So you’re thinking about sending a package to Middle Earth?

We don’t “need” anything.  Living overseas has taught us to learn to do without a lot of what we thought we needed before coming to Rwanda.

The greatest thing about care packages though is the little glimpses of home they offer.  They scream “we miss you,” “we are thinking about you,” and “we care.”  I guess that is why they are called “care packages” and not “things-you-need-to-survive packages.”

We are delighted to receive stuff from back home because it is a reminder that we are not alone.  And, little bits of comfort are nice.

Some of you have asked for ideas! So here goes:

Letters from you! With an attached photo! – THIS MAKES OUR DAY!

Rotary blade cutter for sewing projects

Quart size Ziploc Bags

Stroop Waffels

Chocolate sprinkles (for the Dutchies- Hagelslag), or any other form of chocolate!

Droopjes (Dutch salted liquorice candies)

Skor bars

Envelopes of prepared mixes (sloppy joe, taco seasoning, salsa mix)

Sour Patch Kids

Salad Dressing mix packs: Ranch Dressing, Italian, etc…

Reading material! New Books! A magazine is great (news magazines included).

Worship CD

Hair stuff (clips, barrets, pony tail holders)

Hot Wheels cars for the boys

Benadryl for adults and Benadryl for kids

Tylenol for kids and for adults (Generic acetaminophen is great!)

Gravol for kids and for adults

Cool beads for jewelery making/ jewelery making supplies

Dried Cranberries, Blueberries or Cherries (can’t get berries here!)- very occasionally we see wild strawberries for sale.

Chocolate chips

Memory Stick for computer

Sending balls? Deflate!

Surprise us with anything…we’ll love it!

The best thing you can send is you! Two ideas – come and visit or come to help!

Please don’t send any perishable items! They will not make the trip without growing mold! (As much as we’d love cookies, fudge, etc!)

UPDATES:  Holiday treats

Christmas: candy canes!

Easter: any Easter egg candy!

Shipping/packaging

OUR ADDRESS:
Richard and Jocelyn Jelsma

Health and Wellness Center

C/O Christian Life Assembly

P.O. Box 4324

Kigali, RWANDA

Packages have to travel through several countries before they reach their destination.  They may be thrown around, crushed, opened, and tax might be charged.   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! SEAL things up.  That way they’re more trouble to open.  Tape up the package, then wrap everything inside separately and tape them. 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. Send via AIR MAIL if possible…we’ve waited many moons (read 8 months) for packages sent surface…