Over the past few weeks, members of Blanco United Methodist Church, organized by Mission Committee chair Ernest Hoffman, have traveled to Luling, Texas, to help assemble Personal Energy Transportation vehicles. According to its web site (giftofmobility.org), the PET project’s mission “is to provide appropriate mobility for all of God’s children in need. We seek to provide mobility first for those in greatest need and with the least resources in poor or underdeveloped countries. The PET Project is a part of the ministry of Jesus Christ, whose disciples said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, arise and walk.” (Acts 3:6)

The machines, which are shipped from Luling to Sierra Leone, are cut, assembled, painted, then disassembled and packed for shipping via containerized cargo crates on ships. A simple bicycle chain mechanism operated with the arms enables those who have birth defects or are victims of accidents to achieve mobility and a better quality of life. Gwen and Jake Royall operate out of an old warehouse in Luling, in which everything is organized so that groups can come in and assist them in assembling the machines. Packing the boxes includes not only the machine itself but a number of useful items the recipient can use—water jugs, totebags, gently-used clothing items, and stuffed toys. For more information on donations, you can call Blanco United Methodist Church at 833-5030.