I am contemplating participating in Operation Christmas Child this year.
Now I know what you are thinking: Sheila, Operation Christmas Child is run by Samaritan’s Purse, a religious organization. Hello? Since when do you support that sort of thing?
Yeah, well, I committed before I knew god was involved.
That is what I get for having a friend in Kiwanis, a service organization whose mission is to serve children of the world. I should have realized there was a god connection when they made us pray before the meal when I attended a lunch meeting as a guest.
My friend is also the advisor for the Key Club at the high school, unofficially known as the Kiwi’s.
The Kiwi's are participating in Operation Christmas Child so my friend had a bunch of Christmas colored shoe boxes in her office. When I asked what it was all about, she explained you determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl and choose an age range. You then fill your box with gifts for that age range, with or without a personal note so the child can write you back. She added boys age 10-14 always get the short shrift because most people find small children and girls easier to buy for.
How fun! I can shop for a boy age 10-14: Hacky sac, ball cap, harmonica, socks, flashlight, etc. They even provide a list of gift ideas.
But then I read the rest of the flyer:
| Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. |
Uh, okay, feeling a bit uncomfortable here but I can roll with that. Or maybe I should just pray and forget the whole ‘spending money on a complete stranger’ thing. You know, since praying is the most important part anyway.
| Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. |
Oh! I did not realize I had to buy a bunch of gifts AND give money. When I mentioned this to my friend, she had no idea either and the Kiwi’s have been participating in this project for years. No one reads directions any more.
| Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ. |
Oh dear. Then I decided to read some of the Inspirational Stories on the website and discovered the true mission of Operation Christmas Child is to convert people to Christianity.
I am so naive. I actually thought it was to bring joy to underprivileged children around the world. Period.
I cannot bring myself to participate at this point. Call me uncaring. Call me a religious bigot. Just don’t call me a crusader disguising my oppression of the belief systems of others in a shiny box of baubles.
