Today was a wonderful day. I guess every day is a wonderful day is one way or another, and for me it was in an usual kind of way. Today a huge burden was lifted off of my shoulders! I’m standing tall again (well, as tall as a short person can stand). My container left Sarasota today!
Now, any of the team leaders that ships containers to Honduras knows the stress and frustrations of packing and shipping a container (right Gayle???). You spend months collecting supplies. You spend weeks sorting supplies and discarding stuff that comes in that just isn’t appropriate to ship to Honduras (all I can say here is that I am constantly amazed what people donate to Honduras. I will leave it at that, those who help are laughing right now because they know). Then comes the days and days of boxing, labeling, and inventorying the supplies. Then, you call the shipper, book the date, and then pray that the truck actually arrives on the right day and the right hour!
But the grand finale is the day that the container is actually packed. And no matter how hard you try, you still have to scramble at the end to get the last things done, going without sleep, and pushing yourself to the brink of exhaustion. And for me, the added worry of wondering if there will be enough volunteers to come to help. I have decided that I am a worry wart. I really am. You can ask my wife, she knows more than anyone! I seem to take on the worst case, disaster written all over it kind of attitude. For the past few days I was convinced that there would be a “nobody showed up” crew to help load today.
But, as it happens EVERY time, I was wrong. And for the record, I am so glad that I am wrong every time on this one. I had the A team crew show up today. Not 5, or 6, I am talking around 20 volunteers came to help load the container. And just about every one of them SACRIFICED to be there by taking time off of work and working in the hot sun (my northern friends do not understand that concept this early in the year….). It took a bit longer than planned, but I just chalk that up to a “Welcome to Honduras” moment. And believe me, there were several of those this week and today. At one point all I could do was laugh.
The 40 foot container was packed tighter than you could possibly imagine. It looked as if every available inch of cargo space was used on this one. We spent 20 minutes trying to get the doors shut on the container because stuff was bulging out the back of the trailer. I am pretty sure I got my money’s worth out of this shipment. And it was full of very useful stuff this year. I can’t wait to get down there with the teams to give it all away. And that is one of the most awesome parts of the trip. To know that it is going to be GIVEN away, in the name of Jesus Christ, to people who really NEED it. Here in the states we get stuff because we WANT it, down there they NEED it. And it is so rewarding to be able to do it.
Thanks to everyone who helped today, and for all of you that donated supplies for the trip. Thanks to everyone that makes these trips go, I am truly convinced that Torch Missions is doing something right, and that we are providing an avenue for Christians to partake of the wonderful experience of mission work. To know the joys, and sorrows, the victories, and defeats, that make up kingdom work. To this end we will continue to provide ways and means for anyone who has a thirst to go and teach all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for He will be with us always, even until the end of the age.
Did I mention how beautiful a 40 foot container looks going down the road carrying mission supplies? B E A U T I F U L ! ! !
It is a beautiful sight, let me tell you! Next up, the May mission trip! Less than 2 weeks till departure. I am getting e-mails and phone calls everyday from the team members telling me how excited (and nervous) they are about the trip! And I am too, but the thrill of getting on that plane is the adrenaline to the soul! It is going to be a great trip, we have a great group going. Bring it on, we’re ready!
TR
11 comments:
Terry,
Do you want fries with that?
Love,
K
Terry,
Thank you so much for all you do. I know that a lot of the worry and the bulge were because of us. We can't wait to unload all of the stuff and sort through all of the kitchen things. The building is almost ready. The walls are up, the roof on, the floor tile is going in this week. Are you still planning on painting for us? Still coming for dinner? Can't wait for the group.
Love Ya,
the Kluge Family
Wish I could have been there to help load the container but I am looking foward to seeing all of the stuff down there! Can't wait! Wish we were leaving tomorrow!!!
Since the container is gone does that mean we can't send anything else down to Honduras? Just wondering.....
Since the container is gone we cannot take anything big now (sewing machines, computers, bicycles, etc.). Anything that is useful (medicines, toys, etc.) can be taken down in suitcases. Group leaders need to distribute last minute items within their groups to get it down to Honduras. Each person gets to take 2 suitcases, 50 pounds max limit, which can be used for the items.
Terry
Terry,
Thank you for doing all the grunt work during the year so that Torch can provide so much for the people of Honduras during the trips.
Love ya,
Anna "TN Rules" Palmer
I just read about the container being sent and it just pumped me up, I am so ready to go. The trip can't get here fast enough! Thanks Terry for all that you do to make this trip so special. It just gets better every year!
Hey Terry,
Who unloads the container once it gets to Honduras? Where is it kept? Who gives it away?
Just wondering and curious....
Hopefully my May team will be there when the container arrives and we will unload it. If not, there are people living in Honduras that work with us that will unload the container for us once it clears customs.
We keep all of our supplies in a large warehouse that the government allows us to use. It is an old factory that once made different types of medicines. It is locked and secured and has 24 hour security.
All of my teams (4) give the supplies away during their trips. Most of the time we give it all away, every now and then we have stuff left over that we give to another Torch team to give out for us. We make sure it is all given away each year. After this summer, we start from scratch and begin collecting supplies for 2007!
Terry
What a great site, how do you build such a cool site, its excellent.
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Looks nice! Awesome content. Good job guys.
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