LANGDON, Alb.- On June 6, Intertribal Life Ministries, in collaboration with Samaritan's Purse, hosted a First Nations Shoebox packing party in Calgary, Alb. The team of 20 packed over 300 shoeboxes, destined to arrive in Guinea-Bissau, Africa during their cashew harvest festival in October. Each box was packed with love and filled with the hope of the gospel.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization that has been providing shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items and school supplies as a means of reaching children with the good news of Jesus Christ for thirty years.
The shoeboxes are shipped outside the United States to areas where children are affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease. Local partners in the areas distribute the shoeboxes and give the children an opportunity to learn about Jesus, often through a storybook that shares the message of salvation in their language.
More than 145,000 shoebox outreach events take place every year.
"Partnering with Indigenous people in Canada to pack shoeboxes for Indigenous children around the world, is an honor and exciting," said Todd Wawrzyniak of the ILM directors' team. "It was great to enjoy live music, fresh stew and Bannock and conversation. We are looking forward to next year."
Chris and Rochelle Creasy, originally from Island Lake First Nation and currently living in Winnipeg, came in to encourage those in attendance with their gospel music. "It was great to visit friends, meet new people and hear about the amazing things that the Lord is doing with Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelical Association all over the world," said Rochelle Creasy.
"Today was such a wonderful blessing as we packed over 300 shoeboxes!" noted Olivia Wesley, who attended the event.
ILM looks forward to partnering with Samaritan's Purse next year and welcoming even more people to pack even more shoeboxes.
