Operation Christmas Child
Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4
Jesus taught this concept through the parable of the Good Samaritan. We recognise in this parable, that if we are not careful, we become blind to those around us who are hurting, suffering, or in need. In need of healing, shelter, hope, and love. Love in action.
We are so blessed, are we not? We have a roof over our heads, food on the table, stable government, excellent education and health care, and a peaceful nation. These things we regularly take for granted. It’s hard not to. But we are blessed to be a blessing! Amen?
Each year, we have the opportunity and the privilege to partner with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, 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 Shoeboxes for over 21 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 more than ever. We want boys and girls around the world to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them during this time of fear and uncertainty. I wonder, will you help fill a shoebox this year?
For your convenience, a shoebox will be sent home with all Junior School students, Year 7 students and to students from higher year levels who have requested a box. You are welcome if you have a spare shoebox or similarly sized box at home, to use that also.
Every box is double-checked, sorted, and packed, ready to be sent to children in villages, slums, and towns across Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Samoa. We are looking once again at including Year 9 students in helping Samaritan’s Purse with this packing process at their local centre in Term 4.
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.
Included with your shoebox will be a brochure explaining how to pack your box, what items to put in it and what should be avoided. There is also a request for a donation, which will help fund the substantial costs involved in seeing over 370,000 gift-filled shoeboxes hand-delivered to seven nations around the world.
Cambodia is still struggling with the aftermath of Covid-19 and needs our help. However, it is with a heavy heart that we again must cancel the yearly mission trip for Year 12 students in 2023. Airline travel and passport issues, in-country staffing, resourcing, and accommodation issues, all mean that we could not give the trip the go-ahead and, in good conscience, guarantee that all would be well for our students and the communities we would visit.
We are so glad, however, that all is a go-ahead for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Don’t forget that shoeboxes are only the beginning, an entry point into a community. I have seen firsthand, how a shoebox distribution in a community soon turns into water filtration projects, safe migration training, parenting classes, the establishment of maternal health centres, and the rebuilding and resourcing of schools. Together we really are making a tangible difference!
Completed shoeboxes should be returned to your child’s Home Group teacher or the Administration Office by Monday 10 October 2022.
If your family would like an extra shoebox, empty shoeboxes can be collected by students from Home Group teachers or the Administration Office.
Thank you for partnering with us to help transform lives, in Jesus’ name!
Ps Matt Daly
Chaplain