Women Connect: The Best Gift Ever — Subrena Persaud

It's countdown.

ponder

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' >Acts 20:35 (English Standard Version)

I cannot lie…I like both. I love giving gifts at Christmas…and I still get excited when a gift is placed in my hands. The wonder of Christmas is alive and well here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. But, oh the joy of reaching out to those in need. An unexplainable thrill comes when helping the marginalized.

meet

One of our favorite annual outreaches is our trek to Operation Christmas Child's Southern California processing center. (There are eight centers across the nation.)

In the past 30 years since Samaritan's Purse launched Operation Christmas Child, over 209 million children in over 170 countries and territories have received a shoebox filled with goodies. Best of all…each shoebox represents an invitation to attend a Greatest Journey class (similar to Vacation Bible School) where children learn about God's love.

I was blessed to go to Guyana on a 2016 South America distribution trip, helping to hand out shoeboxes to children. Entering schools filled with gorgeous dark-skinned children with the biggest smiles---heart pictures I will treasure forever. They were overjoyed when they received their boxes!

On this Guyana trip I met Subrena, a pastor's wife who teaches the Greatest Journey in her region. Many children have given their hearts to Jesus, with beautiful transformation stories emerging. These kids have also shared their faith with friends and family members. And guess what? Churches have been birthed...just like in the Book of Acts!!!

I talked with Subrena last week and asked for recent photos.

I promise you…the shoebox gifts matter. Now. And for eternity.

Maybe you could prayerfully consider becoming a year round volunteer with Operation Christmas Child.

Or at least we could all begin collecting items for next year's shoeboxes. 🙂

thankful

for the GREATEST GIFT ever. God's son…Jesus

Britannica defines incarnation as: central Christian doctrine that God became flesh, that God assumed a human nature and became a man in the form of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the second person of the Trinity. Christ was truly God and truly man.

Growing up I remember my parents faithfully listening to radio broadcaster Paul Harvey.

Paul Harvey's Christmas story, The Man + The Birds, is a great incarnation word picture.

(and sorry if an ad pops up - "skip" is our friend! 🙂)

heart

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. >Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

May you have a blessed Christmas season. And may those of us with Jesus in our hearts be faithful to share the GREATEST GIFT with others. It's our responsibility. And privilege.

judy popineau wick