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But occasionally the initial response to the gift is unexpected. Pastor Isaac, from north of Minneapolis, was surprised when he offered a Box of Love to Issa, a man who had recently moved to his neighborhood. Issa was vehement: “I don’t want to receive food from you. You must leave!” Pastor Isaac left the home, but he left the Box of Love outside the door, knowing how much Issa needed the food. It turned out that Issa did not have much understanding of Christianity, and he was suspicious, though he later admitted that the huge amount of food really impressed him. This generosity began to expand his view of Christianity. Ahmed, a relative of Issa and a believer, began to talk with him about faith. Over time their conversations deepened; Issa also reconnected with Pastor Isaac. Ahmed invited Issa to join him at church, but he resisted. Finally he agreed, though he promised he wouldn’t respond to the message. “I might even leave early,” he added. Yet by the end of the service, Issa had opened his heart to Christ! Pastor Isaac began to meet with Issa weekly, helping him get established in his new faith. Issa admitted that his life before had not been very satisfying and that he had never before experienced the love he’d observed and received from Christians. Joy became a characteristic of Issa’s life, and all on his own, he began to stand at the door and welcome people as they entered church. Soon he became an official usher, and today he is head of the usher board! What a transformation from the hostile and suspicious man Pastor Isaac first encountered — and a Box of love was the first step.
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A bulging Box of Love is usually welcomed with open arms. Filled with a Thanksgiving meal for six, along with Christian materials, these Boxes are provided by Here’s Life for distribution by inner-city churches. It’s a wonderful 20-year tradition.
A Box of Love means life-changing evangelism. This year, we're praying that we'll be able to minister to a minimum of 16,925 families.