A young boy in Santiago experiences the transforming power of the Gospel.
Claudia had never been interested in attending church or learning about God. She did not grow up in a Christian family, and none of her friends or family members followed Jesus Christ.
“I always fought with the idea of coming to church,” she said.
But Claudia would do anything to help her three children, even stepping out of her comfort zone and trying something for the first time—like going to church.
Claudia (right) began attending church to help her son Christian (left), pictured here with his little brother.
“I was desperate. I came to church for my son Cristian,” she said.
Claudia had done everything she could for 11-year-old Cristian, who struggled with extreme anxiety. The medications the doctors had prescribed were not working, and he continued to fall behind in school. “He was constantly having panic attacks and feeling like he was going to die,” Claudia said.
She wasn’t sure what she was looking for or expecting by attending a local church—she just knew she had to go for her son.
A Special Day
One Sunday at church, Claudia learned about an Operation Christmas Child outreach event for boys and girls in the community. She took the invitation home and showed it to Cristian, who was excited to attend.
The festive celebration included worship songs, a Gospel presentation, and a shoebox gift full of special items for every child in attendance. Cristian was glad to see all the fun toys in his shoebox, but his favorite item was The Greatest Gift—a Gospel booklet that colorfully illustrates 11 Scripture stories and is given out worldwide with gift-filled shoeboxes.
Cristian was captivated by the stories, especially Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). This was the first time he had ever read any Bible stories. The outreach event was also the first time he heard the Gospel.
An Operation Christmas Child representative prays with Claudia and Cristian, thanking God for His work in their lives.
Pastor Marco was thankful to the Lord for bringing children like Cristian to the event. “We wanted to tell people about the love of God,” he said. “We truly felt the presence of God that day.”
Cristian was eager to learn more about God and His Word and asked his mother if he could attend The Greatest Journey, our 12-lesson discipleship program for shoebox recipients. Claudia was delighted, and a bit surprised, to see her anxious son so excited about joining the program with other children.
Peace in Christ
Salome, a church member and The Greatest Journey teacher, said that Cristian was incredibly shy during the first few lessons. Yet, as the weeks went on, he opened up and was the most enthusiastic of all the children.
“He learned the memory verses, asked questions during the lessons, and completed all the activities in his workbook,” she said. “I noticed a change in him. He was excited for every class. When we opened the door to the church, he was right there, waiting for the class to start.”
Pastor Marco (left) seeks to share God’s love with children in his community. Through teachers of The Greatest Journey like Salome (center, holding book), the power of the Gospel comes to life for students like Cristian.
Salome is grateful for the opportunity God gave her to teach the Bible to Cristian and other boys and girls. “This may be the only opportunity they have to hear the Gospel. We don’t take this responsibility lightly. We know that the Gospel can change their lives.”
It certainly changed Cristian’s heart, who prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during The Greatest Journey. “I don’t have as many troubles in my heart,” he said.
Cristian wants to one day help lead worship at the church. He has already given a devotional during a Sunday morning service about Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Cristian now listens to worship music when he feels anxious. His panic attacks have decreased so significantly that he’s been able to reduce his medication.
“When my son came to church, he found peace,” Claudia said.
Claudia and her husband now attend church with Cristian. As a family, they are learning more about the Savior and how to live in His peace and joy.
