Seeing children smiling in pictures and on videos as they open presents from Operation Christmas Child was always a heart-warming experience for Bill and Becky Jarrell, of Waynesville, but seeing it in person was truly life changing.

Although the couple has volunteered for Operation Christmas Child — a nonprofit project of Samaritan’s Purse working to deliver presents with a Christian message to children all over the world — for more than 15 years, the Jarrells had never been on a distribution trip to one of the countries where the gift-laden shoe boxes are delivered.

Here in Haywood County, the Jarrells have spent countless hours volunteering for the Western North Carolina Area Team by spreading awareness about Operation Christmas Child and helping local churches, agencies and individuals ...