Operation Christmas Child in Suriname
Many of you are familiar with a program in the churches in America around the holidays called Operation Christmas Child. You may have experienced the joy of packing a shoebox to take to your church on a designated Sunday. Maybe you have shared in the privilege of providing the items , packing the box and thinking about the face of the child who would receive it. We pray and we ask God to use our gift as a way to share the love of Christ with children in places around the world. I don’t know about you, but for us, dropping that box off at our church was as far as our story goes.
This year, for the first time, we have had the privilege of seeing what happens from the other point of view. We were very surprised to learn that there is so much more beyond the child receiving the gift. It has been an eye opening experience and we are more excited about shoeboxes than ever before!
Suriname received 5000 shoeboxes in January. Most of those were used right away but some were still remaining. So in March, some churches were contacted and received a number of the boxes to use for outreach in their communities. Two of the Baptist churches we are associated with here in Suriname, have been part of the outreach program.
First there were hours of training for those churches who will participate. It is an opportunity for outreach, evangelism and discipleship as the children are invited to come to the church. The volunteers receive literature and time is taken to review it.
Then it all starts with a walk around the neighborhood to invite the children…. And that also provided an opportunity to share the gospel with many people we met.
Followed By a PARTY!
There are about 50 children who were not previously attending the churches, who are now participating in the 12 week study. Some are accompanied by a parent who is attending the regular worship service while their child attends the study. So the opportunity is not only for the child but it has created evangelism opportunities for the parents.
I’m asking for prayer, that the seeds will fall on fertile ground and these children will hear and believe the good news!
We were so happy to be part of this and to be able to share the story with you!
