Chaplain’s Corner

Operation Christmas Child

Proverbs 3:27 says,

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

1 John 3:16-18 (NLT) says, 

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Each year, we have the opportunity and the privilege to put these verses into action and to partner with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child. Through this wonderful initiative, we get to provide a gift to a child who is underprivileged, living in a third world country and in desperate need of love and hope and the good news of Jesus Christ. Oxley has been putting together Christmas Shoe Boxes for over 23 years and was one of the very first schools to take part when the program was first established in Australia. 

Again, this year, your help is needed. We want boys and girls around the world to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them. Will you help fill a shoe box this year, ready to be sent to children in villages, slums and towns across Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa?

Every child receiving a shoebox will also receive a greatest journey booklet, translated into their language. This helps them to understand the love of Christ, as demonstrated through those who have prepared and shared a box.

Shoeboxes are only the beginning, an entry point into a community. I have seen first-hand, how a shoebox distribution in a community soon turns into water filtration projects, safe migration training, parenting classes, establishment of maternal health centres and the rebuilding and resourcing of schools. Together we are making a quantifiable difference!

In 2023 the College, Life Ministry Church, Oxley Kids and our community collected more than 1,000 shoeboxes! In January 2024 we were excited to recommence our Mission Trips to Cambodia, where we saw a team of our current Year 12 students see firsthand, the work Samaritan’s Purse is doing there. Photos below show our 2024 team in action!

I hope you will join with us in filling a box or two, sharing care and the love of Jesus Christ in this way. Boxes are due back, first week of Term 4. Thank you for partnering with us to help transform lives! 

God bless,

Pastor Matt Daly

College Chaplain