Operation Christmas Child

Every year my children participate in the Operation Christmas Child program as one of their Cherub Choir service projects.  Throughout the choir season, the kids raise money for a child they sponsor through Compassion International and collect items for those in need, but Operation Christmas Child remains their favorite service project of the year. Run by Samaritan’s Purse, OCC takes an ordinary shoe box and turns it into a life changing gift for a child.  The mission of OCC is simple: To demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  And the task, is just as simple, perfect for a child wanting to share God’s love.

We began again this year with two shoe boxes and some wrapping paper, turning each ordinary box into a beautiful gift.  Then Noah and I headed to the store where he helped me choose a tablet of paper, box of crayons, a toothbrush, bath poof, and non-perishable candy to fill our box.  We filled out our OCC papers indicating that one box would be for a girl ages 2 to 4 and the other for a boy ages 2 to 4.  I then wrote a check to cover the administrative costs for each box, and just like that, we were finished.

Once the boxes make it to the Operation Christmas Child collection locations, a Bible or Bible story is placed inside and they are shipped around the world to children in need.  Tomorrow is the end of this year’s collection week.  To find out how you can get involved, visit www.OperationChristmasChild.com.