The first months of high school were a difficult adjustment for Liyana Dayo. She struggled with most of the same things as her peers--trying to fit in, keeping up with assignments, and performing well on exams. But Liyana also faced another challenge. She'd often have to do twice as much school work because of the demerits she received for improper footwear to go with her school uniform.

"In fairness to all my students, I had to discipline her," said her teacher, Liza Discilpulo. "But what I really wanted to do was to just give her new shoes."

Students teased Liyana about the worn sandals and the extra work. She would go home each day with no way to remedy the problem. Liyana's mother earned only a small amount of money selling fish and vegetables, and her father barely eked out a living by taking care of pigs owned by others.

"It is difficult for us to even buy rice," Liyana said.

The cost of rice in the Philippines tripled from March to April, and economic hardships for families like Liyana's have only intensified.

So Liyana started praying. She'd kneel in a corner of their small home, made of bamboo with a scrap metal roof, and asked God to meet a need that seemed impossible to fulfill--a new pair of shoes. Each night for nearly two months, Liyana faithfully asked the Lord for shoes.

Then one day, Operation Christmas Child came to her school. The children sang and heard visitors talk about the love of Jesus Christ and how the gift-filled shoe boxes were a physical representation of God's love for each child.

When Liyana opened her shoe box, she saw a brand new pair of red and white shoes. She slipped them on and found a perfect fit. When she went home to tell her mother about the gift, Liyana could no longer hold back the tears.

"When I saw the new pair of shoes, I felt that she was loved by others," Liyana's mother, Candida Dayo, said. "We have been praying that God would use someone to help us get the things our children need."

Stories of answered prayer are not uncommon during Operation Christmas Child distributions and bring an understanding of God's love and compassion to countless children.

In the Ifugao region of the Philippines, Antonette Dammague also received a special answer to prayer. The 14 year old had been carrying five large textbooks, notebooks, and school supplies in her arms during the rugged journey to and from school. She had been praying that God would provide a bag to make the trip easier. When she opened her shoe box, she found a red backpack.

"I can't explain my happiness," she said. "I can't believe that God gave me this bag."

Ronald Gabido had been praying for a pair of shoes when his younger brother came home with a neatly-wrapped box filled with school supplies and black sneakers. The shoes were too big, so he gave them to Ronald.

Ronald wore the shoes during the remainder of high school, throughout college, and during his first years working as a teacher. Although holes now dot the soles after five years of use, the shoes still remind him of God's faithfulness.

"I am so thankful that God answered my prayers," Ronald said. "It was the grace of God that led that box to my brother."

Pastor Marilyn Erlande of Sambahan Sa Nayon Church said she was personally blessed by seeing so many prayers answered through an Operation Christmas Child distribution at her church earlier this year.

"Our community is poor," she said. "The gift demonstrates Christ's love and that God is Jehovah Jirah--a provider--when the children receive something they have been praying for."

Samaritan's Purse , Philippines , Operation Christmas Child , Answered Prayers