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Just a few short months ago, I received a note via twitter with this image attached. She said, “A long time ago you sent me a gift. I just wanted to say thank you.” It was a short note that I had quickly added to my Operation Christmas Child shoe box over ten years ago. The recipient, a sweet young lady named Meryl had found me. I was completely baffled. I had never heard from someone who had received my shoe box before, and now, here stood a sweet young lady who just wanted to say thank you, even after so many years. She was graciously willing to share her story with me of the powerful impact of a simple gift.

    I’m from Lima, Peru. I’m 23 years old and I’m a teacher. I live with my parents and I have an older sister named Sandibell. Thanks God I have a nice relationship with my family. I attend to Way of Life Church (Iglesia Camino de Vida) and I serve in children’s ministry.

I received it in a Christmas event for children which took place in my church, in which the Pastor’s wife told us that she had a special surprise for us and then she gave every child a OCC shoe box. She also told us that those gifts were sent with love from USA through the Operation Christmas Child Ministry.

   When I received the OCC shoe box I was 12 years old and I felt happy and thankful. I also felt surprised that someone who didn’t know me and didn’t speak the same language than me could send me a Christmas present from a far country. I remember when I opened the box I found your letter; at that time I didn’t speak English so I asked a friend to translate me the letter, and there is a part in your letter that touched my heart, which reads as follows: “May you see the love that Jesus has for you through this gift that I send with all my love and prayers.”.  I could definitely see God’s love through your gift and it made me feel special. Thank you!

    To receive the OCC shoe box showed me one more time how wonderful is the love of God that touches people’s hearts to bring joy to children and make an impact in their lives as well as your gift did in my life. It encouraged me to continue sharing more about God’s love and mercy.

   I always wanted to thank you for the gift which was a blessing to me. A few months ago I found your letter among my things and I decided to look for you in order to get to know you and thank you for the nice gesture of sending a gift which God had designated it was for me.

I consider that OCC is a ministry of blessing to many people, not only for children who receive the gifts but also for people who send them because they have the opportunity to make many children smile, show them more about Jesus love and more about the wonderful plan He has for each of them.

I was so blessed and encouraged to hear Meryl share her story. I am motivated once again to partner with this ministry!

How can you get involved?

Pack a shoe box. The holidays are upon us, and the perfect time of year to minister to the hungry, lost, and hurting. We have a wonderful opportunity to send a simple shoe box gift through the ministry of Operation Christmas Child to a needy child around the world this Christmas. It is as simple as gathering a shoe box, collecting some fun goodies and treats, and sending the message of God’s love to the nations. OCC is one practical, hands-on way to participate with your family in cultivating a love for giving, and receiving unimaginable joy in return this Christmas! Learn how to pack a shoe box and find a drop off spot in your area. Collection week is November 14-21, 2011!

Please watch this video describing the mission of Operation Christmas Child:

Pray! Whether you can give a shoe box or not, don’t neglect to participate with this ministry through the power of prayer. Pray for the country, community, and family that will receive these shoe boxes. Pray for the Lord to redeem and change the lives of these children around the world. Join the prayer network.

Track your package! OCC has a awesome new feature of following your shoe box which allows you to see where your shoe box goes. Make your shipping cost donation online and receive a special tracking label to attach to your shoe box and be amazed how God directs it.

By monthly contributor, Ann Dunagan of Harvest Ministry

Right now is a very exciting time in the life of our girls. Our oldest daughter, Christi (a recent college grad), is now engaged to an awesome third-generation missionary from Niger, West Africa; our brand-new daughter-in-law, Anna, is working with our son to pioneer a new mission including an orphanage and Bible school in S.E. India; and our youngest daughter, Caela, is thrilled to be chosen as Christi’s maid-of-honor. It’s also a great time in ministry. My daughters and I are launching a brand-new vision, called DARING DAUGHTERS to inspire teen girls for missions and fulfilling God’s purposes. Our heart is for teens and ‘tweens (girls, ages 10 to 20), along with moms and mentors.

Christi & Trae in Niger, West Africa -- quite a ways to go to get to know the family!!!

Christi, ministering to children in a slum area in Cambodia

Christi & Trae -- on their Engagement Day, at our home in Oregon

It’s a time of joy in our family . . . yet even in the midst of dreaming about fun girly-stuff like wedding colors and bridesmaid dresses, our heart remains focused on the needs of this world.

Recently, I found a weird verse that I shared with my girls. It’s from Jeremiah 9, and in context, the prophet was talking about how horrible it was that Israel had fallen from God’s ways. The nation was dealing with wickedness, deceit, idolatry, and all kinds of evil.

In verses 17-18, the Bible says,

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for skillful wailing women, that they may come. Let them make hast and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run with tears, and our eyelids gush with water . . .”

Isn’t that kind of strange? God was calling for the professional criers and the wailing women. There was a need for tears, but a total lack of mourning and grief. Then in verse 20, Jeremiah 9 says,

“Yet hear the word of the LORD, O women, And let your ear receive the word of His mouth; Teach your daughters wailing . . .”

Wow. This verse really stopped me.

I’m a mom with daughters, and I’m always on the lookout for what God tells me to teach my girls. So here, God is saying to teach my girls to cry . . . to shed tears . . . and even to wail. God is talking about big stuff, like rebellion against God, and not caring about sin.

Anna -- with one of the precious girls from "Aasha Children's Home"

The newlyweds -- Josh & Anna Dunagan -- already with 20 kids!!!

As moms, how often do we allow thoughts about the injustices of this world to penetrate into our hearts, to the place where we would care enough to cry? Or care enough to motivate our girlfriends and our daughters? All across the globe, and in our own nation, and right down the street, and (sadly) even blaring into family rooms through televisions and movies, there’s horrible stuff going on.

It’s stuff God calls SIN and INJUSTICE.

Even while living in God’s joy and peace, there should be seasons when the needs of this world should make us so sad, and so shocked, and so ashamed (especially as mothers who deeply care for the next generation). At times, we should be compelled to our knees, where we should cry, and even weep. Yet as women and as moms, most of us are just too calloused . . . or too busy . . . or too tired.

Moms, we need to quit striving, and to quit caring so much about what others think . . . about us, and about our homemaking skills, and our motherhood successes (or failures).

Instead, we need to care more about what God thinks. He loves us so much, and He loves our daughters, even more than we do. For both moms and daughters, our calling is to simply walk with Him and to abide in Him, and to follow His leading, day-by-day. As we each draw closer to Him, He will show us His daily divine balance, to keep our family (and for our daughter’s future family) in His order, as He will also show us how to help others.

Our youngest daughter, Caela, having fun with orphan children in Uganda, East Africa

Caela, praying for a girl at Guma Na Yesu Children's Home in Uganda

Needs that should concern a godly girl . . .

As Christian women (of all ages), we need to allow ourselves to see the big needs of this world, especially those that concern women, and girls, and children . . . like teenage pregnancy, abortion, pornography, the plight of orphan children, child slavery, human trafficking (especially of young girls), hurting and broken hearts, neglected children, and so many unsaved women and lost children who desperately need the love of Jesus.

Many of these are feminine needs that should “pull” on the God-given “nurturing” and life-giving hearts of our daughters. In this next generation, it’s going to take a mighty army of godly daring daughters to minister to these needs. But will our girls even hear about them?

It’s a responsibility of godly motherhood to instill in our girls a heart for the world’s needs (just look at Proverbs 31:8-9, about pleading for the cause of the speechless and those appointed to die, or verse 20, about extending our hands to the poor and the needy). As Bob Pierce prayed, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.”

As women of God, we need to care. Will our girls grow up to be pampered or passionate? Will they be cute, or compassionate? As moms, let’s ask God to give us more of His heart and His perspective. Our little girls don’t need to know all the nitty-gritty details of the world’s horrible evils; but as they’re old enough to understand, we need to teach our daughters to pray, and to pray HARD!

Our daughters can be radiant pure lights . . . to reach a very dark world.

We need to teach our girls to cry.

If you’re a mom with teen daughters ages 10 to 20, or a woman with a heart to mentor a younger generation for Jesus, I invite you to come see what my girls and I are up to. We’ve just launched a DARING DAUGHTERS blog, twitter, facebook page, and blogtalkradio show; in March, we’re speaking at the Teaching Them Diligently Homeschool Convention (in South Carolina); we’re leading a DARING DAUGHTERS Retreat (at Christian Renewal Center in Silverton, Oregon); and Christi and I are writing a new book for teen girls entitled Daring Daughters & Dirty Feet (coming, Lord willing, in 2012).

Learn more at Daring Daughters.

By monthly contributor, Ann Dunagan of Harvest Ministry.

As Christian families, we need God’s perspective on finances, and a vision for how our resources can help to expand His kingdom – especially in tough times.

In our family’s living room, a small handcrafted treasure chest displays simple coins from around the world. Most of the pieces are dull and worn, while some a new and shiny. Our children often enjoy fingering the various francs from France, pulas from Botswana, and euros from Europe, to mention just a few. My favorite is an intricate gold-and-silver-colored piece from Italy, although, as with most of these coins, I have no idea of its worth. Some of the coins are no longer in circulation; some of the countries they’re from no longer exist. All are simply extra pocket change left over from years of past mission trips, each saved as little souvenirs and little reminders that money is only a temporary “little thing.” Each coin is (or was) valuable only because some government somewhere determined it would have value.

But money is also a “big thing” – and we can’t underestimate the importance of training our children to have a godly perspective toward money and financial stewardship.

Our money represents our life; our time, our talents, our education and experiences, and our priorities. In fact, if we really want to find out what is important to us, we can simply look back through our checkbooks and credit card statements over the past few months. Our true priorities are right there in black and white (or red!); and the numbers don’t lie.

It’s really very simple. If we have a heart for the Lord and for the lost, we will give our resources to glorify Him and to help spread His Gospel message; and if our children are raised with this perspective, it will affect their bottom-line attitude toward the purpose of money. Both parents and children need to acknowledge regularly that everything we have ultimately belongs to God: our life is God’s, our home (or bedroom) is God’s, our car (or bicycle, or special toy) is God’s, our money is God’s.

We’re all simply stewards of God’s “stuff.”

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, J.G. Morrison urged Nazarenes to increase missionary support, as he earnestly pleaded: “Can’t you do just a little bit more?”

When times are tough, our families need to “sow in famine” (like Isaac in Genesis 26:12) and “lay up treasures in heaven” (like Jesus commanded in Matthew 6:20). Physical needs worldwide are greater than ever; orphan children desperately need help; sacrificing missionaries need continual support and prayers; and billions of people need to hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

During today’s economic downturn, let’s do more for the needs of world missions. Let’s be faithful stewards of the many resources God has given us, and let’s encourage our children to participate.

As mission-minded families, let’s do just a little bit more.

The post is adapted from my book, The Mission-Minded Family. Right now, our mission outreach, Harvest Ministry, is running a special on my two-book-set (The Mission-Minded Child & The Mission-Minded Family — at our COST!). We also have a new FREE 30-page guide using these books (to mentor your family or a small group in a 4-week study). If you’re interested in learning more, please CONTACT me through our website, and put “MM-FAMILIES SUMMER SPECIAL” in the subject line, and I’ll send you more information (with no obligation). My heart is to motivate families for missions — right now, right where you’re at!!!

Missionary Hudson Taylor said, “The Great Commission is not an option to consider, it is a command to obey.” I say, “Missions is not just for missionaries; God’s call is for all!”

Blessings to you and yours!!!
Ann

Guest post by Shannon Hazleton from Our Blessed Life.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
James 1:27 (ESV)

Mamas, do you want the hearts of your children to be closely knit with God’s heart?  Teach them to love orphans! The Bible is full of scripture conveying our Father’s heart for the fatherless, and commanding us to care for them as well.

Indeed, to be a Christian is to love orphans.

Yet, when I was young, I knew nothing of the plight of 147 million orphans worldwide, many of whom are abused, hungry, sick, and needing special care. So how can we, as a family, get involved and teach our children God’s heart in the process?

Do a Word Study

Older children can do this as a project on their own, or the whole family may get involved.  Using a concordance or an online Bible program, conduct a search for keywords such as “orphan” or “fatherless” and discuss the many passages you find.  Pick one or two verses to commit to memory or post on the bathroom mirror.

Reach Out to Adopting Families

Some of our closest friends recently adopted three special needs children from Eastern Europe.  Whenever they were conducting a fundraiser, we were sure to spread the word and help.  And what a blessing it has been to get to know those children since they have come home to the States.  If you know a family in your community or church is adopting, get to know them.  Ask how you can help.

Read and Pray

Early on in our own adoption journey, my young daughters found me looking at children’s pictures on Reece’s Rainbow.  “These boys and girls don’t have a Mommy or Daddy,” I explained to my 4-year-old.  It wasn’t long before my girls were asking to see those pictures daily, and including many of those children in their bedtime prayers.

I also recommend visiting No Greater Joy Mom’s blog, who has adopted some wonderful kiddos, and passionately advocates for orphans, and Katie Davis’ blog.  Katie is a young woman living in Uganda, who has become “Mommy” to 13 orphaned girls.

Adopt

Anton & Lena - our soon to be adopted kids

This one has impacted our family the most.  If someone would have told us a year ago that by August we would be traveling to a country in Eastern Europe, and adopting not one, but two young children, who happen to be HIV+ … Well, I would have laughed and thought that person was definitely wrong.  Surely God had not called us to that path.

But in the last six months, God turned our world on its side.  Through a few books my husband Jeff was reading (Radical, by David Platt, and Adopted for Life, by Russell Moore), God began to open our eyes, as Jeff would find himself in tears while reading over his lunch break at work, or I would find my own heart stirred as he read portions to me in the evenings, after the children had gone to bed.  Messages that were preached on Sunday mornings only seemed to confirm was God was saying.  His Word was opened to us like never before, and the message was clear: rescue the fatherless.

Our hearts were convicted.  And there was only one answer, yes, Lord.

Through our own adoption journey, our two oldest biological daughters (ages 3 and 5) have begun to learn that the world is bigger than our little family, and that there are children who don’t have families, and have never heard the name of Jesus.  (Though their little minds can scarcely imagine what that is like.) And it blesses our hearts to see them pray for those children, or hear them say, “we can be their family!”  The step we have taken towards adoption has been life-changing and family-altering.  It has been scary and difficult at times, and the journey isn’t over yet.  But we are already reaping bountiful blessings.

Not all of us will be called to be an orphaned child’s ‘forever family’, but we can be a prayer warrior for an orphan, or sponsor a child through ministries like Gospel For Asia or Compassion International.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to pray for, and even write letters to sponsored children.

No matter the age of our children, we can open their minds to a world that is different from their own, and help knit their hearts to the heart of the Lord.

“Father to the Fatherless,… God places the lonely in families…” Psalm 68:5 (NLT)

Shannon Hazleton is a busy stay-at-home wife to Jeffrey, and Mama to three little ones at their home in Nederland, Texas.  They will travel soon to bring home two more beautiful little ones from Eastern Europe.  She writes at Our Blessed Life.

Guest post by Jessica Fisher at Life as Mom.

Fifteen years ago I was a young wife dreaming of the day we would turn two into three. Even though I had helped my mom with my four younger siblings, I had no clue what motherhood really entailed. I know that – now.
What a surprise I was in for!

Six children later I have a learned a few things about adding a baby to the family. Thanks to generous family and friends I’ve discovered some amazingly helpful ways to bless a new mom – because they blessed me so abundantly.
Taking my cues from them, I offer these suggestions for you as you help friends and family greet their new little bundles of joy:

Bring a meal.

Food is a great way to bless others, especially those who’ve just had a baby. My newborn days were always ravenous ones. With breastfeeding, baby duties, and a healing body, I found it hard to find time or motivation to cook, but it seems like I was always hungry. I loved it when others brought us a meal.

Consider bringing a meal or two, preferably early in the day so that the family can eat when their schedules – and sleeping baby – allow.

Some tips for meals on wheels?
:: Bring kid-friendly foods for families with older children. Meals that can be served “not touching” are always appreciated. Offering meat, starch, and vegetables as separate dishes allows picky eaters to fill up on what they like. (Tired moms with new babies don’t need to fight food battles in the early days.)
:: Consider bringing a few extras like muffins, scones, or even an egg dish that can serve as a quick breakfast the next day.
:: Use dishes that you don’t need back so that the family has fewer dishes to keep track of and return.
:: Observe food preferences and allergies.
:: If your budget allows, bring two meals, one to eat and one to freeze and enjoy later.

Offer childcare.

As I added to my new family, I was very conscious of not neglecting my older children. I didn’t want them to feel left out or ignored. Yet, sometimes I was just too exhausted for much play. It was so nice when friends fill in the gap. If the new baby has older siblings, offer to come play or even take the bigger children to your house for the afternoon. In this way, Mama can rest (providing that Baby cooperates) and not worry about the older kids.

A caveat: Please be mindful of exposing Baby’s family to illness. Worried about offending others, new moms may be hesitant to say, “Keep your cooties to yourself.” However, it’s no service to your friend if her kids all get sick. Even if it’s “just the sniffles” steer clear of the new baby’s home for the first few weeks.

Clean house.

An offer to mop floors or scrub a bathroom is sometimes hard to extend – or accept. But the newborn days are ones during which Mom should be enjoying her baby and resting in stead of cleaning house. Offer to fill in the gap.Something as simple as vacuuming or pulling a few weeds can help the new mom rest more easily, knowing that there aren’t nagging tasks to tackle.

Just hang out.

While rest and seclusion from outside illnesses are important during the early weeks, fellowship with the outside world is vital to combating a new mom’s cabin fever. I have great memories of friends coming to visit — with food in hand. Their (healthy) kids played in my backyard with my older children while we moms chatted and caught up. And in many cases, I had a clean bathroom when they left!

It doesn’t take much time or money to bless a new mom. It takes effort and love, though. But the results are well worth it. You and your friend will both be blessed.

What do YOU do to bless a new mom?

Mother of six, Jessica Fisher writes about parenting hacks at LifeasMOM and posts delicious ways to act your wage at Good Cheap Eats. She is also the author of Organizing Life as MOM – a 125+ page e-guide complete with customizable planning pages and inspiration for home management.