Tears of Joy

I started crying tears of joy when I opened Messenger on Thanksgiving Day, 2016. “Hello Paula. I’m Karina the girl of Panama. You remind me. God bless you.” The translation from Spanish to English was a little off, but I immediately recognized the beautiful name.

Along with the message were pictures of a rag doll and a letter in my handwriting. She had kept them all these years.

God brought the two of us together in January of 2004 when I was given the opportunity to deliver shoe box gifts to Panama with Operation Christmas Child. The purpose of the trip of course was to share the Gospel while showing the recipients God’s love in a tangible way. I was being sent to give, but I found myself to be a recipient.

Our family had packed several shoe box gifts that year. However, one of the boxes I packed was more special to me than all of the others I had packed. I had poured a lot of love into that box and really wanted to know where it would go. In fact, the desire to see who received my box was so strong that I bought special wrapping paper. That way, I could recognize it if by some miracle it showed up in the next year’s promotional video. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.

I had never contemplated getting to deliver the box. In fact, there was no way to sign up for a trip. Even if there was, I wouldn’t have done it. First of all, I was afraid of flying. I always said that I wouldn’t get on an airplane unless God asked me to. I also had some health issues. Another big reason I wouldn’t have signed up is that I was a stay-at-home mom with four young children. I had never traveled alone for more than a couple of hours away. Furthermore, we didn’t have money for the trip, and I never would have used the money just for me if we had it.

I was totally caught off guard when our regional representative for Operation Christmas Child called me to invite me. She told me that she was allowed to choose just one person in her five-state area to go with her to Panama for a distribution. She wanted me to go. I couldn’t believe I was being offered this rare opportunity.

I thought of the many reasons why I couldn’t go, but I also thought about that special box I had packed. If I went on this distribution trip, I could deliver that shoe box myself!

I talked things over with my husband. I prayed a lot. It was a big leap of faith for me during that season of life, but I decided to go.

We had several scheduled distribution points once we arrived in Panama. I prayed that God would show me exactly who to give that shoe box to. It was very clear when a young girl came to a distribution late, and there were no boxes left at that site for a girl her age.

I still remember getting to open the box with her and seeing her eyes as she lifted the lid on the musical jewelry box and saw the dancing ballerina. I told her that I chose the little rag doll because it was similar to my favorite childhood rag doll that also had orange hair. I got to share with her in person how much Jesus means to me.

It was a brief encounter, and I was sad because I didn’t think I would ever hear from her again. There was no postal system there, and technology wasn’t near what it is today.

It is amazing that she found me again because the address and e-mail address that I wrote on her card have changed. Thankfully, she found me on Facebook.

I cried tears of joy that she found me and that she still had the rag doll and letter. She too cried tears of joy when I sent her a picture of our photo that I keep on the shelf in my “little sanctuary” on my porch.

She thanked me when she sent me her message, but I too am thankful for her. She is the reason that I experienced this life-changing trip. God used that extra special shoe box to draw me out of my comfort zone and teach me to trust Him more.

My relationship with God deepened on that trip as God took care of every single fear and obstacle I faced. He took care of the money, my health, my family, the drive on a 100% ice covered interstate to the airport, my navigating through two airports alone, the plane ride, my accommodations…many tiny little details as well as the big ones.

It was a time in which God taught me that I can fully rely on Him. He opened my eyes to many different things that gave me a desire to share His love and message with others even more.

This Christmas, I hope you find yourself more blessed to give than to receive and that you remember that the greatest gift that you can share is to tell others how much Jesus means to you.

“…remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” ~Acts 20:35