Good News for VIM Team!
Hi Folks -
Baggage: Good news - British Air has told us that we can take 2 suitcases at 70 pounds each! The change to the 50 pound limit which was supposed to go into effect on October 11 was put on indefinite hold due to the severe new restrictions on the carry ons Also, remember that any toiletries, liquids, liquid or gel cosmetics that you take on the plane in Detroit you will not be able to take on the plane from Heathrow to Harare. That means you will have to put them in your checked luggage when we claim it and recheck it at Heathrow, or throw it away. They are apparently enforcing the Carry-ons size restrictions–no bigger than 56cm X 45cm X 25 cm. [22.05×17.72×19.84 inches]. Also, you may have only ONE carry-on, so purses, lap-tops, etc. must go inside that carry-on.
Suitcase Room: Larry Kies, a UM missionary in agriculture at AU, would like to have us bring a trampoline mat for his kids and other kids at AU to use. It weighs about 7-10 pounds and would take up about half of a large suitcase. Please let me know if you are willing to take it for him in one of your suitcases. He will order it and have it sent to us.
Also, anyone still with room in your suitcases, please bring uninflated soccer or volley-balls. The kids at the school would get so much pleasure from these and we could use them to play games with them while we are there. We will reimburse you if you wish. Please let us know if you are bringing them.
Money: We have had some money donated to help with our VIM trip. We can buy books, supplies for Bible School, educational supplies, computer items, etc. If you would like to be reimbursed for things you have bought, let us know.
Books: Andra Stevens, Information Officer at AU, would like paperback books to read - they are virtually unobtainable in Zimbabwe. If you are bringing a book or two to read on the plane, and at other times, you might plan on leaving them for Andra. She would be very appreciative. She is giving us a braai (bar-b-que) and swimming party at her lovely Mutare home, so it would be nice if we had something for her too. She likes any modern fiction, best sellers, etc., but will accept almost anything.
From Simon Herring, Manager at La Rochelle:
“One thing I forgot to mention to Ann - with all Groups, we request that they
put their valuables - cash, passport, credit cards, drivers licence etc,
into an envelope with their name on it, and I keep this in a box in the
safe. I am the only one with a key to the safe, and am on the property 24/7.
I have had 2 instances of “lost” items - once cash and once Drivers Licence,
and while both were found in the possesion of another member of the Group,
it causes HUGE stress until found for both Guest and Staff. Please could you
mention this to her so that the Group are ready to put things away on
arrival? Thanks.”
Questions? E-mail Morris, Ann or Gordon. We hope our blog site will be ready soon so we can put questions, comments, and share suggestions on that.
Ann and Morris
