A Package to Pakistan

Can I open it now?

First of all we just want to say a huge thanks to those that have sent us packages during our time here. It has been so encouraging and exciting to receive them. Every time we get one it is like Christmas all over again. If you were planning on sending us a package and have not yet, please do not send it expecting we will get it. You can tell us about what you would have sent when we get back, but international mail to Pakistan is very unreliable and slow and chances are we will not get it (other missionaries I’m sure would still enjoy it though). Even airmail can take quite some time to get here. Although the mail is slow and unreliable it is still reasonably safe to send international mail, as it will eventually get to where it should go. However, it is hard to know what condition it will arrive in.

There are also some dos and don’ts when it comes to sending packages that can help it arrive in better shape. I should have remembered this when Megan went to Pakistan the last time and warned people about this earlier. I tried sending juice boxes to Megan once. This was a very funny and stupid mistake (You’ll have to ask her about this sometime).  Liquid is never a good idea to send in the mail to Pakistan, unless the liquid is very well packaged and sealed and is unavailable in Pakistan (FYI they have juice boxes here).

The other thing to keep in mind is that the Pakistani customs will probably open the package. Usually this is not done gently. They will use knives to cut open the tape and if something in the package gets in the way it may be cut open. So the best thing to do is put an extra bit of packing on top to help protect the stuff from being ripped open. Another thing to do is make sure every individual item (especially food items) is in a separate zip lock or sealed bag. Also sometimes writing fragile on the box will help. Other dos and don’ts I am sure can be found at one’s local post office or on a webpage somewhere.

Everything smelled so good!

 I just mention these things because of the very thoughtful package we received lately and the condition it arrived to us in. I realize to some degree the amount of trouble that the people who sent this package had to go through. So please do not be offended; I’m writing this to be funny. We had so much fun opening it that we probably would not have wanted it to arrive any other way.

I also want to mention that we really

We tried them...

appreciate the thought and gesture of the person who sent us fresh homemade cookies (I am assuming they were whole cookies and not just cookie bits). However, because of the unreliability of international post in Pakistan there is no telling when the fresh cookies will actually get to us and when they do arrive chances are they will not be so fresh. That’s okay too, I would have normally eaten them, but they did not taste edible with all the taco seasoning that got mixed in with them (I tried though). So don’t worry pops I’ll keep my hands off those cookies (inside joke from the card that came with them). I loved the card though and the thoughtfulness.

The chocolate was really good, but Megan had to eat it with a spoon. With such hot temperatures what was originally chocolate pieces all melted together. Megan said it still tasted yummy though. The skittles survived the ordeal, thankfully. We have heard stories of the custom people taking candy or even sometimes stuff that looks like candy before they reseal the package.

The DVDs were great; it’s hard to get good quality movies here. Megan certainly likes a lot of the ones sent and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of including some movies I would also enjoy. After brushing off Taco dust from them we are now able to watch them. I’m just not sure about the rental policy, what is the rental period, and what if they are overdue? And some of the scratches may have been caused by the Taco dust so please don’t charge us extra for that.

This packet was opened a bit too early

One of my favourite items was all the coffee. Its very hard to get good coffee here and we had run out of good coffee just a few weeks before the package came, so it was very timely. And of course even though the taco mix caused so much trouble we will still enjoy the taste of American tacos with the other packages that did not get opened.

Again thanks so much for those who participated in sending the big package. We really appreciated it, and it gave us something to laugh about all night. It was quite the entertainment just receiving the package. But of course best of all was the big card that was sent. We felt so much love from it! We miss you guys too.