GETTING CLOSER
The packing of the container continues...

29/07/02 - Over the last few weeks Hannah and Katy Parsons have been helping at the Watering Hole, preparing the contents of the container, which will be sent to Africa by GLAM - the Great Lakes (Africa) Mission! This is their report...

Hannah, Sadiki and Katy with a selection of boxes packed with clothing to be sent over to Rwanda. The clothes were kindly donated by Andrew and Carol Parsons; the boxes were very kindly donated by Jewsons!

We have been helping to pack boxes of medical supplies and computer equipment to go into the container. We also spent a day learning how to format hard drives for the PC's, and set them up with Windows 95. Hundreds of computers have been donated, and the task is then to sort through them, make repairs and adjustments so that they can be sent out. From spending just a few days at the Watering Hole we have been able to feel a part of this project, but have also seen the huge task set for those involved. But for both of us it has been encouraging to see God’s provision.

Sorting through all the medical equipment was an interesting experience. Most articles were still sealed and all were in good condition. We had a bit of a laugh sorting through all the equipment because we had no idea what all the individual items were, so it’s a good job that when it reaches Africa there will be trained medical professionals there who will know what everything is. We also packed up boxes of adult, baby and children’s clothes, paint, wallpaper, toys, books and musical instruments. And in most boxes a few duvet covers went in - hundreds have been donated for the hospital.

It was surprising for us how much work goes into making one computer ready for Africa. When we had a go at formatting we managed to get 3 computers formatted out of about 12! The others had problems, which needed to be sorted out which of course takes time! This was about one afternoon’s work for the two of us.

"One down, 287 to go..." Hannah and Katy knuckle down to the painstaking and often thankless task of checking each piece of donated computer equipment. Many computers we simply can't get working - the trailerful of equipment in the background is due to be picked up for scrap at the end of July (along with twice as many more out of picture). Sometimes the problem may be a very simple one that we don't have the knowhow to identify and rectify. If you're computer hardware-literate and have some free time and a fair bit of patience, we'd appreciate some guidance! Email us here!

People have been very generous in donating items to send to Africa. When speaking with Derek he told us that God has been good in enabling many contacts to be established with other registered charities and organisations. Equipment has been given to us from other charities so we have been able to give to them also, and then we are given more items similar to those we gave away! God does provide well for us!

This sharing process has allowed unity and friendships to be established and is a blessing to all involved. Katy will be going to South Africa in September to work as a volunteer with The Love of Christ Ministries. They look after abandoned children and newborn babies, many of whom are HIV positive. This means they need large supplies of clothes, food and medicine as well as other less essential items. As a result, links have been established with GLAM and The Love of Christ Ministries. This is just one example of how God provides. (For more information about The Love of Christ Ministries go to the links page for their website).

The container will be sent out in August with people to oversee the projects that are in the process of being set up.