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).
Back
to Home Page
