Help send God’s love around the world
Olney area individuals, families, organizations, and churches will have an opportunity this fall to be part of a project that helps needy children all over the world. Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items and delivers them to children in impoverished countries. Its mission is to show God’s love in a tangible way by providing fun and useful gifts and Bible teaching to kids and their families.
Olney’s own Bill Little is the local drop-off coordinator for the Wichita Falls area. Last year, Bill led the effort in Olney and our surrounding area, and our community filled 670 boxes for kids, many of whom have never even had their own toothbrush or soap. Bill said he would love to see more churches, groups, and families participate this year: “When you watch videos of the children from all the different countries receiving their shoeboxes and then learn how they get to hear about Jesus, you begin to realize just how big the project is, and how it takes all of us to do our part.” According to Operation Christmas Child’s statistical information, an average of ten people hear the gospel for every single box that is sent. Each child’s entire family is invited to participate in Bible classes.
Bill invites local groups like social clubs, Sunday school classes, office co-workers, and families to spearhead the effort in their circles. Any individual or group is welcome to participate, and new project leaders in our area would help more children around the globe to receive the message of God’s love from right here in Young County. Anyone who is interested in this ministry is invited to attend a project leader workshop at Faith Baptist Church in Wichita Falls on September 7th from 1:00-3:00pm.
You don’t have to attend the workshop to be an active part of the Operation Christmas Child ministry. Contact Bill Little at blittle3c@gmail.com to find out how you can get involved, or check samartianspurse. org to learn how to pack a shoebox. First Baptist Church Olney is the designated drop-off location for our area. Be watching the paper and social media for more information about drop-off times during the month of November. Each box costs $10 to ship, so if you want to help but don’t think you can pack a box, donations to help cover shipping are needed.
Bill emphasized that there is a job you can do that is more important than anything else. “The one thing that makes Operation Christmas Child such a success is all the prayers that are prayed over each shoebox,” he said. Bill looks forward to seeing how God will use the giving spirit of the people of Olney as the Operation Christmas Child mission commences this fall.