OCC Shoe Box Impact Stories: Mexico

By Ginny (MAD21)

"Mexico: "Gaby was a girl that lived by the church but would never assist our events because her family was part of the sect "Death Worshipers." When we started TGJ, she was allowed to come. At the beginning, she would stand up for her beliefs and say that the "holiest was taking care of her" and that "even though she didn't have meat and bones, she was good." During the classes she learned that Jesus was the one that love and cares for us. She told us that, during the nights, she was afraid to sleep because a dark person would appear at her and wanted to take her away. She would cry and ask her mother to turn on the light. Her teacher told her to remember what she had learned in the TGJ lessons: that God is powerful to care for us and protect us from all danger because her precious blood covers us. She started to pray and trust in Jesus that now is in her heart. The fear and the dark person disappeared from her life."

This post completes our Not Just a Shoe Box series. If you haven't already packed some shoe boxes for OCC, it's never too late. OCC accepts them all year long. Please take the time to bless a child.

 These are letters from some of the kids who received shoe boxes from Operation Christmas Child. My friend Stacey Wilson from OCC was kind enough to send them to me. This is the official shoe box collection week, however, OCC collects and delivers them all year long. I  encourage you to keep Samaritan's Purse, as well as all the children who receive these boxes in your prayers. That children all around the world will be led to the feet of Christ, one shoe box at a time.

OCC Shoe Box Impact Stories: Equador

By Ginny (MAD21)

Ecuador: "My name is Luisa and I am nine years old. I am happy to be part of the children club The Greatest Journey where I learned about the creation, Jesus' birth and that He is the only one that can give me salvation. I decided to accept Him in my heart. My parents aren't Christians but I know that someday God will touch their hearts like He did with me. My favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. Now that we are with God, we are a new creation. God doesn't remember our old life style but He gave us a new life."

This post is part of our Not Just a Shoe Box series. Come back again tomorrow to see one more letter from  a child who was impacted by OCC Shoe Boxes, and The Greatest Journey discipleship program.

 These are letters from some of the kids who received shoe boxes from Operation Christmas Child. My friend Stacey Wilson from OCC was kind enough to send them to me. This is the official shoe box collection week, however, OCC collects and delivers them all year long. I  encourage you to keep Samaritan's Purse, as well as all the children who receive these boxes in your prayers. That children all around the world will be led to the feet of Christ, one shoe box at a time.

OCC Shoe Box Impact Stories: Equador

By Ginny (MAD21)

Ecuador: "My name is Luis Miguel, and I have been great studying material from the Great Adventure. I am the oldest of four brothers, and my father left us four years ago. Since then my life changed completely: I felt very sad, didn't talk to anyone and I had to start working to help my mom and help my brothers study. One day while I worked, I was invited to be part of the kids club, so I decided to attend every Friday afternoon. I listened during Lesson 4 about how Jesus died on the cross because He loves me. I made the decision to accept Him into my heart and I knew that God cares for me as a father. And although my father abandoned me God will never leave me. My teacher became my best friend and I'm always listening to his teachings. Lesson 12 motivated me to talk to my mom and my brothers about what God was doing in my life, because that is what a true disciple does. So I went home and told my mom and invited her to attend the church. That day we all went together, and are learning more and more and more as my mother accepted Jesus into her heart. I'm still working to help my family, but I do not feel alone because I know God is my father and never left me. And although I know nothing of my earthly father, I am praying for someone to talk to him about Jesus."

This post is part of our Not Just a Shoe Box series. Come back again tomorrow to see another letter from a child who was impacted by OCC Shoe Boxes, and The Greatest Journey discipleship program.

 These are letters from some of the kids who received shoe boxes from Operation Christmas Child. My friend Stacey Wilson from OCC was kind enough to send them to me. This is the official shoe box collection week, however, OCC collects and delivers them all year long. I  encourage you to keep Samaritan's Purse, as well as all the children who receive these boxes in your prayers. That children all around the world will be led to the feet of Christ, one shoe box at a time.

God Says... "It will be worth it."

By Jason S (Connecting to Impact)

We all have situations in our lives that bring up the question of cost vs. worth.  Nearly every day, there are big concerns and little ones; ones we weigh carefully and others we decide in split seconds.  We don't want to be caught spinning our tires or wasting our time.

Sometimes we decide we've paid enough and walk away, but when we are walking away from something God spoke to us or led us into, we are guaranteed to miss out on something wonderful.

I like how the Amplified version puts Romans 8:28:

"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."

God gives us a part in all this. We aren't simply waiting around, but He partners with our labor in this work of restoration. That's restoration for ourselves and those around us.

We may be ready to bail, saying, "it's not worth it." Meanwhile, God is trying to get our attention to reassure us and tell us, "Just hold on. I know you can't see it now, but it will be worth it."

Click to read more ...

Dialogue or Monologue?

By Pat

One of the ways in which we get to know other people is to listen to them. In fact, being a good listener is crucial in any relationship, and although I am quite the talker, I do try to be a good listener. And yet, the one I fail at the most in that area is in my relationship with God. I find inactivity difficult. And so, I find that what I do is talk AT God, not WITH God. It's no wonder I get frustrated when God's answers are sometimes so unclear to me. I am faithful in prayers, but I am realizing that me time with God should be a dialogue, not a monologue. I have no trouble at all talking TO God, but I rarely sit still long enough to hear FROM God.

Jesus knew that in order to be in a right relationship with God, He had to listen for him. When He prayed, he put all other things away and made listening a part of the process. He got away, found a quiet place, and had a dialogue with the Father. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35). Now, although the scripture doesn't say so, I feel quite confident that Jesus didn't just make these prayers a one-way communication. He needed to hear from God, and He made sure he was in a position to do so.

God, to the best of my knowledge, does not text message, nor does He send emails. He speaks directly to us, in whatever way He chooses, and it's up to us to be alert for whatever God has to say to us. Maybe instead of presenting God with my long, rambling prayers, I should be more like Jesus...stop waiting for a text message that's not going to come, and say, "God, what do you have to tell me?" instead of, "Lord, hear my prayer!" Perhaps I would have a better dialogue if I would shorten my monologue.  

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.