Fiji- God's Word going forth

Today I read a post on facebook about Fiji. The story itself is not about Operation Christmas Child but it is about God's Word and His ministries and I had to share before I told my own CONNECT conference story about Fiji.

The BIMI Fiji Bible Project is going to deliver 220,000 Bibles to EVERY Fiji student on the island (starting this month) at the request of the GOVERNMENT of Fiji! Could you image how our country would change if our government would put the Bibles back in our classrooms? Not only that, this has some Biblical importance to it. Do you know where the furthest country is from Israel? The uttermost part of the world? Fiji! Jesus instructed us to go to the utter most part and preach his word. Well folks, God's Word is there waiting to be given out.

 

Isn't that a reason to rejoice???? EVERY student in Fiji to receive God's Word!!!! God is moving throughout Fiji!

I was blessed during one of the meals of the CONNECT conference to sit with two delightful men from Fiji, Kumar and Paul. What a blessing to meet some of the team from around the world who distribute the shoeboxes. They have full teams there of volunteers as well... to organize the HUGE job of receiving the shoeboxes through customs, training teachers, and organizing transportation, and distribution of THOUSANDS of boxes. What a blessing to have such dedicated people working to carry our shoeboxes to children.

Anyway, while I was talking to Paul and Kumar, I learned some things that I wanted to pass on. First although Fiji has many christians, 58% approximately, it also is 34% Hindi. There is MUCH to be done yet in Fiji for the Lord!

They wanted to encourage us that God is working... and so they shared some wonderful news! First, in one village where they went, only one child accepted Christ, out of the Hindi children... but do not be dismayed because this is how God works.. out of that ONE (one shoebox, and one child) came MANY. 30 NEW people now attend the church all from that one child.

Another story they shared is that in one county they were trying and trying to build a church without success within the Hindi community but resistance was too high... UNTIL one shoebox distribution. Praise God there is now not only a christian church but a Kindergarten program as well!

And a sweet story about a boy at a distribution. He wanted a toy truck like all his friends. They would play and he did not have one. This was his heart's desire, but his family could not afford it. He admitted to the team that just that morning he had thought of stealing one this very day... but what in His mercy and bounty did God provide in the box? Not one but 3 toy car/trucks in various colors!! 

Finally, I wanted to share a prayer request from Paul and Kumar.. Please pray for all the obstacles dealing with the VET and custom's taxes. The original agreement was that they would come through but the government struggles to believe so many good gifts are for giving out and not selling. May God make a way so that they do not have to pay to receive the shoeboxes.  

I was SO BLESSED to go to CONNECT and I have a whole notebook full of things I wanted to share.. and after much delay I am returning to a series of posts from the conference. 

 

 

A Shoebox gift turns sadness into Joy (OCC Canada story)

A shoe box gift turns sadness to joy

May 21, 2013

Operation Christmas Child staff member Freddy Fonseca describes giving a shoe box and the gift of joy to a child in Nicaragua

By Freddy Fonseca, Operation Christmas Child leadership team in Nicaragua

Earlier this year, I travelled to Ayapal, Nicaragua, where we were distributing gift-filled shoe boxes. In the church there, dozens of children were opening their boxes, but my gaze kept being drawn to a scene across the street.
There, I watched a boy who was sitting very still. His oversized shirt and stained jeans matched a pair of sad brown eyes as he sat on a shoeshine box in the dusty street.
For an hour, his gaze never wavered from the scene unfolding at the church. Looking miserable and lonely, the child watched the other children leave the church with gifts in hand.
Finally, I went over to him. “Why haven’t you been given your gift?” I asked the child.
“I can’t go into the church,” he answered. “If I go, my father would beat me. That’s why I don’t have a gift.”
I was struck by the boy’s resignation and hardship. Returning to the church, I picked out a shoe box just for him.
“Jesus sent a gift all the way to Ayapal just for you,” I told him. “God loves you so much!”
As I helped the boy open his shoe box, I watched the boy’s face change from sadness to joy. He became even more radiant when he saw the gifts inside!
Afterward, I had an opportunity to share the Gospel and helped the young boy make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was so overjoyed that he forgot about his shoeshine box and started running home.
I laughed and called loudly for him to come back. As the boy gathered his belongings and went home, happiness was written across his face. That child’s joy will never be erased from my mind.
Because of your partnership, Operation Christmas Child is bringing happiness and the hope of Jesus Christ to countless children like this one around the world. Thank you for your continued support!

Coupon Deals- Free or low cost toothpaste at Dollar Tree and Walmart

Dollar Tree

★ Colgate Toothpaste

Use $1/1 Colgate Toothpaste printable
Or $1/2 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 5/25/13 (SS 05/12/13)
Or $0.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 5/25/13 (SS 05/12/13 R)
Or $0.35/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 5/25/13 (SS 05/12/13)
Final Price: as low as FREE

★ Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste $1.00

Use $1/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean, exp. 6/14/13 (RP 04/14/13)
Or $0.50/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Whitening Action Toothpaste printable
Final Price: as low as FREE

WALMART

Reach Floss - $0.97

$1/2 Reach Floss Product printable
$1/2 Reach Floss Product printable
Final Price: as low as $0.47

Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste Trial Size - $0.97

Use $.50/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean, any
Final Price: as low as $0.47

An article on a distribution in Zambia

A shoebox filled with a life changing gift

Updated: Monday, 27 May 2013, 11:37 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 27 May 2013, 1:20 AM EDT

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A Fort Wayne woman had the opportunity to hand-deliver special gifts to some deserving children.
Beverly Lubs has worked for Operation Christmas Child for more than eighteen years. She now serves as the collection center coordinator for Northeast Indiana. Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes full of toys, toiletries, candy and school supplies for children in impoverished and war-torn areas. In 2012, the organization provided over eight million shoeboxes to children in more than 100 countries.
Lubs was one of 24 volunteers nationwide to be chosen to go to Zambia for a week-long trip of missionary work and gift-giving.
"For most of these children, it is the only gift they've ever received in their lives, and maybe, the only gift they will ever receive," Lubs said.
Lubs said some of the items Americans might take for granted such as a bar of soap or even a pencil were the greatest hits with the children in Zambia.
She said one of the most touching moments was when a girl came up to her crying because she was unable to go to school because she didn't have socks for her uniform. However, when she opened her shoebox, there were three pairs of socks just her size.
"For some kids, the items in the shoebox mean they can go to school," Lubs said.
In one week, they delivered around 4,000 boxes to six different villages across the country, including a hospital for children who are HIV positive.
"Really more than anything, the box represents hope and love," Lubs said.

A shoebox filled with a life changing gift

Shoebox Deals week of 5/26/13

Here are some of the deals this week:

Rite Aid (found at thekrazycouponlady.com)
Colgate Max Toothpaste, 6 oz $2.99
Colgate Total Advanced Toothbrush, 1 ct $2.99
Buy 1, Receive $2.00 +Up Reward, Limit 4
Use $1.00/1 – Colgate Total, Optic White, Max Fresh or Sensitive Toothpaste, excludes trial sizes, no more than four coupons for the same product in the same transaction – (coupons.com)
Or $0.75/1 – Colgate Total, Optic White, Max Fresh or Sensitive Toothpaste, excludes trial size, no more than 4 coupons for the same product in the same transaction – (coupons.com)
Pay $1.99, Receive $2.00 +Up Reward
Final Price: $0.01 Moneymaker or 24 cents with current printable coupon after plus reward

Dollar Tree
Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste, 4.6 oz $1.00, regular price
Use $0.75/1 – Colgate Total, Colgate Optic White, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste, excludes trial size, no more than 4 coupons for the same product in the same transaction -(coupons.com)
Final Price: $0.25

Dial Basics Bar Soap, 3 pk $1.00, regular price
Use $0.35/1 Dial Liquid Hand Soap, Foaming Hand Soap or Soap, 3 bar pk or larger, Limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip from RP 4/28 (exp 5/25)
Final Price: $0.65, or $0.22 per bar  

Zest Soap Bars, 2 ct $1.00, regular price
Use $1.00/3 – Zest Bar Soaps or Zest Body Washes – (smartsource.com)
Final Price: $0.67 each, when you buy 3 

Don't forget to check out Memorial Day sales if you are out as well.... I have heard reports that KMart has some racks with 99 cent clearance children's clothing although I have not checked our local Klamath store. 

Operation Christmas Child CRAFT DAY here in Klamath Falls, Saturday June 8, 1-4

Hi everyone.. for those few of you who have been waiting, it is FINALLY here.

My life is a bit calmer and so here it is... CRAFT DAY!!!

 If you are near Klamath come on by and help us make crafts for the shoeboxes! I know we will be making jewelry including salvation bracelets, and probably cross bracelets as well. And we will probably make some ribbon rings too. And the rest I am still deciding but ALL crafts will be simple and fun and doable by all!

 In August I will have another event geared towards school supplies... decorating notebooks, pencil cases, making pencil toppers, etc. Come meet others who love children and OCC and help make items for these precious ones who will receive the boxes.

All supplies provided. Just bring yourself! Have a friend? A child or teen who would like to help? If possible, please let me know if you are coming so that we can make sure we have enough supplies and snacks and seating... and COME HAVE FUN.

lambofhisflock @ gmail . com

PS come check out our table for Praise in the Park too... we will have a craft for kids to make for the shoeboxes there as well.

A great easy FUN CRAFT for the shoeboxes with how to video

Clothed in Dignity

The below article is from Samaritan's Purse blog (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/clothed-in-dignity/) and is written by Nhung, the staff member in the Northwest Regional office that I work with as an Operation Christmas Child volunteer. I am blessed to work with a woman after God's heart.. and I think you will see that in this post. Be blessed. 

A staff member is reminded of the worth we all have in God after giving a special orphan a gift-filled shoebox through Operation Christmas Child
By Nhung Hurst, northwest regional manager for Operation Christmas Child
During a recent trip to Uganda, I made the huge mistake one morning of saying, “I never get sick on international trips.” I know, I know. I recognized my stupidity the moment I said it, and I acknowledged it to God and asked that He teach me my lesson and get it over with as quickly as possible!
I did get sick on Thursday during the morning distribution and was praying that I would not throw up all over a sweet little boy and his shoebox. I did not want to leave that kind of trauma on the poor little guy.

I loathe getting sick in public. It just feels undignified, and it was magnified by the fact that I was in Africa. We were two hours from our hotel, in one of the most remote locations with no toilet or clean water. Then I slipped and fell in the mud while wearing a white skirt.
I wanted God to open a hole right then so I could sink in. But then I started praying. Not only for healing, but that God would change my attitude. This trip wasn’t about me. These kids and their families lived in these surroundings every day, and I didn’t want any self-pity on my part to detract from their beautiful experience of receiving shoeboxes.
We headed to our next distribution, and I felt well enough to hand out the gifts. I noticed one little boy who had taken the lid off his shoebox but hadn’t touched anything. He seemed oddly removed from the whole thing, so I carefully showed him each item. Nothing sparked his interest until I got to a pair of little black gloves. He put up his right hand, so I put the glove on. Then he showed me his other hand. That’s when I noticed that he only had two fingers on his left hand—his thumb and pinky. I could tell that the stubs of the other three fingers were scarred, but I put the glove on and counted out five fingers.

The smile that lit his face was the greatest comfort to me. In that moment, I didn’t feel sick or filthy. I understood right then that when we belong to God, we are clothed in dignity regardless of our external appearance and surroundings. I needed that little boy as much as he needed me then.
Later, I learned from orphanage workers that this 4-year-old boy, Joram, had been abandoned by his grandparents and left in the garage of the orphanage along with his two sisters. The children’s parents had died of AIDS. When Joram was 2 his grandparents took him to a witch doctor to cure him of his muteness. He had never uttered a word and they thought he was possessed by some demon. The witch doctor promised a cure but needed three of his fingers for the remedy. When the grandparents saw that he wasn’t cured, they placed all the children in the orphanage.
It grieves me to know that he suffered that kind of needless pain, but I know that he is created in the image of our heavenly Father and is loved. I know that I will never see a pair of gloves without thinking of this little guy ever again.

FREE FLIP FLOPS at Target!

OK, I know Klamath doesn't HAVE a Target, but for those of you who ARE near a Target, this is AWESOME. I love including flip flops in my shoeboxes when possible because of so many stories like http://www.clipwithpurpose.com/flip-flops-a-flashlight-and-a-new-life/ and because of pictures I had seen of barefoot children in harsh situations or of shoes in various poverty stricken parts of the world.

:
So wanna get a free pair starting this Sunday?
Starting this Sunday, 5/19, women’s flip flops will be on sale at Target for $2.00.  Hurry and print the store coupon at target.com; then claim this rare freebie once the sale begins! Look for these hanging upright on a wall in the shoe department.  

Women’s Flip Flops $2.00, sale price beginning 5/19
Use $2.00/1 – Women’s Flat Sandal or Flip Flop, limit one coupon offer per guest, Target Coupon – (target.com)


Info from krazycouponlady!! http://thekrazycouponlady.com/2013/05/17/womens-flip-flops-free-at-target-starting-519/

Dollar Tree Coupon Deals 5/12/13

First, I want to apologize to my readers... life has had me busy.. too busy.. but not in a bad way. I am sorry that I have not been posting but I will be trying to do more again.

Also, I am trying to get a craft day for early June.. keep tuned if you are in the Klamath area.

And now for the deals:

DOLLAR TREE
(Have you ever included makeup? I have not, but some might be fun in the 10-14 year old box. Keep in mind no liquids or lotions.)

L'Oreal Makeup $1

Use $1/1 L'Oreal Product printable
Or $1/1 L'Oreal Cosmetics Eye Product printable
Final Price: as low as FREE

Colgate Kids Manual Toothbrush $1.00
Use $0.35/1 Colgate Adult or Kids Manual Toothbrush, exp. 5/18/13 (SS 04/28/13)
Or $0.50/1 Colgate Adult or Kids Manual Toothbrush, exp. 5/18/13 (SS 04/28/13 R)
Final Price: as low as $0.50

 

Band-Aid Flexible Band Aids $1.00

Use $0.75/2 Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandages Product, exp. 5/24/13 (RP 04/07/13 #2)
Or $0.50/1 Band-Aid Quilt Product printable
Or $0.75/2 Band-Aid Product printable
Final Price: as low as 0.50 

 

Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste $1.00Use $1/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean, exp. 6/14/13 (RP 04/14/13)
Or $0.50/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Whitening Action Toothpaste printable
Final Price: as low as FREE  

 

Colgate Toothpaste $1.00

Use $0.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 5/25/13 (SS 05/12/13 R)
Final Price: as low as $0.50

 

Dollar Tree does have some restrictions for couponing, learn more at http://www.dollartree.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=TermsConditions