OCC Botswana
Shoe box gifts were first delivered to Gaborone, Botswana, in 2000. Since then, 318,241 children have received a gift. Last year, 5,000 children enrolled in the Operation Christmas Child discipleship program.
Spiritual Impact Stories
Precious Pencils
In a small rural village called Mohimbo, 565 gifts were given to children during an Operation Christmas Child distribution. Finding four wooden pencils packed in his shoe box was an answer to prayer for 9-year-old Koto. Comparing the old 1-inch pencil he kept in his pocket to his new full size pencils, Kota’s excitement was a reminder that every gift is significant.
After the Boxes
After distributing gift-filled shoe boxes at his church, a pastor invited 10 children from his village to participate in the Operation Christmas Child discipleship program. Two years later, 60 new families have joined the congregation!
The discipleship program is offered by local churches in 66 countries. Boys and girls study an overview of the Bible, which includes the story of creation and the origin of sin, as well as God’s plan of salvation through Christ. Upon completion of the Bible lessons, children receive personalized certificates. But the best reward is the transformed hearts of children and family members who have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Pray for the National Leadership Team as they make plans to distribute gift boxes.
HEADLINES
A Winning Combination
Minnesota Vikings team up with Ronald McDonald House to pack shoe boxes
On the Frontlines
A decorated World War II veteran is now a “soldier” for Operation Christmas Child
‘It All Started with a Shoe Box’
A South Carolina mom writes about how Operation Christmas Child impacted her family in a unique way
