OCC 2019 | Have You Packed Your Shoebox?

I’m not sure which is harder to grasp: That there are less than 11 weeks left in 2019 or that Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week is a month away! Have you packed your shoebox?

Yes, 2019 is rapidly winding to close and it is time to start packing your shoebox gifts! This year National Collection Week runs from Monday, November 18 to Monday, November 25. Sweet T and I have been getting busier and busier with all things OCC the past couple of weeks. Yesterday, our shipment of nearly 900 cartons arrived. A few weeks ago, we happily received 2000 shoeboxes for our network partners and friends to distribute to participating individuals, groups, and churches. Sweet T got to meet our new volunteer Area Coordinator recently and we’re excited to see how she will help us grow our existing collection network.

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us–to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (HCSB)

Our church, Trinity Bible Richardson, is serving as a Central Drop Off location again this year. We’re so grateful for our home church’s faithful partnership with us in this incredible endeavor that shares the love of Jesus with millions of children around the world. We’re thankful for our friends and family who help us with this ministry each year. Ministering together has helped strengthen relationships with those we love and Sweet T and I are blessed to have fellow believers come alongside us in this endeavor.

Sweet T and I were first introduced to this wonderful way to share the Gospel back in 2008 while I was attending Dallas Baptist University. We have seen God do amazing things and we have met incredible people who love Jesus and are passionate about seeing kids come to know Christ.

Did you know that since 1993, over 168 million children in over 160 countries have experienced the love of Jesus Christ through the powerful gift of a simple shoebox from Operation Christmas Child?

This year, I’m super-excited about the opportunity to serve as a chaplain at the Dallas Processing Center. While Sweet T and I served as volunteers at the PC in past years, this will be my first time working as a chaplain ministering to the staff and volunteers who help make this incredible journey happen. I’m incredibly overjoyed and filled with anticipation to see what the Lord has in store for this 2019 OCC shoebox collection season.

Reflection Questions:

Have you packed your OCC shoebox yet?

What are some things you are looking forward to in the upcoming holiday season?

Have you started to consider your goals and dreams for 2020?

#ipackedashoebox

To experience life the way God intended, you and I must receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. This gift from God is available to all who ask. Are you ready to receive the gift of eternal life so that you can experience the total forgiveness from your sins that come through believing in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

God is good all the time and all the time God is good! No matter what.

As always, thanks for reading.

Blessings,

The Devotional Guy™

ABOUT: The Devotional Guy™ is a writing ministry of Chaplain Rainer Bantau, a Swiss-born, German kid who grew up in East Texas and today ministers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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