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CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX MINISTRY “Sharing the Love & Message of God One Shoebox at a Time” Yes, it is time again to begin
to think and plan for this year’s Christmas Shoebox Ministry. It seems each year that the time comes faster and faster
and it will be here before I am ready. But with God’s leading and your help and support it will be another successful
year! We would like to invite you to prayerfully consider joining
us in this year’s Christmas Shoebox Ministry, as we try to spread the message of Christ through these gifts. This year
will be the 16th anniversary for this ministry which was started by Bro. Bob & Susie Witt. If this is new to
you, please let me explain. We collect shoebox size Christmas gifts to deliver to the Native American children on Indian reservations
in New Mexico and Arizona. Also we collect money to purchase flour, beans and lard, which is their staple food, to give to
the families at the churches. We work through the Native American Churches of the San Juan Baptist Association, located in
Farmington, New Mexico 1
John 3:17 & 18 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up
his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children let us not love in word or
tongue, but in deed and in truth. You can become a part by praying for this ministry, and also the Native American
people; by preparing shoebox gifts, donating money for food for the families, donating money for diesel to deliver these gifts,
donating coats and winter clothing, blankets, or school supplies. This would not be possible without the
support of all the churches and individuals who have participated. We appreciate the response that you have given us over
the past years. Gifts can be given individually or as a church project. God is really using this in numerous ways other than
to give a gift to someone in need. Last year during one of our worship services we had three adults pray for salvation. Other
decisions were made during the week also. This ministry is enabling us to share Christ, which is what we all need more than
any gift anyone can give.Most of these children don’t
have anything at all, and this shoebox gift will be the only gift they may get at Christmas time. Last year, because we went
so early, we did not get to see them open their gifts. In the past few years some of the children’s mothers would not
let them open the gifts that night. They made them take them home to wait until Christmas morning because this was all they
would be getting. One child was thrilled over getting a pair of gloves and a knit cap. He told his mother
that now he would be able to go out and play. He would be able to wear them to school. Another young girl was very thankful
for getting school supplies. She said that we just didn’t know how much she had needed them. A few years ago a pastor’s
wife also a school teacher, came up to me crying, expressing her appreciation for giving school supplies. She told me that
the children never had any supplies and she tried to buy some but she wasn’t able to buy much herself. It
is a very sad situation; it is pretty emotional to see children get excited over these small items. It really opens your eyes
to the blessing we take for granted every day.
We collect money to purchase 20 pound bags of flour, 10 pound bags of pinto beans and a 3 pound bucket of lard, when
we get to New Mexico to give to the families at the churches we give the gifts to also. It seems that they are more excited
over the food items than the gifts. I never realized the importance of the food or how much they needed it. This is just another
one of those things we take for granted. The cost for 1 set of each of these items last year was $20.73
per family. This is their staple foods, which they use every day. If they have it! On
the back of our bulletins in the past, it stated that: every night nearly 16% of children in New Mexico go to bed without
knowing if they will eat the next day. New Mexico is the hungriest state in the nation; one of the hungriest populations in
the world. Also New Mexico has one of the highest poverty levels in the U.S. It is hard to believe this
is happening within the U.S., the land of plenty! The problem isn’t the lack of food to go around, but the inability
to purchase it.
This year’s age groups are: Boys - Birth – 1, 2-4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-14,
15 & up. Girls - Birth –
1, 2-4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-14, 15 & up. Some suggestions are; Bibles, Tracts, any Religious Items, the Plan of Salvation
from your old Sunday School Literature, School Supplies, Jewelry, Small Tools, Baby Toys, Sewing Accessories, Dolls, Calculators,
Games, Balls, Jacks, Books, Scissors, Jump Ropes, Slinky, Yo-yo, Markers, Cars, Action Figures, Puzzles (Adult & Children),
Paper Dolls and any other item suitable for whichever age group you chose. Make sure to include a card or note with your name
and address on it in case that they want to send you a Thank You card. Please wrap securely and write Boy or Girl and age
group on the outside of box. Any items are appreciated. This
year’s deadline is November 2.Deliver to Sardis
Baptist Church Gymnasium367 Sardis Church Road, Farmerville,
LouisianaDelivery Dates are:Tuesday, November 1 - 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 2 - 2:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. or later if you will let me know. If you can’t make it during either of these times, please call me at
(318) 368-0173 or (318) 267-4788 and we will make arrangements to either pick them up or to be delivered at a different time. Thank
You for your participation! We can’t do this on our own; it is such a success because of you and all your participation.
We just happen to be God’s messengers for this project. Please keep this in mind, what starts out as a small gift or
donation, when we all join together “Little becomes Much when God is in it!”Thank You and May God Bless you in your Missions Efforts! Karen & Harlin Knight
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