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Samaritans Purse is a non-profit ministry that serves people all over the world. They have programs ranging from disaster relief to ending human trafficking. They serve men, women, and children all over the world who are disadvantaged and needing support, love, and a helping hand. One of the programs offered through Samaritans Purse is the Operation Christmas Child program. The idea behind Operation Christmas Child is to pack a shoe box for a child in need with toys, activities, non-liquid toiletries, books, school supplies, a personal note for the child and more.
This year at Brilliant Bodywork we are hosting our very own shoe box packing party. We are gathering on November 4 at the spa to pack as many shoe boxes as we can to help as many children as possible to have a package to open for Christmas. We are so excited to be able to do this and want to extend an invite to all of you to attend the party and help pack boxes or drop off any items that you'd like to donate for shoe boxes and we will pack them. We will be accepting item donations from now until the party on November 4, just bring any items to the front desk at the spa and we will gladly accept them. If you would like to come to the shoe box packing party it is Friday, November 4th at 6:30 p.m. at Brilliant Bodywork. If you would like to pack a shoe box here is what you need to do:
1- Choose the gender and age range of the child you will pack the shoe box for. The age ranges are 2-4, 5-9, 10-14.
2- Purchase or make items to place in your shoe box, here are some ideas:
Start with a medium to large "WOW item" this is a toy or item that will grab the child's attention right away. Something like a soccer ball with pump, stuffed animal, medium sized toys (puppets, trucks, etc.) Barbie doll or baby dolls, musical instrument, outfit, shoes, blankie.
Next include items that will resonate with the gender and age range you chose. For example, a girl ages 2-4 might like hairbands/bows, a doll, coloring books and crayons/markers, outfit, shoes, toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, soap, games, jump rope, dress up toys like fairy wand or princess crown. You could also include paper dolls, a craft kit, puzzles, or candy (no chocolate).
Include a personal note and/or picture of your family. If you include your name and address you may get a letter back. You can use colored paper, a postcard from your city or state or you can download an Operation Christmas Child coloring page for your child to fill out and include in the box here- https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/promotional-resources-print-art/
You can tape your picture and note under the lid of your shoe box or place it inside with the items, or even use the lid as your paper and write your note there. This is what the downloadable coloring sheet looks like-
Here are a few tips for writing a personal note to include with your shoe box. Introduce yourself, tell them your name and age or names of your family members. Write about the fun you had picking items for them and packing their shoe box gift. Tell them you hope they enjoy the items and gifts you selected. Share a little about yourself, things you like to do, foods you eat, and games you play. Talk about the love of Christ, tell them that God loves them and that you are praying for them. Don't be afraid to dress it up, add some stickers, smiley faces, or color with gel pens.
3- If you are donating, the next step is to drop off your items before by Friday, November 4th at 6:00 p.m. OR if you are planning to attend the party then bring all your items to Brilliant Bodywork at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 4th and we will pack boxes then.
4- Pray for Samaritans Purse ministry and those they serve. Here is a daily prayer list from Operation Christmas Child that you can follow at home:
"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2
WEEKLY PRAYER GUIDE
SUNDAY: Pray for the children and their families who receive a shoe box gift, that hearts will be opened to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
MONDAY: Most children who receive shoe box gifts live in desperate circumstances. Pray that God will meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
TUESDAY: Pray for our ministry partners in countries around the world, especially that the shoe box gifts and follow-up discipleship programs will be effective evangelism tools.
WEDNESDAY: Pray the doors will be opened, so that the Good News can be shared in countries that are not receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
THURSDAY: Pray for those who fill shoe box gifts this year, especially for children, that they will see that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.
FRIDAY: Pray for those involved in collecting, processing, transporting, and delivering shoe box gifts, including the tens of the thousands of volunteers.
SATURDAY: Pray for the Samaritan's Purse staff located throughout the world as they handle the logistics of Operation Christmas Child.
Check out Pinterest for some great ideas of what to pack and some super simple craft projects of things you can make to pack. I found an easy felt travel case for crayons and coloring paper, a simple tic-tac-toe game made with a cinch sack that holds the pieces and has the game board on it, and patterns for making dolls to pack for little girls or stuffed animals for boys and girls. Pinterest also had some other great ideas of what to pack specifically for each age range and gender. You can check out the links below as well for more information and items to pack.
Find out more here: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child
Here is a list of 50 best items to pack: http://passionatepennypincher.com/2015/10/50-best-items-to-pack-in-an-operation-christmas-child-shoebox/
