September 29 – October 27
Since 1993, the Good News of Jesus Christ has been shared with more than 209 million boys and girls through the power of simple shoebox gifts. In addition to the shoebox of toys, toiletries, and other items each child receives a 12-lesson Bible booklet called "The Greatest Journey” in their own language. Our church has been sponsoring Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse for over 15 years. Last year we collected 284 shoeboxes during the month of October. Linda Souerbry and her merry crew of helpers will be on the courtyard each Sunday in October distributing empty and collecting filled shoeboxes. Thank you to Linda for taking the lead on this project and to our Tied in Prayer folks for prayer squares to include in the children’s boxes. A special THANK YOU to Ruby Puntenney for the colorful T-shirts she made for you to include in your OCC shoebox. We are going to expand our involvement with Operation Christmas Child so if you would like to be part of the following opportunities, please let me know:
Help during National Collection Week (Nov 18-Nov 25) at RB Community collecting shoeboxes from community groups and other churches in our area. If interested contact
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We would like to recruit two carloads of helpers going to the Operation Christmas Child processing center in Fullerton to help on their assembly line to package and crate shoeboxes for overseas delivery. We are looking at Friday Dec 6 and/or Friday Dec 13. If interested contact
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Children and families served by Voices for Children, San Diego Rescue Mission, Solutions for Change, and PUSD Youth in Transition were the recipients of the 146 pajama sets we collected and distributed during September. Thank you for helping the Outreach Ministry sprinkle love into the lives of children who have no say/no control over their circumstances. The drive thru grocery collection on Saturday, October 5 (9:00-11:00) in the upper parking lot benefits the Salvation Army food pantry. They distribute groceries every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to our neighbors dealing with food insecurity in Escondido. Your generosity makes Jesus smile! Elaine Johnson Outreach Ministry Coordinator