We’re going to have a big explosion around here this week. I’m opening
the door to my front bedroom closet, which is so full, items are likely to
shoot into the air. My sister, Tammy, and I are getting together to put together our Operation Christmas Child
boxes for Samaritan’s Purse. We’re hoping to prepare twenty-five boxes again
this year. From that closet, I’m dragging bag after bag of school supplies,
toys, and hygiene items to my dining room so we can assemble the boxes. It’s
going to be a mess in there for several days.
In a wonderful turn of events, when I attended a Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s
Conference, I was asked to write a piece about the boxes we
do for a Christmas Moments anthology Grace Publishing is producing called Merry Christmas Moments. I receive
no royalties for this book, as all proceeds are donated to Samaritan’s Purse. This
book is one in a series of Christmas Moments collections Grace Publishing has
produced.
My article in Merry Christmas
Moments is called, "Sharing the Gospel
from my Exploding Closet." You can guess why. According to the Operation
Christmas Child Website, “After receiving a shoebox gift, children have
opportunity to enroll in The Greatest Journey Bible student course guiding them
to what it means to faithfully follow Christ.” These boxes will bring joy to children in
more than 100 countries around the world as they learn about God's love for them.
The boxes are quite an undertaking, but I love doing them. As I’ve
written before, the way we are able to pack so many boxes is we shop all year
at seasonal sales. My friend Dolly inspired me to do this. I don’t know how
many boxes she packs, I’m sure in the hundreds, but she has turned her garage into
Operation Christmas Child central and works on boxes all year.
So, get out there and pack your Operation Christmas Child boxes. You
may not have shopped all year, but you can still do a few. Samaritan’s Purse
has drop off locations all over the country. HERE is a link for them and HERE is a link to the items needed for
the boxes.
If you were wondering what to get your friends and family for
Christmas, Merry Christmas Moments
would make a great gift. It’s always great when you can give a great gift
and help others at the same time.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matt. 28:18-20).
If you're looking for a Christmas gift, Grace Publishing has an anthology called Merry Christmas Moments. I have an article in it entitled, "Sharing the Gospel from my Exploding Closet." Authors receive no royalties from this collection. Instead, proceeds go to Samaritan's Purse. HERE if you'd like to order.
