The Big Present

It was just a couple of weeks after Christmas when we received this big package from Nazarene Hospital Foundation.

It was quite a bit larger than most of the presents that any of us received at Christmastime this year.  In fact, it was larger than any present we'd ever gotten from NHF.  Although some of us had not taken down our trees, this box wouldn't fit under any of them.  We had to put it under a really tall tree up by the warehouse.

Many of you know that NHF in a ministry headed by Dr. Todd Winter in Medford, Oregon.  It's mission is "to support the ongoing work of Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea through the collections of medicine, medical supplies, equipment and cash donations."  They collect much-needed medical supplies and equipment, and ship it to us several times per year.  There were items from this container that were in use before the day was out.

The day that a container arrives is always exciting for us, as it often means the relief of at least some of the shortages that we have been dealing with.  It means that we can serve the people of the PNG highlands even better.  But this one was an especially big deal, because it was a 40-foot container, the first one ever sent by NHF.  They usually send a 20-foot container.  Judy is in charge of the medical storeroom, and is responsible for receiving, unloading, and distributing or storing the supplies and equipment that arrive.  For weeks she had been clearing out her various storage areas in anticipation of this day.  We usually only know approximate arrival times, so she is on edge for several days!

 When the container arrives, Judy calls together "her men".  No, I don't worry about her having a lot of men--these are faithful hospital staff and a few missionaries who come to do the hard work of unloading.  This time, since it came on a Saturday, I could be one of her men!

When we first open the door of the container, we have to be careful.  Like the flight attendant always reminds you, some items may have shifted.  This time nothing fell out!

Many of you will recognize missionary Jeff Myers, getting that critical first box off the load.

Some of you may remember Apa, about whom I posted a couple of years ago.  That's him in the black shirt and the shaved head.  They are still having to be careful about not letting things fall.

Each item is labeled.  As each one is unloaded, Judy calls out the orders as to where it should go: "Container 1" (she has 3 containers used as storage space), "Pharmacy" (this one goes on a truck that will ultimately haul several loads of medicines), "Storeroom" (these are items that need to be sorted, but that will be put into use in the immediate future--they go on another truck).  The relay of helpers moves them to their destinations.

And that's MK Ethan Myers with his back to the camera.  Strong kid, big help!

Heavier items need a team effort.  Here a crate of surgical instruments is unloaded.

 And here comes a new anesthesia machine!  That's a big deal!

Even with a team, we didn't try to carry this one very far!  We moved it from the container onto a truck, and then backed up to the warehouse.  That's my "concentrating real hard" mouth.  You know I'm focused when you see that.  And that's Jeff, telling me what to do.  Of course, that's what I needed.

Thanks to Todd and his crew of helpers in Oregon for all the work involved in collecting, packing and loading all of this.  And thanks to all of you who donated supplies or funds to NHF.  If you want to get involved, see their website at this link.

AB