Operation Christmas Child
I am amazed every year at what a simple shoe box can bring. First, a new pair of shoes, there is just something wonderful in a new pair of shoes. It seems you can run faster and jump higher and you always feel like you walk a little taller in a new pair of shoes. Second thing a shoe box can bring is an opportunity to collect. Have you ever noticed all the things people collect in shoe boxes beside shoes? Well since discovering Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of love put on by Samaritan's Purse, we now collect the love of Jesus in shoe boxes!
We as a church filled 95 shoe boxes with the love of Jesus this year! Since we began this ministry in 2003 we as a church have filled over 1,000 boxes! In addition, Samaritans Purse will deliver their 100 millionth box, that is 100,000,000 kids since 1993 who received the love of Jesus in a shoe box!
Please remember to pray for the shoe boxes and the people who will touch them on their journey to the children who will find the love of Jesus inside! In the meantime the work never stops.
As you find those after Christmas sales buy for next year. When you get that new pair of shoes, save the box and begin filling it with stuff. If we fill boxes all year long then the shoe box party in November will be the icing on the cake! You will find brochures on how to pack a box below the bulletin board in the narthex. And you can bring you’re items to the church any time if you don’t want to store them at home I have a special place for them here.
A special thank you to everyone who supplies the items we fill the boxes with! God bless you all and keep saving shoe boxes so we can continue to fill them with the love of Jesus!
Total Boxes Collected
| Year | Number of Boxes |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 100 Show boxes |
| 2012 | 101 Show boxes |
| 2011 | 100+ Show boxes |
| 2010 | 200 Show boxes |
| 2009 | 161 Show boxes |
| 2008 | 123 Show boxes |
| 2007 | 121 Show boxes |
| 2006 | 97 Show boxes |
| 2005 | 78 Show boxes |
| 2004 | 52 Show boxes |
| 2003 | 75 Show boxes |
Supplies
Each year the congregation gathers together toys and essentials to donate to children in poor countries around the globe. The wrapped shoe boxes of goodies are donated to Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child for distribution. By pre-paying our shipping costs we have been given special labels and we will receive up dates as to the location of our boxes.
Good toys to include are:
- Hot Wheels cars
- Tennis balls
- Jump ropes
- Paddle balls
- Dolls
- Stuffed animals
- Cars and Trucks
- Books
- Any other small toy that fits inside a shoe box
Other good items to include are:
- Crayons
- Coloring Books
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Socks
- Underwear
- Soap
- Washcloths
- Comb
- Flip-flops
Remember to listen to the Holy Spirit as you shop! There are countless stories of answered prayers in shoe boxes. One girl several years ago wanted a dress for her graduation from school it was all she wanted, a woman here in America while shopping received the unshakable urge to buy a prom dress and put it in a box. She trusted the Lord, bought the dress, and put it in a box with her prayers that God would send it where it needed to go. God answered both their prayers!
Bring all your items to the church early so Sherrin can inventory what is still needed for the party. Let God fill you with the Christmas spirit. It truly is better to give than to receive!