I just received some information in the mail from Rev. Franklin Graham about the upcoming Operation Christmas Child event through the Samaritan’s Purse organization. I’m sure most of you know this means filling a shoebox with useful or essential items and coveted toys for the less-fortunate children in suffering and war-torn countries such as Ukraine.
I just became aware of this project last year, and a dropoff place for the shoeboxes was Southwest Mississippi Community College. When I carried my shoebox there last year, I met two extraordinary young women, Tammy Wills and her precious daughter Taylor. They were there again when I went recently with another box.
Tammy and Taylor had prayer for me, and even held my hands, God bless them. No one can tell me the people of Southwest Mississippi aren’t special.
We all owe sincere thanks to Rev. Graham and his organization, Samaritan’s Purse, at this time of year, and also for their tireless work in times of unexpected disasters.
One of the headlines in his newsletter stated it this way: “Helping our neighbors, coast to coast.” How every true because they are always there, wherever they are needed.
This year it included Hurricane Idalia, the wildfire in Lahaina, Maui, tornadoes in nine states, floods in four states and another wildfire in the state of Washington.
Near Spokane, Wash., one of Graham’s teams was sifting through the ashes of a home burned by wildfire when one of the workers called a halt. They stopped and prayed, and were led to a place in the ruins where they found a treasured wedding ring. As they say, God works in mysterious ways.
— Debbie Touchstone, Jayess
