Shoeboxes start their journey to Kyrgyzstan....

What a special day! Wednesday was the day the container arrived at our warehouse to be packed up with shoeboxes, starting their long journey to Kyrgyzstan, which is over land and sea. Then once  in Kyrgyzstan they travel over bumpy, almost impassable roads and tracks to finally reach their destination in the various places identified by our partners locally. Of course this will take several months but will arrive by their New Year in March.

The container was huge. In fact it could not get into the building but it could reverse right up to the door, allowing us to move the cartons up to the edge of the vehicle and load it from there.

Ted whilst not helping at all, took centre stage in supervising the loading.

What a lot of hands we had which made the work far easier and, with the mix of enthusiasm, before we knew it, the container was full to the brim and ready for the start of the journey.

Ted once again, looked on and thought, "Yes I am going to Kyrgyzstan so I'd better jump in there". But no Ted your job is not done yet, besides there is room for some more cartons.

Carolyn thanked everyone for their dedication and hard work, not only for this year but also for the previous years in which she has led Operation Christmas Child. She spoke of how far the operation had come, from the small room in the YMCA ten years ago when they very proudly checked 2000 boxes, to the big warehouse of today, where 13,000 boxes have been checked and packed already this year. Carolyn also chose this time to announce that she would no longer be leading the team as she felt it was her time to move on, she also has family ties and has planned to go New Zealand to see her son next year. Everyone was saddened to hear she will be leaving. However, in doing so she leaves an amazing team who will continue her work as she has inspired each and everyone over the years. Carolyn also announced that Heather and Jenny would be taking over for future years.

Andrew Wheeler, the Minister from St Saviour's Church in Guildford, came down to bless the boxes and send them off on a safe journey, praying that each box will reach the right child who will enjoy their box and feel the love that has been sent with them.

Everyone posed for the final picture with the full container. It is always a happy and emotional stage of the process, knowing all the work done is finally complete and the next time the shoebox is opened a young, happy and smiling face will be looking into it with wonder and amazement and all the gifts it contains, some not believing that all those gifts are just for them. "What all for me, all of them?" one child asked when opening their box.



Ted finally found out who he was today, well sort of! His name was revealed as William. We asked "The Bear Garden" to pick three names - they chose William Lilly Rubin - so whilst he is pleased he has a name, he is still left somewhat confused and a little surprised, Lilly! He may not mention that in company.

The lucky winner of Ted's sorry William ****y Rubin's name was Ann Cowan. Here she is with the newly named William, a princely name!

That is not his last job, it is by no means over, in fact his most important job is yet to come. Ted is destined to go to Kyrgyzstan with Jenny where he will have to find a child who is in need of something to love. A huge task indeed how will he choose?