You will bless a child in

Mali

Mali is a country in West Africa on the edge of the Sahara Desert. The majority of the population lives in the southern half of the country along the Niger River, where agriculture, fishing, and cattle and camel herding are main sources of income. The city of Timbuktu is located there. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes in the country in 2005 and launched The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program, in this nation in 2011.

Read Stories from the Field

Among an unreached people group, a young couple came to faith due to the witness of a pastor that lived a distance away. Even though there were no believers among their people group, they continued to travel to attend church with the pastor every Sunday. When they learned about Operation Christmas Child, the couple was excited to host an outreach event for the children of their own village. Their village chief tried to prevent it, but the Gospel presentation and shoebox distribution went forward as planned. Seeing the joy this brought to the children, the chief expressed a change of heart by offering land for a church to be built.

Pray for Your Shoebox Recipient

“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”—Matthew 21:22

Please don’t stop praying for the boy or girl that you first lifted up when you packed your shoebox. Continue to ask God to soften his or her heart to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that he or she will follow Him all the days of their life. Pray also for families and entire communities to be transformed as God’s love is shared through your simple gift.

La Gran Aventura

After your shoebox gift delights a boy or girl, you can give them the opportunity to participate in La Gran Aventura.

Taught by trained local teachers, this 12-lesson discipleship program shows children how to follow Christ and share Him with others. As boys and girls share the Scripture stories they learn in class, their friends and family come to faith—growing churches, starting new congregations, and transforming communities by the power of the Gospel.

Send a child on La Gran Aventura for just $6!

Record Where Your Shoebox Went

Our Follow Your Box Map is specifically designed for you to keep track over multiple years where your shoebox gifts have blessed children in need.

Consider displaying one in your church or home as a reminder to pray for the boys and girls who have been blessed by your generosity.