Pray with Operation Christmas Child - November 2016

This month we are praying for South America. International Prayer Requests that  each country faces is: 

1. Wisdom to recruit, select, and lead new and/or transitioning volunteer leadership team members. 
2. Provision of resources to reach their God-sized goals for the current year.

WEEK 1: November 14-20th REQUESTS:

1. IT IS NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK – PRAY FOR THIS WEEK TO BE A SUCCESS!!! Sign Up to pray for 10 minutes during National Collection Week at: 24/7 NATION COLLECTION WEEK PRAYER PARTNER 

• Monday, November 14: Ask God to bless the local volunteers who serve to collect, process, transport, and deliver shoebox gifts around the world. 
• Tuesday, November 15: Pray for Operation Christmas Child to bring joy to boys and girls who are struggling to overcome the effects of poverty, disease, famine, or war. 
• Wednesday, November 16: Pray that the hearts of children who receive shoebox gifts will be prepared to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
• Thursday, November 17: Pray that the gifts inside each shoebox will help girls and boys begin to experience God’s unconditional love. 
• Friday, November 18: Pray that the children who enroll in The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship program will come to faith in Jesus, and share the Good News with their friends and family.  
• Saturday, November 19: Pray that God will use Operation Christmas Child to open doors in countries that are not receptive to the Gospel. 
• Sunday, November 20: Praise the Lord for using Samaritan’s Purse to distribute 135 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts since 1993! Pray for millions more children to experience the love of Jesus Christ through these simple gifts. 
• Monday, November 21: Pray for the seamless transportation of shoebox gifts as they are transferred from local drop-off sites to regional Processing Centers.  (Also the 21st is my birthday, you can pack a shoebox online with me at: BUILD A BOX ONLINE

Argentina - 

1. Pray for the children enrolled in The Greatest Journey (TGJ) discipleship program in Buenos Aires and Corrientes. 
2. Pray pastors and teachers will be able to witness to parents who attend TGJ graduations. 

Bolivia - 

1. Praise God for the honor of preparing pastors and teachers, as well as mobilizing churches, for the spiritual formation of the new generations that will come to know God the Father. 
2. Pray that in this season, God will open the doors to reach unreached communities where the Gospel has previously been inaccessible. 

Brazil - 

1. Praise God for the unity of the local team in their ministry and for the love they have for each other.  
2. Pray for the contacts that will be made with new churches and ministries in the northeast of Brazil next year. 

Chile - 

1. Praise God for more than 5,000 children who received Christ in 2016.  
2. Pray for all the children who are being discipled and will soon graduate from The Greatest Journey discipleship program.  

WEEK 2: November 21-27th 
Colombia - 

1.  Pray for the customs and transporting of the shoeboxes and literature this season. Pray for the provision of the resources needed, including financial, logistical, and volunteer support. 
2.  Pray for the volunteer leadership teams that are working hard this season. Pray the Lord will bless them in all areas of their lives – families, ministries and jobs. 

Ecuador - Pray for wisdom in navigating the government bureaucracy that comes with managing a large amount of boxes in the country.

Panama -

1. Pray God will provide a new storage and distribution location for the shoeboxes this year. Pray against challenges as the teams distribute the shoeboxes to the Ministry Partners.  
2. Pray for the logistics process; pray that all of the communication and work with customs and the port will be handled without any delays. 

WEEK 3: November 28-Dec.4th
Paraguay -

1. Praise God OCC was able to reach the city of Puentesiño, which is difficult to access. Praise Him the team was able to reach over 1,000 children, demonstrating the tangible love of God. 
2. Pray God will guide the team to hear His voice and will provide the ideal person to serve as the National Coordinator for Paraguay. 
3. Pray for the volunteer coordinators serving on the regional volunteer leadership teams in San Pedro, Itapúa, Concepcion, Paraguarí and Central. Pray for the completion of these teams. 

Venezuela -

1. Praise God for the ministries of evangelism to children and adolescents. Praise Him that those who have received the message of salvation are persevering and believing the promises of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
2. Pray for the provision of food and medicine.

Bolivia Shoebox Distribution

IT IS NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK – PRAY FOR THIS WEEK TO BE A SUCCESS!!! Sign Up to pray for 10 minutes during National Collection Week at: COLLECTION WEEK PRAYER WARRIOR

Monday, November 14
Ask God to bless the local volunteers who serve to collect, process, transport, and deliver shoebox gifts around the world.

Tuesday, November 15
Pray for Operation Christmas Child to bring joy to boys and girls who are struggling to overcome the effects of poverty, disease, famine, or war.

Wednesday, November 16
Pray that the hearts of children who receive shoebox gifts will be prepared to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thursday, November 17
Pray that the gifts inside each shoebox will help girls and boys begin to experience God’s unconditional love.

Friday, November 18
Pray that the children who enroll in The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship program will come to faith in Jesus, and share the Good News with their friends and family.

Saturday, November 19
Pray that God will use Operation Christmas Child to open doors in countries that are not receptive to the Gospel.

Sunday, November 20
Praise the Lord for using Samaritan’s Purse to distribute 135 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts since 1993! Pray for millions more children to experience the love of Jesus Christ through these simple gifts.

Monday, November 21
Pray for the seamless transportation of shoebox gifts as they are transferred from local drop-off sites to regional Processing Centers.

It's Shoebox Time...Here is why I LOVE this ministry!!!

If you need a little motivation as to what and why to put certain things in your shoebox, check out my video!

Pray with Operation Christmas Child during National Collection Week

Sign up to Pray for Operation Christmas Child during National Collection Week. Click the link PRAYWITHOCC and select the times you would like to pray November 14-21st!!! #praywithOCC

31 Days of Prayer Operation Christmas Child - Day 17

It's day 17 of 31 and today we are praying for the safe delivery of millions of shoebox gifts during transportation and for the National Leadership Teams to be granted tax-free importation from their governments.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14

Shoeboxes are delivered so many different ways just check out the photos below to see a few of them!

31 Days of Prayer Operation Christmas Child - Day 16

Today is day 16 of 31 days of prayer.  We are praying for safety of volunteers who will be working in over 4,500 Drop-off locations around the country! To find a drop-off location near you click here: Drop-Off Locations 

Northeast Arkansas may drop off their shoeboxes at:

First Free Will Baptist Church, 5407 Stadium Boulevard, Jonesboro, AR 72404 (870)932-8069
Mon Nov 14 2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Tue Nov 15 2016: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Wed Nov 16 2016: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Thu Nov 17 2016: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri Nov 18 2016: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Sat Nov 19 2016: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sun Nov 20 2016: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.Mon Nov 21 2016: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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31 Days of Prayer Operation Christmas Child - Day 15

Day 15 of 31 days of prayer for Operation Christmas Child leading up to National Collection Week. Today we are praying for the children who will be participating in THE GREATEST JOURNEY discipleship program to have a clear understanding of what it means to have a relationship with Christ.

James 1:22-25: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

 For more information on The Greatest Journey click here: TGJ Almost 2 children per minute accept Christ as their personal savior through The Greatest Journey Discipleship 12 lesson program!!!

The Greatest Journey - Mexico

Mongolia TGJ - At the end of the 12 lessons each child receives a Bible in their own language and a diploma!

TGJ - Panama

TGJ - Fiji

31 Days of Prayer Operation Christmas Child - Day 14

We are on day 14 of 31 days of prayer for Operation Christmas Child leading up to National Collection Week.  Today we are praying for our "2016 National Collection Week 24/7 Prayer" to engage in effective prayer coverage for Operation Christmas Child.  Coming soon there will be a link to sign up online. You may choose as many 10 minute time slots as you would like to each day November 14-21st.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18, NASB)

Your prayers are essential to the work of Operation Christmas Child. Our goal this year is to collect 11,222 shoeboxes from Northeast Arkansas. During National Collection Week we will pray for the people packing the boxes, the volunteers who will be collecting, processing, and delivering the gifts, and for the children receiving them.

If you are a prayer warrior, please sign up and pray for OCC.  We are at 78% of our goal of 25,000 Prayer Network Partners from the USA for the year. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Become a Prayer Network Partner at: OCC Website

October 2016 Operation Christmas Child Prayer Requests

A Wide Door is Open to the Effective Work

“For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Corinthians 16:9)

The hopelessness a child faces in circumstances beyond their control can be heart breaking. Poverty, human trafficking, exploitation, disease or losing a parent (or parents) due to war are realities the majority of children are experiencing around the world. Your prayers and the simple selfless act of packing a shoebox stuffed with God’s love has opened a wide door for the effective work of the Gospel. This tangible expression of the mercy, forgiveness and the unconditional love of God through local churches continues to receive favor by many countries in Asia. Unity among churches working with Operation Christmas Child is increasing. Almost 39 million shoeboxes have been distributed along with the proclamation of the Gospel throughout Asia – all by faithful and prayerful volunteers.  Pray for the safety, longevity and encouragement of Operation Christmas Child volunteers as they face many adversaries. 

This month we are praying for Asia. General Prayer Requests each country faces is: Wisdom to recruit, select and lead new and/or transitioning volunteer leadership team members. Provision of resources to reach their God-sized goals for the current year. Also don't forget to be praying for our NEA Goal of 11,222 Shoeboxes during National Collection Week, November 14-21st!!! NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK IS ONLY 5 WEEKS AWAY!!!!!

Week 1 - Mongolia and Sensitive Countries in Russia, Europe and Central Asia.  Mongolia's Requests:

1. Pray the children enrolled in The Greatest Journey (TGJ) discipleship program will finish well.
2. Pray the national volunteer team will be well-equipped to support the strategic and regional volunteer teams as they minister in their local areas. 
3. Pray for safety and wisdom during the trips the national volunteer team will be taking in each region this season. 

 

Sensitive Countries in Russia, Europe and Central Asia's Requests:

1. Pray for the children who have heard the Gospel through Operation Christmas Child and the follow-up work with them. 
2. Pray the government authorities will look favorably on the project. 
3. Pray Operation Christmas Child receives permission to import shoebox gifts. 
4. Pray God will give the national volunteer teams wisdom, creativity, and the ability to convey the meaning and goal of Operation Christmas Child to all pastors, church workers and volunteers.

October Week 2 Sensitive Countries in Russia, Europe and Central Asia  (continued) Requests:

1. Pray for the friendship between the churches, especially among pastors.
2. Pray for boldness and wisdom for The Greatest Journey teachers and for every discipleship group that has started. 
3. Pray for the long-term impact of Operation Christmas Child in the region. 
4. Pray for the strengthening and training of volunteer leadership teams. 
5. Pray for the timely printing of the New Testament in the local language. 
6. Pray for the distribution of gifts in new areas. 
7. Pray for the children who heard the Gospel and for the follow-up work with them. 
8. Pray the team will be able to receive shoeboxes without customs inspecting every single box, which can take several months.

October Week 3: Sensitive Countries in South Asia's Requests:

1. Pray for the upcoming distribution season. Pray that the government’s many requirements won’t interfere with the distributions. 
2. Pray for the distributions as they will be conducted during the monsoon season due to the delay with the tax exemption. 
3. Pray for the consignees as many governments have begun to scrutinize them as a result of accusations by the majority religion. 
4. Pray for each of the volunteer leadership teams throughout each country. Pray they will encourage the Ministry Partners in spreading the Gospel to children and their families.

October Week 4: Sensitive Countries in South Asia's Requests Continued:

1. Pray for the outreach to refugees from restricted access countries. 
2. Pray for the volunteer teams as they seek to navigate the increasing hostility against Christianity and for their outreach to children. 
3. Pray for the prayer meetings that have been started in the region. 
4. Pray for the clearance of gift boxes as there is opposition to some items. Pray for the continued improvement of the teams’ relationships with the customs officers. 
5. Pray that God will stop the attacks and violence in this country. Pray He will lead the government in stopping the increasing terrorism and targeted killings. Pray God will bless this region and protect His people. 
6. Pray for the discipleship of thousands of children; that God will multiply the fruit of salvation through their lives to their families

Upcoming Prayer Initiatives 

Join our year around Prayer Network: OCC PRAYER NETWORK - We are at 73% of our Prayer Partner Goal!!!!

31 Days of Prayer - Join us for 31 Days of Prayer starting October 14 as we approach Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week! Each day’s topics include national and international requests for our volunteers and donors around the world that more children would have an opportunity to respond to the Gospel and participate in The Greatest Journey 12-week discipleship program.

National Collection Week 24-7 Prayer - Your prayers are essential to the work of Operation Christmas Child. During National Collection Week, November 14-21, you can sign up to join our 24-hour prayer coverage. Our goal this year is to collect 12 million shoebox gifts from the United States and nine other countries. Each day has a different prayer point including people packing shoeboxes, the volunteers who will be collecting, processing, and delivering the gifts, and for the children receiving them. Signup for a 10-minute slot and join our 24-hour prayer coverage. Our goal this year is to collect 12 million shoebox gifts from the United States and nine other countries. Each day has a different prayer point, including the donors who are packing the shoebox gifts, the volunteers who will be collecting, processing, and delivering the gifts, the children receiving the shoebox gifts. Look for another blog post on November 7th with a link to sign up for a 10-minute time slot to pray during National Collection Week!

“Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38 ESV) through shoebox gifts and The Greatest Journey discipleship program.

More Photos from Mongolia:

Mongolia Shoebox Delivery

September weeks 3 & 4 Pray for Operation Christmas Child

During the 3rd week of September we are praying for Moldova, Poland and Romania.

Moldova’s request is: Pray for the children who have heard the Gospel through OCC and the follow-up work with them. Click here for a video link: Moldova OCC Video

Poland’s requests are:
*Pray God will provide a new vision for OCC in Poland. Pray that He will open the hearts of more children and their families.
*Pray for wisdom as the team prepares for the national volunteer meetings in Sobieszowo.

Romania’s request is: Pray God will provide someone to serve as a volunteer leader in the Moldova area. For Livia's Romanian Shoebox Story click here: Shoebox Stories! 

Romania Operation Christmas Child Distribution

During the 4th week of September we are praying for Serbia and Slovakia. 

Serbia’s requests are:

OCC Distribution Serbia

* Pray God will bless the children who receive the shoeboxes and their parents. Pray they will accept God and follow Him.
* Pray the volunteers and other believers are able to teach the children how to apply biblical principles they learn through TGJ to their everyday lives.
* Pray for the new national volunteers as they begin to serve in their new roles.
* Pray the people from the new Roma house group that formed after the distributions will increase in the wisdom and revelation of the knowledge of God.
* Pray OCC will reach more children in the coming season.

Solovakia is a locked central European state south of Poland. Only 1% of the over 5 million population is Evangelical Christian. There are 20 different people groups that speak 13 different languages. Slovakia’s requests are:
* Pray for the new OCC season in Slovakia. Pray many children will become true disciples of Christ through TGJ.
* Pray God will open the doors for OCC Outreach Events to occur in the places God has put on the heart of the local church pastors.

* Slovakia Shoebox Testimony: Dominika was raised in Slovakia, and her family was very poor. When she was four years old, her father left them, and her mother had no money to buy gifts for Christmas. That year, Dominika received a shoebox gift from Operation Christmas Child. For the first time, as she read the note in her box talking about Jesus' love, she felt that someone loved her. 

For the History of Operation Christmas Child Timeline Click Here: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/who-we-are/our-history/history-of-operation-christmas-child/