![\"Servin](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Servin-in-the-OCC-Processing-Center-Part-1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFor more than 10 years our family has packaged boxes for Operation Christmas Child <\/a>(OCC).<\/h4>\nOve the years we\u2019ve packed boxes for boys and girls of every age group.<\/p>\n
When our boys were younger we would pack boxes for\u00a0boys the same ages as ours.<\/p>\n
This year we packed several boxes with an intentional message<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhile I\u2019ve had a passion and a heart for the OCC ministry for years, much like the Grinch, my heart grew three sizes this year during our time serving in the OCC\u00a0Processing Center in Charlotte.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been struggling for the last week and a half to put our experience into words.<\/strong> I\u2019m hoping some of the pictures I share will help convey the impact it had on all our hearts.<\/p>\nOur shift was scheduled for five hours \u2013 5 PM \u2013 10 PM on a Friday night. We tagged along with a group from my sister’s church.<\/p>\n
Once our entire group had arrived we went through a brief, but thorough, training session.<\/h4>\n
![\"training\"](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/training.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOur training leader shared the piece of an amazing shoe box story. I won’t do it justice, but I’ll try… A family had felt led to pack red scarves in three OCC boxes they were sending. They faithfully prayed for the girls that would receive those scarves. In ways in which only God can work, the three girls who received those scarves were eventually adopted by that very same family.<\/p>\n
Tears\u2026<\/p>\n
Once we were placed in our stations out on the floor (18 green) Cynthia our OCC coordinator for our shift had us each chose a task.<\/p>\n
![\"OCC](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/OCC-inspection-station-2.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n1. Finances<\/strong> \u2013 One person checked each box for shipping donations, removed them, and placed them into a box.<\/p>\n2. Inspector<\/strong> \u2013 Carefully inspected each box and removed any items that were not allowed (food \u2013 other than candy, liquids of any kind, chocolate, used items, etc.). When items had to be removed we replaced what was taken out with filler items<\/p>\n3. Tape Dispenser<\/strong> \u2013 Secured each box with a piece of tape. Passed the boxes to the packing crew.<\/p>\n4. Packers<\/strong> \u2013 Placed at least 14 OCC boxes in each case for shipping.<\/p>\n5. Scanners<\/strong> \u2013 Scanned those boxes that were being tracked so senders could be notified of which country their box was sent to.<\/p>\n![\"running](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/running-the-tape-dispenser.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMy husband was the Finance guy.<\/p>\n
Our younger son took on duties at the tape dispenser.<\/p>\n
While I took on the role as inspector.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately our oldest was home sick.<\/p>\n
![\"inspecting](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/inspecting-a-box.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAs you can see our warehouse looked a bit like Santa\u2019s workshop might.<\/p>\n
There were hundreds for volunteers working our same shift all inspecting, taping, packing, and scanning along with us.<\/h4>\n
![\"Pausing](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Pausing-to-pray.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn case you\u2019re curious, all of the items we had to remove from boxes are collected. Food and liquids were the two things I had to dispose of most frequently. While I felt awful removing items others had so thoughtfully selected, liquids could spill and ruin not just that box but the boxes for other children.<\/p>\n
Things you might not think we\u2019d have to dispose of:<\/h4>\n\n- Bubbles<\/li>\n
- Chocolate (melts)<\/li>\n
- Packaged crackers and cookies<\/li>\n
- Liquid deodorant<\/li>\n
- Lotion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In just one day our distribution center processed well over 140,000 OCC boxes for shipping to Honduras.<\/h4>\n
![\"Ready](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Ready-to-ship.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe folks at OCC are organized and efficient. They have it down to a science.<\/p>\n
I was moved beyond words to get a peek at the many letters and photos that accompanied so many boxes.<\/strong> And I was completely convicted to include our photo and address in every single box we send from now on.<\/em><\/p>\nClick here<\/a> to read Part 2 of our time at the OCC Processing Center.<\/p>\nAnd wait until you see the surprise God had in store for me!<\/em><\/p>\nYou may also want to read:<\/strong>
\nMy Message in a Box<\/a>
\nServing in the OCC Processing Center – Part 2
\n<\/a>How to Pack a Better Shoebox
\n<\/a>What It’s Like to Give a Child a Shoebox<\/a>
\nHow to Host an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
\n<\/a>How Your Women’s Ministry Can Get Involved with Operation Christmas Child<\/a>
\n
While I\u2019ve had a passion and a heart for the OCC ministry for years, much like the Grinch, my heart grew three sizes this year during our time serving in the OCC\u00a0Processing Center in Charlotte.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been struggling for the last week and a half to put our experience into words.<\/strong> I\u2019m hoping some of the pictures I share will help convey the impact it had on all our hearts.<\/p>\n Our shift was scheduled for five hours \u2013 5 PM \u2013 10 PM on a Friday night. We tagged along with a group from my sister’s church.<\/p>\n Our training leader shared the piece of an amazing shoe box story. I won’t do it justice, but I’ll try… A family had felt led to pack red scarves in three OCC boxes they were sending. They faithfully prayed for the girls that would receive those scarves. In ways in which only God can work, the three girls who received those scarves were eventually adopted by that very same family.<\/p>\n Tears\u2026<\/p>\n Once we were placed in our stations out on the floor (18 green) Cynthia our OCC coordinator for our shift had us each chose a task.<\/p>\n 1. Finances<\/strong> \u2013 One person checked each box for shipping donations, removed them, and placed them into a box.<\/p>\n 2. Inspector<\/strong> \u2013 Carefully inspected each box and removed any items that were not allowed (food \u2013 other than candy, liquids of any kind, chocolate, used items, etc.). When items had to be removed we replaced what was taken out with filler items<\/p>\n 3. Tape Dispenser<\/strong> \u2013 Secured each box with a piece of tape. Passed the boxes to the packing crew.<\/p>\n 4. Packers<\/strong> \u2013 Placed at least 14 OCC boxes in each case for shipping.<\/p>\n 5. Scanners<\/strong> \u2013 Scanned those boxes that were being tracked so senders could be notified of which country their box was sent to.<\/p>\n My husband was the Finance guy.<\/p>\n Our younger son took on duties at the tape dispenser.<\/p>\n While I took on the role as inspector.<\/p>\n Unfortunately our oldest was home sick.<\/p>\n As you can see our warehouse looked a bit like Santa\u2019s workshop might.<\/p>\n In case you\u2019re curious, all of the items we had to remove from boxes are collected. Food and liquids were the two things I had to dispose of most frequently. While I felt awful removing items others had so thoughtfully selected, liquids could spill and ruin not just that box but the boxes for other children.<\/p>\n The folks at OCC are organized and efficient. They have it down to a science.<\/p>\n I was moved beyond words to get a peek at the many letters and photos that accompanied so many boxes.<\/strong> And I was completely convicted to include our photo and address in every single box we send from now on.<\/em><\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to read Part 2 of our time at the OCC Processing Center.<\/p>\n And wait until you see the surprise God had in store for me!<\/em><\/p>\n You may also want to read:<\/strong>Once our entire group had arrived we went through a brief, but thorough, training session.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nThere were hundreds for volunteers working our same shift all inspecting, taping, packing, and scanning along with us.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThings you might not think we\u2019d have to dispose of:<\/h4>\n
\n
In just one day our distribution center processed well over 140,000 OCC boxes for shipping to Honduras.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMy Message in a Box<\/a>
\nServing in the OCC Processing Center – Part 2
\n<\/a>How to Pack a Better Shoebox
\n<\/a>What It’s Like to Give a Child a Shoebox<\/a>
\nHow to Host an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
\n<\/a>How Your Women’s Ministry Can Get Involved with Operation Christmas Child<\/a>
\n