Not Just a Shoebox
Last year a few of us shopped together and a group gathered at my
home to pack our purchases in shoeboxes.
We packed, enjoyed treats and helped the children write letters or draw
pictures to include inside their gifts.
Many of you did the same as a family.
Collectively, we donated over 30 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas
Child. It was a special time of serving
Christ together. During one shopping
excursion, a teen was asked by her cashier what she was shopping for, since she
had multiples of identical items. Her
response blew me away as my young friend explained she was shopping for
Operation Christmas Child and proceeded to give witness of the program, stating
she would “fill shoeboxes with presents for teenage girls around the world who
need hygiene items, books and school supplies”.
It was special time, indeed!
Last June I received the most long awaited surprise of all time. When I saw the stamps I literally squealed in
excitement. I was blessed with a letter
from a beautiful teenager living in Kenya.
Her name is Doris. As a 14 year
old, Doris received a shoebox gift, delivered by Operation Christmas
Child volunteers, sent by me. As I opened the
envelope, I erupted in laughter as three photographs spilled out. As tears ran down my face, I read her words
of sorrow and joy, sensing her gratitude towards and love for our risen Savior. She shared she is in class eight at Kivaa
King’s Academy and loves her two brothers and two sisters. When she was three years old she became “lame”. For awhile, she had to stop going to school. Her parents were not very happy and neither
was she. Today she testifies “thanks to the
Almighty because I have undergone many circumstances; but, He has still been my
guide”.
As summer ended and the autumn season approached, another
unexpected surprise arrived in the mail.
A second letter from Kenya! Tears
flowed as I slipped my thumb under the envelope flap. I sat in my car, thanking my Lord for His
rich blessings to me, knowing how deeply I desire to serve Him as a missionary,
to develop a relationship with those in need, I was astonished He sent not
one letter, but two. Tears turned to
joyful weeping as another set of photographs fell to my lap. This letter traveled from Kenya to Louisiana
with a friend who moved to the United States three and a half years ago. It was from Baton Rouge the letter was mailed
to me. Daniel and Tabitha have three
adorable little girls, Mercy, Favor and Grace.
The girls received a shoebox gift from me. (Judging
from the photographs, all three girls are in the age range for shoebox gifts;
however, I am unsure if Mercy (the eldest) or all three girls received a shoebox.) Daniel writes of their love for Jesus and the
children’s appreciation for His blessings to them. He sent his prayers for me and thankfulness
for my walk with Christ. I have since spoken with Daniel, Tabitha and all three girls over the telephone and it was a awesome pleasure to have that privilege. Jesus never
fails to bless abundantly!
Doris, Mercy and her sisters now have opportunity to participate in the Greatest
Journey as recipients of Christmas shoebox gifts. The Greatest Journey is a bible study where
the children can learn more about God’s word and come to know who Jesus
is. Our packed shoebox gifts, joined with others, met the needs of
millions of children around the world, including the United States. I used to worry about an item of clothing
being the wrong size and it was shared with me that children cherish these gifts,
saving for later or sharing them with siblings, cousins and friends who were
not selected, making each item last as long as possible. (There are not enough shoeboxes for
every child, yet, so children are chosen, so over the years, each child will receive. The goal is to have a shoebox for every child.) I am so humbled by the gratitude, appreciation
and selflessness demonstrated by the children who receive gifts each year. Operation Christmas Child is not just about presents
in a shoebox. As I pray God sends each shoebox to the child He designates, I believe my gifts go
exactly where God desires each one to go.
Each year I carry a deeper understanding of how God works in our lives. I trust solely in God’s purpose and plans as I glimpse
into a photo captured moment of Doris’s emotions as she opened her gift. To read, from her hand, the young wisdom and knowledge
of Christ’s love and care for her. Hearing
firsthand, a young husband and father’s message of hope and faithfulness as his
daughter’s continue to enjoy the gifts of toothbrushes, toothpaste and
dolls as he rejoices they will grow in the
gospel message of Christ’s love for them through the bible study classes. What a great privilege to personally pray for these two families! That's what shoebox gifts are about. The process of sharing, caring, and giving of one's self for the blessing of another as we grow in our faith in Jesus and hopefully, lead others to a relationship with Him.
Great news!!! I recently discovered there is a new processing center in the
Washington DC/Baltimore area, located in Columbia MD! I am on the waiting list for this year. I’d love to get group together to volunteer for next year. Let me know who is interested.
This year’s National Collection Week is November 17-24. If you’ve never filled shoeboxes, to get started, decide on whether you want to fill a shoebox for a girl or boy and then choose an age category:
2 – 4
years
5 – 9
years
10 – 14 years
Here are a few suggested items:
Toys: stuffed animals, cars
and trucks, dolls, yo-yo’s, harmonicas, jump ropes, blocks, balls, travel size
magna doodle or etch-a-sketch, slinky
School Supplies: solar calculators,
pens, pencils and sharpener, markers,
writing pads of paper, crayons, drawstring fabric backpack, ruler, protractor,
reusable lunch bag
Hygiene Items: toothbrushes,
mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb/brush, washcloth, toothpaste,
tissues (Dentists are great resources and
very willing to donate toothbrush/toothpaste!)
Other: bibles, socks, ball
caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra
batteries), books, coloring books, hard candy/gum (must be in original package
and doubled bagged in Ziploc).
Note:
No war related toys, politically themed items, used items, chocolate or out of
date candy, liquids or lotions,
medication or vitamins, aerosol, breakable items or glass.
Helpful Hints: Place your
child label in a corner because OCC will be taping all boxes around the middle!
Target sells standard plastic shoeboxes for under $1. This becomes a gift in itself as the child will have something durable to keep his or her items in or use for other storage, such as food.
The suggested donation to ship each
individual box is $7. This is not mandatory, God will provide for the shipment. Many people donate only shipment costs while others fill boxes. A great example of the body of Christ using resources God gave each and using it by working together to help others.
PRAY, CONSIDER, RECEIVE,
SHARE
Please PRAY for children in situations with
nothing to call their own, who have little to take their minds off the poverty,
disease, famine and/or war surrounding them with the absence of reminders
they are loved. Recipients of Christmas shoeboxes have the opportunity to
participate in the follow-up program, The Greatest Journey, partnered through
Operation Christmas Child with their local church. PRAY for the children
who will be receiving Christmas shoebox gifts this season. That each gift
ministers to each specific child and brings a lasting sense of hope and God’s
love for them. People need Jesus to guide them to a loving God who is the
only One who can protect the
essence of self, their soul. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and
Life. Only He can reconcile our hearts back to God. Seek the
Way. Learn of Truth. Choose Life. May we all not just
believe in Jesus, but believe Him. Please PRAY for those
delivering Christmas shoeboxes through the underground churches, regions where
believers are being persecuted and areas of war.
Please CONSIDER giving, through donations, packing a shoebox
or volunteer service, to Operation Christmas Child and/or locally
within your own community programs providing Christmas gifts and hope to
children of our military, those with incarcerated parents or are
homeless. Guidance Counselors, social workers, etc. often have names of children
and teens you can sponsor for the Christmas holiday. Below are links
to websites where you can learn more about Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation
Christmas Child.
RECEIVE
the Lord's eternal blessing for your partnership in whichever manner
He guides you in.
Please SHARE this blog with anyone you know who is interested in
supporting and/or partnering in missions work, locally or globally.
PRAYER REQUESTS
The message of Christ’s birth be focal this holiday season and carried in heart’s throughout the year
Children living in the midst of war
Children displaced in homeless shelters, missions or orphaned
Children whose parents are incarcerated or unable to provide for them
Women and children sold in human trafficking, especially in the United States
Recipients of Christmas shoebox gifts
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
Samaritan's Purse
Operation Christmas Child
This link will
guide you to locate your local drop-off site, information regarding packing, free
downloadable materials, packing parties, volunteer opportunities at processing
centers country-wide, shipping donations, etc.
