Jesus is the ultimate Gift

Two thousand boxes have arrived at last in Senegal from Canada. And they aren’t ordinary boxes.

Jenn DeAtley shares about the task of distributing these gift boxes from Operation Christmas Child. “The goal is to focus on the neediest kids (they’re all needy) in the local schools …. When we heard we were receiving 2,000 boxes this year, we were both overwhelmed at the amount of work that would need to be done and excited that so many children would receive a box.”

Jenn and Shawn are currently working in the French language to disciple local believers and assist a cell group that is a melting pot of West African countries into becoming a growing, mature church.

They are on their second year of organizing the distribution of these gift boxes. The boxes are shipped to a neighboring town about an hour away. Their local church gathered offerings to pay for a truck to deliver the large, exciting load.

Some of the local church members work with schools to hand out tickets for children to receive their very special gift box. Their church rents a loudspeaker and before the gifts are passed out, everyone is welcomed and the Gospel is presented in two or three languages:  French, Wolof and Diola Kerak.

The school children are told to wait and open their boxes when they get home. Jenn says the hope is to avoid “total mayhem.” But few can hold back their anticipation and excitement for that long.

Jenn shares, “They get things like stickers, candy, Play-Doh, small dolls, paper and pencils.” One of the favorite gifts is a flat soccer ball that can be inflated. Jenn adds, “There are instances when kids have come to our house asking what something is, like Silly Putty. They wonder if they can eat it.”

Jenn writes that one time a child brought over a box of American candy. This is something the DeAtleys cannot find where they live. “What’s this?” the child asked. Jenn laughingly replied, “Oh, you wouldn’t like that!  You better give it to me!”  She explains the child knew immediately by her joking with him that it was candy.

Shawn and Jenn emphasize to the children and parents that the boxes are not from the missionaries personally.  Jenn and Shawn want to avoid being seen as “Santa Claus” characters. She shares that distributing the gift boxes is a great opportunity to communicate to both children and parents that Jesus is the ultimate gift.

“One of the highlights … is a book about Jesus.  My neighbor, Yassine, came over with a smile and said she had read the book that came with her grandson’s box!  It was a neat opportunity to share more about what I believe and why,” Jenn writes.

“As our church is small and growing, this project is a way to reach out to people, and even help them to realize that there is a church here and a group of believers that gather to worship and learn.”

Pray for Shawn and Jenn and their helpers as they are currently setting up the distribution of these boxes. Pray that these boxes packed with special gifts will not just be joy for needy children, but also opportunities for the Gospel to reach into hearts.