Shoebox Gifts
Open Doors for the Gospel Around de las World
peration Christmas Child shoebox gifts lovingly and prayerfully packed with simple things like a soccer ball, stuffed animal, school supplies, or a pair of sneakers can open doors for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your prayers are the key to opening a child's heart to the Good News when our ministry partners overseas hand these gifts to boys and girls in need. As shoeboxes travel across the globe and you continue in prayer, know that God is accomplishing “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20) through this project of Samaritan’s Purse.
Europa
A Door Opens to Transform a Family
When Danu, 9, opened his shoebox gift in Moldova, it was bursting with school supplies. His older brother, Cristi, got a shoebox, too, and found a toy car among other fun items. Their little sister, Maricica, especially enjoyed the box of crayons in her gift. These three siblings, each struck by God's love for them through a gift-filled shoebox, decided to enroll in La Gran Aventura discipleship course because the colorful workbooks intrigued them.
As the workbooks unfolded the story of creation, Maricica especially appreciated learning how God crafted every living thing. And Danu and Cristi loved hearing how He spared that creation from destruction in the story of Noah. Like the eight who went into the ark, the three siblings surrendered their lives to God.
“I like to share God's love with people and preach from His Word,” said Danu, who aspires to become a pastor.
The siblings soon invited their mother to attend church with them and she also turned to the Lord in faith. Now, this family is establishing a new heritage of discipleship in Moldova for generations to come.
América del Sur
A Door Opens through Answered Prayer
In Peru, Erika, 12, longed to replace her only pair of shoes that had been worn to threads. She asked her mother for some new sneakers, but since she didn’t have a job, she was unable to purchase this basic item for her daughter. Erika started to pray, asking God to give her the sneakers her mother could not.
Over 4,200 miles away in California, Jasmine packed a shoebox gift with socks, towels, notebooks—and a pair of teal blue sneakers. God, in his perfect orchestration, brought that shoebox gift to the highlands of Peru where Erika was praying for that very thing.
“When I opened my box and found shoes, I learned that God can make miracles,” she said.
At the Operation Christmas Child outreach event where Erika received her amazing gift, she also heard that God loved her so much that he also gave His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for her sins. She surrendered her heart and life to Him that day and enrolled in La Gran Aventura discipleship program where she learned that God created her to love Him.
“I am happy my daughter goes to church,” said her mother. “She teaches others what she is learning.”
Medio Oriente
A Door Opens to Raise Up an Evangelist
When 9-year-old Mariya* opened her shoebox gift, she loved the T-shirt, pair of pants, socks, and cup it contained, but her favorite item was the stuffed bird inside.
She also received El Mejor Regalo, a Gospel booklet that came with her shoebox. “I was so happy when I found that book that had so many lessons,” she said. “I started reading it more and more. Then I would find verses and study them, and I would start applying them throughout my day.”
Not long afterward, Mariya enrolled in Samaritan's Purse discipleship lessons sponsored through a local church.
“After hearing the story of the cross and how Jesus died for me, I gave my life to Christ,” Mariya said. “I trusted Him fully.”
She was so excited about all she had learned about God that she couldn't help but start telling her friends.
By the time she was 13 years old, Mariya had gathered 13 friends to teach them the same discipleship lessons she had learned. Six of these children received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior!
Mariya's family moved a few streets over and she started the process all over again with a new group of 13 children. This time, five of the boys and girls put their faith in Jesus Christ!
From just one shoebox gift, at least a dozen children have become believers and are telling still others about the Good News!
*Nombre cambiado por seguridad
África
A Door Opens to Reach an Entire People Group
Known as cattle rustlers and avid thieves, the Bara people of Madagascar were hostile toward the Gospel until 2,500 of their boys and girls received Operation Christmas Child gift-filled shoeboxes. Uncovering soccer balls and marbles among other fun treasures inside, the children soon laid aside their toy wooden guns and stopped throwing rocks at each other—all because Pastor Soja presented the Good News of Jesus Christ along with these gift boxes. Roughly three-quarters of the shoebox recipients and interested adults who gathered for these outreach events gave their hearts to Jesus!
In addition, the school supplies in their shoebox gifts also opened the door of education for the Bara children. Where once no schools existed, now the pencils, notebooks, and calculators they received are being put to good use at schools that Pastor Soja's team launched. Praise God for all He is doing there!
What doors will you open by packing a shoebox?
“See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.”
Revelation 3:8
