Just Thinking

On his blog, my friend Jon Earls has expressed some concerns about Samaritan's Purse and their Operation Christmas Child ministry. This is a ministry where shoeboxes full of gifts and supplies are delivered to needy children all around the world. The concern that religious literature was no longer being permitted in these boxes was raised. There is somewhat of an explanation on Jon's blog about this. Thanks Jon for making us aware of this issue. I have appreciated Operation Christmas Child for several years. This ministry is one that is such a blessing to millions of children. Our church did participate in this ministry at one time but several years ago we had an idea. We thought it would be nice to support our own missionaries and the children they work with. So we started filling boxes with gifts and sending them to Neil & Erma Mowery, who were missionaries in Arizona at the time and to Sis. Lori Leese who is a missionary in South Dakota. The Mowery's and Sis. Leese are members of our church so sending these gifts to them is such a blessing to us and to them. They let us know how many boxes they need and what ages to buy for. After this our people just sign up for the age and gender of the child for which they want to provide a gift box. This way we know where our boxes are going. Several times we have heard what a blessing these boxes have been to children and their families. If you do not participate in Operation Christmas Child please check with a Christian book store in your area for details. Or if providing for a mission field with which you are familiar sounds better to you, please give it serious consideration. Your gift might just be he only blessing a child receives this year.