My Unique Experience with Operation Christmas Child

It was a hot and dry day in the town of Fatick, Senegal. Hundreds of children gathered at their school, even though the school day had ended. The other International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries and I set up relay games while the children excitedly waited. We came to this school, not only to play games with the children, but also to give them a shoebox. This was no ordinary shoebox, though. Those boxes were filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. As we handed boxes to children, eyes filled with tears, smiles shone brightly, and little feet jumped up and down. At the end of the day, each child from this school went home with a shoebox thoughtfully filled with presents, a booklet written in their language that tells the story of Christ, and the knowledge that they are loved.

During the two years that I served as an IMB Journeyman missionary in Senegal, West Africa, I was able to participate in Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoebox distributions. Each year, we would partner with local schools, pastors, and families to give thousands of boxes to the school children in our small town.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse. According to their website, more than 135 million OCC boxes have been distributed to children in more than 150 countries since the ministry began in 1993. When a child receives an OCC box, they not only receive a box full of toys and school supplies, but they also get a booklet. This booklet is written in their language and tells the story of Jesus Christ. They also have the opportunity to participate in a 12-week Bible study course called "The Greatest Journey". This course teaches the children what it means to be a disciple of Christ. According to the Samaritan's Purse website, since 2009, more than 8.9 million children around the world have made decisions for Christ while participating in the Greatest Journey curriculum and more than 18.9 million have enrolled in the program! The eternal impact of one shoebox is evident and amazing!

I have many stories from my time in Senegal and my work with Operation Christmas Child, but one stands out in my mind. In April 2009, we partnered with leaders from a nearby village and distributed boxes to the children there. We would return each month afterward to follow-up and continue teaching the Good News. In October of that year, it was back-to-school time. While we were visiting with friends, one mother pulled my missionary colleague, Kim, aside and invited her into her home, a stereotypical African mud hut with a thatch roof. This mother reached up on top of her wooden armoire and pulled down the Operation Christmas Child box her child had received in the spring. She told Kim that she had been saving the school supplies for the beginning of the school year so he could have new supplies. She explained that because of this gift, her family was able to save money and did not have the burden of scrounging to find money for new school supplies. What a blessing this shoebox was, not just for the child who returned to school with shiny, new supplies, but for the entire family!

To see children smile and cry tears of joy at the sight of items we in the States consider simple, and maybe even worthless, is life-changing. I watched a young boy cry over a 99-cent pair of cotton gloves because he could be like the soccer goalies he saw on TV. I watched a whole class sing and dance songs of thanks for toy bracelets and simple calculators. I had a young girl tell me she had never had good-smelling soap before – all her bars of soap before were homemade and had no added perfumes. These physical items are special and make an impact, but the impact Operation Christmas Child truly wishes to make is an eternal one. The goal is to teach these young souls about Christ and the saving grace He offers.

Here at FBC Starkville, you have the opportunity to participate in this ministry and bless children all over the world. This year, we will collect OCC boxes from November 17th to the 24th. Last year, FBC collected just under 300 boxes. This year, our goal is 500! So gather your friends, family, or community group and pack as many boxes as possible. That is 200 more children who will hear the Good News of Jesus than last year! This is a great opportunity for all of us to make an eternal impact in children's lives across the world for Christ.

There are several ways that you can participate in the Operation Christmas Child collection. You, by yourself or in a group, can pack a shoebox (or several). You can also donate money to Samaritan's Purse for Operation Christmas Child. It costs $9 to ship each box to its destination. This money covers container, customs, and transportation fees. You may place your cash or check on the very top of your box in the envelope provided by Samaritan's Purse, or you can go to samaritanspurse.org and make your donation online. You can even print off a special tag when you donate online to track where your box goes! (This would be a fun idea for a community group class to keep up with their boxes and pray for the children in that country). Another way you can donate is to give money to help with "The Greatest Journey" discipleship courses. According to their website, a $6 monthly donation is all Samaritan's Purse needs to teach this 12-week course to one child and to provide them with a copy of the New Testament.

There are many items you can pack in a shoebox, but there are some limitations. Suggested items to pack include school supplies, toys such as soccer balls, marbles, and jump ropes, hair accessories for girls, hygiene items such as bar soap, and clothing items such as t-shirts and underwear. Items to avoid include military or war themed toys, candy, liquid items, used toys or items, and items with liquid (such as bubbles). One point I like to make about what not to pack is about stuffed animals.

It is usually suggested to avoid stuffed animals. Some animals in certain countries are considered "bad omens" and the last thing we want to give a child is something that may frighten them. Also, some animals just don't translate. Many countries don't have bears. They may not know what a bear is, so a Teddy bear would get lost in translation. A safe toy to pack is a baby doll. Also, several items that cannot be packed have changed in recent years due to rising customs fees for those items – toothpaste, candies, and gum are just a few of those. If you are unsure about what can and cannot be packed, check out the "What Goes in my Shoebox Suggestions" page on the Samaritan's Purse website.

You can pack shoeboxes you have at home, or you can pack a shoebox that Samaritan's Purse provides. These are available in the Commons area. Another box you can pack is the clear, plastic shoeboxes you can buy at the store. Once your box is packed and ready to go, make sure it is labeled with the labels provided, the $9 shipping fee is on the very top of the inside of your box (you can write one check for multiple boxes), and you've placed a rubber band around the box. Then you simply bring it to the church and drop it off at the table set up in the Children's Building. We know God does amazing things with each box packed and we encourage each of you to participate in this opportunity to show children all over the world the love of Christ.

If you have any questions regarding this ministry or if you or your group need help packing a shoebox, contact the church or Shawn Smith. Let's go above and beyond our goal this year! The only way that can happen is with YOU!