But that’s not all. Dave March and his hard working crew were also able to take 259 boxes, bags etc. out of the Van Horne warehouse and pack them as well. So Thank you Lord! Thank you volunteers! And thank you Erb Trucking for letting us use the trailer to store things from the evicted warehouse until the container arrived.

So another container is on it’s way to El Salvador containing a mammography machine plus 976 separate items that we believe will bring hope and healing.

Teri Benner, the wonderful director of the Shalom clinic, called me while we were packing to say that El Salvadorian customs were insisting in going through the June 26th container looking for shampoos and other liquids that the packing list did not give the trade name. Some times a kind soul gives us a bag of those little hotel toiletries. So we are learning slowly what to do in this new situation.

Some people say “Why bother?” if we are trying to help and customs is making things difficult. I believe God has called us to help our brothers and sisters in El Salvador. The forces of evil may be trying to stop this. Our success will depend on our faithfulness and determination to work through the difficulties.

Teri says, “We will do whatever has to be done!” It is such a blessing to have partners in El Salvador with that attitude.

Now the GOOD NEWS.

We are negotiating for a new warehouse facillity in the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital grounds. A group of snowbirds and tourists (mostly Americans) that go to Zihuatanejo, Mexico for winter holidays, have banded together to help the local 60 bed hospital that serves a population of 500,000. It is totally overwhelmed and under-equipped.

Thunder Bay residents Cheryl and Glenn Berst are part of this ad hoc group. Glenn who (just happens to be)  manager of building services for St Joseph’s Care Group knew of MEMO’s work so approached us about helping supply medical equipment. St Joe’s is a major corporate sponsor of MEMO so much of this equipment originated in St Joe’s facilities.This gives us a connection to be eligible for their assistance. We were happy to help from our over abundance of inventory, but could not provide warehousing or shipping costs. So there is now a possibility that MEMO can share the 8000 sq ft totally empty and clear laundry building. Our intent is to try and keep our inventory to about one container full and mainly use the Van Horne warehouse. There are some other exciting opportunities regarding this facility but we must wait for things to be worked through before talking about it.

We are looking for 150KV diesel generator 3 phase 440/220v to ship to El Salvador as a back up generator for the Shalom Clinic. A used generator is fine (use will be only occasional when power off) Perhaps one of you has contacts in mining or industry.

Don’t forget you are invited to the MEMO Banquet October 4th at the Valhalla Ballroom. Aurora, Armando and Tim Wollin will be sharing what MEMO has done for them (and vice versa). See here for more details.

We hope to ship one last container in the fall to get our Van Horne warehouse less crowded. Lots to pray for, lots to be thankful for!