One of my greatest memories didn’t start off that way.
During my time as a student at Appalachian State, I had the opportunity of earning extra money around Christmas by working at Samaritan’s Purse. Operation Christmas Child was just getting off the ground. It was relatively an unknown ministry; even then, the idea of helping children around the world seemed to resonate with people. It was a highly accessible way to do something that would really make a difference in the life of a child.
I didn’t see this at the time; all I knew was how tired I felt from moving thousands of old shoes boxes from one truck to another. It didn’t become real until Franklin Graham returned a few weeks later to show us a video of the children receiving boxes. All these years later, it’s hard to describe what I saw – it has become a sacred moment in my life. It was more than just presents as the children’s faces communicated that someone cared, that no matter what was in the box they knew their lives were worth something. (Click here to see a video.)
Tens of thousands of children have come to Christ because someone showed they cared. Shoe boxes will be distributed this weekend and next weekend. Your contribution will absolutely make a difference – I’ve seen it firsthand. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men. Then they will see the good things you are doing and will paise your Father in heaven.”
