When I see these three words, I can’t help but smile. There are so many happy memories my family and I have thanks to Operation Christmas Child. It will be ten years this Christmas that we have been involved in one way or another with OCC.
The first year was the year our youngest son, Brian was born. He was not gaining weight, and only when he started losing weight would the doctors listen to me. We were living on a USAF base that didn’t have a hospital, just a clinic. Once he was x-rayed he was diagnosed with Pyloric Stenosis at 6 weeks. This is where the muscle joining your stomach to your small intestine is too small for food to pass through. We were then told he was going to be taken to a special hospital a few cities away for the operation. We were not home with family, and to watch our tiny son be sent into the operating room was heavy on our hearts. We leaned on each other and our Lord. The surgery was successful, and to this day he doesn’t have any problem processing his food!
We were invited to stay at the Ronald McDonald house since the distance was too far to drive back and forth. While there, I was exposed to Operation Christmas Child. Several of the volunteers who worked at the RM home were filling the boxes and asked if I wanted to help. It was a welcome distraction. Something sparked inside of me that afternoon, what if we could give something in honor of Brian? Our baby had come through the surgery and would be able to come home the day before Christmas Eve! With a thankful heart, I gladly threw myself into filling boxes for other children.
The next October, I saw a flyer about it at our church. I picked up the information and packed a box, a gift from Brian to another child his age. Through various moves, every November as we celebrate his birthday, no matter where we are, we connect with Operation Christmas Child and send off boxes. What started as a way to send love to another child far away has blossomed into a tradition for our family. Both boys really enjoy gathering small items through out the year in preparation for this annual event.
As there are many ways we can share Christ’s love with others this Christmas season, please prayerfully consider Operation Christmas Child. It is a fun activity that the whole family can be involved in. Pack one shoe box, or if the Lord leads you, pack more. The difference it makes in the lives of children across the world is immeasurable!
Brenda Hunley
Operation Christmas Child
Posted on
Thursday, November 5, 2009
by Karen Grizzard