My first Christmas Joy Box trip was in 2013, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into! Growing up, my family had been a part of the effort at our church, but I had no idea how big it really was. We landed in Haiti and met up with the rest of the group at the airport, grabbed our bags, loaded into the trucks, and headed to the hotel. When we met for dinner the first night, Beverly, HFHC’s Joy Box Coordinator, gave us the numbers. We were going to give out over 1,700 Joy Boxes in five days.
Each day was full of delivering gifts, but nothing compared to watching the children open their Joy Boxes. They would go through them very carefully and excitedly, inspecting everything inside and showing all of their friends what they got. Every child sat on the edge of their seat hoping to get a box just like the other children. Unfortunately, not every child who came to the school or church with the hope of getting a box received one. It was heartbreaking to see a child walk away empty-handed. This is one of the many reasons why the sponsorship program is so important. The sponsored children were guaranteed a Joy Box with their name on it. While receiving a Joy Box is not the most important aspect of the sponsorship program, I saw it give children the chance to be a child when so many of them do not have the luxury in their everyday lives.
When I returned this past December, HFHC delivered over 2,500 Joy Boxes, and I witnessed so many more smiling and excited kids. The sponsorship program has grown so much in the last 5 years, and while it is still growing, more sponsors are needed!
Every child deserves the joy that comes from receiving a Joy Box. They show the pure joy of Christ every day, and it is contagious.
The Christmas Joy Box effort will begin again in July, and we would love for you to participate! If you are interested, contact joybox@hopeforhaitischildren.org.