Operation Christmas Child - Shoebox Party

Librarian friend Debbie Frank (turquoise shirt) hosted her annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing party November 14 at her central Florida home. After a light potluck lunch, we wrapped card board shoeboxes or put stickers on plastic shoebox. Next we packed boxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, hard candy, jewelry, etc. to be delivered to children in desperate situations around the world. (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/ - National Collection Week: November 17-24, 2008)

This year I was guest missionary sharing an opportunity to partner in ministry. I shared the story of my first trip to Côte d'Ivoire and return missions plans via PowerPoint and Q&A to a receptive audience. Thanks Deb for this opportunity and for your gracious hospitality.

Toastmasters

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization with nearly 235,000 members in 11,700 clubs in 92 countries, offering a proven – and enjoyable – way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills. Each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.

On October 1, 2008, I joined the Trailblazers Toastmasters Club that meets at 7:30 a.m. two Wednesdays a month in Orlando to sharpen my public speaking skills - desiring to be a more effective ambassador for Christ. My icebreaker/introductory speech was presented on October 29th, “Cloudy Challenges Have Silver Linings.”