Samaritans Purse is an organization that spreads Gods love through a simple shoe box filled with gifts for a child in need across 100 different countries. Last year alone over 8 million boxes were filled by people like you and me, placed in the hands of a child from 2 - 12 years old...and a little heart was filled with joy knowing someone was thinking of them. And then, there is that little something that happens in your heart too :)
The boxes must be delivered to a pickup location (may be a local church) by the end of November so they can be shipped to warehouses, sorted and distributed to arrive in the country destination by Christmas.
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| Can you imagine waiting all year for one filled shoebox??? |
It is December now, and I am too late with my encouragement for Operation Christmas Child 2010,(sometimes my timing is just off) but perhaps you will remember with your family next year. When my son was small we used to have Operation Christmas Child parties where we would read stories of the children receiving these boxes. The children brought their little gifts,stuffed boxes full and seeds were planted outside of themselves.
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| Gloria writing out a card |
This year my dear friend Gloria and I teamed up to fill 4 boxes. What fun we had shopping together and then spending an afternoon drinking cider and filling our boxes; writing out cards to these children we will never meet...but know the day they receive the box their heart will overflow!
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| Gloria and I with our finished boxes...ready to ship out! |
Click on the link below to watch the video of Michael W. Smiths trip to South Africa with Operation Christmas Child. Oh! How I wish I could be there to see and feel the joy when a child received their box :)
Merry Christmas Everyone...with love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNCf3c4X3oU&feature=related
Thank you for sharing about the Operation Christmas Child. It looks like you and Gloria had a great time! :) Since it's too late to help with this ministry this year I pray each of us can reach out to those that we know that need some help. I know that Helping Hands Food Bank needs help this year. God bless you! Merry Christmas Stopinskis'.
ReplyDeleteCorene
Thanks for sharing this Susan!
ReplyDeleteI'm envolved in Operation Christmas Child too. Actually you can send boxes all year if you want! Just fill a shoe box and send it to: Operation Christmas Child Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, 801 Bamboo Rd., Boone, NC 28607. They gather them all year for Christmas. Also, on their website you can sign up and track where your box goes! It's a great way to share with the children around the world God's love!
Thanks gals for the good info...so many needs, but we can always do our part in some small way that ends up meaning so much! And year round too...righ Diana :) There have been so many responses to me for people wanting to do this next Chrsstmas. I will be excited to hear their stories! Merry Christmas! xo
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to do this for several years now and usually start thinking about this in the beginning of December. I think this year I will mark my calender now so I will remember in time. It is also good to know that boxes are accepted year round. Thanks for sharing. Hugs to you Susan and to Gloria.
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