Each year, our church participates in Operation Christmas Child which is a project through Samaritan's Purse. In fact, in December, 50 of us from our church will go to the processing center in Atlanta, GA to work for a full day there. This will be my first trip to the processing center and I am so excited to get to on this trip. Packing a Shoebox (or a small plastic container) is a project your whole family, especially children, can get involved with. It is also a great Sunday school class project or a challenge project (let's see which class/group can bring the most shoeboxes before a certain day!). This year, we talked to our children about each doing their own shoebox instead of us just doing family boxes. That way, they are more actively involved. The kids loved the idea and so we sat down and read over the "How to Pack a Shoebox" information to decide what they would like to include in their boxes. After reading the list of acceptable items, the kids each made a list of what they wanted to put in their boxes and then I made them a checklist to hang in their rooms and keep track of what they purchased and what they still need to purchase to complete the box.
Our kids will use some of their allowance each week to purchase a few items. Let me say, this purchase does not mean they don't tithe at church. They will still tithe at church and this purchase is separate and apart from their tithe. By the end of 4 weeks, they should have their box filled and postage paid for. They will also have the option to do some "extra" work (their daily chores don't count) each week to earn money specifically for Operation Christmas Child to help them fill their boxes faster. I also made each of them a countdown checklist so they know when they have paid the $7.00 postage per box. That way, they could purchase an item for the box & maybe put a $1.00 towards the cost of postage until they have it paid entirely. Also, if they purchase all these items and their boxes aren't full, David & I have agreed to finish purchasing items to fill their box. However, I think they have chosen wisely and pretty close to a full box. Wyatt's box list is slightly different from the girls (as he is doing a boy box) and Abbey and Sidney chose to put the same items in their boxes for their girls. David & I are each filling our own boxes also because we want this to be a family project...not just something the kids do! Why is this important to our family?
First of all, do you see that smile?! Yep, I bet your smiling right now too aren't you? While our kids will experience Christmas magic in our home this holiday season, we want children throughout the world to be able to experience the same blessing. Hebrews 13:16 tells us "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." We are all blessed and have plenty to share and packing one shoebox each isn't going to "break the bank" in our lives. More than likely, the same could be said of your home too! Best of all, Operation Christmas Child shares the Gospel with each child who receives a box and there is even a follow-up discipleship program called The Greatest Journey that teaches children to become faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
November 14-21 is National Collection Week this year and I challenge you to get involved with Operation Christmas Child in some way this year. It's not too late. You can find out how to pack a shoebox, the nearest drop-off location or join the call to prayer this year during National Collection Week! And we will be sharing our Operation Christmas Child journey along the way as well to show you how easy it is to change the life of a child...one shoebox at a time!
Will you participate in Operation Christmas Child??
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