Can something as simple as a shoebox change a life? If it’s part of Operation Christmas Child, it can!
Every year, the non-profit Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches, organizations, and individuals all around the globe to pack millions of shoeboxes with small gifts and essentials for children in need. These shoeboxes are then inspected, prayed over, and delivered via local church outreach events, giving local church pastors an opportunity to share the gospel with those who may not hear it otherwise.
What often begins as a fun afternoon activity and a way for families to teach their children the importance of generosity through shopping for and packing these small boxes turns into so much more.
Dania Andraos shares how the shoebox she received as a young child living in the Middle East impacted her then—and continues to impact her family today.
This is Dania’s story:
My country in the Middle East was enveloped in darkness. With only eight hours of electricity a day, I spent most of my childhood doing my homework under a burning gas lamp.
Not only was my country physically dark, but it was spiritually dark as well. Persecution fell heavy on my family as the only Christians in our village. At school, I was bullied for my faith. Christian resources were limited to a mere two hours broadcast on a radio station, and the poverty we experienced prevented us from being able to access a radio to hear it.
Yet my parents did not hide their lamp under a basket. They encouraged me to be content in all circumstances and to keep my eyes on Jesus, modeling Christ’s call in Matthew 5:16 to “let your light shine before others.” Amidst rejection, war, and persecution, my parents’ commitment to sharing the gospel prevailed.
God used their faith to reach the lost as our house was open 24/7 for anyone who wanted to pray or talk about Jesus. My family was steadfast in our discipleship to others, and our home stood as a nurturing church for new believers. Our very lives shone as a beacon to those around us. There was no difference between what happened outside of our home and what happened inside—my family was all about Jesus.
I witnessed lives being changed. Even the threat of death became the joy of new life when God transformed the heart of a police officer who had wanted to kill my dad into a committed follower of Christ. That’s how powerful the gospel is!
Still, loneliness was a daily battle for me. Often, my heart sank deeply when I felt rejected by those around me. I was jealous of those faraway countries I heard about where anyone could be surrounded by a thriving Christian body and have ready access to Christian resources. I remember praying for God to take me out of the Middle East so I could meet other kids my own age who loved Jesus.
Every night, my mom recited Psalm 23 in my ears before bed. Those verses about my good Shepherd became a source of comfort for me. Mom taught me how to pray and bring all my needs before God, whether it was food, clothes, or to fill the loneliness in my heart. I began talking to God like He was my best friend.
As a young girl, I really wanted to have my very own toys like the other kids, and my family longed for a radio to listen to the news and the Christian radio station. We couldn’t afford such things while living in severe poverty. But being a family of prayer, I modeled my faithful parents in asking God to provide for us.
God answered our prayers when I received a beautifully wrapped Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift packed by someone who loved Jesus and wanted to show me God’s love. Each gift inside seemed to be especially chosen for me.
Among the school supplies and toys, we found a small box that held a mini radio. Holding that answer to prayer, I was reminded that God is the God of details. In a unique way, He pierced through the darkness I was in and showed me that I was seen and loved by Him even when I was rejected by many. I didn’t feel so alone.
My parents saw the shoebox gifts as the perfect opportunity to reach the villages around us. Every village had its own nuances and beliefs, and one village in particular had never heard the gospel message. My family had been praying for a way to reach them, and after becoming ministry partners with Operation Christmas Child, the shoebox gifts became the key to accessing this village we’d long prayed for! Finally, we could share the gospel, build relationships, and open the door wide for discipleship.
It was incredible seeing evangelism, discipleship, and multiplication happen in a village where there was not one Christian before. Witnessing this miracle firsthand as a young girl made a profound impact on how I view the transforming power of the gospel, so naturally, I have become an active part of the ministry my parents participated in.
It’s hard not to compare life in the Middle East with life where I am now in the United States. Growing up, we were starving for Christian resources and community, and now we have it in abundance. Our lives are not in jeopardy for our beliefs, and if we seek a body of believers, we can find one. But my parents’ avid pursuit of evangelism and discipleship in the midst of desperate darkness resulted in the blessing of transformed lives. Now, I want to do the same.
Our practice of shining our lamps of faith should not be limited to Sunday morning services and sharing beautiful Bible verses on social media. We are called to let our light shine before others! Inside and outside the home, beyond Sunday worship and weekly Bible studies. The way I hold my lamp will be a model to my children, just as my parents became a model of faith for me and my siblings.
May we, as followers of Christ, live our whole lives for Him. May we shine our light bright before others, and may we be instruments of discipleship to those around us. My parents, the shoebox gift, the radio and the Christian broadcast station—these were all tools for discipleship in my life. When I pack shoebox gifts with my family, I know that I am partnering with the international body of Christ to create gospel opportunities around the world, just like the shoebox gifts did for my parents.
You can create spaces for the gospel to shine in dark places. Will you hold up your lamps with me?
Ready to Stand Up and Make a Difference?
This year, National Collection Week is November 18–25, 2024, which means there’s still time for you to get involved in this great cause. (And invite your friends, family, and church family to join you!)
Visit the Samaritan’s Purse website to learn more about the Operation Christmas Child program, including how you can get involved through prayer, packing a shoebox, or even organizing an event near you.