Every year at our house, right around the holidays, our family fills up shoe boxes with school supplies, toiletries, stickers, toys and candy to send to kids in need, all over the world.
Operation Christmas Child is an "operation", organized by Samaritan's Purse, that makes a way for people here in the US to give gifts to kids in countries like the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Russia and Liberia. In addition to the gift filled shoe boxes, each child learns about Jesus Christ and gets an opportunity to enroll in the discipleship program put together by Samaritan's Purse, following the gift giving.
It's easy to fill a shoe box! First, decide who you want to pack for. You can choose a boy or girl, ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Once you've decided, go here to print off a label to tape to your shoe box.If you want to wrap your box (you don't have to), now is a good time to do so, before you start filling it. If you don't have any wrapping paper at hand, you can wrap it with paper, and color it with markers or crayons if you like. Go ahead and wrap the box and lid separately
Well, you've decided who you're gift-giving to, and you have your box wrapped. Now's the fun part - filling it! For a complete list of gift ideas, go to Operation Christmas Child's list of Gift Suggestions (they're at the bottom of the page).
Once you're finished packing your box, you can write a letter to go to "your" child (you never know whom the box will get to, but it's fun to imagine him or her getting it and enjoying the things you've specially packed for them.) I always start off with "Dear Friend," then go on to say 
how I will be praying for them, and that I hope they enjoy their little presents. Under my name, I put down my address, just in case the letter was somehow translated (or they know English!) and they'd like to write back. Put your letter in an envelope, and enclose a picture of yourself or your family, if you like.
how I will be praying for them, and that I hope they enjoy their little presents. Under my name, I put down my address, just in case the letter was somehow translated (or they know English!) and they'd like to write back. Put your letter in an envelope, and enclose a picture of yourself or your family, if you like. 
Well, you're done! Now it's time to drop your box off. Samaritan's Purse has set up a page on their site where you can type in your ZIP code to see the nearest drop-off location, and when they're open. Go here to find out now.Make sure to drop off your boxes soon! National Collection Week is November 17 - 24 this year. That means only three days from now!
Enjoy your gift giving!
3 comments:
On behalf of Franklin Graham, thank you for participating in Operation Christmas Child this year. We are grateful that you took the time to post this information on your blog.
Oh I love operation christmas child! My family and church family do many boxes every christmas. We just about have finished loaded ours with goodies and on monday we are going to take them to the nearest drop off. My sister and I made scarfs even out of some scrap fleece and some extra yarn. We crochet so that was great practice. And I had some stuffed animals I do not use anymore from my childhood that were practically brand new so I put those in too.
Well I hope your week is a blessing! I love your blog!
In Christ,
Rebecca
May I just say that you are one amazing girl. Your mother has done a great job. If only there were more like you. Have you ever read The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura? While you're not married, you would probably enjoy it. There's also The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage. I've featured your lavender sashet tutorial in my blog, that's how I found you.
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