Packing for Africa

Today, November 2nd is my birthday and what better way to spend it than with movers in my house packing up 1975 lbs of our stuff to take with us to Africa. We are so blessed and thankful to be allowed a shipment of household goods to be send from our home in Texas to our new home in Rwanda.

There is only one catch, it will take 2-3 months to arrive. To help in deciding when to send this shipment someone asked me "Where will you miss the stuff the most, Texas or Rwanda?" That was a quick answer - Rwanda. So, since we are planning to arrive in Rwanda on Dec 28, I decided our shipment needed to go out on/about November 1st so that it will arrive in country shortly after we arrive. Lane and I made this decision in late-September. So, I had about 6-weeks to prepare for my November 1st "Packing Day".

The ball began rolling to start setting aside all of the items we would like to take with us in this shipment. I started making list, lots of lists. Actually, I started an Excel spreadsheet. That is just the way my brain thinks - lists and spreadsheets :-)!! I knew we wanted to pack things like kid bikes, rugs to cover the tile floors overseas, curtains, framed pictures, etc, etc, etc. It also meant for me to start buying supplies that we would need until our next furlough a year from now - things like medicines, vitamins, next size clothes for the kids, etc. But...the big trick was staying within our allotted 1,975 lbs.  Now, raise your hand if you can tell me how much space 1,975 lbs takes up? I had no clue.

So, the moving company so graciously sent out a "Moving Estimator" to help walk through our house and help us estimate the weight of the items we want to bring. This meeting was really helpful as I opened every cabinet of the house and pointed out what items we wanted to bring. Actually, after this first visit from the "Estimator" we were way over on our allotment amount. So, I started trimming the list. I also, began contacting people we had met during our scouting trip to Rwanda back in March about what things were important for me to bring and what items I can get there and not need to bring. I also searched the web and found a few blogs of ex-pats living in Rwanda and contacted them randomly to ask the same questions. (I am post-writing this entry - and can say that I have now met two of those blogging families in person!).

After 6-weeks of preparation the big day finally arrived.  Thankfully, packers came and did all of the packing for me (if it is not packed by the movers they will not insure it - ok by me!!). Did I forget to mention that Lane left the week before to begin his new job with International Justice Mission in Rwanda, so I was doing this solo. Well, not really. A BIG thanks to Corey and Shannon for coming over the night before until very late to help me inventory every single items that was going on the shipment.  A BIG thanks to Emily and Lori who brought me food and helped by taking the kids all day for playdates so I could be with the movers at the house and be able to focus on all the details.

**The latest update we have is that our shipment split into 3 crated boxes is on a boat in the ocean somewhere and expected to land on the Tanzania coast on January 9th. Then it will travel by land to Rwanda. Not sure how ling that takes, but I am looking forward to seeing these items soon!

Enjoy the pics from the "Packing Day." :-)
Anna