Operation Christmas Child

Our world changed on Sept.11, 2001. Terror became a part of everyone’s vocabulary, not just those living in war-torn countries. As planes crashed into buildings and bombs dropped on primitive clay-made towns, we in Canada became poignantly aware of the suffering endured by so many in our world.

Christmas looked and felt different for many that year. In Canada, our thoughts were with those who had lost so much in the war and with those in the military who were trying to bring peace and stability to a country ravaged by terror.

Canadian children desired to reach out to the young victims of fear and terror worldwide. And they did. That year, more than 713,000 Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes filled with small treasures were sent to children living in crisis zones around the world. Of these, 3,500 gift-filled shoe boxes went to children living on the frontlines of the war that raged in Afghanistan and trickled over into border countries such as Iran and Pakistan.

One gift-filled shoe box made its way into the arms of Gazele Hashemi.

Gazele, then eight years old, was living and going to school in Iran and was very much aware of the war taking place in the neighboring country of Afghanistan. Her father, Ramin Hashemi, was employed at the time as a translator with Samaritan’s Purse, an international non-government organization working in refugee camps along the Afghan/Iran border. Operation Christmas Child is one of the projects Samaritan’s Purse supports in more than 100 countries.

Through her father, Gazele learned about the kindness and generosity of Canadians who had packed gift-filled shoe boxes for children who didn’t have much, if anything at all. Children much like her.

Gazele will never forget the feeling of joy she had as she sorted through all the precious items she received. "I was very excited to receive a shoe box," said Gazele, now in Grade 5 and living in Calgary with her parents. Among the items she received were a stuffed lion and colored pencils – items she brought with her to Canada.

Gazele is familiar with the excitement that works its way through the bodies of children who receive the gift-filled shoe boxes. She has also felt the compassion and experienced the hope that comes with them. "Thank you to the kids for sending the boxes," said Gazele. "Thank you to Jesus for showing us how to love others."

As the November 15th shoe box deadline draws near, Gazele has been thinking about the different items she will be putting in her shoe box. As the 10-year-old began to list off items such as a towel, teddy bear, pencil, toothbrush and toothpaste, she paused for a moment, and with twinkling brown eyes and a smile full of anticipation, she added a Barbie.

Gazele has learned that it is wonderful to receive, but truly greater to give!

Gift-filled shoe boxes can be dropped-off at Safeway stores or Greyhound bus depots. For more information on Samaritan’s Purse Canada’s Operation Christmas Child shoe box project or a list of other drop-off locations, please visit their website at www.samaritanspurse.ca or call 262-KIDS (5437).

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