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Shoe Box Connects Girls, Links Churches
EL DORADO HILLS, CA (September 17, 2004) - Every Christmas Claire Massey, a
16-year-old from Lakehills Covenant Church, sends a shoebox full of
gifts to a needy child
in a foreign country.
Three years ago, the gift turned into a friendship, which turned into a
labor of love for a Pacific Southwest Conference (PSWC) congregation in
Northern California.
Lakehills Covenant Church helped raise funds for a Philippine church
building project after Massey began corresponding with a girl she had
given a gift to through a Samaritan's Purse project called "Operation
Christmas Child." Thanks to the monetary
gifts, the congregation in the Philippines has a new meeting site with
hopes of expanding its ministry to other locations.
"Operation Christmas Child" has been a project that many Covenant
churches have been a part of – churches send gifts in shoe boxes to
needy people around the world. Lakehills Covenant has been a regular
participant, too, and that's how Massey got involved. She has regularly
enclosed her address with her packages and in 2001 she received a
response from Catherine, a Filipino girl her age. They have been
corresponding regularly ever since.
In their correspondence this year, Catherine requested prayer regarding
a much needed meeting place for a new church. The growing congregation
held meetings in Catherine's home, but it was clear a new meeting place
was needed. To build a simple structure
for the new church, $700 would need to be raised. Massey prayed and
shared the prayer request with her mother, Kathy, who encouraged her to
tell the church about the Filipino congregation.
In May this year, Massey shared the need with her church and Lakehills
Covenant was quick to respond, sending $1,400 to pastor Benito Nacilla
of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Gingoog City,
Philippines. Pastor Nacilla and his congregation believe God has called
them to plant 10 new churches by 2010. The congregation that received
the funds is the first of those 10. The sanctuary structure is nearly
complete, according to a recent article on the PSWC online news site.
"I am very, very happy today and so excited as I got your letter," wrote
the pastor in an email to Claire and the church. "I could not help but
rejoice and jump in praising God for answering our prayers. I thank God
that He touched you with compassion and (that you) acted immediately.
Last week I almost lost hope."
In August, Massey received pictures of the nearly completed sanctuary
structure. Claire noted, "I am really blessed to know that our church
was willing to step up and help their brothers and sisters in Christ on
the other side of the world." When asked if her faith has increased as
a result of these events, Claire responded, "Absolutely!" It's amazing
how prayers from someone in the Philippines can be heard and how God can
speak those dreams and desires to someone in America."
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
