Impressing God's Word on Your Kids' Heart || Kid Wrangler, God Lover, Life Sharer

You are here: Home / me / Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child

I walked into church two weeks ago and let out a huge aggravated sigh.

Why?

Because in every seat of the auditorium was an Operation Christmas Child shoebox.

Now, why would that make me upset?

Because I forgot my camera.

(This is what happens when you’re a blogger. You have to take pictures of every. single. thing.)

The boxes were all flat and they encouraged us to fold them and drop them off on our way out. Not taking them home, just folding them up. They wanted everyone to see how many boxes the church wants to pack. It was a teaser, if you will.

This week, I was prepared. I grabbed my camera and took some pictures of the MOUNTAINS of boxes in our church’s lobby.

operation christmas child

operation christmas child

operation christmas child

I told you they were mountains.

It was so cool to see everyone walking home with a box under their arm. Or two. Or three. This week I’m expecting those boxes to come back, filled to the brim with little gifts–socks, toothbrushes, tissues, balls, ponytail holders, crayons, notebooks, pencils, suckers, stuffed animals, silly bandz, bandaids, stickers, washcloths, soap and more.

christmas shoeboxes

This week I’m hoping there are mountains of FILLED boxes. We did our part and packed 9 (see above), then with our leftover stuff (and a few things from around the house), we packed 2 more–so we’ll be bringing 11 boxes to church!

 

Now, the heart part

There are 1.6 billion kids under 15 in the world today. Last year Operation Christmas Child sent out 8.2 million shoeboxes to needy kids. That doesn’t even make a dent.

In every area that Operation Christmas Child delivers, there is a National Leadership Team. These teams have an 8 year strategy for getting boxes into the hands of kids in their area. They work hard at making sure kids don’t get boxes more than once.

HUH?

That sounds kinda mean. Only one shoebox in their lifetime?

Why is that a good idea? Well, let’s think about it–the 8.5 million boxes that will (hopefully) be sent out this Christmas season?  They will go to different kids than the 8.2 million  boxes that were sent out last year! In just 2 years they reached almost 17 million kids with a shoebox! 17 million kids with the love of Jesus!

That gets me excited!

After I read this info, I looked at my 11 little boxes and thought, “I’m not just making an impact on these kids’ CHRISTMAS. I’m making an impact on their entire CHILDHOOD!” This could be their one and only gift EVER.

The. Only. Gift. They’ll. Ever. Get.

And it could be given by you. It could be picked out, wrapped, packed and sent by your children.

Do you see the huge impact this can make on you? Your children? And a child somewhere else around the world?

Pack a Box. Change a Life.

Disclosure: I am a member of the Operation Christmas Child blogger panel and write about the ministry on a volunteer basis. All posts are my own thoughts and do not necessarily reflect the views of Samaritan’s Purse. As part of the blogger panel, Operation Christmas Child will cover my expenses to participate in a trip to the California Processing Center to prepare shoe box gifts for overseas shipment. I am not an employee, agent, or contractor of Samaritan’s Purse.

More from my site

Category: me

Comments

  2. courtney says

    When I taught 5/6 grade at a Christian school, one of the most special moments I had with my kids was when we gathered around our filled OCC shoe boxes and each of the kids prayed over them. They prayed for the kids that would receive the gifts and for the their families… wow, I am tearing up just remembering that sweet moment. My students got so excited about spending their own money to fill these shoe boxes and to send them off. Not only is this a great ministry for the kids that are receiving the boxes but this is such a fantastic way to get your kids involved in something that ‘beyond’ themselves.

  4. Tara says

    I think this shoebox idea is wonderful idea. I really just heard about it a few days ago when my friend posted it on her facebook page. She wanted a bunch of shoebox’s because this was her thing to do…you see, her 2 yr old son passed away June 1st,2010 in a drowning accident. And this is her way to keep Joey’s memory alive. So in honor of her little boy’s life we all have pitched in and now she has almost a 100( +) boxes wrapped & filled. Just from 1 person asking for help and wanting to help. And that’s 100(+) little kids that might not have seen a box this year. Live on Joey<3

  5. Ellen S. says

    This is my favorite time of the year…Our church family is planning on filling 125 (yeah, we are a small church).

  6. Gina says

    We had so much fin shopping for and packing our boxes last year. You should have seen the geometry involved in fitting everything we bought into them. I can’t wait to do them again!

    • oh amanda says

      LOL! I hear you on the geometry! We moved stuff around so much! And we found some shirts for $1 at Target, so then we were trying to match gifts to the right size of the kid (ie-would a 6 year old like this? does this match the purple shirt?) 🙂

      • Gina says

        We got some shirts, too. And we had to do a girl of the same age because Emily wanted to have a matching shirt of another girl somewhere across the world. Every time she wears it, she says her “friend” is probably wearing it too.

  7. Maria says

    So excited to do this project. We are doing this as a cub scout service project for this month and are getting ready to finish filling our boxes on Monday evening. We started off thinking we would do at least 2, but I think it will be 4 (or maybe more!)

    Thanks for the great ideas!

    • oh amanda says

      I want to do more next year—by couponing and stockpiling throughout the year. SavingsLifestyle.com has a ton of posts about free/cheap stuff to fill your boxes with! You could do SO many boxes that way! It’s awesome no matter how many you do!

    • oh amanda says

      Just think of all the boxes they’ve given out over the years. Have you seen the videos of the kids who are grown now–and got boxes as kids? They are giving back by serving with OCC b/c it was a big thing in their life. It’s amazing.

  9. Tricia says

    Great way for your church to “encourage” people to fill boxes…by leaving them on the seats….I may have to use that idea at my church next year!

  10. Cindy Bultema says

    Love it! Love it! Love it!!
    I’ve had the chance to pass out shoeboxes twice before, and both experiences were moving, significant, sacred moments. I get goose bumps to see the pics of your boxes and to know the *joy* it will bring to kids around the world.
    And you’ve got me thinking…I’m not sure how creative our family can be ~ but I’m sure going to think about making a little video. To have the chance to distribute shoeboxes again would be a dream come true!
    Thank you, dear Amanda, for using your “platform” to promote such an awesome, fruit-bearing ministry!
    Cindy 🙂

  11. Vanderbilt Wife says

    I think one of the most awesome moments for me was hearing from a girl at our church in Nashville who was adopted as a preteen from Ukraine. (The whole story is REALLY cool and I will tell you some time!) She told our church about receiving a shoe box and the difference it made to her. Just awesome.

  12. Tricia says

    Do you know how to get boxes from OCC? I know it is too late for this year but just wondering for next year. I checked all over their website but couldn’t find anything. Thanks!

  15. Grace says

    Hey Amanda,
    I’m a little late! I have wanted to get involved with Operation Christmas Child for a long time and, apparently, decided to check it all out today. Do you happen to know if they will be doing this contest next year? Love to know.
    Grace

  20. Roberto says

    I’ve learn some excellent stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting.
    I wonder how much effort you place to make this kind of magnificent informative
    website.

  21. free heroes of warcraft beta keys says

    cor that hangs about the house has been known to suddenly “lift itself up off of the hook”
    and fly across the room. The player to player interaction is
    rather limited as well, letting the player pick from a pre-generated
    selection of generic emotes like hello and sorry, which may provide more comfort to more passive individuals that are not looking to be
    berated by a player-base that scolds the newbie with venom.
    One day he found his tolerance limit when a water glass he was reaching to clear from a table slid about two feet
    away from his outstretched hand and tipped over with a
    crash. Most of us know that we are a nation built upon the
    sweat and vision of immigrants. Owners Alexandra Storm and Dick Carleton purchased this property in 1989.
    Even though the game does provide players an option to buy cards rather than
    grind for them, introducing the possibility to run into other players with some crazy decks that you
    might not have access to yet, the field is level and just because you may face such an opposing deck it does not necessarily
    mean what you have gained for free cannot face that challenge.
    When repainting, a semi- gloss with primer added will do.
    Also, if you like what you’re reading and want more then click on the “like” and subscribe button.
    Ever since “Hearthstone” was introduced at PAX East 2013
    people have been clamoring to get into the currently closed
    beta. Furthermore, furniture and home stores are still the best option
    to buy wood stoves.

  22. Lavon says

    Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative.
    I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in
    future. Many people will be benefited from your writing.

    Cheers!

  23. working bangbros account says

    In a very study connected with convicted child corrigers, 77 per cent of those who
    have molested boys and also 87 percent of people who have molested girls
    accepted to the chronic use of sex sites in the percentage of their crimes.
    Besides stirring the perpetrator, pornography
    facilitates child molestation in a few methods. For example , pedophiles utilize pornographic photos to show on their victims whatever they want these phones do.
    In addition, they employ them to arouse a child in order to lower some sort of
    child’s inhibitions in addition to communicate to the unsuspecting
    youngster that a special sexual activity is ok: “This man is enjoying the item; so do you want to. inch
    You will find a option. If you possibly could show the the courtroom conclusively the parent has a dependence on Internet porno the court might make orders in connection with that threat that may protect your sons or daughters as a result coverage. They could order everything from no trips to supervised goes to to orders prohibiting the mere profile of a personal computer in your own home.

  24. Kirk says

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.

    Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you
    access consistently rapidly.

  25. big bang theory quizzes says

    Hello, I think your website might be having browser
    compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, amazing blog!

Hi there!


I like to think of fun ways to lead my kids to Jesus and I like to share them with you. If you're new here, start here for some fun family-time ideas!

Keep In Touch