OCC Benin
Forty-five percent of Benin’s 9.3 million people are 14-years-old or younger. In the 2011-2012 season, 108,00 shoe box gifts will be delivered to children in Benin, which first received the gifts in 1999. Since then, 672,343 children in Benin have received a shoe box gift.
In 2010, Operation Christmas Child began offering a new, follow-up discipleship program to our ministry partners in conjunction with the shoe box gifts. This year in Benin, these Bible lessons will be offered to 14,000 children who receive a shoe box gift.
The Greatest Journey begins when children are freely offered Gospel storybooks along with their shoe boxes. The Greatest Gift of All booklets—printed in over 70 languages—contain colorful illustrations that explain the Good News of Jesus Christ in a simple, engaging style.
After receiving a shoe box gift, boys and girls are invited to participate in the voluntary Bible study course produced by Samaritan’s Purse. The 12-lesson set guides children through a study of who Jesus Christ is, what it means to follow Him, and how to share this exciting message with others.
To help these boys and girls continue to grow in their faith, we also want to provide them with their own copies of the Greatest Gift of All New Testament. This special edition also includes select Old Testament stories, a dictionary, and a section that encourages the children to memorize Scripture.
Spiritual Impact Stories
A Complete Transformation
In Benin, Africa, Eglise Evangelique has seen God use the discipleship courses to change the hearts of children who often grow up in an environment tainted with corruption and discord. “One of the children testified that before he attended Bible classes, he did not obey his parents,” Evangelique said. “He started to obey. He changed, and he himself saw that he had changed!”
Another child shared with the class her tendency to steal items like pens and copy books from school. After coming to know Christ’s love more fully through the program, an undeniable change became evident. Her parents and friends were amazed at the transformation. “We thank Jesus for his work,” Evangelique said. “We beseech you to send gifts every year in order to encourage the children.”
PRAYER REQUESTS
Pray for local churches and ministry partners as they distribute gifts in the name of Jesus Christ.
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A Celebration of Service
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