Hello, People! Merry Christmas! This month several families in my church traveled to Charlotte, NC, to work in the processing plant for Operation Christmas Child (OCC), a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. We worked for 3 days going through the millions of shoebox gifts, checking them for inappropriate items and donation money  for OCC. An incredible time was enjoyed by all, and I’m going to use it as this month’s main article. 

Remember the good feeling you experience when someone is thrilled by a gift you gave them? Or  when you receive something perfect and are excited beyond excitement? You just feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, and the whole world looks brighter. Think how much that feeling would be magnified if you had never, ever been given anything, and lived in hopeless conditions in poverty or a war-stricken country. Add the first exposure to the Gospel, and the offering of a true Friend in Jesus. Add the first real love anyone has ever shown, combined with the fact that you are significant in God’s eyes, and He knows your name, and loves you.

Precious children all over the world are impacted in these ways by just a simple gift that ceases to be simple when God’s plan is acted out through that box. He has used the shoeboxes to bring whole villages to Him, and we excitedly await what He will do this year.

During a training session on the first day, we heard a story that illustrates the power of God in these gifts, and the ways He uses them to bring glory to Himself. A small boy in a village received his box along with the other children, but his was different. While the others opened candy, hygiene items, clothes, and toys, his box was full of socks. That’s it. Socks. “Is this on your wish list?” asked the volunteer that was training us. “Socks? No way”, we said. Guess what happened? The people handing out the boxes think, “Oh, man, what a disappointment. Let’s give him another box.” However, he kept a tight hold on the socks box, and an interpreter explained. This boy had extensive burning on his legs, and had been grieviously teased by the other children. He had prayed for something to cover the embarassing scars, and these socks were perfect. Someone had packed a box of socks,  nothing more, and God used them in a mighty way. He knew that box was full of socks, and used them in the life of this little guy, in accordance with His divine mercy and plan.

It was continuously impressed upon us the plans God had for each box. Each box there was going  to one child that God had picked out, and each box had the unique things that that child was supposed to have. We were touched and honored to be a part of such a miraculous part of God’s plan, and to be able to touch someone’s life for Him. We met many fellow Christians with such a sweet spirit of generosity, love, and joy. I highly recommend supporting Operation Christmas Child,  either by packing a box, sending donations, or even working at one of the plants. I was blessed by the many letters in the boxes, as well as the selflessness of the givers. I also enjoyed the companionship with the families and friends I worked, played, and traveled with, and wish each of them blessings and joy, especially over this Christmas season.

To all of you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May God have all the praise and glory through each of the shoeboxes that went out this year, and may each child accept the saving grace of God through their individual gifts. Enjoy this holiday season, and remember to count your infinite blessings, and thank God for His incredible mercy and love.

Blessings,

Abby Frierson