After we were done, the next days were spent handing out the shoeboxes to each class of children. The 2's on one day, the 3's the next, etc. Hope would gather 3 children at a time from each class and we'd give them their shoebox to open. Some of the children were so excited; others a little bewildered perhaps. As if to say "for me?" Kids would blow the horns they received or pretend to drive the little cars they got. What joy for each child!
Hope would ask what their favorite thing was. For many, it was the sunglasses! One child from last year told Hope "soap!" Many of the girls loved the dolls they received! Many loved the candy canes!
The Awana girls sponsored this girl.
These girls jumped into Hope's arms and cried with joy. I did too. It was very emotional!
The cool thing about this trip was seeing my own sponsored Christmas shoebox children receive their gift from Al and me!
We special packed this crown so it wouldn't get broken in transport.
She loved it!
This was the boy we had last year!
Hannah's family's little girl
After each group would open up their boxes, they would go back to their class with the promise that they could take the shoeboxes home with them at the end of the day.
I was brought to tears when the gates opened and parents saw their children in their uniforms. They were so excited and surprised. They clapped, cheered and some jumped up and down!
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