An Operation Christmas Child volunteer thanks God for the opportunity to serve children around the world with Samaritan's Purse
By Virginia Cook, a volunteer for Operation Christmas Child from Portsmouth, Ohio. She started serving with us in 2005. She has been a relay center coordinator, area coordinator for the Southeast Ohio Area Team, and now she is the regional area coordinator for the Great Lakes Region.
I visited Samaritan’s Purse headquarters for a tour in 2005 but ended up staying for two days to help with the special Easter shoe box collection for the tsunami relief for the children who suffered through a great disaster. The Lord used the tour to show me that His hand was guiding this ministry and that I was called to be a part of it!
Gale was our guide, and she told the first spiritual impact story that I had ever heard about how a child was adopted through the giving of a shoe box. My mouth flew open and I knew that I was meant to be part of Operation Christmas Child.
The folks in Boone gave me Bonnie Freeman’s number at the Great Lakes Office. I called her to let her know that I was interested in becoming a volunteer and she said, “Great! “I will send you an application!”
“An application?” I thought. “What?! I am a warm body! What more do you want?”
I found out a whole lot more, and so does the Lord. This was my first introduction to the high-impact volunteer ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. Since then it has been an immense blessing in my life.
Thank you Lord for allowing me to be part of YOUR plan and YOUR ministry!
