Every Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift prayerfully packed in Jesus’ Name is a tangible expression of God’s love to a boy or girl in desperate need. We praise the Lord for how He is using thousands of volunteers and church, school, and community partners to share the eternal hope of the Gospel through these special gifts.
Samaritan’s Purse has delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes around the world in the past 30-plus years. As children come to faith in Christ, they are sharing the Good News with family and friends, and entire communities are being transformed by the power of the Gospel.
Tears streamed down Pastor Ramon’s face as children opened their Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at his church in Paraguay. “I felt the presence of God,” he said. Pastor Ramon, who started a church six years ago, prays the ministry will help more families know Jesus.
Alex, one of the children, received a soccer ball, colouring pencils, and notebooks, but his favourite gift was The Greatest Gift Gospel booklet. “Jesus lives inside my heart,” he said after accepting Christ. Through Operation Christmas Child, Pastor Ramon is sharing God’s love with children in need of hope.
Every shoebox packed in Jesus’ Name reaches a child in need:
Luis’ mother longed to buy him a toy car after surgery but couldn’t afford it. When he opened his shoebox, he found a blue toy car—an answer to prayer.
In Trinidad and Tobago, 5-year-old Ava-Marie prayed for a doll. “I got the doll!” she shouted with joy.
In Peru, Luana prayed for colouring markers her parents couldn’t afford. When she found them in her shoebox, she knew God had provided.
Each shoebox gift is a reminder of God’s love and care for His children.
In a remote Ghanaian village, Epiphani received a shoebox gift but chose to give it to Daniel, a boy from a struggling family. She shared the Gospel with him and invited him to church, where he heard about Jesus for the first time and accepted Him as Saviour.
Daniel’s mother also gave her life to Christ, and they now attend church together. Epiphani and Daniel grew in faith through The Greatest Journey discipleship program. “I now know who Jesus is,” Epiphani said. Daniel shares his faith too: “I have peace. I tell others about Jesus.”
