A Simple Gift: The Adventures of Simon the Shoebox
by Darla Fewox Bell
Illustrated by Deborah Smith - Published by EABooks Publishing
When it comes to life Simon, a lonely and rejected shoebox, thinks he has the worst one ever. Living on a department store shelf isn’t exactly exciting. Simon feels useless. He wonders if he will ever discover what he was made for. But all is not lost, as some unexpected events hurl him into an adventure involving a boy named David who is on a mission of his own. Along the way, Simon finds himself making friends, facing fears, and uncovering the mystery behind David’s joy and passion for a ministry called Operation Christmas Child. Come along with Simon as his journey leads him to experience the reality that our amazing God has a unique purpose for each of us!
“Darla Bell’s heart for Operation Christmas Child is big. Only to be surpassed, perhaps, by her heart for the Gospel. The love that Jesus has for every child--those near and those precious ones on the other side of these shoeboxes--shows through on every page of this sweet story. Children will love bumping along on a yak’s back with Simon the Shoebox. Parents will love that the Good News is boldly and beautifully proclaimed. A Simple Gift is a wonderful book about a wonderful and important ministry.”
- Hannah C. Hall, Best Selling Christian Children’s book author of The God Bless Series”
$14.99 plus tax and shipping. 70% of proceeds go to support Operation Christmas Child
Available in print- English or Spanish. 51 pages. Includes discussion and activity guide for Parents/Guardians, Homeschool Educators, and Classroom Teachers.
If ordering from a mobile device and the buy button does not show up, click the button below to contact me and indicate how many you would like to order. Books are $14.99 each, plus tax and shipping.
Dedication
This book is in honor of The Lord God, in whom resides the name El Roi (The God Who Sees Me). Every single part from wretched to redeemed. Graciously declaring me worthy to be His daughter and His instrument. I praise Him for the courage and persistence to pursue this unexpected book journey. I adore Him for the freedom I’ve finally discovered in fully grasping that all my “dents and scribbles”, circumstances and struggles do not define me. Who I am is found in Him alone!
This book is dedicated to all past, present, and future amazing OCC workers, vivacious volunteers, passionate packers, and precious shoebox recipients. May the presence of God’s love and the power of
The Holy Spirit continue to energize and encourage you to press on in spreading love, joy, and the saving grace of the Gospel through simple, yet powerful shoebox gifts.
Proceeds from A Simple Gift: The Adventures of Simon The Shoebox go to support the mission of Operation Christmas Child.
Author's Note
Dear Readers,
I’m so excited to share this special book with you. It is the product of the passion God has placed in my heart for Operation Christmas Child since I packed my first shoebox not long after the ministry began in 1993. It’s no surprise that I became a packer for life after just one experience. The shocker is that I never imagined I would write a book about it. Through God’s leading what started out as a simple idea for a promotional character for my church, flourished into this children’s story.
Sometimes God calls us to do something unexpected, which can make us feel anxious and unprepared. At first, I resisted. Fear gripped me because I didn’t know anything about writing a book. After much prayer, I accepted that I could not walk in fellowship with God and grow spiritually if I ignored the path He had set before me. So, I began a five-and-a-half-year journey.
In spite of all the twists and turns, mountains and valleys, this whole process has been a blessing. God has equipped me every step of the way, increasing my faith and molding me. He took a shy, country girl and empowered me with courage, boldness, and wisdom to become a year-round volunteer and speaker for Operation Christmas Child and The Greatest Journey Discipleship Program, both ministries of Samaritan’s Purse. Then He equipped me to not only write a book but risk sharing it with the world in order that He would be glorified!
My prayer for this book is for God to use it immeasurably more than I could ever ask or hope for (Ephesians 3:20-21) by providing joy and more Gospel Opportunities through shoebox gifts for precious children around the world to know God’s love. I also pray for you, my readers, to personally identify with the saving power of the Gospel and to grasp that no matter how deep or numerous your “dents and scribbles” of sin and circumstance are, God has a plan for your life. He will empower you to step out in faith into what you consider the unknown and be what He has called you to be. Then you can pass on His wisdom and love to others creating a never-ending cycle of spreading the Gospel and making disciples.
I hope you enjoy this adventure with Simon and that it inspires you to see and live out your journey with Christ as not just any adventure- but your greatest adventure ever! The one God designed for your good and his glory! God Bless You.
In Christ,
Darla F. Bell
“You make known to me the path of life; You fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” Psalm 16:11
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