A young girl from central Missouri faithfully packs Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to bless children in need around the world.
Abigail Porter’s journey with Operation Christmas Child started when she saw a Samaritan’s Purse video of boys and girls receiving shoebox gifts and learning about Jesus Christ. Although she was only 4 at the time, God moved in her heart, and she knew she wanted to start packing shoeboxes.
Some people thought this would be just a phase, but since then, she has packed 1,800 shoeboxes—all before turning 11 this past summer! Abigail continues to pack because she knows every shoebox is an opportunity for a girl or boy to hear the Gospel, be discipled, and learn to share their faith with their family and friends.
Micah, Abigail, and Laurie Porter visit Operation Christmas Child offices in Boone, North Carolina.
Abigail doesn’t ask for birthday or Christmas presents. Instead, she asks people to buy an item for her to pack in her shoeboxes. She joyfully chooses not to receive gifts because she would rather help other children hear about the Greatest Gift—Jesus Christ.
A Samaritan’s Purse staff member displays a letter Abigail included in her shoebox gift, including a cross necklace—her favorite item to pack.
More than the stuffed animals, school supplies, or games, Abigail loves giving every child a cross necklace and a letter that reads, “Jesus loves you.”
Abigail prays over the shoeboxes she packs, asking God to deliver each gift to just the right child around the world.
Although it doesn’t happen for every shoebox packer, Abigail is always thrilled when she receives a letter from a shoebox recipient. Some have sent her photos of them with their graduation certificates from The Greatest Journey, the Samaritan’s Purse follow-up discipleship program for shoebox recipients.
Pack a shoebox to show God’s love to a child in need. Drop-off locations will be open across the country during National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23!
“When I get to Heaven, I’m going to meet some of these kids,” Abigail said.
Her parents, Micah and Laurie, are so proud of their daughter. They built a 40-by-40-foot shed for her to pack and store gift items.
Micah and Laurie built Abigail a 40-by-40-foot shed for her to store shoebox items and pack in, so children around the world can hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Abigail prays that children who will receive the shoeboxes will come to know the Lord and complete The Greatest Journey.
Encouraging Her Generation to Serve God
Abigail inspires other children to pack shoeboxes, too. She travels with her parents to churches to tell boys and girls how they can help send the Good News around the world through Operation Christmas Child.
As part of her presentation, she brings photos of shoebox recipients from different countries. She wants people to see the personal impact they can make through Operation Christmas Child.
Abigail and her family speak at churches to encourage others to pack shoeboxes—what for many children in need is their first gift ever!
“A box can touch a child, a family, and a community for eternity. Packing just one box can impact many lives,” she said.
A shelf inside Abigail’s shoebox shed overflows with filler items for boys and girls in need that people have given her in lieu of birthday or Christmas gifts.
Micah had tears in his eyes as he praised his daughter’s faithfulness to tell others about Jesus.
“If a little kid can do this, no one has an excuse. This is so important. I don’t think we’ve got too many years left before Christ returns. We’ve got to be reaping the harvest.”
COO Edward Graham gives Abigail a token of gratitude from Samaritan’s Purse.
Want to be inspired by other shoebox packers like Abigail? View our shoebox heroes page for stories and the chance to nominate someone you know for the 2026 list.
