Recently, our hospital received a container of medical supplies from Samaritan's Purse. The supplies have been running low at the hospital, and many of these items were desperately needed.
The container arrived in Pointe Noire on January 20. After a lengthy process, the container was released on March 25, and transported to Brazzaville via cargo flight. There is no way to get the entire container to Brazzaville at one time; we are bringing items as there is space available on cargo planes or humanitarian flights.
While on an unexpected trip to Brazzaville for the dentist, we were able to help prioritize the most urgent items for shipment.
The following is an excerpt from Dr. Harvey's latest newsletter. It explains some of the difficulties with the transportation of the items. Life here can be challenging, but we continue to remember God's faithfulness in the midst of difficulties.
One friend commented, “Tell us about the shipment having arrived and being all squared away and tidy and useful…”
I wish I could. In reality, over a month has come and gone since our container was released from port, but still only 1/6th of the contents have made it to Impfondo. We still have 8 ½ tons of donated supplies and equipment sitting in our warehouse in Brazzaville (900 km to the South), with no way to get them here. (Thank God for the warehouse). For 2 months we have had 1 ton of medicines that we ordered from Europe (and paid for) back in September, sitting in a storeroom in Bangui (200 km to the North). (Thank God the medicines have made it thus far). No boats are coming to Impfondo, because the river is too low. The humanitarian flights that are supposed to bring our stuff for free have begun charging $2 a pound, or are alternately cancelled or too full. (Thank God a commercial airline has agreed to start bringing things a little at a time for 50 cents a pound, and 118 boxes arrived yesterday). Every day at the hospital, many times a day, people tell me “we are out of suture” or “we are out of bandages” or “we are about to run out of IV fluids.” We are also out of fuel and natural gas (which we use for refrigeration and cooking). I don’t know what to tell them except “they’re in Brazzaville” or “we bought some 8 months ago that hasn’t arrived yet.” I try not to get discouraged. . .
Read the full newsletter at Congo Harveys.
Life here can be challenging, but we continue to remember God's faithfulness in the midst of difficulties.
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