AiG Sending 309 Operation Christmas Child Boxes

The Samaritan’s Purse website says, “After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said ‘Go and do likewise.’ That is the mission of Samaritan's Purse—to follow the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel.” I’m thankful we could partner with this organization for their Operation Christmas Child shoebox outreach to hundreds of thousands of needy children in several nations, and I’m thankful for AiG staff member Ronda Crosby who leads this initiative each year.

She said,

Four years ago I was burdened with the thought of helping children in need around the world. The Lord laid on my heart to take on the blessing of serving these children through Operation Christmas Child within Answers in Genesis. Each year we set a goal and present it to our staff. In 2012 we were excited to send 74 shoeboxes around the world. We have increased in the number of staff, so I keep raising the goal for shoeboxes. This year our goal was 200 shoeboxes. Many of our staff still support their local church’s endeavor to reach out to these children, and we do not want to take away from that, so I try to be realistic with our numbers. Then God steps in, and we were blessed with 309 shoeboxes this year. Way to knock that goal out of the park! We had one family that brought in 86 boxes, one family that brought in 32 boxes, plus a Girl Scout troop and a local church also brought their boxes to us.

The shoeboxes will be distributed to one of five places: Ukraine, Colombia, Rwanda, South Sudan, or Botswana.

The best thing about Operation Christmas Child is that it doesn’t stop with the shoebox. After receiving a shoebox gift, children have the opportunity to enroll in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson Bible study course guiding them through what it means to faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Keep your eye out next year to see what our big goal is at AiG and how God blesses His children.

We are thrilled to be a part of God’s work as His followers share the gospel with children all around the world. Not many things in life are as exciting as hearing about children embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ! We’re thankful that God chooses to use us and Operation Christmas Child to reach these children and their families with the gospel. Please keep the work of Samaritan’s Purse/OCC in your prayers as the shoeboxes—and the gospel—are delivered to needy children. Samaritan’s Purse also conducts significant humanitarian relief and development work all over the globe.

I’m also thrilled that so many of the AiG staff are involved in various ministries outside of AiG—what a dedicated staff we have! Praise the Lord.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.