Pamela Wall
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes. Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God's immense love for the child. For many, it is their first gift ever! Delivered by our local church partners, shoebox gifts provide an opportunity to present the Gospel to boys and girls in a clear, child-friendly way.
We have participated in Operation Christmas Child for several years. Even Covid-19 could not stop us from this endeavor, although it did make it more challenging. We know that some of our shoeboxes have traveled to such destinations as Peru, Sudan, Georgia (north of Russia), Malawi (southeast Africa), and "Hard to Reach" locations. "Hard to Reach" locations are those destinations where due to military/political reasons, it is not safe to let it be known that shoeboxes are going there. What a blessing to know that each box introduced a child to Jesus!
We collect items for these shoeboxes year-round. We have a "Pack-It" party in October to put all the items into age-appropriate shoeboxes which are then delivered to the nearest collection point in November. From there they go to one of several OCC distribution centers around the country to be packed on trucks, planes and ships to be sent around the world! You can look at the announcement for "Shoebox Items Needed" to find a list of items we need more of to meet our goal. We may not can go in person, but this shoebox ministry is one way in which we can have a part in "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,...". (Matthew 28:19)
