Shipment to Nairobi, Kenya
September 15, 2007
John, the truck driver from APX, was confused and concerned. It was his Saturday off, and he had other plans. He was hoping to get this job done early and quickly. But, he was not having much luck. It was a commercial pickup. In a residential neighborhood. With no one home. With no one answering the phone.
Yeah, I was out getting breakfast for the much-hoped-for volunteers. I was concerned also. Would volunteers actually come for heavy work?
At least I arrived before John gave up, and so we started.John was less confused, but still concerned. 214 boxes of books, not on palettes, is enough to daunt even a strong man. What could I say? "Put a palette down, and I'll put a box on it." He and I loaded the first palette ourselves. You could say I was praying reasonably hard for volunteers.
Nicole arrived. I was so grateful! For the second palette, the three of us worked as an assembly line, labels, push, and load. Rick arrived. Soon, my prayer shifted, eager for the appearance of a digital camera.
It was held in the hands of Amy, as she and Terry arrived. Ron joined in, and then it just seemed like a few minutes before we were finished, five palettes, 214 boxes later. From beginning to end? Only 40 minutes. John was pleasantly surprised.
And we were sitting around, chatting, and eating cake. Matt and Jack showed up for the party. I gave John a brand-new reader for his granddaughter.
Volunteers pictured from left, Ron Valentine, Maryann Weber, Nicole Lumsden, Rick Fary, Amy McMenamin, and Terry Kean.
