Birthdays: Chad Aug. 21, Ruth Sep. 3, Meliah May 12, Anna Jan. 6, Kiery Dec. 20
Chad & Ruth Anniversary: Jun 11th 1994
How do I send a package or letter?
Care packages and letters can be sent via the good ole USPS. The best route is to use a flat rate International shipping box. It usually takes 6-8 weeks for a package to get here. Our address is:Chad and Ruth Michael
PO Box 1 (355)
Ukarumpa EHP 444
Papua New Guinea
Methods
- USPS flat-rate priority international boxes work well and are economical.
- Go to http://ircalc.usps.com/ to price out the different size boxes. If you can fit the items in the Large Video Flat Rate box (9-1/4" x 6-1/4" x 2"), at the time of this writing, it would cost $24.75 to send it to Papua New Guinea.
- Packages will take 3-8 weeks, no matter what the Post Office promises. Don't pay to speed it up! (It doesn't work)
- DHL is fast, but very expensive.
- A good option would be to send your package to a warehouse that helps missionaries called JAARS in North Carolina. They will collect packages together from different people and consolidate them into one cost effective shipment. This is how we usually ship things to ourselves. The only challenge with this option is the paper work involved, but if your interested in this (perhaps you want to send something big and it is way too expensive using USPS), let us know via email and we'll help set it up!
- Don't send via UPS or FedEx as it just doesn't work.
- Please pack any food items extra well as rats will often get to it before we can, especially if it ends up sitting in a hangar or PO somewhere for a while.
- We've heard that the more tape you use on a package the better the chance that it will arrive unopened!
USPS Customs Forms
You'll need to fill out a customs form at the Post Office. Here are some tips:
- General descriptions of the items are usually safer. Group similar items under one heading. If you are too specific, items may get stolen along the way.
- School supply items can be labelled as learning aids
- Food items should be listed as "culinary items" or "cooking supplies". (Please don't send anything perishable. Please seal in Zip-lock bags. Doubling is ok too because we can reuse them.)
- If you send any kind of media (CDs, DVDs, etc..), list it as “media.” (check with us first to make sure we don't own it already!)
- Check the box for “Gift” on the customs form to describe the contents
What Should I Send?
We love getting packages! We'll try to update this list as our needs/wants change. Also, keep in mind the 6-8+ week delivery time if you are wanting to send us something for a special date (like Christmas or Birthdays).
Things we could use:
- Shelf-stable bacon or bacon-jerky
- Packs of gum/mints
- CDs/DVDs - Check with us first to make sure we don't already have it
- Chocolate/Chocolate chips - Well sealed. It will melt!
- Clothing and shoes/flip flops for the girls - Check with us for sizes
- Herbal/Flavored teas
- Decaffeinated coffee (believe it or not, we can't get that here!)
- Holiday and Seasonal stuff
- School/Teacher supplies
- Flip Flops for the girls
- Fingernail clippers
- Sun Screen 50 SPF or greater
- Sharpies
- Sticky notes
- Push button umbrellas
- Fun pens/pencils
- Fun hair things (for Chad ;)
- Coloring books
- Art supplies
- Fun treats/snacks
- Amazons gift cards
- DVD- TV series (check with us to avoid duplicates)
- American #2 pencils
- Anything else you think would be helpful to us
- Check here for updates
Can You Use E-Gift Cards?
Super easy for you and for us! The best place to get us an e-gift card is Amazon. You can find out how at www.amazon.com/gift-cards.
Be sure to pick the option "Email Delivery", and that will email the card to us. Giving a gift card allows us to buy things we need/want when we choose, and we'll arrange for the shipping and pay the import duty.
Meliah at College
It would be great for Meliah to hear from you while her parents are gone. Here is her address if you would like to send her a note:
Libery University
1971 University Blvd.
MSC Box 131342
Lynchburg, VA. 24515
1971 University Blvd.
MSC Box 131342
Lynchburg, VA. 24515
