This is Team Gusy's 200th post! And we're gonna take the platform we've got and make a PSA for a cause that is one we greatly believe in: Operation Christmas Child.
Just be thankful the most awful PSA we videoed won't actually go with it. It ended with a going- on-2 tantrum that Mama really should have seen coming when the toddler playing with toys were told they were not hers. Wow-zers!
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse. This particular project reaches out to children around the world ages 2-14 with a shoebox filled with goodies just in time for Christmas.
For many children, this is the only gift they will receive. Not just at Christmas, but the entire year. For some, it will be the first toy they've received since they had to leave theirs or lost theirs to a natural disaster. For some, it may be the first gift they've had ever received. Can you imagine? The boxes are also recommended to contain things like soap, toothpaste, and a comb--luxuries in many parts of the globe.
If you were around last year I told you that I was first introduced to this project during college. I packed a box and knew that when I had a family this was something I wanted to do with my children. This year I want to tell you how much I believe this ministry does that has nothing to do with the toys and everything to do with the giving.
In order for someone to come to know Jesus--a God-Man who came as a child and sacrified His very life to make a way for us to live ours in hope--they must understand a true gift.
The goodies that are packed are opened by a child or pre-teen who doesn't know doesn't know your name, your age, your job. He or she doesn't know whether you bought out of surplus or sacrifice, what kind of car you drive or place you call home. It will be an unexpected, greatly appreciated, huge grin giving surprise. It will be a true gift.
OCC couples each gift box with an age-appropriate story book telling about Jesus. It tells them that He offers them the gift of eternal life if they will accept Him and what He has done for them. in giving them the gift of eternal salvation.
Accepting Him is contrary to our captalistic societal notions and probably just as foreign to socialist, fascist, and communists societies where these boxes will go.
We don't just get things; we have to give something to get something and we shoot for an equal trade.
But that doesn't work when it comes to Him.
How does one understand how to accept a gift if they've never been given a gift that was unexpected, unsolicited, and unbelievable?
For a child, a shoebox of delightful things they didn't earn or have to deserve or wait for Santa to bring them is unexpected, unsolicited, and unbelievable! They will understand the box came from real people who wanted them to have joy, fun, and something special.
They'll find it hard to believe, but they'll accept it and quickly get on with enjoying the gifts. They won't forget getting a box. The seed of receiving will be planted.
And crazily enough, though fall is just starting in our part of the world, NOW is the time to consider this project and start making plans for boxes. Drop off week is November 16-23! Visit the website for more info, drop off locations, suggestions for packing boxes, age ranges to shop for, and labels for the boxes.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment