Samaritans Purse

It was a hot and muggy day, we had finally received the container the night before and triumphantly opened it to reveal the highly anticipated shoeboxes. A great big tray truck was organised from the Four Square church. The large cartons of shoe boxes were loaded on and it seemed that everyone wanted to come along for the distribution.

The air was full of anticipation. Pastor Arthur kept yelling out to all those who had already piled themselves onto the truck that they only wanted to take 5 strong guys along for the ride. – It was like Arthur was talking a different language because not one of the 15 guys on the truck climbed down. They were committed to come along for the excitement …to see the looks on the kid’s faces.

We had 2 destinations to get to that day. The first one was in a settlement where there was severe unemployment. Some of the men had been unemployed for over 15 years since a big industry closed down.

We arrived to a crowd of kids who were waiting in anticipation. Under an open air church rooftop, the kids sat and were taken through songs led enthusiastically by Pastor Arthur on guitar. This man has a lot of energy, and considering the heat, it was even more amazing to watch. The love that was being conveyed by the team was very evident.

After some stories, songs and even a play that the kids in the village had prepared the distribution began. The kids were split into age/gender groups and the boxes were handed out – but not yet opened. There was a mixture of emotions on the kid’s faces, anticipation, apprehension and excitement of what they might discover inside the boxes and general smiles and laughs.

1-2-3 Open… the kids opened the boxes and so began the excitement. Going through their treasure troves, these kids had never received such gifts before, the mothers and fathers that were there were delighted to look alongside the kids to see what they received. The children were clutching onto their boxes as if it were the most precious thing they had ever received.