We had a few more kids today at church and we had to get an extra taxi (dual cab pick up truck). About halfway there the one we were riding in decided not to run. One taxi had picked up one load before we got off our ferry. He stopped on the way back and took us the rest of the way. This is a pic of one of the taxi's running just in front of us on the way back to Ebeye. The kids love it when one taxi passes another one. You would think it was a horse race. We let off everyone just before the rain began to come down. We made it without getting wet. It's not as bad getting caught in the rain here. At least it isn't cold outside. You don't get cold until you walk into a house or office with A/C. Thank you to Brad and Sandra Dodd for sending several packages for Christmas. They were very generous and we really appreciate their big hearts. If you are mailing Christmas for the kids it would be best to mail it this week. The package might make it after this week but it will be a big gamble.

HIS Will Be Done

We want to thank Joel & Sarah Schoop for sending clothes and toys for the kids Christmas. We also want to thank Robert & Mary Martin for sending toys for Christmas. Robert is the preacher who held a meeting in Gugeegue a couple summers ago. If you are sending any boxes for Christmas for the kids, it is time to get them in the mail. We really do appreciate your help providing Christmas for some sweet innocent souls. Time really flies when your having fun. I don't know where this year has gone. Lee and I will be here two years in March. WOW! That doesn't seem possible. Nothing is in writing yet with Lee's job, but we feel this is where the Lord has put us. Not much of it has been easy, but HE never promised us easy. We would like to see some things change for the better. Please pray that the Gugeegue church of Christ will grow in all ways for HIS will for this church.

It Is Time to Get Busy

It is not to late to give to others this Christmas. Teach your children, grandkids, nieces, and nephews to give to those who are in need. There is more room in the boxes if you take the items out of their packages. Unless, of coarse, it is something that needs to be kept together, such as crayons. Take the air out of any balls to make more room in the box. Instructions for mailing and suggestions for gifts are in previous blogs. If God has Blessed you this year and you can help it would be very appreciated.

Mailing Instructions

The only way to get a package to us is by the US Postal Service/Priority Mail. The post office will give you an "APO/FPO" box in two different sizes (usually found in the lobbies). You can stuff all you can in the box (with any amount of weight) for the same price. We have sent some really heavy boxes that way. When you bring the box back it will cost $10.95 to mail the smaller box and $11.95 to mail the larger box. It would be best to reinforce the boxes with tape since they have so far to come and there is so much Christmas mail. Of coarse you can take any box to the post office to mail to us by priority mail but the weight will matter in that case. Since the box is going outside the US, you will have to fill out a white customs form (also usually found in the PO lobbies) that they will attach to the outside of the box. The packages need to be mailed NO LATER than the week after Thanksgiving. Anytime after that would be a total gamble as to whether it would get here in time for Christmas or not. Lee and I have to carry everything to the church building on our backs, so we need the time to make more than one trip. Address it to: Lee & Avis Cummings CMR # 701 PO BOX 1652 APO, AP 96555-0017 God's Blessing on you all and thank you very much for your help.

God's Family

This is Joey. He is Heity's grandson. Heity's father started the church of Christ in Ebeye. Joey's father joined the Navy last summer. This is one mother and her family. The baby is one of the baby boys that was born last August. The little girl was a baby when we first started coming to the Gugeegue church. Her name is Ruthie Ann. I called her Rosie for three months before I discovered her name was Ruthie Ann. Now I call her Rosie Ruthie. Times are hard for everyone but if God has blessed you this year and you can help in any way with Christmas for these precious little souls, please go to the previous post for instructions. We need your help.

Time to Get Busy for Christmas

Where did 2009 go? The kids are singing "This little light of mine." It is time for those who can help with Christmas for the children to start gathering things and get it in the mail. In order for us to have time to receive the presents, the deadline for mailing should not be any later than the week after Thanksgiving. Preferably the week before.

The Marshallese people's needs are even greater than last year. Everything is so expensive here and jobs are so scarce that they don't buy the things you and I think are basics. Toys are always wanted by the kids, but any size clothes you can send, we can find a kid to fit them. Any personal body cleaning products can be used. Soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, tooth paste, etc. Any baby clothes , diapers, or baby bathing products are always needed. Keep in mind on the clothes that it is always summer here. The customs of the people is for the girls to always wear a dress or skirt and blouse with short sleeves and shorts underneath so they can play and not worry about anyone seeing their bottom. Any girls hair accessories to put their hair up in a pony tail are used. The boys pretty much wear everything that Americans would wear in a warm climate. Shorts, long pants, button and T-shirts, etc. Almost everyone wears flip-flops and sandals. You can take the air out of the balls to make more room in the box. Lee and I have a hand pump we put the air back in them before we carry them to Gugeegue. School supplies, pens, pencils, and paper are always at a shortage. I have never seen a coloring book of any kind on the shelves in Ebeye and the kids always scramble for those (crayons too).

If you or your class can help, please let me know. If you can help in a big way or the smallest way. Anything and everything is so appreciated. Our new address is: LEE AND AVIS CUMMINGS CMR #701 PO BOX 1652 APO, AP 96555-0017