Sending a Package?
We love getting mail! While the mail service is not as reliable or fast as that in the US, please don't let that deter you from mailing something if you wish!!!
You can send us mail at:
Shawn (or Sarah) Gardner
Boa Nova Para Africa
C.P. 688
Nampula, Mozambique
Several individuals and churches have expressed a desire to send us a care package from time-to-time. We are humbled by your thoughtfulness! We have some information which you may find useful if you decide to send us something!
If you choose to mail your box "airmail" it will take approx. one to two months.
If you choose "surface mail" (which means by boat) then that will take anywhere from three months and beyond!!
We have received "express mail" packages and also "DHL", both of these arriving in record times of approx. two weeks. But this option is very expensive.
Just to be safe, if you want your package to arrive for a specific date, you should try to mail it at least two months early.
On your customs form, you don't need to be specific about the items you are packaging. You can check the "personal" or "gift" box and then list the bargain-basement clearance price. Also, please don't include too many new-looking items (food not included); we have had customs officials hassle us before when we received a box full of videos. At the most send two or three DVDs, videos or CDs. And try to put the items of most value in the middle of the box as we've received boxes with things stolen from the bottom or top of the package. Tape up the corners and sides of the boxes for added durability as the boxes tend to get hammered!!
Be aware of weight! The price for postage quickly goes up with heavy items. (You can go to http://ircalc.usps.gov/ to calculate the approx. cost of mailing your package). Also keep in mind that we live in a city, albeit a city in Africa. Heavy things such as paper, canned foods, salt, pasta, soap, etc. are all things that we can buy here. We can get many items but not always "special" and "fun" things.
Since we live in a tropical climate, certain foods like chocolates and candies quickly melt. You can wrap all items that will melt or leak in separate ziplock bags in order to not get everything else in the box dirty. Occasionally a package will get wet if rained on; perhaps you can wrap anything that would get damaged when wet in a plastic bag.
For the most part we have received care packages in fine condition with no items missing or damaged. And the packages are always such a blessing and so encouraging. Thank-you for thinking of us!!!!
Here are some ideas for things you can send if you so desire...
- fruit snacks for the kids
- cheerios or other baby-friendly snacks
- coloring books or stickers for the kids
- educational things for the kids (posters, flash cards, magnets, workbooks, etc.)
- craft ideas for the kids, esp. Bible-themed crafts
- granola bars
- Dentyne cinnamon gum
- Crystal light or similar sugar-free drink mixes, esp. grapefruit and iced tea flavors
- Parmesan cheese
- Velveeta cheese
- marshmallows
- "quick" meal helps like macaroni and cheese, gravy and pasta sauce mixes, cookie mixes, etc.
- taco seasoning
- small can of Crisco
- baking items like cookie cutters, decorations, nuts, chocolate or other chips, etc.
- small quantities of treats like M&Ms, Reese's, etc.
- infant/children's medicine (colds, fever, upset stomach, etc.)
- duct tape or other good-quality tape or superglue
- scripture memory songs
- worship music (either professional or a tape of your church's worship service!)
- photos of you and your church
Gardners' special dates...
- Shawn - April 29
- Sarah - September 19
- Anniversary- October 10, 1998
- Benjamin- January 28, 2003
- Olivia- February 21, 2005
- Caleb- August 17, 2006
|