Communication from home is one of the most encouraging aspects when living overseas. Missionaries are far from family during the holidays and miss the memories and traditions of family members celebrating in the States. Hearing from friends, family and even donors makes their holidays a little more special and make them feel more at home. Below you will find helpful suggestions and the communication guidelines that should always be followed when communicating and sending items to and from other countries.
Write
Check your local postal service for up-to-date rates on sending letters. When addressing your mail to other countries do not abbreviate—write out the country’s full name.
It is a good idea to tape letters closed after sealing them. If you have the address written in another language, tape it onto the envelope along with the English address. Letters generally take longer to arrive in other countries.
There are many inappropriate words and subjects that should NEVER be used in communication with missionaries. Perhaps the most important area to remember this is in regards to e-mail. One has to assume that any and every e-mail sent to another country is seen by someone in addition to the intended recipient. Keep this in mind whenever you e-mail a missionary.
Also, do not encrypt or code e-mails to and from another country, as this can bring unwanted attention and suspicion to the sender and receiver. These recommendations also apply to other electronic communications, such as instant messaging and blogging.
Send a Care Package
Consult your local postal service for shipping rates. All airmail should be clearly labeled “Airmail.”
What to Send
Below are some items that many missionaries often request, but we also recommend asking the missionary what they may want; what they have available varies from country to country and even city to city.
• ground coffee, tea or hot cocoa
• western seasoning packets and sauces (like gravy, spaghetti or taco)
• spices
• cake mixes
• hot cereals
• pudding
• Jell-O
• snack foods
• dried fruit
• granola bars
• candy (including chocolate)
When sending mixes, it’s best to choose those that do not need additional ingredients, which may be unavailable. Small lightweight items are always best. Liquids and anything in glass bottles are not wise choices as they often break or leak during shipping.
How to Send It
Remember that your package has a long way to go, may get rough treatment along the way and will quite likely get opened by someone other than the intended recipient. Putting each item in a plastic bag can help protect against mixes sprinkling throughout the box. It is a good idea to enclose a packing list and to take a copy with you to the post office. Also, line the entire box with a plastic garbage bag and close it before sealing the package. Pack carefully! We recommend that you use the U.S. Postal Service or Canada Post for sending packages.
Please remember our missionaries during the holidays. Keep them in your prayers that they may spread the Christmas joy to everyone they meet.
© 2009 Church of God World Missions