28 Dec The Saga of the Scooby-Doo Van
Posted at 23:47h
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by Ourganda
Now that Christmas is in the rear view mirror, it’s time look forward to the New Year. But speaking of rear view mirrors, I hope that one week from today, I’ll be glancing in the rear view mirror of our newly-equipped mobile medical clinic as our medical team cruises down the road toward our first zero-income village.
We’ve hit a minor snag, though, which is why I am sending you this note.
Take a look at the photo and ask yourself this question:
Why is Patrick, our local program director, standing next to this 2002 Toyota Noah van … the van that survived the boat ride from Japan and is now in desperate need of a good wash … the van that is now held hostage in a secure lot in Kampala?
| Answer: Patrick is waiting for the Ugandan Road Authority (URA) to release it to our ministry.
We were supposed to escape the normal import taxes because Ourganda is affiliated with a local NGO (non-governmental organization). However, while the law allows an exemption, the person who is supposed to approve it, “humbly” requested a 5-6 million shilling bribe. That’s only $1,650 in U.S. money, but he wouldn’t promise that he would approve the exemption even if we paid it, so we decided to pay out the import taxes and move on down the road.
It’s not a fortune, but we need $2,800 to pay the URA. If you would like to help, click here or pop an old-fashioned check in the mail. Every time you hear a story about someone whose life was saved or you see a photo of the Ourganda mobile clinic, you will know that you helped make it happen. |
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| If you have been praying, keep it up. If you haven’t (and you are a praying person), now is a great time to start!
All website donations received by midnight on December 31, and all mailed donations postmarked by December 31 will be receipted in 2017. It is simple to give, and your gift is tax deductible. Click on the Give Life button below, or send your check to Ourganda, PO Box 873520, Vancouver, WA 98687.
Thank you so much for being part of the Ourganda team!
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Your friend,
Ron Gladden |
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