How One Shoebox Became a Journey of Love Through Operation Christmas Child

Good morning readers! A ministry that I love to support is Operation Christmas Child. I wanted to share this story of why I am such a huge supporter of this amazing ministry.

I love my son so much. What a gift he is. Every year we fill boxes for Operation Christmas Child and have Liam pick out all of the contents for his box. This year we dropped off our box at Immanuel’s church in Silver Spring, MD which was a drop off point; we dropped off two boxes, one from Liam and one from Kirsten. The lady at the drop off center, named Lynn, was gracious and wonderful and asked for the boxes. However, Liam was having a hard time giving up his box not because he wanted it but because he wanted to play with the boy with the toys. He was having a hard time understanding that he couldn’t play with the boy with the toys. Lynn prayed over the boxes and Liam higher his box tightly and then gave the box a kiss before he gave it to her. We did follow the box and his box ended up going to Zambia.

A few months later, I got an email from Lynn. She said that she was feeling frustrated before we got there because at that point she was no where near her goal number of boxes to be collected and wondering if she was making a difference. Then, Liam came in. He so touched her heart that she heard the Lord say to her “You take care of the one, and I will take care of the thousands.” She shared this story with others involved in the Operation Christmas Child ministry and this story inspired others to keep going and keep trusting.

Incredibly, Lynn was one of twenty US volunteers in the entire United States chosen to go on a distribution trip to Rwanda for OCC. This was her fourth year applying to go and had not been given the opportunity to go until now. She wanted to go shopping with Liam to fill a box to go WITH her to Rwanda and give a boy there Liam’s box. We went to Toys R Us and Liam filled it with cars, dinosaurs, logos, stickers, a stuffed animal, and a light up ball. He was not interested in putting school or hygiene supplies in there as you can see in the picture of him at the store.

Then, we were invited to go to an Operation Christmas Child celebration event. Lynn shared his story at the event and we all prayed over Liam’s box. He just kept saying that he wanted to play with the boy with the toys but happy to send the box. He prayed that some day he could play with the boy.

I just received these pictures today. This is Samuel from Rwanda from a refugee camp for those affected by genocide. Lynn personally gave Samuel this box and he was ecstatic to open it. He especially loved all the cars and the light up ball as you can see in the picture. I showed Liam the pictures and he said “Oh, that makes me so happy that he likes the toys. Now, can I play with him?” We prayed for Samuel and when he noticed I was crying, he said, “Mommy, you’re crying! Are you sad?” I told him that I was crying happy tears because this is so beautiful. He said “Do you know you’re beautiful? If you say you’re not beautiful, then I will turn you into a giant.” Then, he said, “Mommy, do you think Samuel is happy? Does he know that he is beautiful too?”

God is so amazing. Sometimes we think this is such a huge world and that there are so many problems- what difference does it make? There are just too many who need help. Lesson learned from this for this mommy. God is huge. He is everywhere. This is His world and we are His children. Taking a boy in the US to fill a simple shoebox does matter. Samuel, who has seen and experienced far more than a child ever should matters. Lynn who was feeling defeated working at a shoebox collection center matters. We all matter to God and He cares. You take care of the one, and He will take care of the thousands. Amen! He is so good.

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Do you know that you are beautiful too?

Love to you,

Amanda Olson