“I don’t know anything that brings more joy into the world than ‘Operation Christmas Child!’” These are the words of longtime friend Jim McCaughan who serves among the St. Louis leaders of Samaritans Purse’s Operation Christmas Child.
Since the 1990’s, OCC shoeboxes of love and of the message of Jesus have been distributed to 168,000,000 needy children!!
Recalling a very funny story begins our radio time together. We share it so that you can laugh with us.
Hear how one man caught the vision of bringing joy to many children … and serving Jesus at the same time. Jim kept “walking through open doors” in obedience to Jesus and direction of OCC. This led to meaningful, joyful, and fulfilling service to Jesus by serving poor children…worldwide!
Look for the wonderfully committed … and also humorous … story of Mary Damron from the hills of West Virginia. In bringing her truck load of shoeboxes from her neighbors from her home, some of whom might have been as poor as the children receiving the shoeboxes, it brought Franklin Graham to tears. In seeing Franklin for the first time, she told him that he looked just like that famous preacher on television, BILLY GRAHAM! (Mary Damron can be heard on a link listed below.)
But one aspect we call OCC involvement as an “anti-depressant!” It is most difficult to be depressed and unhappy while bringing joy and hope to the poor children that Jesus loves so much.
One pleasant “shock” of information that Jim brought to the discussion. At Franklin Graham’s request the nation of China approved the OCC shoeboxes being distributed to the children, and allowed a note confirming their permission!
There are wonderful aspects of this conversation with Jim that can be wonderfully reproduced. As you listen, keep this in mind.
Jim McCaughan (“mac con’”) welcomes your calls, questions, and encouragement at the church through whom he serves – Parker Road Baptist in Florissant, MO in North St. Louis County at 314 831-6671.
Below are radio-related links intended to bring joy and light …
To hear … “Appalachia’s Mary Damron loves poor children; voice of Franklin Graham’s Operation Christmas Child” … click on … https://harold-hendrick.com/2010/10/26/appalachias-mary-damron-loves-poor-children-voice-of-franklin-grahams-operation-christmas-child/
To hear … “Operation Christmas Child leader Vicki Stamps: ‘Shoebox Collection is always 3rd week in November’” … click on … https://harold-hendrick.com/2018/11/12/operation-christmas-child-leader-vicki-stamps-shoebox-collection-is-always-3rdnd-week-in-november/
To hear … ‘Alex of Rwanda saw family murdered; in orphanage given OCC shoebox, received Jesus, forgave killer” … click on … https://harold-hendrick.com/2013/11/17/alex-of-rwanda-saw-family-murdered-in-orphanage-given-occ-shoebox-received-jesus-forgave-killer/ — And a “must-see” 9-minute video sharing Alex’s story can be accessed by clicking on www.samaritanspurse.org/alex
To hear … “Irina Creek, 10, in her Russian orphanage received OCC shoebox of love gifts; forever changed!” … click on … https://harold-hendrick.com/2018/11/13/irina-creek-10-in-her-russian-orphanage-received-occ-shoebox-of-love-gifts-forever-changed/
To hear … Shoebox gifts to needy children worldwide: Linda Logsdon, Jim McCaughan, Russian twins report impact” … click on … https://harold-hendrick.com/2012/11/08/shoebox-gifts-to-needy-children-worldwide-linda-logsdon-jim-mccaughan-russian-twins-report-impact/
**Jesus With Children painted by the late Gretchen Claybrook (wife of Dr. David Claybrook) & Margie Reinwart (www.reinbrook.com).