continued from part 3
Biff felt a lump come to his throat. He looked down at his plate full of good food and slowly pushed the rice around with his fork.
"You have no toys to play with, or books to read," Mother added. There are no churches. You have never even heard about God, or about Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins so we could be forgiven and live with God forever."
Father continued, "But then one day a truck comes into your village, and someone hands each of you a booklet and a shoe box gift-wrapped in pretty paper. He tells you the booklet says God loves you and has a good plan for your life. You tear the package open. Inside there is a coloring book, crayons, a toy, a washcloth and bar of soap, a toothbrush, comb and some clothes."
"Wow," Biff said, "I like that part."
"That's some of what Samaritan's Purse does," Mother explained. "This catalog is full of ways to help others have clean water, food, clothes, schools, churches, and many other things that will make their lives better."
"God tells us it's more blesed to give than to receive," Father said. "The shoe box gift idea is part of Operation Christmas Child."
"Can we make a shoe box?" Biff asked. "I can give some of my money from my savings bank upstairs." For a moment he wished he hadn't said it, but he knew Dad was right. He'd be more blessed to give than receive.
"I'll give some of my money too," Becka said.
"I was hoping you'd want to. It'll be fun," Mother replied with a smile.
"What do we do first?" Biff wondered.
"I'll go online to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ and see how to prepare a shoe box gift and where to drop it off," Father said. "I'll print out the list of suggested items, then we'll all go to Mart World to shop for them."
Mother stood up from the table and gave Biff and Becka a hug. "Your father and I are so glad you want to share with those who have almost nothing."
"Put some pretty Christmas wrapping paper on our list for Mart World too," Becka said.
"I'll get the shoe box my new tennis shoes came in." Biff ran to his room to get it. His thoughts were filled with wondering what some child would do when he got the shoe box gift they'd be sending. Somehow having a new bike didn't seem so important anymore. His old one would still do just fine.
Copyright © 2011 Elaine Beachy
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