Shoebox volunteers encouraged at Norwich event 

Volunteers from Norfolk churches who enthuse their congregations and workplaces about filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child had a training workshop to equip them with the latest information.

Mark Watkins and his wife Debra are Church Relations and Community team members with, Operation Christmas Child (OCC), part of the Christian charity Samaritans Purse that send shoeboxes filled with gifts to children across the world at Christmas. The event was aimed at the link people from local churches to return to their congregations with information about the project. Mark explained, ”each year we seek to put on a workshop for volunteers in Norfolk who support OCC. In the last three years, since volunteering in our roles, we have been fortunate to build up relationships with many churches across Norfolk”.  At the heart of their role is to give encouragement and to do all that they can to inspire continued commitment to send shoeboxes to children throughout the world in need of hope and hearing the Gospel message.

Debra and Mark's newest team member, Tracy, attended the three hour workshop at St George's Church in Norwich. Tracy has committed to pray all aspects of the OCC ministry. Cynthia and her husband Moses travelled from Milton Keynes to attend the workshop, so Cynthia could share her testimony. Cynthia over 20 years ago in central Asia received a shoebox and she now serves to encourage and send shoebox gifts to others around the world. Click here to read Cynthia's story. Mark said, "hearing Cynthia talk reminds me of a song I learnt years ago, with the ending being, the thing I love the best is to know that God loves me. Cynthia mentioned that at age six she asked her mother why would someone do this for me? Her mother said, so you know that God loves you.

Debra said, "Please, if you fill a shoebox and pray for it, do not underestimate what God does with that prayer and shoebox, we see and hear regularly the positive impact this makes, thank you.”

Mark expressed thanks to Network Norfolk for attending and for all their efforts to share good news across the county, and thanks to all who attended, some of whom are pictured above.
 
Those interested in more information on Operation Christmas Child for your church, school, group or business can contact Mark and Debra Watkins at markdebrawatkinsocc@yahoo.com