As Juliana Sokolova pushed open her door and stepped into the damp November air, her growing excitement warmed the chill coursing through her body.

“The children will be so happy to meet Franklin Graham,” Juliana thought as she crossed the bridge spanning the misty Daugava River. “Although this is the end of our Greatest Journey class, it is really the beginning for my students.”

Soon, the Latvian native crossed into Old Town Riga, and after stopping at one of the popular bakery and tea houses for a sweet roll, she headed to Riga New Evangelical Baptist Church. Bounding up three narrow flights of polished hardwood steps, the 19-year-old teacher burst through the classroom door where three beaming girls dressed in their Sunday best embraced her.

The sound of excited chatter and laughter filled the tiny classroom.

“We must be quiet when our visitor arrives,” Juliana reminded her young charges.

The children busied themselves drawing pictures of airplanes to give to the American evangelist known for his love of flight. Two boys with bright blue eyes pored over a colorful book full of stories from the Bible.

Vitya, an 11-year old, voiced his delight that “Sharing God’s Gift” is printed in his native Russian language. It is the third book in a set—along with “God’s Great Gift” and “Walking with God”—that comprise The Greatest Journey discipleship curriculum.

Latvia is the first country in Europe to launch The Greatest Journey, a discipleship program developed by Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for kids who receive an Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift. Juliana’s class of 27 was the very first to complete the course in Europe and the former Soviet Union.

“I like these books for the children because they sparkle and are very interesting to them,” Juliana said. “The pictures help the children to memorize the verses.”

She said that children pay more attention to these books than those used in a Sunday School class she also leads every week.

When the room filled with a number of visitors from America, Juliana knew the big moment had arrived. “Children, this is Mr. Franklin Graham!” she exclaimed as the Samaritan’s Purse president walked through the door.

Most of the children looked up shyly, but one brave girl named Anya stood up, walked over to the guest, and with a big smile, handed him her artwork.

The ice was broken.

Graham walked around the classroom, sitting with 7-year-old Madara for a moment, before moving over to inspect the airplane that 12-year-old Pavel had drawn with considerable skill.

Following the classroom visit, Graham proceeded down the stately stairs to an auditorium dotted with Christmas décor and buzzing with the voices of proud mamas and papas. Although some of the parents never have heard of Jesus Christ, they are there to watch their young ones receive a Bible and a graduation certificate from Franklin Graham, who proclaimed the Gospel at an evangelistic Festival in their nation November 5-7, 2010.

“For me to be able to give them a Bible and a certificate, this was an exciting day,” he said moments after the ceremony concluded.

Samaritan's Purse , Latvia , Greatest Journey , A Special Graduation