3rd Annual Box of Love 2009

This year we celebrated the 3rd Annual Box of Love Outreach Ministry. We met some new children and served others for the third year in a row. Because of the flu virus scare we were not able to go to as many places as we had in the past in order to not compromise the health of our friends with delicate health issues. In order to reach as many children a possible we held a "Christmas Festival" at our church, Koza Baptist. We invited nearly 100 children to come and enjoy a celebration of the birth of Jesus and to be assigned a hugger who would guide them through the game rooms in order to have some fun that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy. We were blessed with an overwhelming outpouring of volunteers this year that came from every corner of the island who were able to complete the many tasks involved in making this year a success for the children. We were able to serve 500+ children from the cities of Urasoe and Ginowan and 100+ at the Christmas Festival. There were a number of individual children from Okinawa and Japan that we served "Boxes of Love" too as well.
Junko and Rika being there ever faithful selves spent endless hours planning and organizing along side me this year. This ministry would not happen without them, that is for sure.

The "Boxes of Love" began to come in fill up around the Ai no Kesshin tree. What a delight to see.

Many folks, churches and organizations helped in bringing in the "Boxes of Love" and donated items to be used at the Christmas Festival to make gift bags/boxes for the children participating. A great big THANK YOU to Koza Baptist Church, The Harbor, Central Baptist Church, Okinawa Christian School International, House of Praise, Awase Baptist Church, Toys for Tots, MOPS, EDIS and many individuals who came along side and met the need to make this all possible for the children of Okinawa and Japan. Whether you drove boxes to a location, passed out gifts at the locations, filled a "Box of Love" for a special someone, hugged a child and guided them through the Festival, set up/cleaned up for the Festival, organized toys/boxes durng the month of Dec, volunteered at the Festival, whoever you are, whatever you did to help bring the love of Jesus and the story of Jesus to these children this year.....THANK YOU.....




The toys and boxes filled Koza Baptist Church for nearly the entire month of December. A daily reminder of meeting a need in our community with these gifts and with the love of Jesus.

Happy Faces for Christmas 2009

We kicked off the 3rd Annual "Box of Love" Outreach Ministry in Urasoe City, serving 250+ children who have very special needs. The fun was enormous and the smiles matched the fun.
Tomo gets in on the action, making new friends at Urasoe City,
The Marines went along to pass out the many Toys for Tots that they had collected and shared with these special children.




There were toys for everyone.....






Then we were off to Ginowan City to serve the many children of the single mom's of that city. Once again, the Marines joined us along with the Navy and Army to pass out the many Toys for Tots that they had collected for the children of Okinawa.......









At Koza Baptist Church we celebrated the first "Christmas Festival". Serving several special needs day cares in the area. Inviting them in to enjoy a program sharing song and story of the birth of Jesus then guiding them through the game rooms and face painting. We had more than 100 volunteers and huggers to accompany that many children through the festival event.
It is such a joy to be able to give all these children a "Box of Love".









We are so happy that so many came upon invitation to enjoy the love of Jesus that was shared by so many. The joy on the faces of the children says it all....



We even had a special visit from Queli and Alexandra, some very special poodles who love children and provide a gentle greeting to them...
You could knock down the "Wall of Jericho"
You could go fishing for a surprise fish....
You could have your hand or face painted....






You could enjoy one or more of the MANY balloons made by our resident clown/balloon artist.
You could toss rings....

Many waited their turn to try their talents at golf....



And then there was the Duck Pond, a chance to play in the water....


It was just a wonderful time to spend with very special children, sharing with them the love of Jesus and the story of his birth, the true meaning of Christmas was shared over and over again.