Martin Luther Church participated in Operation Christmas Child for their fifth year. This Mission Project was our focus for October to mid-November. Operation Christmas Child was started over 20 years ago by Samaritan’s Purse – a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization led by Franklin Graham.
From our youngest to our oldest members, shoebox gifts were packed to be a blessing to children in need around the world. What’s in a box? A “wow” item such as a doll, soccer ball with pump, stuffed animal, or a small toy. Hygiene items, school supplies, and wearable items such as flip-flops, t-shirts, hats, etc. fill up the box. It truly is astounding how many thoughtful items can be used to fill those boxes!
This year we collected 168 boxes which was well over our 2018 collection number! On November 18, the boxes were taken to our nearest collection point which was First Baptist Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska. The Tecumseh location reported approximately 850 boxes that were collected during Collection Week were taken to Lincoln and then to a processing center (Denver for our area) where thousands of volunteers prepare them for international shipping.
Millions of boxes pass through a Processing Center in preparation for shipping to counties around the globe.
The shoeboxes will travel to children in over 100 countries. The transportation by volunteers is completed by various methods!
Shoeboxes being transported by foot in Figi
Shoeboxes transported by canoe in Madagascar
The shoebox distribution results in evangelism and discipleship. Pastors and trained volunteers host the shoebox distributions in places where people may not know Christ or as resources for outreach in orphanages and other at-risk areas. “The Greatest Gift” a Gospel story booklet developed for shoebox recipients by Samaritan’s Purse is distributed with the shoeboxes. Boys and girls across the globe have an opportunity to learn about Jesus.
Shoebox delivery in Dominican Republic
A child in Haiti with the “Greatest Gift” booklet
Kindness and caring at MLC –
inspired by Jesus, our Lord –
resulting in great joy!