Samaritan’s Purse- Operation Christmas Child
We are asking families who would like to be involved, commit to filling 10 boxes this year. Whether you personally fill each box or distribute the boxes among friends and family to be filled, we hope that you will join us in using these boxes as an opportunity to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
If you are interested please contact Laura Latham. Send an email to westoverchurch1@gmail.com
Or go straight to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/ for more details.
Link to the promo video http://vimeo.com/7171115
The Journey of a Shoe Box
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Preparing to Receive Shoe Boxes
Even before you have thought about your shoe box, we and our volunteer teams are busy preparing to receive your box through:
• Prayer
• Promotion in sending countries
• Training in receiving countries
Packing Shoe Boxes
You and millions of other people engage in this fun activity.
• Individuals
• Families
• Local Churches
• Other groups, including schools and workplaces
Collecting Shoe Boxes
Now bring your box to us so that we can send it on to a needy child.
• Drop-off points (click here to find the closest drop off location)
• Don’t forget your donation – with your shoe box or processed online (you can donate online here and follow your box)
• Boxes are taken from drop-off/collection points to Processing Centers
Processing Shoe Boxes
Each shoe box is checked to make sure all contents are appropriate for children.
• At Processing Centers, each shoe box is inspected by volunteers
• Boxes must meet the receiving country’s customs requirements
• Consolidation and preparation for shipment takes place
Shipping Shoe Boxes
Hundreds of trucks/lorries and sea containers are now ready to transport your box and millions like it.
• Transit to receiving country
• Customs clearance
• Delivered to local churches and ministry partners
Distributing Shoe Boxes
Finally, your shoe box gets into the hands of a child!
• Lively, fun event for children
• Creative Gospel presentation by local churches and ministry partners, where appropriate
• Shoe boxes are given to children unconditionally
• Wherever appropriate, children are offered a copy of The Greatest Gift of All booklet in their own language by local churches and ministry partners.
• Soon after an OCC distribution event, the local churches and ministry partners may offer The Greatest Journey (TGJ) to the children participating in OCC in many of their communities. You can read more about this program here on our web site.
