This week of the year has become an annual celebration at Olive. We have the delight of being the gathering place for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in this region of Florida. Churches and organizations, along with individuals, donated 14,270 shoeboxes. We sent three 28-foot trailers filled with shoeboxes on their way to areas of the world most of us will never visit. Thanks are due to all who gave. And a special word of thanks goes out to all the volunteers that did the work of packing and organizing the shipment. I had the joy of praying with several of them as we committed the cargo to the Lord’s care on Monday afternoon.

Operation Christmas Child is an effort in partnership with Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse. The boxes bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world. Through the gift-filled containers the Good News of God’s love through Jesus is extended. Along with shoebox gifts, millions of children are given Gospel booklets in their own language. In 2005 over 7.6 million shoebox gifts were distributed in 95 countries. This is an amazing effort.

The end of November takes us into the greatest giving season of the year. I encourage you to honor the Lord first in all of your life, including your giving. Begin with your tithe to the local church. During December we can increasingly support missions through generous gifts from God’s people. Operation Christmas Child has gotten us off to a great beginning to the giving season.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Posted on Tuesday, November 21st, 2006 at 10:03 am.
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