Woman shares how Operation Christmas Child changed her life
JACKSON, Tenn. — One community prepares for the Christmas season, as a local church welcomes a special guest.
She’s sharing how one ministry has helped her as a teenager.
Sand Ridge Baptist Church will be participating in this year’s “Operation Christmas Child” shoebox gift and Izabella McMillon shared why her first ever gift changed her life.
“13 years old living in communist Romania and that was the first time that I ever received a gift. It was colorful, it was filled with items that were new things that I’ve never seen before. Like color markers, I remember it was a coloring book that we would color and then we would erase it and then we would color it again because we never had anything like that,” said McMillon.
McMillon shared that one gift in particular solidified her belief in Christ.
“My favorite item out of my shoe box was actually something that I was praying for, for three months. God did not answer my prayers for three months but when I received that shoe box I pulled out the most beautiful silver and blue snow globe after I had been praying for snow for three months,” said McMillon.
At 26 years old she began teaching at a school in America that became a full circle moment for her.
“I was asked to lead an Operation Christian school project. When I started reading about this ministry that’s when I recognized that was the ministry that changed everything for me when I was 13 years old. I was so excited to get reconnected with the ministry and now be able to serve with this ministry,” said McMillon.
McMillon now oversees the Speakers Bureau which helps her to tell her story.
Phyllis Wilson a member of Sand Ridge Church adds that this is her favorite way to help those in need and to get the youth involved.
“I have been involved in Operation Christmas Child for over 25 years, so it’s very near and dear to my heart. My first packing party that I ever did it was me and five teenagers and we packed over 150 boxes so, it was very inspirational to do that,” said Wilson.
Church members Ann Sims and April Richmond both share how they contribute. Their goal is to have 300 boxes this year.
“I love to sew things to go from skirts for girls to hats and scarves to fleece things,” said Ann Sims.
“Baby doll things she does it all- so I love to sew things to put in those shoe boxes,” said April Richmond.
For those who are interested, here’s how you can help.
“It’s as simple as taking any shoebox, any shoebox filling it with: school supplies, hygiene items, toys and children will get to know that someone sees them that they’re not forgotten and they are loved,” said McMillon.
This year Operation Christmas Child has a goal to collect 12 million boxes for children.
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