The Gift of Joy: Shoebox Blessings Connect Communities Across Continents
The quiet charm of Wroxham’s URC church belies its global impact through a simple yet powerful tradition. For many years, this congregation has faithfully participated in Operation Christmas Child, collecting shoebox gifts destined for children in far-flung corners of the world. These modest packages—filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items—become vessels of hope and joy for children experiencing hardship. What makes this annual tradition particularly meaningful is the congregation’s ability to witness the full circle of their generosity, thanks to one member’s extraordinary firsthand account of seeing these gifts in action thousands of miles away.
Don Meechan, a church member with a background in military service, shared a remarkable testimony during the church’s recent shoebox blessing service. In 2019, while deployed as part of a NATO evaluation team inspecting the Ukrainian Air Force’s air transport wing, Don found himself with free time one Sunday afternoon in Zhytomyr, approximately 80 miles west of Kiev. As he explored the city’s beautiful churches and architecture, he was drawn to the unmistakable sounds of children’s laughter and singing near the city hall. What he witnessed next created an indelible connection between his faith community at home and children halfway across the world. “The doors opened and dozens of joyful children came out all smiling and very excited, each one holding a Samaritan’s Purse shoebox that they had been given,” Don recalled. “Coming from a church that participates in the program every year, it made me feel extremely happy to see the pleasure receiving a box had given them.” This chance encounter allowed Don to witness firsthand the culmination of his congregation’s compassionate efforts—seeing the actual joy these simple gifts brought to children’s faces.
The recent blessing service at Wroxham URC was enhanced by the presence of Operation Christmas Child volunteers Mark and Debra Watkins, who came to witness the congregation’s dedication to this global ministry. During the service, Don offered a heartfelt prayer over the assembled shoeboxes, calling upon divine blessing for both the gifts and their future recipients. His prayer reflected the deeper purpose behind these material offerings: “Heavenly Father, We come before you with hearts full of gratitude and love, lifting up these Christmas shoeboxes and all the hands that have prepared them with care. Lord, you are the giver of every good and perfect gift, and we ask that you bless these small offerings as they make their way into the hands of children who need to feel your love and presence.” The congregation joined in this solemn moment of dedication, understanding that their contributions represented more than mere objects—they symbolized a spiritual connection with children they would likely never meet but with whom they shared a common humanity.
The prayer continued with specific intentions for each category of items tucked within the colorful packages. “We pray that every item inside these shoeboxes would bring happiness, comfort, and hope to the children who receive them. May the toys bring laughter, the school supplies bring learning, and the hygiene items bring health and dignity.” Perhaps most poignantly, Don asked that these humble shoeboxes might serve as “a vessel of your love, reminding the children that they are seen, known, and cherished by you.” In this moment, the congregation was reminded that their participation in Operation Christmas Child transcended charitable giving—it became an expression of their faith in action, a tangible manifestation of care for those beyond their immediate community. For many participants, this annual tradition has become a meaningful part of their own Christmas celebrations, bringing deeper significance to a season often overshadowed by commercialism and excess.
Mark Watkins, moved by Don’s unusual testimony and heartfelt prayer, reflected on the profound interconnections revealed through this ministry: “What a blessing to hear Don talk, from a unique perspective and to hear the depth of his prayers. His presence highlighted to us God at work all over the world and God knowing that Don would one day be in the URC Wroxham to pray for shoeboxes.” This observation captures the extraordinary convergence of circumstances—how a church member’s professional duties placed him at exactly the right moment to witness the impact of his congregation’s generosity, creating a complete circle of blessing that spans continents. For the Wroxham congregation, Don’s story transforms their participation in Operation Christmas Child from an abstract good deed to a vivid reality. The children’s faces that Don described—animated with surprise and delight—now provide a concrete image that accompanies their efforts each year.
The Wroxham URC’s involvement with Operation Christmas Child exemplifies how local communities can participate meaningfully in global outreach through simple, tangible acts of kindness. Their story demonstrates that small gestures, when multiplied across many communities, create significant impact in children’s lives around the world. For those inspired by this ministry, Mark and Debra Watkins invite interested churches, schools, groups, or businesses to contact them at [email protected] for more information about participating in Operation Christmas Child. Additional resources can be found at www.samaritans-purse.org.uk. As another holiday season approaches, the congregation at Wroxham URC continues their tradition, knowing that somewhere across the globe, children will soon experience moments of unexpected joy—moments that Don was fortunate enough to witness, and that now fuel the congregation’s continued dedication to this meaningful expression of global community and care.
