One of the churches we are working with qualified to receive Samaritan's Purse Shoeboxes this year. Many of you may have lovingly packed these boxes this year or in years past. Matt and I always packed them after we were married, and then we would pack one from each of our kids and put pictures in them and it was always so much fun.
Of course, we haven't done that since we came on the mission field, but I have always thought it would be neat seeing the receiving end of the boxes or being part of distribution in some way.
This year we were able to gain a little more insight into the training, what is expected from receiving churches and so forth from the Samaritan's Purse organization. And, then, we were able to be a part of the Christmas party where 102 children received boxes.
Each child who takes part in the weekly Bible Club was given two tickets with which they could invite friends. The kids had to write down the names of their invitees and then were to guard their tickets. They could not enter the party without their ticket! No one knew that they were going to be given a gift, so that was even more fun for those of who did know!
The church leaders knew that they only had so many boxes and only a certain number for boys and a certain number for girls, so trusting God was huge in this, because no one really knew for sure who would come and if there would be enough of each gift and so on.
Matt and I were in charge of seating kids as they arrived. They were sat according to age, boys on one side and girls on the other. Also, parents were encouraged to attend. Not only did we run out of chairs, but there were just so many kids and parents!
A Christmas drama was presented about the importance of Christmas, and that the real focus is not about gifts or Christmas cookies, but about Jesus and his life death and resurrection. Then, the Nativity story was re-enacted using kids from the crowd and Christmas carols were also sung. the gospel was presented and also a call to Christ was answered by many. Which is the biggest joy- that little ones gave their lives to Christ and we'll be in eternity forever!
Ethan had invited three friends (actually Audrey used one of her tickets to invite one of Ethan's friends) and he told Matt and I after that he had two new brothers! Two of his friends accepted Christ that night! :) Praise Jesus!
Finally, the boxes were handed out. The fact that they kids were seated in order by age and separated into boys and girls made things run so smoothly! All the kids were to hold their boxes on their heads until everyone got them and then the countdown began to open them! It was fun to see 100 kids with boxes on their heads and big smiles of anticipation!
The best was seeing them open their boxes. Samaritan's Purse supplies boxes now, apparently and they are nice sturdy shoeboxes. Some of the boys were so excited to get into their gift they, just ripped open their box! These boys, who had been trying to be so cool all evening (I had been crowd control on the boys side) were just like any other kid at Christmas- full of excitement and joy at what they had been given. Except that this was most likely their only gift they would receive.
I walked around as they were opening their gifts and asked many of the kids what they had received. they would excitedly open their box and start to show me all that was inside. I saw so many things about these kids and their reactions that brought tears to my eyes, but two things I'll share about.
One boy who was in the 10 14 age group had been, well, just acting his age, really throughout the evening. You could tell he was trying hard to keep up the tough guy image. I looked over at him as he opened his gift and thought, "Praise you God that for one minute, here tonight, he can be a kid - a normal kid- without worries or an image to keep up. Praise You, Father." I asked him to show me what he had gotten and he wouldn't show me. But before I walked away, he unclutched his box enough to quickly pull out a sock cap he had gotten. It is so stinking hot here- no one wears a sock cap, but I am sure I'll see him around with it on. he thought it was so cool!
Then there was the little girl and the Ivory soap. As she showed me her gifts, she came to the familiar white bar of soap. Except that I am sure it was not familiar to her. It was all carefully wrapped in plastic wrapped. She pulled it out of the box, carefully unwrapped just a little corner or it and put it up to her nose and inhaled deeply with a smile so big on her face. "Aaahhhhh!" she said. then she held it under my nose and let me smell it. "Ahhh, it smells so good!" I said. "Thank you for letting me smell it." And she smiled up at me and wrapped it back up and closed her box up tight and then clutched it in her arms as all the rest of them were doing.
It was such a sweet experience to be a part of and we were all so blessed. Isabelle, as well as the rest of our kids, commented on how very special it was to see the kids open their gifts and how they were so blessed!
As we walked home, I thought about that white bar of soap. How sweet it smelled. How it was wrapped up so carefully in plastic, the love and care that went into the packing of that box.
How much more our Father in heaven cares for each of us. How much sweeter it is to him, those new creations- those that excepted the Lord that night. How now those little hearts have been washed clean- white as snow- white as that bar of ivory soap.
I do not have the numbers of those that accepted the Lord that night, but I do know that a woman from the church went around taking down names and addresses of each one that asked Jesus to be their Savior that night. A follow-up visit has been scheduled and I do also know that each one will be discipled- because God has already ordained us to be here, training the leaders in discipleship. God is so amazing, how before we know it, He is organizing and arranging things like this. He has our futures planned even before He forms us. My heart is full of joy at how the gospel is going forth this week in this area and the surrounding areas.
May you be blessed this Christmas season with the True meaning of this holiday. May you wish others "Merry Christmas" and not just "Happy Holidays" because the difference is significant. May you come to know your heavenly father in a new and fresh way as you celebrate His birth. May you begin your relationship with His son this Christmas, if you never have known Him before. May you share the gospel with boldness to your unsaved family and friends. May you shine your light bright (which is Christ inside of you), like those on your tree shine each night. May we never forget the reason for His life was to die so that we may have life eternally and abundantly.
PS: the little blonde boy is one of Ethan's friends, Kevin. he accepted the Lord that night! :)
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