Touring the Global Aid Network Logistics Center

I was recently given a tour of the Logistics Center 
of a Christian humanitarian organization 
called the Global Aid Network (GAiN®).
Spearheaded by the Josh McDowell Ministry as "Operation Carelift,"
its initial efforts were directed to the then recently dissolved Soviet Union.


This video from the GAiN® website gives a wonderful overview:

The GAiN® mission statement sums things up:




Here's a glimpse around the building, located in Lancaster County, PA.
How impressive to see what is being done here!
And as I learned more about each facet of GAiN®, I was overwhelmed to see 
again and again how the Lord's hand is involved! His provision. 
The stirring of the Holy Spirit to bring thousands of volunteers together 
to extend the love of Jesus to those less fortunate around the globe. 
All in His name and for His glory.

Medical equipment is received and distributed 

to bring better health, mobility and quality of life.

Now I'll explain what brought me to the GAiN® Logistics Center in the first place.

I was there to meet a truck carrying 42 PET® carts, in transit from 
their production point in Stow, Ohio to be distributed abroad by GAiN®.

Read more about it at this link:

 PET® Carts Head to the GAiN® Distribution Center.

This photo shows me with one of the 
Personal Energy Transportation carts at the PET® OH-Stow facility.

You may be interested to read my blog post entitled 

The PET® Brings Mobility & the Love of Christ to Developing Countries.

Vince Petno, of PET® OH-Stow, and 
Gerald Mohler, GAiN® Operations Manager, 

with the completed PET® delivery.

Not everyone can make a missionary trip, but we all can make a difference! 

GAiN® provides opportunities for volunteers to share their time, effort and hearts.

Donated items such as clothing, shoes, blankets and school supplies must be sorted and boxed for shipment. Packing events are scheduled throughout the year.

Watch this video to see the action!

 

Groups form to sew quilt tops into warm blankets.

Folks of all ages and abilities can assemble Gospel Bead Bracelets 

to help explain God's amazing gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Sharing the love of Christ with others.

Rice and beans are packaged and shipped across the world.

The "Seed Harvest Program" gives hope and encouragement 
for people to grow their own food to feed their families.

Our motivation. The words of Jesus.

 As this tally board shows, every volunteer makes a difference!

There is so much more going on at GAiN® than I've highlighted here!
View these links for the big picture~

Info on the Global Aid Network:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

GAiN Distribution (Logistics) Center on Facebook

ALSO- additional info on the PET® Project :

Mobility Worldwide OH-Stow
Mobility Worldwide

PET OH-Stow on Facebook

Mobility Worldwide on Twitter

{As an October 2016 update to this post, I want to share that PET International, 
parent organization of PET OH-Stow and 22 other Affiliates, has changed its name
to Mobility Worldwide. The PET will now be called the Mobility Cart. } 

Many ways to get involved~ volunteer, donate, pray!
You'll be blessed as you bless others!

PET® Carts Head to the GAiN® Distribution Center

 

42 PET® carts have arrived! They were driven from Ohio to Pennsylvania,
one step closer to their final destination, which may be any one of a 
number of developing countries such as Haiti, Vietnam or Guatemala.

Before I go on, let me explain what a PET® is.
An anagram for Personal Energy Transportation, it is a wooden cart powered by hand.
They're given to people who don't have the use of their legs due to diseases,
birth defects, or accidents -which very often involve landmines.
Their lives are turned around!
Now they can look to the future with possibility and hope.
They experience a new dignity, as their only way to get from 
place to place had been by crawling or dragging themselves through the dirt.

Most importantly, these folks are introduced to the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ, in Whose name each PET® is given.
So, along with a new physical life,
they are given the opportunity to receive a new spiritual life
by knowing and accepting Jesus and their Savior.


Here's a photo of me with a PET®, taken at the PET® OH-Stow production site.  

This particular delivery was made by volunteers Lee & Vince Petno.
They traveled from PET® OH-Stow to the Mount Joy, PA 
distribution center -The Global Aid Network® (GAiN®).

Mount Joy is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

All 42 boxes are lined up, ready for the next leg of their journey.

A photo with Gerald Mohler, Operations Manager at GAiN. 

who gave us a tour of the place. GAin distributes 80 PET®s per year.

The PET® Project is near and dear to my heart.
Please consider supporting it in prayer,
with a tax-deductible donation, or by volunteering!

For lots more information on the PET Project:

Check out my blog post- 

The PET Brings Mobility & the Love of Christ to Developing Countries
You can see what goes on at the PET® OH-Stow facility
and watch a moving video about the PET® Project.

Also, my follow-up post to this one:
Touring the Global Aid Network Logistics Center.

LINKS:

Mobility Worldwide OH-Stow
Mobility Worldwide

PET OH-Stow on Facebook

Mobility Worldwide on Twitter

GAiN Distribution Center

GAiN Distribution (Logistics) Center on Facebook


{As an October 2016 update to this post, I want to share that PET International, 
parent organization of PET OH-Stow and 22 other Affiliates, has changed its name
to Mobility Worldwide. The PET will now be called the Mobility Cart. } 

The PET® Brings Mobility & the Love of Christ to Developing Countries

A highlight, and certainly the most meaningful experience
of my recent week-long trip to Ohio,
was a tour of the PET Project manufacturing facility in Stow.

PET stands for Personal Energy Transportation.
These hand-cranked carts offer the gift of mobility to people
who have had to live their lives struggling to get from place to place,
often by crawling through dirt, mud and stones.
Some can't walk due to birth defects or diseases such as polio,
and some have lost limbs in accidents -often from landmines.

The PET Project is a faith-based, non-profit organization,
 run by volunteers, who, most often are retirees.

PETs are given to people in developing countries to share the love of Christ.
They offer a new lease on life, one with new-found hope and dignity.




Although I can show you the photos I took, and tell you about my tour,
nothing pulls it all together like watching this moving video, Mercy in Motion.
It's from a feature by KOMU's Sarah Hill, which illustrates and explains
the heart-wrenching need that the PET Project addresses.





Vince and Jim in the Stow, Ohio workshop.



There are 23 production sites in the United States, and 1 in Zambia.
These partner with 49 distributors, including World Vision and Samaritan's Purse.
In 20 years, over 46,000 PETs have been given throughout 100 countries.
Estimated world need for PETs: 10 million.





Nick doing some touch-up painting.








Templates are ready to guide volunteers through each step of the building process.








The day I visited, a template was being prepared for an updated seat cushion,
an improved design made after studying pressure points for comfort.




Sue cuts the marine-quality vinyl.




Julie at work on the sewing machine.








{As an October 2016 update to this post, I want to share that PET International, 
parent organization of PET OH-Stow and 22 other Affiliates, has changed its name
to Mobility Worldwide. The PET will now be called the Mobility Cart. } 





You may be interested to read this blog post:
PET® Carts Head to the GAiN® Distribution Center
and its follow-up:
Touring the Global Aid Network Logistics Center.

Would you like to make a donation
or to find out how you can get involved?
Visit these websites for more information:
Mobility Worldwide OH-Stow
Mobility Worldwide
PET OH-Stow on Facebook