Our Stories
More than a Shoe Box
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV
Romans 8:28 NIV
By Di Priest
Stuart parked the Samaritan’s Purse Van outside our church door and came in to collect the last of the boxes to be sent overseas. Firstly, he stood at the door of our auditorium and marvelled at the vision of those who had planned and designed such an amazing space for God’s people to gather and worship. His comments gave me a moment to also ponder with gratitude the prayer, visioning, planning, and building that went into what we now enjoy each week as we gather together.
From there, he turned and said, “You know it’s about so much more than the boxes,” and he began to share some stories that continue to inspire him to play his part in the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. He spoke of a delivery of Christmas Boxes to a remote village where the Head Man at first rejected the gift of free boxes to the children. “What’s the catch?” asked the Head Man. He couldn’t accept the answer that the gift of the boxes was freely given by Christians. “We have our own Gods and don’t need yours as well,” was his sceptical response. The arrangement was reached that the children could be given the boxes as long as there was no mention of the God of the Christians.
Enthusiastic children gathered around to receive their boxes, with one of the young boys being the Head Man’s son. His box contained nothing like all the other children’s filled with many small and wonderful items. Instead, his box was filled with a pair of new large men’s shoes.
The son, turned to his father and said, “These must be for you.” The man took off his old battered and broken sandals and found to his amazement that the new shoes fitted perfectly and very comfortably.
In that moment, he turned to the Samaritan’s Purse Workers and said, “Your Christian God must be very powerful and wonderful to have given such an amazing gift to me.”
Stuart, with tears in his eyes, spoke of the change in the village from that day as the village chief not only allowed the children to hear stories about Jesus, but also cleared some land for a church to be built, so he, his family and his people could learn more about the good and kind God of Christians.
It was a privilege to meet Stuart and to be reminded of God’s goodness in all our efforts, whether we build places of worship, or fill shoe boxes with small gifts, or send shoes, perhaps by mistake. Who knows? God does!
Stuart parked the Samaritan’s Purse Van outside our church door and came in to collect the last of the boxes to be sent overseas. Firstly, he stood at the door of our auditorium and marvelled at the vision of those who had planned and designed such an amazing space for God’s people to gather and worship. His comments gave me a moment to also ponder with gratitude the prayer, visioning, planning, and building that went into what we now enjoy each week as we gather together.
From there, he turned and said, “You know it’s about so much more than the boxes,” and he began to share some stories that continue to inspire him to play his part in the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. He spoke of a delivery of Christmas Boxes to a remote village where the Head Man at first rejected the gift of free boxes to the children. “What’s the catch?” asked the Head Man. He couldn’t accept the answer that the gift of the boxes was freely given by Christians. “We have our own Gods and don’t need yours as well,” was his sceptical response. The arrangement was reached that the children could be given the boxes as long as there was no mention of the God of the Christians.
Enthusiastic children gathered around to receive their boxes, with one of the young boys being the Head Man’s son. His box contained nothing like all the other children’s filled with many small and wonderful items. Instead, his box was filled with a pair of new large men’s shoes.
The son, turned to his father and said, “These must be for you.” The man took off his old battered and broken sandals and found to his amazement that the new shoes fitted perfectly and very comfortably.
In that moment, he turned to the Samaritan’s Purse Workers and said, “Your Christian God must be very powerful and wonderful to have given such an amazing gift to me.”
Stuart, with tears in his eyes, spoke of the change in the village from that day as the village chief not only allowed the children to hear stories about Jesus, but also cleared some land for a church to be built, so he, his family and his people could learn more about the good and kind God of Christians.
It was a privilege to meet Stuart and to be reminded of God’s goodness in all our efforts, whether we build places of worship, or fill shoe boxes with small gifts, or send shoes, perhaps by mistake. Who knows? God does!
Posted in Our Stories