Operation Christmas Child: The Fun of Preparing Shoeboxes for Little Hands and Feet

Before it reaches its final destination, every single Operation Christmas Child shoebox goes through a careful, multi-stage process.

In today’s episode, On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse host Kristy Graham visits one of the eight processing centers to get a behind-the-scenes look.

Abram, the processing center manager in Boone, North Carolina, gives a tour of the many moving parts at the center. From examining the toys, to putting the final strip of tape on the boxes for shipment, each step in the process is a vital part of sending the Gospel in these boxes. And everyone is involved in the most important step: praying over the shoebox gifts.

“We take a moment, we stop, we lay hands on the last row [of shoeboxes] and we pray over this container. And it's an honor to be the last people on this side of the shoebox who even get to see the boxes.” —Abram

Inside the processing center, Kristy chats with David, the senior director of Operation Christmas Child international. He explains that thousands of shoeboxes will get packed into huge sea container ships. Some might even take months to arrive in remote communities as they’re transported across oceans and deserts. National staff members will receive the boxes and equip local church leaders to share the Gospel as they distribute the shoeboxes to children in their communities.

“Kids not only get the gift but hear the Gospel proclaimed… That just demonstrates in an outreach form that that they're loved too, and that they're not forgotten by God and they're not forgotten by us.” —David

Alex, who received a shoebox when he was a child living in Rwanda during the genocide, shares about the hope the shoebox gifts represent.

“That was the very first gift I ever received in my life…it planted that seed of hope and love with Jesus Christ. It reminded me that I was special at a time when I had lost everything and almost everyone in my life, God used that shoebox gift to really communicate to me how special I was.” —Alex

Finally, Kristy chats with several volunteers as they work together to organize the boxes in the processing center. Young and old, they share what motivates them to serve each year. For many, this means giving up vacation time and traveling from places like Alaska and even England to come serve.

Kristy closes by praying for the ministry and sharing her own experience of giving children shoeboxes in Ecuador. She encourages believers to embrace prayerfulness and unity during the holiday season.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. —Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)