The Greatest Journey taught 10-year-old Daphne to pray in Jesus’ Name for the rest of her family to come to Christ.
Daphne celebrates with her classmates after graduating from The Greatest Journey discipleship class.
Daphne, 10, believes in miracles. She prays for one to take place in her parents’ hearts so that they will follow Jesus Christ.
“My wish is that my parents come back to the Lord’s way,” Daphne said, explaining that she and her grandmother, Sonia, pray together for her parents regularly.
Sonia is Daphne’s spiritual anchor, taking her to church in La Paz, Bolivia, and reading the Bible with her. It was at church that Daphne received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift earlier this year during an outreach event for children. The event focused on telling the children about the Greatest Gift anyone can receive—knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Daphne said she placed her faith in Jesus Christ years ago but really began to understand who Jesus is through The Greatest Journey—our 12-lesson discipleship program for Operation Christmas Child shoebox recipients. The Greatest Journey strengthened Daphne’s belief in the power of Jesus to transform lives.
Growing in Knowledge and Faith
Daphne, right, shows her The Greatest Journey classmate the colorful illustrations included in the New Testaments they each received at their graduation ceremony.
“When I accepted Jesus in my heart, I was very little. I didn’t know a lot about Him,” Daphne said. “Now I’m growing in understanding more about God’s Word. I learned more about Jesus through the lessons in The Greatest Journey.”
Daphne and her grandmother studied the lessons of The Greatest Journey together and celebrated together when Daphne graduated from the program. Graduates of The Greatest Journey each receive a certificate and a New Testament Bible in their own language–gifts that Daphne and her family cherish.
Daphne’s favorite lessons in The Greatest Journey are about the miracles of Jesus, including His feeding of 5,000 people by multiplying the amount of bread and fish.
“God is Almighty,” Daphne said. “He can make miracles. God makes many miracles through many good people.”
“It Was Beautiful”
Daphne leads the cap toss after graduating from The Greatest Journey.
Daphne thanks God for those who played a part in sending her a shoebox gift. She doesn’t know who they are but is confident that God does.
“When we received our shoeboxes it was beautiful because God gave us those things,” she said. And to her and the many other children who received the gifts, the shoeboxes demonstrate the love God shows through ultimate Gift of His Son, Jesus. “God is so good that He gave us everything. He gave His life for us.”
Daphne prayed, “Thank you, Lord, for this gift that You gave me. I thank you with all my heart. Thank you for everything that You give me, because I know You gave that to me and my family in Jesus’ Name.”
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Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, works with local Christians in more than 100 countries to deliver gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need. The Greatest Journey is our 12-lesson follow-up discipleship course for children who have received shoebox gifts.
You can be a part of this exciting international evangelistic outreach by prayerfully packing a gift-filled shoebox! Learn how to pack a shoebox. Even after National Collection Week, you can Build a Shoebox Online. You can also volunteer at a processing center.
