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Last year, the Ignite team spent a day at National Ministry Centre of Samaritan’s Purse, the organisation behind Operation Christmas Child’s Shoebox Appeal and this year you are invited to join them.
Hamish MacQueen Director of Youth Services, said: “Many people are familiar with packing a shoebox with gifts around Christmas time, for a child in need, but I had no idea that is only a small part of what Samaritan’s Purse do.
“These days ,many people ‘pack’ their shoe box online, and during our visit last year, our job was to physically pick out the items and put them in a shoebox. The shoeboxes were being sent to local churches in places like Gaza and Ukraine who distribute them. There are many wonderful stories of children being so moved by receiving a shoebox that they start coming to church. We met one such person who now an adult living in the UK volunteers to pack shoeboxes herself.
“After some packing, we learnt about some of the logistics in getting the shoeboxes from Coventry all around the world, and other projects of Samaritan’s Purse like Crisis Response Field Hospitals that can be erected in a matter of hours in places where there is desperate need.
“It really was an amazing day, and a privilege to be a part of it, so much so that we’re planning to go back this December! Why not come and join us? We’ll be taking a car or minibus from Norwich via Cambridge and can pick people up on the way. Alternatively, you may like to organise a group from your own church or school.”
To join the Ignite Team on their trip to pack shoeboxes, email igniteteam@rcdea.org.uk
For general information see www.samaritans-purse.org.uk
To set up your own shoebox collection or learn more, contact Mark and Debra Watkins, (Regional Team Members for Samaritan’s Purse) markdebrawatkinsocc@yahoo.com
