Franklin Graham Update | September
Franklin Graham Update | September
It's All About Jesus
Dear Friend,
Another season of Operation Christmas Child is just around the corner!
In a few weeks, millions of God's people will be packing and praying over their shoebox gifts that Samaritan's Purse will send to children across the world. We give glory to God that in over three decades we have reached more than 232 million children who live in 170 countries and territories.
I never grow tired of seeing boys and girls open their boxes and squeal with delight, but what brings me the most joy is when these precious children ask Jesus into their hearts as they hear the Gospel proclaimed through our local church partners and through the literature we give them.
Operation Christmas Child is all about Jesus! Each shoebox gift is truly an opportunity to introduce a boy or girl to our Lord and Savior.
Earlier this summer, Samaritan's Purse brought shoebox gifts to more than 1,000 Chapra children living deep in the Amazon rainforest of Peru. Very few of the Chapra people have ever heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. We coordinated with our leadership team in Peru to transport the boxes from Lima over the Andes and down dark, dangerous jungle rivers, a trip of several weeks. A family of new believers among the Chapra loaded the boxes onto dugout canoes—with 5-horsepower engines—for the final leg of the journey, with the most remote village located about 100 miles from the nearest town. Praise God that hundreds of children in several villages came to receive their shoebox gift and hear the Gospel. Please pray for many Chapra families to turn from their sins and come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
In Cambodia, 12-year-old Samay (pictured below) plans to be among those handing out this season's shoebox gifts. His life changed last year when—out of sheer curiosity—he attended a shoebox outreach event at his local church. His heart rejoiced to hear about God's love for him, and he later came to faith in Jesus Christ. Today he is an evangelist to his friends and family in their farming community.
His pastor said: "By the grace of God, not only Samay but his mom, too, has accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. Their lives have been changed."
Johan is another one of millions of children whose lives have been transformed by God after receiving a shoebox gift. Six years ago, the shy immigrant from Colombia to Chile received a gift from Operation Christmas Child and then went through our 12-lesson discipleship course, The Greatest Journey. He credits the class with strengthening his faith and giving him a desire to share the Gospel with others. Today, the 18-year-old wants more boys and girls to come to know God's saving power, so he teaches the same course through his church.
"It's not the box—it's God behind the box," he said. "I want kids to know that they can trust God no matter what."
Please pray for the upcoming Operation Christmas Child season and pack a shoebox—National Collection Week is Nov. 17-24. What began with us 32 years ago as a small outreach to boys and girls in war-torn Bosnia has grown into an evangelism and discipleship ministry that delivers shoebox gifts—and the Gospel—to 12 million children each year. There's nothing I can credit this to, except God working in response to the prayers of His people. Let's keep praying. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2).
ON THE GROUND: Ellie Graves has served as a volunteer with Operation Christmas Child for nearly 20 years. Her life of service is a true example of obedience to God, as she walks with Him in dependence and submission. Hear about Ellie’s remarkable journey with the Lord and how the power of prayer has been an anchor.
Hope for Military Marriages
Operation Heal Our Patriots, our ministry to wounded U.S. veterans and their spouses, is concluding its 14th season in Alaska. This has been an exceptional year, and we thank God for what He is doing. Samaritan's Purse has flown more than 160 couples to Alaska this summer, with nearly half of them publicly renewing their marriage vows before God. Over 100 individuals have been baptized and more than 80 have turned to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance.
I met former Army Sergeant Trey Moye and his wife, Lindsay, (pictured above) in Alaska earlier this summer. Trey was injured while serving in Afghanistan in 2010. The couple traveled from Wilmington, North Carolina, hoping to fix their struggling eight-year marriage. "When you transition from active duty military to civilian life, you feel alone," Trey said. "You bring back pain and anxiety. It's a tough transition."
In class every day, they learned how to work through their marital issues from a Biblical perspective. Later in the week, the Moyes received new life in Jesus Christ after a chaplain clearly presented the Gospel to them. They were both baptized along with nine others in Lake Clark and are now eager to learn from the Word of God.
"There is hope," Lindsay said, "and that is what Operation Heal Our Patriots is showing us."
We're committed to follow up with these couples for life through our Family Care program led by retired military chaplains. Walking with them through the ups and downs of life, our teams help create a community of hope, support, and connection. Above all, our prayer is that each husband and each wife would surrender their lives to Jesus Christ and follow Him as Lord and Savior.
We thank the Lord for what He's doing through this ministry. We need prayer daily for our work worldwide. Thank you for remembering us. May God bless you.
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham
Ways You Can Help
Pray
Please pray for the collection, processing, shipping, and delivery of millions of shoebox gifts around the world. Pray that many children come to faith in Jesus Christ!
- The Greatest Journey®
- The Greatest Journey is a 12-lesson discipleship program that Samaritan's Purse offers to children who have received an Operation Christmas Child® shoebox. Your gift of $6 will provide lesson materials, teacher training, and a New Testament for each graduate.
- Operation Heal Our Patriots®
- Samaritan's Purse brings wounded veterans and their spouses to Alaska free of charge for a marriage retreat at the edge of Lake Clark National Park. Your gift will help fund this ministry and provide ongoing family care and support.
- Where Most Needed
- Your gift to "Where Most Needed" equips Samaritan's Purse with the resources—including personnel, materials, supporting services, buildings, and equipment—to fulfill our worldwide mission of relief and evangelism.
