Where to start? First this event was AWESOME!! I know God will remember all those who helped but I also want to give a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who donated, packed, prayed, etc. It was such a blessing to me and I am sure it will be a HUGE blessing to those who receive one of the millions boxes that are distributed through Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan's Purse.
God has worked many wonders in my life and the lives of others but this was something so incredible and I am so thankful to be a part of it! Briefly, I'll share some of the great things . . . first, I mentioned in a previous post the generous donation of 150 toothbrushes from a dentist office in Shreveport, those were in addition to the toothbrushes that had already been collected individually. We had lots of toothbrushes but not as much toothpaste. On Friday, when I and several other ladies went to the church to start setting up tables - there were 76 boxes of toothpaste! We ended up with PLENTY of toothpaste! I have no idea who left it and I swear it wasn't there the last time I checked the donation table.
While we set up I noticed we only had less than 20 bars of soap and so I put an announcment on Facebook and in minutes I had someone volunteer to buy 85 bars of soap. We had 2 tubes of Chapstick and by Saturday morning we had over 100 tubes of chapstick. I could go on and on with this same story - it was unreal, it was amazing, it was purely God at work!
On the day of the packing party we had about 20 women and a few guys come to help - I was overwhelmed at the turnout for a Saturday morning! It was a great time! We had to add extra tables because the donations kept pouring in! One lady called her husband to come and look because it was an awesome sight! Several ladies cried. It truly was a blessing to be a part of!
Our original goal was 100 boxes plus $700 shipping and I thought that was almost an impossible goal . . . well it wasn't! At final count we donated 146 BOXES! WOW! I had not even given thought to the fact that we only had enough shipping for 100 boxes until someone volunteered to donate any money we needed for shipping! I did not have to ask or beg for this money - God gave it before I even realized we needed it! God is so good and faithful!
Ephesians 3:20-21
The Message (MSG)20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
Here are 138 of the boxes!
For me this is a year-around ministry so I'll be on the prowl for lots of good deals until next OCC season! If you spot something - let me know! And if you buy anything I'll be happy to store it for you!
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