"Everlasting Smiles" to Children in Ukraine

By Margaret Anderson

It’s that time of year again! These days are always very exciting around the Global Ministry Center because it feels like Christmas! Since July, we’ve been working with and hosting churches to take part in preparing Everlasting Smiles Christmas Shoeboxes to be distributed to Ukrainian refugees in Eastern Europe, and just last week, the first container of gifts was packed and sent on its way! Missionaries Larry and Tammy Wood will receive the container in Poland and coordinate the distribution of the shoeboxes.

With your help, we reached our goal of 10,000 shoeboxes, but we still have space available on the second container. If you would like to help us fill the container, we are collecting items that have been requested by Ukrainian refugees — scarves, hats, gloves, socks, slippers, duffle bags, backpacks, blankets, warm clothes and stuffed animals. We have an Amazon wishlist which allows you to place an order and have items sent straight to the Missions office: tiny.cc/shoebox2022.

We are also accepting donations online or through the mail. Visit bmamissions.org, select “give,” then “designate my offering” and choose “Christmas Shoeboxes” or make checks payable to Everlasting Smiles, 611 Locust Ave., Conway, Ark. 72034. We are accepting items until Friday, Nov. 4, which is when we hope to load the second container.

The children and families who will receive these shoeboxes and gifts have experienced unfathomable loss and their worlds have been turned upside down since February. Our prayer is that these small gifts will make a big impact, and that not only will these families receive material gifts, but more importantly, the best gift of all — a relationship with Jesus Christ!