Hey Friends –
Have you ever expereinced a life-changing moment when you knew you’d never again be the same?!
That’s exactly what happened to me when I had the chance to distribute Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.
Here’s the story —
In 2003, I was invited to serve at an Egyptian church and spend time with my friend Maha and her family.
One of the many highlights of the trip was being able to pass out Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes to the children of Garbage City.
Here I am (on the left) being escorted to the area where the children were waiting. And yes, that’s raw sewage running down the middle of the street.
When we arrived in the church and I saw all of the beautiful children, I was quickly moved to tears.
I asked one of our interpreters, “How do you say ‘Jesus loves you’ in Arabic?”
She responded “Jesus be hebec” (my spelling…not sure how you really spell it….)
And that afternoon, as I knelt down in the dirt in 110 degree heat in a sweaty room jam-packed with kids —I should mention I was 4 1/2 months pregnant! — and passed out the OCC shoeboxes…. I shared with each and every beautiful, precious child “Jesus be hebec, Jesus be hebec.”
With thick wet tears streaming down my face, I knew at that moment that this was what I was created for! I would surrender my life to share with anyone and everyone — no matter where God would take me — all about Jesus and His great love.
It is a defining moment in my life I will never forget. 🙂
In the picture below, I am helping show the children what to do with the various items from the shoebox — sometimes challenging when we could only use our actions, and not words because of the language barrier.
This little girl was given powder, but had no idea what to do with it!!
Pic below passing out OCC shoeboxes in an Egyptian hospital for kids with cancer…
I also had the opportunity to pass out OCC shoeboxes at the Sawarahi Refuge Camp in North West Africa.
Both at the refuge camp and in Egypt, I experienced first hand the impact that these simple, inexpensives showboxes have on children (and their families) around the world.
This holiday season the Bultema’s will be once again be packing OCC shoeboxes. I’ve found this is one of the easiest, most fun opportunities to put our “Red Hot Faith” in action, while teaching compassion, kindness, and generosity.
I’m super excited to pack our shoeboxes, and hope you and your family will join us too!
This holiday season please join us and build a box with your family to teach kindness, compassion, and generosity.
How your family can get involved with Operation Christmas Child:
1. Pack a shoe box! Get the kids involved in choosing gifts to give to another child.
2. Pack a virtual shoe box online through Build A Shoebox Online.
3. Drop your completed box at an OCC drop-off location close to you (find one here)
Does your family participate with Operation Christmas Child? What’s your favorite thing to put in a shoebox? I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks so much for stopping by *She Sparkles*!
God’s richest blessings to you!
I have twelve packed and ready to go. 2 still in process. I have put tote bags in all of them. Most are a simple drawstring bag that I have made. For the older girls I love to,put in colored pencils or pens and journals and sewing supplies including some fabric, scissors, thread, needles, etc.
Love the operation Shoebox!!!! We just had a packing party yesterday in Maple Grove, MN with friends. Lots of kids. We packed 241 shoe boxes. 81 more boxes then last year. Our shoe box organizer did a wonderful job shopping for items with cash donations she received. Such a fun service activity for kids. Thanks for posting pictures, we said we wondered what it was like when the kids received them. How they felt, etc.