The anticipation of getting a gift...
The hugs of appreciation...
The squeals of joy when they open their boxes...
The dancing...
The singing...
There is NOTHING in the world like a distribution day for Operation Christmas Child...a program that Saddleback Church partners with Samaritan's Purse around the world.
Packing the boxes is a lot of fun..
Collecting them at church is fun and fulfilling...
Sorting and sending them at the processing center is awe-inspiring...
But giving these little kids around the world a Christmas gift ( even in April...Christmas is anytime you get a gift in Christ's name) from the families of our church is the BEST.
We have had 2 huge OCC distributions here in Rwanda...one at a church...one at a church-run school... We've given out close to a thousand of these shoebox gifts to every kind of kid. We sang songs and played games..went in classrooms and shared our stories of Christ in our lives...and talked with the kids about THE GREATEST GIFT ANYONE EVER GAVE...God's gift to us, His Son, Jesus Christ...and Christ's gift of His life for us.
Pictures don't tell it all, but here's a few.
Pictures don't tell it all, but here's a few.
All 3 orphan girls from the street showed up at the distribution...they are listening !!
Hi Pastor Steve:
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of Pastor Gennady's story of how the shoe boxes changed his heart. "... and then the shoe boxes arrived." They are not only filled with cool toys but also with God's love... mostly with God's love. I have no doubt that God is working in the hearts of the 3 orphan girls. I'm so glad they came to the distribution. Lives are changing. Praise God.
Seeing the joy on the faces of these children with their boxes helps me to visualize this verse: "Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you will never get in." Mark 10:15
Thanks again for taking the time to share what God is doing.
Praying for the team and the mission,
Mary and Scott