Franklin Graham on Operation Christmas Child

" What what. Most some how the samaritans -- started and when did operation Christmas child start. It's America's purses -- a -- of god been here for now thirty years had just celebrated my my thirtieth year as the president of the organization. And it started in the early seventies by a man by the name of Bob Pearson. It was just him two secretaries and he died in. When the board asked me to take over the two secretaries quit and so for a while it was just it was just me. It's it's an incredible group of men and women in the organization no no question has grown. Operation Christmas child started during the war in Bosnia when I have a man called me from England and said -- want to send symbolic shoe box gifts to the children in Bosnia this Christmas. Would you like to be a part of be called in July and days I said absolutely I'd be glad to do it but when he called me in December I had forgotten about it. Anyone know how many boxes and collected and I I was too ashamed to tell my forgot. Civil -- some still working on -- give me another week. And boy did I work on that week. We we collective about 11000 shoe boxes in a week. I called him back and he was thrilled that we have so many shoe boxes but I realize that first year there was something special people got excited about. By giving to children. And of course we went from that first year of 11000 shoe boxes here now to over eight point two million this year so. God has done it Ottawa take credit for this state what do big grave mistake for me to take credit I'm not that smart. I'm certainly. Don't have this kind of vision that god has given it to us. And we want to give glory to him and every every box of special every box come with a person's prayer of their loved. To a child around what they we have seen children that get these boxes that were orphaned. And be right back to the person that gave the box to thank them and and those people. We're childless. And ended up adopting that child. We've had that happen more than once and we've seen. Time and time again god uses these boxes and remarkable way. Directing them exactly where he wants -- ago."

" Now I know you well than you've been on the front lines and actually handed out some of these boxes in person. Talk about than what some of those stories -- life. Oh if listen if it's it's a thrill that I've got a box on -- show -- this is just an example okay that we've taken off the line. Stand -- this particular boxes for girl. And we've got the picture we ask people he'll put. Put your picture. In the box I want the child to see who gets the box who gave the box and docile when you put your picture in there you're you're you're personalize and it. -- course this particular box has got some. It's got to adult it's got some little little flip flops and hear that your view of economy. But football every five girls of the same world over when you when you hold. We opened a box and there's a ball in the first -- girls who they pick up that doll and they want to hold that they want to touch it. There's some stuffed animals and near the school supplies but all of this today it every every box is different. And in every box comes in the name of the lord Jesus Christ on what these people to know that. But when I've been out given up these boxes I could you know lots of times that kissing guy just pack a box. And they'll come up and they'll thank me how did you know I needed a war -- how did you know I needed gloves patted you know I needed toothpaste. You know I've just smile -- civil god knows he knew god God's the one who who's giving you this box not quite -- Graham. But it that we -- want to thank everyone that participated but everyone who's watching. Do you can be a part of this and that's against America's first not a working go to our website its operation Christmas child. I get your church involved get involved with your children your grandchildren. Do it yourself it's a lot of fun. -- every year we have children that received boxes 1015 years ago that are now coming back who have immigrated to this country. And they themselves are packing boxes and giving boxes that. Like they were recipient in years ago they're not giving boxes so it's come full circle."

" if you keep doing it long enough it does. Does tend have people who literally get into the pay it forward mode that that's that's pretty amazing not think the thing that's interesting about this is. It doesn't really require a huge financial investment it just requires a little bit your time and taking your eyes off you are going filling up a box of of goodies for a child it it's it doesn't take much to -- to really make an impact nor does it."

" And I and then these boxes -- the average should value. Is that there's about thirty dollar losses as what -- people spin on these boxes. And we asked for a seven dollar contribution now. That best help pay for the shipping. Yes you can go to FedEx or UPS or even to the United States mail and that they -- they're -- ownership issue box for seven -- Some other country. But because we do such a large volume were able to take advantage of putting them in shipping containers and and the distribution money gets into the country is handled by the local churches and so we're able to do for a seven dollar contribution. But regardless. -- there's some people who have a hard time with the seven dolls that's fine and pack a shoe box and it to us and that will take care of it. Every child is important and I hope one day god will allow us to have over ten million boxes a year and I think that can happen. Do tell ten million children. Around the world that god loves -- and today we're going to the poorest of the poor we're going to two dumps. Like in the Philippines where one into war areas we're word children have lost everything lost their homes lost their families. We're going to. Places where kids have absolutely no hope and I want them to know that there are people that love them that care for them that pray for them that's what we want to do."

" We're honored feature that again this year we -- and talked about this nothing during the holidays last year operation Christmas child. Franklin Graham thank you so much thanks for being who you are. This important work that you -- thanks for joining us. Thank -- for more information on samaritans purse and operation Christmas child be sure to check out samaritans purse dot or."