By Hope 103.2Friday 16 Sep 2016Station NewsReading Time: 2 minutes
Since 1993, more than 135 million shoeboxes have been delivered in over 150 nations around the world. Last year, 342,814 gift-filled shoeboxes were sent from Australia and New Zealand to children in need in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa.
And we can have an even greater impact in 2016. The simple gifts inside a shoebox can change a child’s life for all eternity.
- Nominate your church to be a Shoebox Sunday drop off point
- Pledge a Shoebox and win a trip to Cambodia
- Find your local Shoebox drop of point
Children who receive Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes have an opportunity to enrol in The Greatest Journey, a vibrant and colourful 12-lesson discipleship program, with their parent’s permission. Led by trained local teachers, children become grounded in their faith and learn how to share the Gospel with others.
Children who complete the course also receive a graduation certificate and a New Testament in their language.
Alina, who at 5-years-old received princess shoes in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox, shares how that simple gift of joy changed her life.
“Before I received the shoebox, I was discouraged because of the way I was treated for my faith in Jesus. A lot of my teachers lowered my grades for no other reason than they didn’t like me. One time, my teacher grabbed my sweater and pushed me against the wall, demanding, “Where is your Jesus now?” I remember that so vividly. At that moment I couldn’t help but wonder, “Where is He? Why is He allowing this to happen?” It felt like God was very distant, very far away from me.
The shoebox was a representation of His love to a five-year-old girl. “I no longer felt like Jesus had abandoned me. The box was an act of kindness that represented hope, comfort, and the fact that God is watching over me. My perception of God changed. He became a personal Father to me.”
Win a Trip To Cambodia To Hand Deliver Shoeboxes
This year you could have the opportunity to join the Operation Christmas Team in Cambodia to deliver shoeboxes. Imagine seeing the joy and delight on a child’s face that these precious gifts bring.
Visit the Hope 103.2 Operation Christmas website and tell us in 25 words or less why you’re packing a shoebox this year.
Shoebox Sunday October 30 is the day to drop it off. Mark the date!
Find your nearest Shoebox Sunday church.