Operation Christmas Child is an organization that delivers a shoebox full of special gifts to a child in need in a third world country. These boxes are full of small items that can make a huge impact.
Soccer Balls with Pump – “I was so excited as they handed me a shoe box and I wondered what could be inside. I closed my eyes and thought “if I could choose anything to be in this box what would it be?” My first wish was for what every 10 yr old Romanian boy would want, a soccer ball. I loved to play soccer but didn’t have a ball of my own. In fact, I didn’t have many toys of my own. Of course I knew a soccer ball could never fit into a box that size, but it didn’t matter to me I was just happy to have a present. When I opened the box I could not believe my eyes! Inside was a small, sturdy, soccer ball! It just needed to have air pumped into it. It felt like a miracle.” –
Pencils and erasers – “When we grew up and needed school supplies, our Dad cut a pencil and notebook in half so we each had half a pencil and half a notebook for our studies. When we received our shoeboxes, Shanika’s had two notebooks in it, so we were able to each have our own complete notebook for school. Our boxes also had pencils in them. We though, who really knew us to provide us with these gifts? It showed us that the Lord will provide.” – Shanika & Sherika
Toothpaste and Toothbrush – “In Central Asia they had this boring white toothpaste made by the Soviets. It didn’t taste very good so I wanted to check out the white, blue, and red American toothpaste. I found a toothbrush in my box, put the toothpaste on it, and started brushing. I thought, Oh, I have a birthday party in my mouth! You guys make awesome toothpaste! So I celebrated by eating it and got sick the next day.” – Timur
Hairclips/Headbands – “I really wanted something to keep my hair off my face. I wanted to feel the wind touch my neck. When I got those hairclips I was so excited to finally be free of all the stuff that covers your face or neck or ears. Receiving those hairclips meant a lot.” – Livia
Hard Candy/Gum – “One of my favorite gifts in my shoebox was chewing gum. It was my first experience with it. I never knew that you could chew something for such a long time and it would not dissolve in your mouth! I chewed it all day, and before I went to sleep I stuck it to the headboard. The next day I chewed it again. When it lost flavor, I added another piece to it, and when the gum ran out, I added jam to sweeten it. I chewed all this gum for about a month.” – Elvina
Soap – “That bar of soap was a present that I’d never had before. It was precious. It was my own. I specifically remember that I didn’t want anyone else to use it. I’d never had my own bar of soap.” – Evgeniy
Doll/Stuffed Animal – “Inside I found a Woody doll! I stared at it. I couldn’t believe it—I now had something I had desired. But I put it back right away so no one would take it from me. I’d been wanting it for so long. It was a special moment for me because I received something I wanted from someone I didn’t even know.” – Denis
What will you put in your box?
Want to learn more about how you can participate in Operation Christmas Child? Be sure to check out this post.
