by Debbie Vanaman
It’s October and Operation Christmas Child is gearing up for collection week next month and this is where I put my faith, as always, in God that he will provide whatever is needed to make this program the great success it has been for over 15 years here at FBC.
You’ve been very generous during this past year in donating whatever is asked for so that our youth can build our shoeboxes in November but now comes the hard part. Our goal is to build 100 shoeboxes to go along with whatever we as a church collect. To go along with those shoeboxes, a check for $9.00 a box has to be given to help with the fuel to carry these boxes around the world as well as the labor charges once they get to their destination to get them to the area that they will be distributed in. In case you’re no good at math that’s a whopping $900 that is needed by the middle of November.
Now what I’m asking is this. It takes one donation of $900 or two donations of $450 or 10 people give $90 or maybe 30 people giving $30 and remember you have until the middle of November to do this. That means six weeks at maybe $5.00 a week. Maybe take that one out to lunch day and make that your donation every week and before you know it you’re done. I know it’s hard because it seems like everywhere you turn someone is asking you to contribute to something but this is an important part of the shoebox ministry and it’s what gets the boxes to the hands of children all around the world. So do what you can and that’s all I can ask of you.
I will also need your help during collection week from November 13th to the 18th. So don’t wait for me to track you down – volunteer to work a two-hour shift and I will be eternally grateful that I don’t have to hunt you down and beg for your help. Last but certainly not least if you have any empty shoeboxes, we can use them as well. They can be left in the church office.
Again you’ve been great in the past with your prayers and help in this vital ministry to spread the name of Jesus around the world to children and families in need.