What if you could whisper a message in the ear of a child in another country?
What if you could send that boy or girl a box filled with gifts especially for them?
What would you say to them?
What would you send?
This is the challenge I was given for Operation Christmas Child this year.
Our family has been packing shoe boxes for at least 10 years now. Most of our boxes have been packed for boys the same age as ours (now 15 and 12).
This year is going to be different.
I’m approaching my boxes with intentionality.
I want to send a message to each recipient.
I’m a savvy shopper and I pick up items throughout the year for our boxes as I come across things in the clearance section at Wal-Mart, at the Dollar Tree, and even at the local Harris Teeter.
A few months back a scored a sizeable amount of craft supplies on clearance at the grocery store. Color Wonder, Model Magic, coloring books (not pictured), and some other fun things.
I knew one of my shoe boxes needed to be for a budding artist.
I am trusting and praying that God will put that box in the hands of a child that needs it.
We’re going to include a colorful note that says:
You are creative! You are special! You are talented! You are loved by a family in North Carolina, USA!
I have a heart for reaching teen girls and also wanted to do a box for a young woman who needs to hear some encouragement.
God reminded me that I already had just what I needed.
Some of you may have seen my post on The Sonshine Box. Nothing is more encouraging than the sunshine – and the true Sonshine!
I pulled out my bag filled with yellow goodies and picked out some items with a young teen girl in mind. Please note: Candy may no longer be sent in shoeboxes.
I’ve created a new Sonshine printable just for the occasion and am including the free printable for you to use if you’d like.
Click to download the free PDF. occ sonshine cards
On the front she’ll see: May this box of Sonshine fill you with great joy and happiness!
On the back, I’ll write: You are beautiful! You are loved! You are prayed for by a family in North Carolina, USA!
My challenge to you this fall is:
- If your church does not already collect boxes for Operation Christmas Child jump in and coordinate the effort.
- Pack your box intentionally this year. Think about the message you want to send. Boxes are packed for either a boy or a girl ages 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14.
- Pray for these boxes! Pray that they will be placed in the perfect hands. That God will smooth their transport and that many will come to know Christ through this program.
I’ll be looking for boxes packed with a message as I serve for the first time this year at the OCC Charlotte Processing Center. Maybe I’ll see your box!
Get packin’! Boxes are collected the 3rd week of November. For more details visit the OCC website.
Your turn to share: What message will you send in your Operation Christmas Child box this year?
You may also want to read:
My Message in a Box
Serving in the OCC Processing Center – Part 1
Serving in the OCC Processing Center – Part 2
How to Pack a Better Shoebox
What It’s Like to Give a Child a Shoebox
How to Host an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
How Your Women’s Ministry Can Get Involved with Operation Christmas Child
Cyndee, God will undoubtedly send your baking box to a girl who will be thrilled with such a well thought out gift! How fortunate you are to be able to deliver these shoeboxes in person. That’s always been a dream of mine. I’ll share a true story with you of something that happened to me several years ago while shopping for some OCC gifts. It might sound a little crazy but I’d put my hand on a Bible and swear to it. A Kmart near me was going out of business and had some great sales. I went early evening and to my surprise the store wasn’t crowded. I was going through a rack looking at shirts for 10-14 yr old boys and felt someone brush up against me. I turned around and the closest person was about 30 feet away. Thought it was odd, so I turned back to look at the red and yellow polo shirts that I had been looking at prior, when I heard God’s voice say to me “I enjoy watching you shop for my children.” I had goosebumps. I bought the red and yellow polo shirts, among other things for my OCC boxes. Fast forward about 4 months and again I heard God speak to me and say “I want to show you something”. Instantly I had a vision of a boy wearing the red polo shirt and holding my shoebox with all the other items in it. He was beaming with a smile from ear to ear saying, “This is the best day of my life!” God wanted me to see how much joy our boxes bring to others. I often pray about these boxes, asking God to please direct me in what to buy, since He knows where they will end up. One year I was told to “focus on hygiene items”, another year it was “backpacks”. Last year He was specific telling me certain boxes (I number mine to keep them straight) needed socks and underwear. He told me to put a harmonica in another one. God is Sovereign and knows who needs/wants what. It’s a privilege to be able to participate in this project and He gets all the glory. No doubt your Sunshine in a box made someone’s heart smile!
Oh Pamela! God is SO good!! Thank you for sharing how God is directing your packing efforts. If only more of us would listen and heed His promptings!
It’s so nice to hear stories from people like yourself who have distributed these boxes. I’ve been packing shoeboxes for awhile (now in 17th yr), and shop year round. Scored some great deals for my OCC boxes this yr. at Fallas yesterday; got 29 pair underwear (Fruit of the loom, etc for all age groups) 12 pair socks, 2 toddler sundresses, 5 tshirts, and 8 headbands all for about $15. Always look forward to back to school sales in the summer. Will have to consider some theme boxes this yr. Absolutely love this project!
Pamela – what great deals! What a blessing you are to so many children! I’d love to hear how your theme boxes turn out. After we went on a mission trip to Panama last summer I got the idea to make a baking kit for an older girl. I put in a 6 cup muffin pan, apron, measuring spoons, measuring cups, cupcake liners, and some other utensils in addition to some school supplies. I prayed God would send it to just the right girl.
Thanks for sharing, I love to do theme boxes! I did a ” under the sea these for a boy 2-4 and a ” Ballerina” theme for 2-4 years old girl, I also did a “Crayola “box fir a 5-9 girl this year.
Samantha – I love those ideas! 🙂 After taking a mission trip to Panama earlier this year and delivering baking supplies to the women there I made a baking box for a 10-14 yo girl – I found a 6 hole muffin pan, measuring spoons, measuring cups, cupcake liners, etc.
How thoughtful! Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome! Happy packing!
This was so beautiful and inspiring. Now I think I need to pack a few more shoe boxes. Thanks so much for sharing.
Awwww….thanks, Suzie! I know the recipients will be blessed!
Congratulations, Cyndee! Great post! Sunshine in a box – I like that!
Thanks Suzanne! 🙂