You will bless a child in

Benin

Located in West Africa, Benin ranks high among the continent’s cotton producers, but still remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts here in 1999. Since 2010, many of the Benin’s children have also participated in The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship course for shoebox recipients.

Read Stories from the Field

Tchakatou grew up in a home that followed a pagan religion. When he received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift in his village, he was so impressed by this expression of God’s love to him that he decided to also enroll in The Greatest Journey discipleship program. There he learned about how to follow Christ and share Him with others. After Lesson 11, he went home and destroyed one of his family’s fetishes. As a result of God’s work in his heart through this course, Tchakatou gave his life to Jesus Christ and today he continues to attend church.

Pray for Your Shoebox Recipient

“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”—Matthew 21:22

Please don’t stop praying for the boy or girl that you first lifted up when you packed your shoebox. Continue to ask God to soften his or her heart to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that he or she will follow Him all the days of their life. Pray also for families and entire communities to be transformed as God’s love is shared through your simple gift.

The Greatest Journey

After your shoebox gift delights a boy or girl, you can give them the opportunity to participate in The Greatest Journey.

Taught by trained local teachers, this 12-lesson discipleship program shows children how to follow Christ and share Him with others. As boys and girls share the Scripture stories they learn in class, their friends and family come to faith—growing churches, starting new congregations, and transforming communities by the power of the Gospel.

Send a child on The Greatest Journey for just $6!

Record Where Your Shoebox Went

Our Follow Your Box Map is specifically designed for you to keep track over multiple years where your shoebox gifts have blessed children in need.

Consider displaying one in your church or home as a reminder to pray for the boys and girls who have been blessed by your generosity.