Prestonwood Rallies to Support Operation Christmas Child

After working with Operation Christmas Child the past few years, Director of Women’s Ministry Debbie Stuart wondered if the participation this year would decline due to the downturn in the economy.

 But the power of God is mightier than any circumstance and the Prestonwood and Prestonwood Christian Academy family rallied in support of this international ministry, she said. More than 32,000 boxes were collected this year.

 “It was truly a team effort—from the smallest tots (Tim’s Tots) to families to neighborhoods to Bible Fellowships,” she said. “The desire to give sacrificially has been overwhelming. The Lord moved in unusual ways and there was a stirring toward giving and serving and sharing Christ with others.”

 A shoebox filled with toys, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soccer balls and baby dolls, and anything else that can fit, could be the only gift a child in a Third World or war-torn country receives this Christmas, or has ever received. And inside each box, Operation Christmas Child volunteers place a Gospel tract translated in nearly 100 languages.

 Minister of Missions & Evangelism Joe Perry said Prestonwood has participated for 16 years and as an Area Collection Center for much of that time. This year he asked people one simple question: “What gift do you want to give?” And he provided for them an answer, succinct yet powerful: “Give the gift of Christ’s love in a simple shoebox and tell the world of the Savior’s birth.”

 Prestonwood member Meg Wilder certainly did her part. Meg, 15, hosted her 5th Annual Operation Christmas Child Boxing Party. Each year she saves her money and this year, the money came from dog sitting and tutoring and a $100 gift certificate she got Target to donate. More than 100 people showed up and packed 463 boxes.

 “I used to take Christmas for granted,” said Meg, who has collected about 1,500 boxes in the past five years. “It’s so cool how this brings people together to give children a gift who don’t normally get Christmas gifts.”

 Ross Robinson, longtime Prestonwood member and Manager of Partner Development with Operation Christmas Child, said the need is greater than ever.

 “We’re mobilizing to reach the most vulnerable and largest people group in the world—God’s children,” he said. “Over 8 million of them will hear the message of hope and the Good News of Christ through Operation Christmas Child.”

 Recently, the PCA Lower School students got to hear about Operation Christmas Child from Kirk Nowery, Chief Operating Officer of Samaritan’s Purse, during Chapel.

 “I love speaking to kids, planting seeds in our future,” said Kirk, who was visiting from the non-profit group’s headquarters in North Carolina. “Every one of these children here can put together a box and can change the life of another child across the world. Only eternity will tell those stories of change.”

 The Lower School students donated nearly 700 boxes, surpassing last year’s mark of 640.

 PCA parent Vicki Gilbert said her family looks forward to it every year. She said her son, Clayton, 11, and daughter, Tatum, 9, enjoy shopping for their boxes.

 “It’s fun to get kids things they probably don’t have,” said Clayton, who, besides hygienic, items put two cars, a motorcycle, a football and Legos in his box. “I think the boy who gets it is going to think that somebody loved him enough to do it.”

 The Gilberts also helped collect boxes at PCA, handing out certificates and candy to children who participated. Children are always eager to participate, said Assistant Principal Yvonne Valasek. She tells the students to see each box as representing a child, and she encourages them to include a letter.

 “This is a very personal gift when the child writes a letter and includes a picture and then prays over the box,” she said. “It is like giving an offering to Jesus.”

 And for Yvonne, this ministry has become personal. She has traveled to deliver boxes in Panama and this year she will go to the Amazon. But it was a box she sent to Uganda in 2005 that struck up a lifelong relationship. A group of orphans wrote a thank you note, and then stayed in contact. Since then, she has visited five times.

 “They’re like family to us,” she says, of herself and husband, Jon. “It’s amazing what has come from a small shoebox.”