Operation Christmas Child

Today was the deadline to turn in our shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. A few weeks ago, we went and purchased our plastic boxes (they last longer than the cardboard ones and the child can use it to carry water later) and decorated them with stickers.
Not forgetting the lids!
Then, we filled them with toys, clothes (socks and t-shirts) and candy. My boys went to the store with me. They picked out the things they wanted their shoeboxes to carry. The needed very little guidance from me. Being boys they wanted to add some toy guns or soldiers, but this was vetoed by Operation Christmas Child since some of the children live in war torn areas of the world. I wholly agree with them. The guys understood this and chose many other things to stuff in the boxes. They even picked out two HotWheels cars apiece to top off the wonderful gifts.

Then we added our labels so that we can track them as they are being delivered to a child who may never have had a Christmas present before. For the first time in the few years we have participated in OCC, I added a picture of each boy in his box with our address.

Then as we sent them out the door, we prayed that God would bless our small gift into the larger and more glorious gift of salvation. Samaritan's Purse (which sponsers OCC) adds a booklet with the presentation of the Gospel in the language of the child to each box.

Our small boxes are now in God's hands. I will let you know where our boxes end up and if we receive a return letter.

May Christ always remain the center of CHRISTmas.