Put Feet to Their Faith - Operation Christmas Child

When I was a child I always looked forward to Christmas - I loved the lights on the tree and I knew I'd receive gifts from my parents and grandparents! When my children were young, they always received gifts from their dad and I at Christmas - they still do as adults! One of my favorite times of the year as a grandma is most certainly Christmas! I love celebrating it with my grandchildren - and they absolutely receive gifts from their grandpa and me!

Of course Christmas is far more than giving and receiving gifts, but the gift part is a part of Christmas for sure . . . however; not for all children. There are children around the world who do not receive gifts at Christmas. This is where Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child come in. Giving gifts to children who otherwise would not receive a gift provides the opportunity to do something which matters far more than gifts . . . sharing Jesus with these children and parents!

This year, Samaritan's Purse will collect their 100 millionth shoe box gift since the project began in 1993. This means 100 million children will have experienced the love of Jesus Christ! Consider these facts:

• If 100 million shoe boxes were stacked on top of each other, they would stand 1,722 times higher than Mt. Everest
• If all the children who have received an Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift stood hand-in-hand, they would circle the globe twice.
• If all 100 million shoe box gifts went to the children in India, we would only reach one-third of the children in the country. Each additional box impacts one more child with one more Gospel opportunity.

All this month I'll be talking about Operation Christmas Child as it is my Put Feet to Their Faith project for the month of September. You can involve the children and families in your church in this opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and families around the world by packing shoe boxes with gifts which Samaritan's Purse will give to children who otherwise would not receive a gift! Most importantly, they will share with these children, and their parents, about the best Gift ever . . . Jesus!

Challenge your Sunday school classes and small groups to pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child! Provide opportunities for children to raise money, go shopping and pack their boxes - this year as children think about Christmas, challenge them to think about and pray for children who will receive the boxes they pack! 

Check this link and you'l find all the information you need to Put Feet to Their Faith and involve the children and families in your ministry with Operation Christmas Child this year!