Farewell Shoe Box Covering

Click the photo for a larger view

After 5 years of covering shoe boxes the group from Wesley Uniting Church had their final box covering session earlier this month. However do not despair we believe the group may reconvene at a different location next year … watch this space.

I would like to thank Shirley and Alan Crapp, Herb Heath and Jeff Karms who have been the stalwarts of the group from the very beginning. We estimate we would have covered in excess of 8,000 boxes during that time. Thanks also to all those who joined us over the years whether for one visit or many, it has been a wonderful time and, of course, we can always catch up at processing!!

Shoe Boxes in the ACT Legislative Assembly

The Canberra Launch replicated the success of the Wagga Wagga launch. We called on the services of our youngest Member of the Legislative Assembly to launch OCC. Alistair Coe, Member for Ginninderra did a fantastic job of pointing out the reason that OCC stands out above many charities.

• It is personal and tangible in days when we are often in “charity overload”
• The opportunity to give children hope through the gospel message
• The flow on effects with others sharing in the box and all it has to offer
• The idea that anyone can be involved
• The opportunity for Samaritan’s Purse to use the shoe box as a means of observing and meeting other needs such as clean water, HIV/AIDS education, building schools and vocational training
• The shoe box can be used by Pastors and Ministers in the receiving countries to do the work that God has called them to do when often they have no resources at all.

Alistair’s family have been participating since it’s inception in Canberra and he commended the work to all present and has taken it one step further and is introducing OCC to the ACT Legislative Assembly!!

Coming next: Box covering

Wagga Wagga Launch

RC Carol Gordon and Mayor Kerry Pascoe

Mayor Kerry Pascoe presented the first shoe box from the Wagga Wagga community to Carol Gordon, Regional Co-ordinator.  The Mayor who knew very little about OCC before the Saturday morning was quickly briefed by one of the young women at the launch.  He commended the project to the people of Wagga Wagga. 

Carol organized a massive media contingent and there were articles on radio, in two newspapers (before and after the event) and on local television.  Well done Carol.

The St Alban’s Church Hall was packed to capacity, every chair used and the doors to the church opened to allow more people to attend.  The buzz in the air was exciting and the support of Carol’s Minister, Mal Dunnet was excellent.  He was heard to say “20,000 shoe boxes for Wagga Wagga” – perhaps not this year but … watch out Wagga!!

"Launch Season" is well underway

It is exciting to see that a number of areas are having community meetings to get OCC off the ground for 2009.  There is nothing better than getting like-minded people together to encourage each other, share ideas and get inspired for the year ahead.

 

All the new brochures and posters are here, the pre-printed shoe boxes are walking out the door and people are grateful to make a donation of 50 cents for each box rather than having to cover their own.  The DVD will be here around mid July.  Meanwhile the DVD of Lejla Allison’s testimony about receiving a shoe box at the age of 11 in war torn Bosnia is impacting everyone who watches it.  The “happy ending” of Lejla being able to return to her homeland to distribute OCC shoe boxes is a testimony to God’s grace. 

So far Cootamundra, Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Tumut and Cowra have had community meetings and Grenfell and Griffith are coming up.

Coming Next: Wagga Wagga Launch

Regional Co-ordinators Conference

What a wonderful day and half we had at St Clement’s retreat and conference centre in Galong sharing with God and each other about the great things He had done in 2008 and the wonderful things He has in store for each of us and His ministry in 2009.

There were 32 Regional Co-ordinators and Prayer Co-ordinators and there was much laughter, a few tears, beautiful worship, praying and information sharing. And of course, we could not forget great food and … chocolate!!

The new CONNECT volunteer program was launched and we are excited to begin putting some basic principles into practice during the year.

Pictured are some of our new volunteers, Gaynor laying claim to being the newest as she agreed to become Prayer Co-ordinator for Queanbeyan having been at the conference for 10 minutes.  Either she listened to God or we were really, really nice to her!!!

For all of you who wonder who cuts, overlocks, sews, matches buttons, threads elastic, etc.  This is THE Pat Wood, RC Belconnen and head of the sewing group at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Ginninderra

Beryl, RC Cowra, Narelle, PC Cowra, Helen RC Grenfell, Christine, RC Woden, Elaine, RC Cootamundra

Elaine (RC) and Juliana (new PC)

Carina Ex-RC, Yass and Michelle, new RC Yass

Gaynor Elder, new PC Queanbeyan

Coming next:  Not sure – Ann is on holidays for three weeks visiting her beautiful and talented blog writing daughter (he he) and her even more beautiful Granddaugher.  She can be contacted by email.

Farewell Vietnam

Now that I have given you a brief overview of Operation Christmas Child and some Samaritan’s Purse projects in Vietnam, I will leave you with a few memorable photos.  As you will see they are memorable for a number of reasons!!

Friendship grown from shoe boxes

A Sunset over Lai Chau Provence

The lei from the shoe box matched her outfit!

Guess who's still got it?

The infamous McDonalds green cars

A t-shirt for Dad included in the box, this person had thought of everything!

Another green McDonalds car

Coming Next:  Regional Co-ordinator’s Conference

Nguyen Van To Blind School

Back in Hanoi we were led through the back streets of Hanoi into what looked like a large home to find we were being entertained to afternoon tea by the Director of the Nguyen Van To Blind School, a project Samaritan’s Purse has been supporting for many years.

We were introduced to eight “star” students whose accomplishments ranged from being top academic students to gold medal receivers in the recent Asia Pacific Games.  The school and students were obviously very proud of their achievements.  However, nothing could prepare us for the concert provided by the students as they sang and played musical instruments. There was much giggling in preparation and thunderous applause at the finale.  Of course we could not resist giving a little impromptu performance but I don’t think our musical talents matched those of our hosts.

The school uses Perkins Brailler machines which cost $1000US each.  The students share because there are not enough to go around.

Coming Next:  Farewell Vietnam

Sapa and Ethnic Minorities

Sapa is the most beautiful region in Vietnam, very close to the China border, mountainous, picturesque but, sadly, situated in one of the poorest provinces, Lao Cai.

The beautiful clothes of the ethnic minorities are brightly coloured and headwear is often a feature.  It was difficult for us to identify the various ethnic groups but there are well over 20 in the region. 

Farming and tourism are the main occupations and it became a game avoiding the women and girls (where were the boys and men?) each place we stopped.  They sold silver jewellery, woven bags, scarves, etc and were VERY persistent with very good memories.  We quickly learned that if we said we would be back later, they would be waiting.  It was all very good humoured and connections were made easily.

Coming Next:  Ngyuen Van To Blind School

Baguette et Chocolat

After an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai (a real adventure) imagine arriving at 6am on the doorstep of  Baguette et Chocolat café in Sapa with freshly baked pain au chocolat, baguette, croissant, steaming hot coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, yoghurt and honey.  Yes this was a real treat. 

More importantly what a blessing it was to see the results of the changed lives of those (many of whom came from Lao Cai province, one of the poorest in Vietnam) working there.  Baguette et Chocolat is a project attached to Hoa Sua School (previous blog).  One young woman has been doing the accounting for eight years and her smile told her story.  None of this would have happened without the support of Samaritan’s Purse (see photo).  For anyone venturing to Sapa, Vietnam you might be interested to know there is a small hotel also run by Hoa Sua School attached to the café and the cost is $25US per double per night (including breakfast).  What a bargain!!

Coming Next:  Sapa and Ethnic Minorities

Hoa Sua Vocational Training School

Imagine living in one of the poorest provinces in Vietnam near the China border and being given an opportunity not only for vocational training but for a career that would enable you to work in some of the best restaurants in Europe or to return to your home province and share your skills.

The chef is a graduate of the training school, has worked with some of the best chefs in Belgium and returned to Hanoi to share his skills with the students.

Such is the place of the Hoa Sua school in Hanoi.  There scholarships are granted (20 through Samaritan’s Purse) for training in Patisserie, Bakery, Asian and Western Cooking, Front of House and Housekeeping.  There is also a separate program for the disabled and deaf of embroidery and tailoring.

Doing Laundry

The training school provides cakes and breads to restaurants in Hanoi as well as having their own bakery shop and restaurant where the skills of 

the trainees are refined ‘on the job’.  A separate craft shop in the same location sells the beautifully intricate embroidery and tailoring. 

Two deaf students learn embroidery

Coming Next: Baguette and Chocolat

HIV/AIDS Hospital

One of the most challenging moments on Discovery Vietnam was visiting an HIV/AIDS hospital in Hanoi.

We were warmly welcomed by the Director and staff as Samaritan’s Purse had been providing milk for 20 of the dying patients as that is all they can eat/drink.

There are no photos of this project for obvious reasons but we had the privilege of visiting the ward where there were about 20 men who were in the last stages of HIV/AIDS.  Many of them are outcast from their family because of the stigma still attached to the disease of HIV/AIDS, a few were shackled to their beds because they have been sent from prison.  No words can express the filth and sense of hopelessness in that place. 

In Cambodia Samaritan’s Purse runs the HIV/AIDS Prescription for Hope workshops.  Let us pray that this opportunity opens up in Vietnam.

Coming Next:  Hoa Sua Vocational Training School

Bio Sand Filter

Just a reminder that every 20 seconds, one child in our world dies from water-borne illness. This would wipe out a whole primary school class – every 10 minutes.

In Vietnam we visited a man on the way to a distribution who was keen to show us his water filter.  He was very proud of the way he had his filter under shelter in a clean and protected environment and that he could easily access clean water by a series of pipes and buckets.   He was also very quick to tell us that his family had fewer incidents of eye infections since the water filter had been installed.

You can learn more about Samaritan’s Purse Turn on the Tap Project and order resources for your organization to promote clean water at www.turnonthetap.org.au

Coming Next:  HIV/AIDS Hospital

The thongs

Occasionally I am asked whether the items in the shoe box are “useful”.  I guess we all have a different opinion of what is useful but there is a boy who came to the OCC distribution in Thuong Trang kindergarten who can assure you that one item in his shoe box was indeed “useful”.

When he opened his box he had a pair of beautiful new thongs.  Imagine our surprise when, of all the children at the distribution, he was the one who had one broken sandal.  He immediately kicked off his sandals and put on the thongs – they fitted perfectly. 

Obviously God knew well and truly beforehand who needed that particular shoe box.

Coming Next:  Turn on the Tap

Hard work

With the new Discovery format not only do we participate in OCC distributions but we also visit Samaritan’s Purse projects and were even put to work.  I am not suggesting that we made a huge difference but we certainly provided entertainment value to the locals who gathered to see what we were doing.

Evidently it is unusual to see men working alongside women in Vietnam – we were glad that our men adopted the Aussie way!!

Coming Next:  Thong Story

OUR boxes handed out

As you can imagine there is much joy in equipping Pastors, church workers and government officials to reach out to the children of their nation however, nothing quite matches the excitement of seeing a shoe box gift from your own region being delivered.

I saw one carton of 5-9 girls shoe boxes handed out (one from Amy and her Mum, Sharon from Trinity Christian School) and recognized two shoe boxes that had been lovingly prepared by my Regional Co-ordinator from Gungahlin and her two daughters.

It is good for you to know that your shoe boxes DO reach their destination.

Coming Next:  Time to work

From Beanies to Bears

I suspect every OCC distribution is the same world over.  Every item is met with great enjoyment and excitement but there are some that seem to feature time and time again. 

Beanies

Pencils

Musical Instruments

Soft toys

Coming Next: Boxes from ACT/SNSW delivered personally

Ann "Picasso" Prunty

At Dinh Dong Kindergarten in Ha Nam province not only did we hand out shoe boxes we were also called upon to put our artistic skills into practice.  That could have been a disaster except a talented artist had drawn the outline of  Disney characters (no copyright here I am sure) and we were handed pots of paint, assorted paintbrushes and strict instructions not to divert from the original colours (much to the frustration of those among us who are truly artistic).  I was happy to paint Dumbo true to ‘life’ with the exception of the toenails – a little artistic licence please!!

Not only was it fun but this was the first test the team had been set working together considering we did not know each other until four days previously.  As team leader I can say they passed with flying ‘colours’ as each set to his/her task and the end results delighted not only the Samaritan’s Purse Vietnam staff but teachers and students as well.  

Coming Next: From Beanies to Pencils

Shoe Boxes

Despite the warnings that we would be subject to government authority at each of the OCC distributions we were shown great favour and warmth and the smiles on the faces of those in authority and the warm welcome of all gave us confidence that we were exactly where God wanted us to be.

Needless to say the smiles were only surpassed by the hysterical shrieks of the children.

At Ding Dong Kindergarten not only did we hand out shoe boxes but put our artistic skills into practice!!

Coming Next:  Ann "Picasso" Prunty

More contrasts

Coming Next: Shoe Boxes!!

Vietnam - a land of contrasts

I had the privilege of leading Discovery 2009 to Vietnam with 14 OCC volunteers from each state except Tasmania and the NT.

In the true spirit of the countries to which OCC sends shoe boxes, Vietnam has been ravaged by wars and the resulting economic damage and poverty has led Samaritan’s Purse to work throughout Vietnam distributing OCC shoe boxes and in four provinces with various projects.  In the coming weeks I will take you on some of the journey with me.

Some of the contrasts we observed included:

Coming Next: More contrasts

Be back soon

Ann is currently away at the Samaritan's Purse National Conference. She will be back soon with stories from Vietnam.

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Until then here is a taste of what's to come.























Please feel free to leave an encouraging comment for Ann to read on her return!

Turn on the tap (TOTT)

A Samaritan’s Purse project for safe accessible water in the developing world

Not only can you explore the TOTT website to see how you can collect your FREE resources to promote TOTT but you can also donate $2 to TOTT by simply taking a photo of your tap – how easy is that. Why not take a photo of each tap in your house and ask your friends and family to do the same. Simply visit www.turnonthetap.org.au

In Cambodia the State Managers had the privilege of building a Biosand Water Filter (BSF). While I am sure it took much longer than if the family who had ordered the filter had built it themselves, it gave us the opportunity not only to see how relatively simple and quick it is to make but we also watched the installation process and saw the final results – clear, safe water– and a very happy family looking forward to a much brighter, healthier future.

The beauty and the pain

Cambodia, like all developing countries, is one of contrasts. Below are some of them.

Fun, innocence and mischief.

Two HIV/AIDS orphans, Rubbish and a Grandmother who survived the Pol Pot regime and now looks after her granddaughters whose parents died of HIV/AIDS.

Beautiful people living in a painful environment.

Coming Next: Turn on the Tap