Operation Christmas Child Will Deliver Its 200 Millionth Shoebox to a Child in Ukraine

By Timothy Yap Nov 24, 2022 06:46 PM EST

Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child will deliver its 200 millionth shoebox filled with toys this season to a child in Ukraine after nearly three decades of partnering with churches to deliver Christmas gifts and the Gospel to over 170 countries. Elizabeth Groff is on a special journey to help pack the 200 millionth Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift since the Samaritan's Purse project began in 1993.

Elizabeth, who received a shoebox gift years ago as a lonely child in an orphanage in Ukraine, is currently traveling to different U.S. drop-off locations and processing centers with the symbolic shoebox to encourage people to prayerfully pack boxes in Jesus' Name. Elizabeth's adventure will culminate when she finally delivers the celebratory 200 millionth shoebox to a young girl in Ukraine affected by the ongoing war.

"I pray that this child realizes and understands that they aren't alone. With everything going on Ukraine, it must be so difficult for them," Elizabeth said. "I want them to know that there is the hope of Jesus."

"It may seem small, but it is powerful when delivered with a message of love and hope! It changed my life," Elizabeth said in a statement shared with The Christian Post. "Eighteen years ago, a shoebox gift opened my heart to God's Word and now I have the opportunity to personally demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to a Ukrainian child. We serve a faithful God! Being able to pack and deliver this special shoebox gift will be a highlight of my Christmas season!"

The project will soon reach this historic milestone as faithful shoebox packers bring their gifts to more than 4,500 locations across the country during National Collection Week (Nov. 14-21). We praise God for the millions of children, as well as families and communities, who've been reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ over nearly three decades.

Tags : Elizabeth Groff Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child samaritan's purse Franklin Graham