Operation Christmas Child: A small shoebox with a big impact

Lifestyle

November 28, 2016

Operation Christmas Child: A small shoebox with a big impact

Miranda Bradford, Associate Photographer and Writer

Samaritan’s purse posed the question, “What if one simple gift could make the difference between despair and hope?”

As a result of this question, Operation Christmas Child was birthed. This ministry reaches out to children who are living in refugee camps when they were forced to leave their homes because of a civil war. Alex Nsengimana was a survivor of the Rwandan genocide and a receiver of one of these shoeboxes from Operation Christmas Child. He said this box helped restore his hope and shared Jesus Christ with him.

With the intentionality NGU has, the campus joined in part of this ministry and had a night of packing up shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child on November 16 in the Joyful Sound room as another means of sharing the gospel throughout the world.

Operation Christmas Child is an event that calls people to look outside of themselves to the greater good of many around the world. A simple act of packing a shoebox can not only have an impact on the lives of those recieving it but those packing the box.

Brianne Wright (left) and Logan Wright (right) share how they love to help people and that is what has inspired them to be a part of Operation Christmas Child. Brianne talked about how she remembers doing this event in church when she was younger and her favorite aspect was being in charge of the stuffed animals used as part of the gifts to go within the boxes.

Izzy Colman shared how this was her first time being a part of Operation Christmas Child. Colman is always seeking out ways to be a part of something bigger than her.

Anne Williams major at NGU involves working with kids and she is very passionate about them. When the opportunity to be a part of this arose, she decided to come. She stated, “As Christians, it is our job to show love.” This was one way she felt like she could do that to the world around her.

Anna McCall shared how she is very passionate about working with orphans and those in need. McCall desires to do this in her future career, but feels like she has the responsibility to do as much as she can now as well. Her heart for those in need brought her to being a part of Operation Christmas Child.

Justin Oates did not know anything about Operation Christmas Child until he came to NGU and the university had this event. His friends were involved in setting this up and he wanted to be a part of Operation Christmas Child’s mission.

Adam Kelly has been a part of Operation Christmas Child since he was in high school. Kelley stated how he loves foundations like this because he can know where his money is going and gets to be a part of the whole process by being able to pack his own box. He stated that this is definitely a good event to have and encourages others to get involved.

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