Christmas Comes Early for Over 7,300 Belizean Children

For more than a decade, Operation Christmas Child has delivered hope and support to children across Belize, providing more than seven thousand, three hundred gift-filled shoeboxes each year. Led by Samaritan’s Purse, the program partners with local churches to share Christian values and mentorship opportunities. This week, regional and local leaders gathered in Belize to plan the next distribution and expand the program’s reach. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This year, Christmas came a little early for more than seven thousand, three hundred children across Belize, as they received gift-filled shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child, a global outreach program that has been bringing joy and messages of faith to Belizean families for more than a decade.

 

 Dr. Raoul Armbrister, Regional Director, Samaritan’s Purse

“Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child is a ministry that’s focused on taking the Gospel all over the world so that every child could experience the love of Jesus, and a course of the greatest journey that allows them to be trained to be disciples. So we exist in over one hundred and twenty-three countries. Last year, we were able to give over twelve million Gospel opportunities, those beautiful gift boxes that you see the children receive, to one hundred and twenty countries around the world, and share the good news of Jesus with children. Our heart and our passion is to just love on them without any demands, share the good news of Jesus, and give them a gift. “

 

The gift boxes are packed by children and families in nine donor countries, with children selecting gifts for kids of the same age and gender overseas before the boxes are inspected and shipped to countries around the world for distribution. Devon Rachae recalls receiving one of the boxes when he was just twelve years old, an act that planted a seed of faith within him. Now, he is giving back to the organization that helped him, serving as a regional coordinator.

 

Devon Rachae, Regional Coordinator

“The box come with a lot of toys and school supplies and so forth. For me, my favorite item was a Slinky. Right? Back at that time actually I didn’t even know the name of the item, but really an exciting toy. Even up to today, whenever I see a Slinky there’s a little bit of excitement because it brings me right back to when I received my shoebox.”

 

Operation Christmas Child has been distributing shoebox gifts in Belize since the late 90s, and this year’s distributions have already been completed.

 

 Dr. Raoul Armbrister,

“Many people ask, “Why do you not have the discipleship first, and then you give the gift box?” And we highlight that this program actually follows the principle that was demonstrated by God giving His Son Jesus Christ. And we didn’t have to do anything to earn the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross of Calvary. He came to us as a free gift given to all of us without discrimination. And as we receive these gifts, we have an opportunity to build a deeper relationship with Him.”

 

Operation Christmas Child serves children ages two to fourteen with shoebox gifts tailored to their age and gender. Local church partners identify recipients, host outreach events, and share the Christian message before inviting children to join a twelve-week discipleship program led by trained volunteers. Churches interested in participating can contact Samaritan’s Purse for more information. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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