This picture says it all to me, the whole reason we are here…to participate in an outreach to Mexican people in Santa Maria Huatulco who have not heard the gospel.

The children are eager and cooperative and the mamas and grandmothers who bring them are hungry for peace that only Jesus Christ can give.

I’ve heard of the Samaratins Purse Christmas Child shoebox events for many years and know people who have participated. I have not, until now, but my participation is on a very different level.

I assumed, like many people, the Christmas Child shoe boxes were a unique way to present the birth of Jesus and give some help to poor children around the world.

So Wrong!

I’ve heard and read reports that the charity is meaningless and has no value. An article from the Baptist News uses the values of a twenty something yoga teacher to decide to stop giving to the program; also citing Franklin Grahams political views.

The article goes on to say that they decide to invest in their own community due to the list of grievences against the Graham organization. That’s great IF they also host a 12 week discipleship program for the children and their families. I wonder how many do this?

I’m guessing very few

My experience with Operation Christmas Child is absolutely of the highest value. It is possible the contents of the box are not geared towards the needs of a specific people group, for instance, our children here don’t ever need sox. HOWEVER, the real purpose of the shoe box ministry is to bring children and their families to Christ and to disciple them in God’s word and truth.

So Wonderful! It works!

The video below shows the shoe box give away. Yes, there were some technical difficulties, we should have had a few pocket knives, there weren’t enough boxes for the older children and yes, there were some things they don’t use. But the impact to the community long term for the gospel is amazing if the people who host the events have the gospel in mind!

Our church here in Mexico has used the Operation Christmas Child shoebox events to start several churches. Here’s how it works:

Preparation: the hosting church body begins to pray for those who will attend, that their will be many who trust Jesus as their savior. Every Saturday morning at 7 am our church meets (now online) to pray for the ministries.

Phil helped to build simple wooden tables for the children. These will continue to be used by the new church. Our church supplied chairs for the little ones and the mamas.

The Event

1. They choose to host the event on a day that is important in the culture: January 6 is Children’s Day, the day children receive gifts in Mexico.

2. The gifts are given in the form of a party and a Bible Truth about Jesus, the greatest gift. Children are given an overview of who God the creator, His son Jesus and the Holy Spirit and invite the children to trust Jesus as their savior. 

3. The children are invited to classes beginning the very next week at the same location.

4. The children come to discipleship for 12 weeks called “The Great Adventure”. They are given a book, with homework and lessons covering creation to the great commission. In our case we have children from 2 years old to 12.

5. The mamas and grandmas also attend and are taught and ministered to. This has been a joy for me to be one of the “mama” teachers. My focus for these beautiful women is the peace that comes from Jesus Christ and the blessings of being Born Again. I teach every 3rd week and now get to teach at another location. Our church is hosting 5 different discipleship classes this year. In the year when churches are shutting down our church is opening them!

6. They host a “graduation” for the children at the end of 12 weeks and invite all the mothers and fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles. It is a BIG DEAL for these children in impoverished areas or in remote villages to graduate from anything! It is a great celebration.

7. They have already prepared for a new church to be started or for the host church to take in new believers and disciple them.

It’s genius if you ask me! Everyone involved loves this process.

Our team also feeds the children, gives the parents “packages” with staples as many of them are suffering greatly due to pandemic shut downs.

I’m sure, like everywhere, there is abuse of the system and not everyone has the heart of our church but I am totally impressed with this system of showing the love of Christ and a practical way to spread the gospel.