Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is an annual ministry in which Glenwood Community Church has participated for many years. As a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child is simple in premise: by providing a shoebox filled with both practical and playful gifts to a child in need, a doorway is opened for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be shared. Just as a gift given in love communicates to any one of us that we are loved and cared for, so does an Operation Christmas Child shoebox communicate to a child who may or may not know such love.

Suggestions For Your Shoebox:

• Pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc. You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself, your family, or group. If you include your name and an address, the child may be able to write back. 

Reminders for 2018:

• Last year, the following items were added to the “do not include” list: Candy and Toothpaste. Over the years, these items have been a problem for OCC at the port of entrance to the receiving country. Samaritan’s Purse is asking donors to avoid packing them in the shoebox.
• Shipping costs are $9 to your box instead of the $7 as in past years. The cost of the Gospel booklet and training of teachers is now included in the $9.

Dates for 2018:

• Boxes will be made available in the foyer on Sundays, October 14th and 21st.
• Packed boxes will be collected on Sundays, October 28, November 4th and 11th.

The most important thing you can do with your box is PRAY for the child who receives it! Pray that this gift would start a relationship with someone from a local church and a relationship with Jesus. That this would radically change their life and family. Whether you filled 1 box or 10, pray for the children who will receive them.

For an overview of the Operation Christmas Child ministry, you can:

• Check out the Operation Christmas Child website.
• Watch the summary video from OCC:
  
  
  
• See how God has transformed lives: Stories, Photos and Videos.

How to Pack a Shoebox

Here are some suggestions for your shoebox: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc. (no candy or toothpaste as noted above).  Don’t forget, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself, your family, or group. If you include your name and an address, the child may be able to write back.  Shoeboxes will be available in October.

Things to help you pack your box: Instructions and labels from the Operation Christmas Child website.