Every kid knows the feeling that comes with Christmas morning. There’s the anticipation of a good breakfast and the comfort of family. But the best feeling is the excitement that comes with opening the presents under the tree.
In many societies, kids look forward to the many boxes of gifts under the large pine tree in the living room. But in other places, children who live in poverty don’t always get that excitement. That’s where Operation Christmas Child steps in.
Operation Christmas Child has sent more than 188 million shoe boxes to children in more than 160, since its first ministry to Bosnia in 1993. Children, who have often never gotten a present before, receive handpacked shoe boxes made by people all over the world. In addition to the gift, the children also get to attend a twelve-lesson discipleship program called “The Greatest Journey”. Many of the recipients and their families come to the saving knowledge of Jesus through that program.
After being packed, the boxes are sent to different processing centers. There, thousands of volunteers go through each box to ensure that all of the gifts inside are properly organized and that the contents will easily pass through customs.
The best part of Operation Christmas Child is that the TPS community can get involved! The shoe boxes are packed by ordinary people, like students, and it’s super easy!
First, find a shoe box. It doesn’t have to be a shoe box that came with a pair of shoes; some people choose to buy them at the dollar store, and some local churches have supplies of shoe box templates that you can easily self-assemble. Then you can wrap the box if you want, though if you do, be sure to wrap the lid and the box separately so when the box gets to the processing center, the volunteers can check and rearrange the contents as needed.
After you find and wrap a shoe box, you’ll have to decide which gender and age range you want your box to go to. You can choose whether you want your box to go to a girl or a boy and what age group you’d like to send your box to. You should then print out labels from the Samaritan’s Purse website and complete the labels with the gender and age group. Tape the label to the top of the box.
Then, choose a “Wow” gift. A “Wow” gift is often a doll, an inflatable soccer ball, or even an item of clothing, which will be just as special to them as a new iPhone or PS5 would be to American kids. After choosing your “Wow” gift, finish filling the box with other smaller gifts like yo-yos, school supplies, and hygiene items.
Once it’s packed, secure the lid to the box with rubber bands, not tape. Then deliver it to your local drop-off location on National Collection Week, November 15-22. Don’t forget to donate nine dollars to help cover the cost of shipping and transporting.
If you choose to, you can even track your package to see what country it ends up in! Some boxes travel on bikes, camels, boats, and even donkeys to get into the hands of children.
Matthew 25:40 says “‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” That verse alone gives us reason enough to pack a shoebox.
If you can’t pack a box, that’s okay! Just pray for the people packing the boxes, the people transporting the boxes, and the children receiving the boxes. At the end of the day, the biggest thing the TPS community can do is pray.
So reach out to kids in need and pack a shoe box!
Sources:
Bible Verse: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt+25%3A40&version=NIV
Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/
Photo Credit: https://cabcwaco.org/OCC