Juarez, Mexico
At the end of last week, I was privileged to travel with a group from FBB to Juarez, Mexico. We were blessed to work with Carlos Garcia and Samaritan's Purse to distribute Operation Christmas Child gifts to some precious children.
I have read the book, Miracle in a Shoebox, by Franklin Graham to my boys and the students in my class for many years. I have seen the power of the shoebox gifts a thousand times as little ones were given a gift and the gospel. I have shopped, packed, and prayed over these life-changing shoe boxes, and the child that receives it. But never has one shoebox affected me as powerfully as it did last Saturday afternoon in children's hospital in Juarez, Mexico....
The children and families were enjoying special music and refreshments as our team prepared to hand out OCC gifts. Finally, the gifts were distributed. The children were examining each and every item carefully stuffed into the boxes. Making my way around the room, I discovered a precious little girl sitting with her parents. She wasn't more than two and had tiny, dark curls surrounding her doll-like face. Her parents looked puzzled. I stopped to inspect the gift. That's when I saw the photo and the envelope. Something hit me at that moment. I saw the photo of a young couple, Audra & Jason from Windsor, Colorado.
For the first time, I realized the difference one shoebox can make in one family's life. Certainly, I had shopped, packed, prayed, tracked, and even distributed shoe boxes for years now. But suddenly, it was real! Our shoeboxes were just like the one from Audra & Jason. This box was sent to a real person from a loving couple in hopes of sharing the love of Christ.
It was an eye-opening experience for me. Each shoebox really does matter. God is using this ministry to show His love to others around the world. And He allows us the opportunity to participate in the process. (The Lord allows us to bless others while we are blessed in the process.) Isn't it amazing how God works?
So there really is a miracle in a shoebox......each and every one.
At the end of last week, I was privileged to travel with a group from FBB to Juarez, Mexico. We were blessed to work with Carlos Garcia and Samaritan's Purse to distribute Operation Christmas Child gifts to some precious children.
I have read the book, Miracle in a Shoebox, by Franklin Graham to my boys and the students in my class for many years. I have seen the power of the shoebox gifts a thousand times as little ones were given a gift and the gospel. I have shopped, packed, and prayed over these life-changing shoe boxes, and the child that receives it. But never has one shoebox affected me as powerfully as it did last Saturday afternoon in children's hospital in Juarez, Mexico....
The children and families were enjoying special music and refreshments as our team prepared to hand out OCC gifts. Finally, the gifts were distributed. The children were examining each and every item carefully stuffed into the boxes. Making my way around the room, I discovered a precious little girl sitting with her parents. She wasn't more than two and had tiny, dark curls surrounding her doll-like face. Her parents looked puzzled. I stopped to inspect the gift. That's when I saw the photo and the envelope. Something hit me at that moment. I saw the photo of a young couple, Audra & Jason from Windsor, Colorado.
For the first time, I realized the difference one shoebox can make in one family's life. Certainly, I had shopped, packed, prayed, tracked, and even distributed shoe boxes for years now. But suddenly, it was real! Our shoeboxes were just like the one from Audra & Jason. This box was sent to a real person from a loving couple in hopes of sharing the love of Christ.
It was an eye-opening experience for me. Each shoebox really does matter. God is using this ministry to show His love to others around the world. And He allows us the opportunity to participate in the process. (The Lord allows us to bless others while we are blessed in the process.) Isn't it amazing how God works?
So there really is a miracle in a shoebox......each and every one.
