Not quite, but close enough... this morning, a huge truck arrived in Ho-Kpodzi filled with thousands of shoe boxes from Operation Christmas Child, through the organization Samaritan's Purse. It was an incredible morning as the schools were exploding with excitement and thousand's of children were filled with joy while they lined up to receive their gift. There were huge smiles across their faces as they carried their boxes with pride and eagerly looked through them with their friends. The shoe boxes were filled with various items, including, clothes, books, candy, and toys -- much more than they receive any other time during the year.
It was also an exciting morning for me, because throughout my life I have participated in Operation Christmas Child during the holiday season, walking through the aisles of Target and packing a shoe box for an unknown boy or girl in a foreign country. But this year I witnessed the other side, this morning I saw the faces of the children who receive the gifts. I found myself instantly connected to them, knowing that I have participated in this project, and I felt encouraged by the difference one simple act of kindness makes in a child's life.
After this morning I will continue to participate in Operation Christmas Child for the rest of my life, and I encourage you to do the same. For more information on Samaritan's Purse visit their website: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/.
