Heath Family Living In PERU: October 2012

"Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you havesown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

~2 Corinthians 9:10-15

Brotherly LOVE

Thank You Linda Anderson & To The Button Club Ladies
For Making The Youth New Bags To Carry

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THE JOURNEY OF CONTAINER 103876

Larry Johnson

World Medical Missions, Samaritan Purse, headquartered in Boone, North Carolina donated a forty feet container filled with medical supplies and equipment to Villa Milagro Ministries located in Cajamarca Peru. The container arrived in Port Callao, Lima Peru October 20, 2010.

For the next 552 days the events that transpired while dealing with the Peruvian authorities for the release of the container is almost an unbelievable story and lends merit to the saying, “only in Peru”.

Within a few days of arrival the donation letter with packing list was presented to the Ministry of Health for their approval for release and the circus began. Notice was given that we had to submit a certificate of authenticity for a “favorable technical opinion” for all items on board. An e-mail document would not be accepted so the original had to be DHL to Peru. Not satisfied with a general document, a second document was required to include each control number in the Packing List. We were not allowed to translate the document. A professional, “board, bonded certified” translator was required. Time was cost because the DHL envelope was misplaced in the Lima office.

First of the five opening and removing all the contents to be examined was now in progress. The portable X-Ray machine was noted as a no pass item. According to the inspector the machine could not be used in Peru because it was manufactured in 1979. We explained it had been completely re-built but words do not count. They requested a certificate from Samaritan Purse guaranteeing the X-Ray machine would last 65 years. Yes that’s no misprint, 65 year guarantee. Mr. William Bentley, mobil X-Ray solutions, issued a document that the GE AMXII machine had been completely remanufactured on October 3, 2010 and had an anticipated life of 10-15 years.

After several weeks of delay we received word that the X-Ray machine could not be approved for use in Peru. At that time we tried to make arrangements to return the unit to the States but this was not possible.

Our next move was to contact Congresswomen Mercedes Cabanillas, Aldialazo and Keiko Fujimori. Sometimes the various agencies owes a favor to the Congress Political machine. Good idea, good plan but this did not pan out. Strike out number two and more delayed time.

We retained the services of a Mr. William Sanchez Sotomayor to represent our interest and work with the various agencies that had to approve the release.

The container was opened several times as each agency paraded their people through the contents. You would believe that the various agencies could cooperate with the report of one examination. But not so, each had to justify their work.

August of 2011 brought news that 86 boxes had been rejected for one reason or the other. Items like gauze, rubber gloves and bandages were among the rejected items. They read the manufactured date as an expiration date, thus rejection. Then on August 25 we received notice that the packing list and total value would need to be revised which would remove the rejected items from the list. The bottom line of value must state a worth of 47,909.73, not 59,561.63. Not only were we on the time clock for paying storage for the container we had at this point invested $ 2,153.00 dollars in paper work, travel and etc. Over the last 25 years and the many containers that we have received we have never paid a bribe except New Testaments and baseball caps and I determined that I would hold firm on this shipment also.

But a thousand dollars would have probably expedited this process by many months. After the packing list and value of contents had been revised the total process had to be revisited and new resolutions presented to Ministry of Relations Exterior, Institute Peru of Nuclear Energy and Ministry of Health. Understand these same agencies have already examined the contents and the only difference was the X-Ray machine and 86 boxes of supplies were “no entry” items but they found another monster among the contents that they had overlooked the other four times. Namely two Frigidaire refrigerators. Boy what a crisis that required their utmost attention. This was a job for their Nuclear Energy Agency to determine how dangerous was the gas that operated these refrigerators. Several new documents were required. Finally Pam Wilcox at Samaritan Purse with the help of Jim Shoemake were kind enough to send the MSDS for the coolant and a certificate of authenticity letter that these refrigerators are sold all across USA and has not harmed any human or the ozone layer.

Two o’clock in the afternoon August 29, 2011 representatives of the Nuclear Energy Agency examined these refrigerators. What a hoot!

They will render a decision in 7 days.

At this junction we were very hopeful of receiving a favorable decision which would allow us to submit the documents to the customs for final release. But it did not happen. The seven days became 14 then 28 and 2012 arrived.

All this time the clock is counting the days the container is in storage at LICSA, Terminal de almacenamiento (storage terminal).

With the services of a Mr. Edggar Ruiz Sarmiento, Legal Representative of NEOCOPRT the final papers were presented to the Customs officials for release. The release was approved April 20 and our truck left Cajamarca to receive the container. Good new after all this time. But negotiations were not complete. We had a storage charge of 51,802.81 soles (19,548.23 dollars). At this point and with the help of Mr. Ruiz and the good Lord the container was loaded on our chassis and with a payout of 9,361,58 dollars we zoomed out of Callao, Lima headed for Cajamarca April 23. Would you like to know the rest of this saga?

On Monday May 14 we faced a dead line regarding the final disposal of the X-Ray machine and the other “no entry” items. We had two options. Pay to have them destroyed or sign a release of donation to the Aduana (Custom Agents), we chose the later.

But the story does not end. We have made a good friend or I should say several friends who will have knowledge of the final disposition. They are really concerned on our behalf and recognize the value of our clinic to serve the people in Cajamarca. Therefore, we still have a small possibility to obtain this machine at some future date. These friends will do all within their power to help us.

Please keep this on your prayer list.

As stated, “only in Peru”.

So Thankful For The Arrival Of The Container
FULL OF MUCH NEEDED MEDICAL SUPPLIES
(Thanks Jen Opland For Helping With Inventory)

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."
~Philippians 4:19

Heath Kids Working Hard

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THANK YOU CLAIRE FOR ALL THE SUPPLIES YOU DONATED TO MONTE SION SCHOOL

Many Laughs With Claire (Summer Intern) And Pastor Helmer

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SWEET MEMORIES

BIRTH OF BABY ABIGAIL

LUCY & DANTE
Blessings For Your Family

Birthday Party For Lucy

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THANK YOU TO MANY IN THE STATES FOR ALL THE SOCCER DONATIONS GIVEN

THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR

what an amazing blessing for the ministry

Friday Night Youth Kids LOVED The Jerseys

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THANK YOU JAMIE FOR CUTTING DANIEL'S HAIR

"muy guapo" ~ "very handsome"

Jamie & Daniel

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VISITING SAN FRANCISCO

IGLESIA EVANGELICA BAUTISTA

ESPERANZA DE VIDA

Janneth Leading The Children's Church

"God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
~1 Corinthians 1:9

Heath Kids Singing
10,000 Reasons

Children's Church

LOTS OF LOVE FROM JAMIE

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WEDNESDAY IN MATARA

Present From The Girls
BOTTLE FILLED WITH BUTTERFLIES

Thank You Lord For This Time With The Children

Lord, Please Keep Them Safe While We Are In The States

Sean Spending Time With Autumn & The Girls

"Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law."
~Romans 13:8