OCC Kickoff

Good Monday morning dear readers.

Yesterday our church, First Baptist, Sheridan, kicked off our annual drive for Operation Christmas Child. This program was started by Franklin Graham, in order to reach children all over the world for Christ.

Basically, you take a shoebox, wrap it in Christmas paper, (leaving it able to be opened) and you fill it with goodies. Coloring books and crayons, toothpaste and toothbrush, small toys and stuffed animals, school supplies and anything you think a child who has NOTHING might like. The boxes are then gathered, checked and sent to countries all over the world. You can track your box, and find out where it eventually ends up.

The wonderful woman who heads this up for our church, pointed out yesterday that this is not just about giving a child a Christmas present. It is about SALVATION to that child, and making sure that child's name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. A video we watched informed us that one box, one little shoebox, was instrumental in bringing two entire villages to Christ. There was also a situation where a child's mother was dying from malnutrition, and somehow, someway an IV bag and money got through the check points and it saved this woman's life. Only God could have done that, as each box is checked four times and this was not something that would have been allowed. Last year we were told of a box that held a pair of shoes. The child that wound up with that box, could not attend school simply because she had no shoes. God is still in the miracle business folks.

This program has touched my heart. So many children are in such need. Yes, we have needs here in the US, but there are so many local programs for us, and nothing for these children in third world countries. I plan to pack boxes for boys from age 10 to 14, since I feel that is what God wants me to do, and I fear most folks would rather pack for ages 5 to 9 since it's a little easier and more fun.

You can visit the OCC Site by clicking on the link above. Search your heart and see if God would lead you to participate in this program. It doesn't take a lot of money, since the boxes are small and the children are happy with anything they get. If you are interested, but don't know what to do, contact me privately and I will help in any way I can.