CIU participates in Operation Christmas Child

By Michael A. Lanier

CIU Student Writer

The Ram Shack at Columbia International University was filled with the warmth and joy of Christmas. And it was only Oct. 13. Students gathered to pack shoe boxes with toys, hygiene essentials, and notes that communicate the love of Christ at the Operation Christmas Child packing party hosted by Student Missions Connections.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, a Christian organization dedicated to crisis relief around the world as a way of demonstrating and sharing God's love. Each fall, Operation Christmas Child volunteers pack items in a shoe box that will be sent to children in poor regions of the world. The packing is done well before the holiday season to assure the gifts arrive in hard-to-reach areas by Christmas. Included in the shoe box is a booklet of Bible stories for the children, and sometimes the message of the gospel is presented to the children as the shoe boxes are delivered.   

Joy Law, a junior and the organizer of the packing party, says she likes seeing people come together to help others.

“It's important for CIU students to realize there's more going on outside of our community,” said Law. “Even a small gift can make a huge impact in somebody's life.”

For many of the students, Operation Christmas Child is one more way to fulfill CIU’s mission to impact the nations with the message of Christ.

“I hope that a child will experience God's love,” freshman Elisa Pinkerton said, as she stuff another shoe box.

“[We get] to show others the love of Christ who might not get to see it otherwise,” sophomore Caroline Crabtree added.