In 2020, even during a pandemic, Haven Baptist Church donated 130 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. That’s 130 children who had the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
Even more, it is estimated that for each box that is distributed, up to 10 people will learn of Christ through the witness of children who hear the gospel at a distribution as well as the through the booklet, The Greatest Gift, that each child receives in their own language. Imagine that - up to 1,300 people have heard of Jesus’ love because of the boxes donated by Haven last year!
Our church’s goal for 2021 is 150 shoeboxes. There are several ways you can help.
First, pack a shoebox. Preprinted boxes are available in the foyer. Take one - or several- after deciding to pack for a boy or girl and their age range, prayerfully shop for that child. The brochure in each box indicates what cannot be included in a shoebox gift.
If you desire to know the country where your box is going, log on to Shoebox Label Options (samaritanspurse.org) , provide the $9 per box donation for shipping and print a label to attach to your box.
As in years past, the “Give an Item/Get an Item” chest in the foyer near the fellowship hall is available for your extra items or to pick up items to complete your boxes.
All packed shoeboxes are due back at Haven by November 14, when we will celebrate what God has done.
Another option is to Build a Shoe Box Online (BASBO). For $25 (which includes $9 for shipping) you can log on directly to Haven’s Shoebox Builder and customize items you wish to include in your box. Shoeboxes donated through this site will be counted toward the total raised by Haven.
While we can’t all go to the mission field, we can all be missionaries through Operation Christmas Child. The message of the shoebox is, “God loves you and Jesus died for you.” Won’t you be a part of sharing God’s love all over the world?