We love what so many organizations around the world are doing to help spread the gospel and demonstrate Jesus’ love to others. Once a month, we’ll be spotlighting a few of the organizations we know and love here on our blog so you can learn about their work, as well.
Operation Christmas Child is one of our favorite organizations. They send boxes packed by people around the world to children in need. When the children receive their Christmas gifts, the gospel is shared with their family.
The ministry is life-changing for many children. The gifts they receive provide them with a few necessities and some Christmas fun. More importantly, though, the gifts show the children that they are loved and cared for—by Jesus and His people.
If you’d like to pack a shoebox this year, National Collection Week is November 16-23. All the information about what to pack, how to pack, and where to take your box can be found here.
Here are a few tips for packing:
- Consider using a plastic box instead of a shoebox. As long as it is shoebox size, it works! Many kids keep their boxes and use them for other things. The plastic boxes can be used to carry water or store things so they don’t get wet or damaged.
- Toss in a bar of Ivory soap. It floats! It’s handy for those kids who might wash in a river.
- Pray about what your child might need. There are countless stories of kids getting the exact thing they are wanting or needing—shoes, a musical instrument, the perfect toy. That is only possible through God!
- Involve your kids. Packing shoeboxes is an excellent family tradition. Kids love picking out toys and items for shoeboxes and learning about children around the world who may receive them.
- Track your box. You can follow your box when you print a special tracking code. It is so fun to see where your box ends up and you can be more specific in your prayers when you know what country your box ended up in.
- Write to the children who will receive your box. In addition to the other things you’ve picked out, consider including a family picture and a note about yourself. You can even include your address and the child may write back!
When I was 12, I sent a shoebox with my address in it and a little about myself to Operation Christmas Child. I sent a box for a girl about my age. Several months later, I received a letter in the mail from Romania. Mary had received my box and was writing back to thank me! She knew enough English (and liked to practice) that we wrote back and forth for years. Now, 18 years later, we are friends on Facebook and still keep in touch. She has encouraged me throughout the years and tells me often how much that shoebox meant to her. For me, it was a simple gift. For her, it was evidence of Christ’s love and faithfulness.
We love Operation Christmas Child for that reason—it impacts the lives of everyone involved. We get the opportunity to provide what may seem like a simple gift, but with God’s grace becomes part of His story of love and redemption.
To learn more about Operation Christmas Child and how you can send a shoebox, go to their website here.
