Ideas on how to better support your Missionary families!
Firstly it is important to know exactly what your missionary family has access to. With so much technology available to us, we can take for granted that our missionary families have the same level of technology, not to mention the joy of constant power!
Find out what of the following your missionary family has access to:
computer
internet
a TV
CD player
tape player
video player
DVD player
digital camera
video camera
‘normal’ camera
personal and/or organisation website
ability to have/run webcams
internet/email that is able to send and receive photos and video files
reliable snail mail (most of our stuff in the Solomons the rats got to before we did!) 
When you know this information you can send things over that you know they will be able to use well and appreciate. Sending a DVD is a fantastic idea, only until you find out they have a video player!
Then it is time to find out some more personal information about the family. Find out their favourite movies, TV programs, lollies, magazines, author, music, Cook in the Pots etc etc.
All this information will help you to better support your family as you can be specific with what you send. Postage is expensive so you do want to send things they will want.
Below is a list of some things you can send over to your missionary family:
Sunday Sermon on CD or tape
Christian teaching tapes, CD’s or books. Remember Missionary families often don’t get much input into their own lives and families.
Cook in the Pots are great to send over so find out which ones they can use as they may not have all the necessary ingredients.
Onion Soup packets, if they can get reduced cream they can have good old Kiwi dip! (A NZ thing for those of you not familiar with this!)
Magazines – Time, Newsweek, Next, Women’s mags (as they can also be used for school projects)
Even with the internet, some ‘Dad’s’ still love to sit back and read the Herald, so it is still nice to send a newspaper every now and then – just take out any advertising. Again these can be reused for schooling purposes.
Music CD’s - Hillsongs is a great start but do find out what they like too. My Dad loves Country & Western and is the BESTEST thing you could give him!!!!
DVD’s – for kids: Hi5, Dora the Explorer, Bob the Builder, VegieTales, etc etc
For those who have a video player, you can also video programs off the TV – just don’t record the ads!!!!!!!!
Lollies are always a great pick me up. A couple of packets of Fruit Bursts in the post every now and then doesn’t cost much but can mean a whole lot!!!!!!! The wrapped lollies are the best.
Activity books
Colour in books and crayons etc
Stickers
Sticker Books
Puzzle Books
Crossword Books
Computer Games
Schooling specific: Many of the missionaries will be doing home schooling so check with ‘mum’ about things that could make home schooling a bit easier!!!
PLEASE NOTE: it is important to state on the package that it is a “Free gift of no commercial value” as some of the countries may ask for the missionary family to pay a duty fee to receive it.
With regard to sending, for extra protection it is great to put things into zip lock bags but do check with your family as they will know the safest way for packages to reach them intact. And do expect some packages to ‘go missing’ as it is part of life in some countries, but it is not a reason to not send anything or to give up!!! You really don’t know how much the littlest thing is so greatly appreciated
