

 

How can I get it to you?

 

There are several ways you can get things to us.

 

1.  Send with someone coming over.  There are usually missionaries, volunteers,or groups coming over frequently.  By planning ahead and inquiring early, we can help you locate such people who might have a little extra space.  For example, there are several people coming from various places during March and April.

 

2.  Send by U.S. Postal Airmail.  Depending on what you are sending, this may get a little expensive.  If the packages are small, this is a good and reliable means.

 

3.  UPS, Fed-Ex, or special carrier.  You will need to check on costs.

 

4.  M Bag from the U.S. Post Office strictly for printed material only (books, magazines).  You can ship up to 60 pounds at the cost of $1.00 per pound.  It comes with a metal locking device and an address label.  However, sometimes this will take six to eight weeks or longer.  One missionary couple never has received a bag sent to them months ago.

 

5.  Always use this address, no matter the means by which you send:

    Bob and Jo Ann Tolliver

    International Mission Board

    3-A, L. Tolstogo St.

    Kiev-4, 01004

    Ukraine

We are less than ten minutes from the IMB office, and all mail for us goes there where we pick it up.  If it is via U.S. mail, we will receive a notice there that we have a package to pick up at the post office.

 

Well, we think we've answered most of the questions regarding how those who wish can bless us with personal things.  Ministry-wise there are other things you can do through the IMB to undergird our missionary work here, but these things get to us directly.  In fact, we have some specific projects at International Baptist Church that cannot be fulfilled without financial undergirding.  If you have questions about or interest in these things, drop us a note and we'll explain the need and the process.

 

If you have other questions, just let us know.

 

All our love,

 

Bob and Jo Ann

 

Bob Tolliver
IBC - Hope4Kyiv
lifeunlimited@pobox.com
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