Several questions were asked of me over the last year. How can we help our missionaries physically with care packages? What can we send them? What have you cherished that was sent to you? So, in just a few seconds I easily thought of this list. I could easily list hundreds of more things of people praying, giving, loving. So, if you are looking for a unique way of loving and encouraging from afar here are a few ways we have been:
1) One of our home churches pays half for church camps and activities for our kids to attend. Even though it is not the home church we are currently are at throughout the year if we are back at the time of camp it sure is a blessing for the kids to be able to attend.
2) Another church found out what our favorites were and brought 6 different gifts for each, so that way at different holidays or birthdays we would have gifts to spread out and give.
3) Supporters brought school supplies and gave curriculum we were studying.
4) Sweet loved ones gave us vans, car seats, and their gas card to use when back in country since we have no vehicle and this saved so much and allowed us to visit more people when back.
5) Dear ones sent care packages via teams coming to visit of favorite sweets we miss, cooking spices we can't get here, favorites of Sports teams, pictures, personal notes, new books to read, sweet prayers, favorite verses to hang, and Holiday decorations (this was special as sometimes missing Holidays, time with family, and the changing of seasons can be bittersweet).
6. A prime membership - this was such a blessing in being able to ship books and items to groups when coming.
7. A travel bag - a special person would got us a travel bag knowing ours get used so much.
8. When back on furlough we are on the road a lot so a couple gave us a gift card for fast food and bags with snacks & travel toys for a fun treat on the road.
9. Some have had us over or treated us out to food we miss - like American, Italian, Mexican. And getting to run around (one family thoughtfully took us to their blackberry farm where the kids go to run, eat delicious berries, and not have to be cooped up in chairs after the 10 hour car drive) was huge!
10. People checking in and updating us on them and what we can pray for and letting us feel like we are still remembered. But they also specifically asked about us and let us know what they were praying for our particular needs.
