I am sorry this post is a bit delayed but as the usual excuse goes, I didn't want to post until I had time to sit down and really capture the testimony of what God is doing. I have been invited to lead another eye clinic for Samaritans Purse Dec 9-19/2006 in El Salvador. It is an outreach clinic associated with the Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoebox distribution. The shoeboxes go to places all over the world but this particular distribution is the big Youth Event. So far I believe there are 81 teens approved to go from the US and canada. Last yaer I was Blessed to do the clinic with the OCC youth event in Belize and 100 teens.
It was at this time that I learned how much I Love working with the teens. I also learned that the shoebox distribution is much more than passing out a shoebox full of items to children. Last year when we arrived at the YWAM base where we would be staying, I thought the teens had all come from one area. It was if they had known each other all along but they were all just meeting for the 1st time. I think there were 2 brother/sister teams and the rest were individuals from different places. Paul Brandt, the country music singer, was also on the trip. He has a very interesting testimony and a passion to use his music as a ministry for Jesus.
Samaritans Purse Youth Coordinator, Erin, had done a wonderful job of organizing the teams. At orientation the teams were then divided into different ministries for distributions. They had music, skits, drime(drama acted to song), and children's ministry...face painting, balloon figures, games, etc. Each distribution takes about 2 hours. After setting up, the youth do their ministry, then there is the Salvation message of the birth and resurrection of Jesus. This then leads up to the gift message and passing out of the shoeboxes. Then the youth help the children to explore the treasures that people have given to them because of the love they have for Jesus.
At the warehouse, the shoeboxes have Christian tracks added to them. The children love reading material and want this read to them. I would also encourage people who read this and pack shoeboxes to enclose a card/letter along with photo of you and your family. The children absolutely LOVE this and it personalizes the gift for them.
I didn't want to make this too long, as I had mentioned before, I could do a short story on each trip. Another thing that excited me about the opportunity to go on this trip was that SP had heard Ira and I were going to Pan de Vida for long term Ministry. They were not sure when or if we were already there but they would have made arrangements for me to join them from Mexico if I had been. The reason I find this so exciting is because God had provided the eye glass clinics as a ministry through SP and when Ira was called to Pan de Vida, I wondered where, or if, the eye glass Ministry would fit in. Our ministry at Pan de Vida will be through Children of Hope, but there may be times that we partner with SP teams in projects and outreaches which will include the eye clinics. No matter what I am doing, I know God has a use for me and that is the most exciting part of all.
Just so you can get idea of the size of a Youth Event team, I am attaching the "crazy" group photo from last year. In addition to the youth, there are team leaders, communication crews, base directors, etc. Please Pray for us all as we logistically and spiritually prepare.
