You will bless a child in

Ivory Coast

Located in West Africa, the Ivory Coast is a significant exporter of cocoa beans. Otherwise known as Cote d'Ivoire, the nation’s tropical rainforests include African mahogany and teak. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children here in 2000 and a year later, we began offering The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program, to these shoebox recipients.

Read Stories from the Field

Four boys who followed another religion were actual partners in crime. They stole auto parts from cars located in the parks in their area, gleaning items such as glass and tire accessories. When they were invited to an Operation Christmas Child outreach event, however, they each received a gift-filled shoebox packed just for them. God used these gifts to move their hearts to enroll in The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship course. After Lesson 1, all four of the boys accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior! With tears in their eyes, they confessed their sins and regretted all they had done wrong. This prompted even their parents to see a change in their lives.

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.