http://www.samaritanspurse.org Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan's Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, is the world's largest Christmas project of its kind. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected 86 million shoe box gifts and hand-delivered them to needy children sharing God's love. en-us Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:15:41 UTC Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:15:41 UTC Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:57:30 UTC Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:07:42 UTCWe had over 11,000 shoe boxes collected by Friday night. Saturday, several of our collection sites were extremely slow, and some received no shoe boxes at all! I said a prayer on behalf of my team and asked God to give us our goal of 19,000 for the sake of my team's faith and for his glory, but I have to admit that my heart still felt sad about the doubt in my heart of not making it at all. As I was getting ready to go to church for a packing party with my Sunday School class, I became frustrated as I could not find a small pack of Starburst candy. I had looked everywhere, and I could not find it. I had 11 packs, and I needed 12! I finally let it go and said, "Okay Lord, if 11 is what you want me to take, 11 it is." I began packing my car with all the items, and as I returned inside the house to get something else I saw sitting on my kitchen counter the 12th Starburst pack I had been looking for! Just like that!! At that very moment I heard a small still voice in my heart that said, "If I can give you a Starburst, I CAN GIVE YOU 19,000!" I began to cry and asked the Lord to forgive me for my lack of faith and trust in HIM and I surrendered our goal to him. By Sunday night, we were very close to reaching our goal with over 18,000 shoe boxes pouring in the middle of a rain storm that swept all of Southern California. Rain did not stop God's awesome power, and Sunday became our busiest day of the entire week! God kept his word, and we ended our National Collection Week with a total of 19,468!!! All wisdom, and honor, and praise be to our God, forever and ever Amen! HE is faithful, and he never fails!]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:54:38 UTC Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:33:15 UTCThis was our first year as a Relay Center. We didn't know what to expect - but it was fun! We met many amazing people and have sooo many great stories. Like one lady who was at the church for a meeting and she gave a donation of $10 simply because I talked with her about Operation Christmas Child and let her have a muffin.]]> Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:53:23 UTC Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:19:55 UTC Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:44:50 UTC Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:19:11 UTC Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:54:43 UTC Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:39:16 UTCWe are a Collection Center in a rural area. Each year we have seen a 10% plus increase. God has been the driver, we are just his hands and feet.]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:48:44 UTC Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:41:55 UTC Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:56:05 UTC Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:35:13 UTC Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:51:27 UTC Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:26:32 UTC Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:53:12 UTC Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:27:15 UTC Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:58:18 UTC Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:24:00 UTC Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:07:18 UTC Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:40:22 UTCSouthland Baptist Temple in Paducah, Kentucky had our very first shoe box packing party. We had prayed for God to help us fill 200 boxes, and He did more than we could think or ask and gave us 333 boxes. We are so excited and can't wait to get started on next year's boxes. We have already asked Him for 1,000 boxes.]]> Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:41:11 UTC Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:04:12 UTC Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:26:45 UTC Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:52:07 UTC Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:05:10 UTC Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:17:45 UTC Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:07:44 UTC Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:37:56 UTC Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:35:50 UTC Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:22:09 UTC Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:12:51 UTCWe had two packing parties that totaled 1,021 shoe box gifts. God provided many last-minute items, and every one had fun. To God be the glory, great things He hath done!]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:34:25 UTC