When Sovann* was a child there was nothing but hopelessness in her life. She made a promise to herself that when she grew up, she would be a person who would listen to young people, and be a mentor. That passion and promise has led her to where she is today as a team coordinator…
Our Ministry
Operation Christmas Child 2019 Special Report Botswana Story
Special Report A Project of Samaritan's Purse Life-giving Lessons in Botswana Through The Greatest Journey discipleship program, children and families in Botswana are experiencing the power of the Gospel. Banyana saw the young girl playing along the dusty road in Molepolole, a city just a couple hours west of Botswana's capital Gaborone. Banyana rolled down…
Operation Christmas Child
Opening Doors to Discipleship with a Globe
When Maya Kisieviа, known affectionately as Mako, travels for Operation Christmas Child outreach in Georgia, she always brings one unusual item with her—a small school globe. It is not just a prop. It is a doorway into the story. “Our program is called The Greatest Journey,” she tells the children, holding the globe in her…
Operation Christmas Child
The Journey of a Shoebox
The Amazing Journey of a Simple Shoebox Gift Begins with You and Results in Evangelism, Discipleship, and Multiplication Packing From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to bless children in need around the world. Parents often use the project to teach their kids about giving. Year-round volunteers support these efforts across the country.…
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child Brings Good News to Chile
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…
Operation Christmas Child
Pointing Children to Jesus in Slovakia
Katarina Horvathova used to live a nomadic life. But while she and her son, Daniel, lived in a shelter for a number of years, Daniel had the privilege of receiving a gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. His 8-year-old heart delighted in the toy airplane he found inside because he wanted to become a pilot…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoeboxes Go to the Very Ends of the Earth
Baljinnyam’s address might as well be “the ends of the earth.” To reach the valley where his two gers are located, you must drive more than nine hours west of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to the province center of Bayankhongor. Since this is the province where Baljinnyam lives, you might think you’ve arrived, but the true journey…
Operation Christmas Child
Discipling Children in the Dumps of Cambodia
Samnang* comes from a family of scavengers, also known as waste pickers—people who earn a meager living by collecting recyclable materials from garbage dumps, streets, and landfills of Cambodia. But God used the new items inside the shoebox gift she received at age 13 to help draw her to a relationship with Christ. Today, she…
Operation Christmas Child
A Family Transformed
Carol used to sleep on the streets because she spent all her money on drugs and alcohol and couldn’t afford rent. Sometimes she didn’t have food for her children. Often, she didn’t even know where they were. Life didn’t improve after she was married. Her husband, Daniel, often came home drunk and wanted nothing to…
Operation Christmas Child
Transforming a Nation One Child at a Time
“When we need God, He always rescues us. God sent Jesus to save us from our sin and shame. What do you all see here?” Janeysi asks, directing the room full of children to an illustrated presentation of the Gospel. The children attentively watch and respond as they learn about Jesus Christ during an Operation…
