I am always amazed to see God's hand at work in Operation Christmas Child. How blessed I am to have had the privilege to serve the last 15 years with an organization that is always prepared to share the Gospel message with the needy people of the world and to know each shoe box gift is making a difference in the life of a child for eternity. Only when we get to Heaven will we know the true impact of our efforts.
Eric Oyer, Community Relations co-Coordinator
It has been a blessing to be part of Operation Christmas Child, the unique missions project of Samaritan\'s Purse. Through a simple shoe box many millions of needy children throughout the world have experienced the joy of a Christmas gift and the hope of the Gospel. This year I had the privilege of working in the shoe box Processing Center in Charlotte, N.C. There I got to see the dedicated service of the many volunteers who make this ministry possible. The Charlotte experience provided an opportunity to more fully comprehend the magnitude of the shoe box ministry and its impact on the children of the world. There are millions of hurting children waiting to hear of God\'s love. You can be part of this important missions project.
Deana Cordell, Media Relations Team Member
My first time to the Processing Center in Charlotte was such a fun experience. After David Goodman got our group checked in we went through an orientation, then we were assigned to a station. My husband Rick and I were both assigned to Station 29. Cooper was our Station Leader, and he was awesome. My main job was Inspector and Rick was a Cartonizer, but we also did other jobs at the station when needed. I learned three things in Charlotte. First, to say a prayer over each shoe box before turning it in to the church or collection site. I don’t know why I never thought of that before, but it was talked about a lot so I\'ll remember it for this year. Second, never to over-pack a shoe box again! I was one of those who had to use rubber bands to get the lid to stay on. After being an inspector and having to unpack and repack hundreds of boxes, I know that the over-packed ones take much longer to deal with. Most importantly I learned that what I stuffed into one shoe box could be split into two or three and spread God’s word to even more children. Third, I learned that Boys 10-12 is the category that receives the fewest shoe boxes. This year I have set a goal for Rick and myself to pack ten shoe boxes (at least two for Boys 10-12) and to say a special prayer for each one before taking it to our church. We have decided to make this an annual trip and are already planning to go to Charlotte again this year.
Loretta Tharp
This year is going to be a great opportunity to see God work as we are planning to pack 7000 shoe boxes at the collection center this year in November. With that goal we need a lot of prayer (lots and lots). It is going to be fun to watch God do amazing things as we work together to accomplish this goal. We need $49,000 to send our boxes and money to fill them with. We are having nursing homes put together school kits and they are excited they can participate.
God is so awesome as we just got the figures for the 2011 collection. We can rejoice as worldwide we collected over 8.6 million boxes and in the U.S. we collected over 6.58 million and exceeded our goal also. It amazes me that in a year that the economy took a downturn that we grew boxes and that is the amazing thing about our God....He can do whatever He wants and I am so blessed to be a part of what he is doing in the South Central Pa. area where we collected 31,139 gospel opportunitiies. Thank you all for all you have done and continue to do to bring hope to children around the world through a simple gift.
Blessings to each of you!
