"Freely you have received; freely give." Matthew 10:8b NIV
Remember the excitement of Christmas morning when you were a kid? Maybe Mom made a special breakfast. Maybe there was a warm fire blazing in the fireplace. And then there was the tree, all decorated, maybe with special keepsake ornaments, popcorn garland, tinsel or candles. Remember the thrill of adrenaline as you ripped into your packages?
What if you never had any of that?
What if you'd never received a gift in your life? What if you lived in a place of extreme poverty, oppression or war? For millions of children around the world, this is reality. But there is good news: you can make a difference in the life of one of these children.
Operation Christmas Child distributes shoeboxes filled with gifts and necessities to children in poverty around the world. These shoeboxes are packed and donated by ordinary people like you. And they can have a life-changing impact on the children who receive them.
The video below tells the story of Lejla Allison, a woman whose life was blessed and changed forever by a shoebox she received as a child in Bosnia.
Shoeboxes are fun to pack! Cram them as full as you can with toys, school supplies, clothes, shoes and personal hygiene items. And always include a Bible!
Here's our Operation Christmas Child gift idea board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/hillcities/operation-christmas-child-shoeboxes/
We always use plastic containers, which the child and their family will be able to reuse for storage or for carrying water. The shoebox will benefit the whole family, so don't be afraid to include multiple soaps toothbrushes and even baby items, even though you may designate your box for an older child.
Check out the OCC website for more information on packing your shoebox: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/
Click here to find the nearest drop-off location for your shoebox:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Drop_Off_Locations/
Bless a child this Christmas, and impact a life with the love of Jesus Christ.
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