Here is a Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Story for you this week. It's incredible to think that by packing just one shoebox a person could potentially impact an entire family and community. May this story inspire you to help pack a shoebox this year.          

                In December 2011, 80 children in a desperately poor village in the Vunika region in Labasa, Fiji received a shoe box through Operation Christmas Child. In this village were many Hindus, Muslims and native Fijian people of other faiths. Soon after the distribution, 30 children enrolled, with the consent of their parents, to do The Greatest Journey, our 12 lesson, children’s discipleship program.

                By the end of the program, 15 of the children had given their lives to Jesus. One of them was Melvin, a 10 year old boy who lived with his grandparents. Melvin’s grandfather was known as a religious leader and witchdoctor by the local villagers. Amazingly, Melvin’s grandfather agreed to have The Greatest Journey classes at his house.

                Pastor Waisea from a neighboring town came and taught the classes and some of the children’s parents came along to see and hear what their children were learning. The children completed The Greatest Journey in 14 weeks. They asked Pastor Waisea if he would keep teaching the classes so that they could learn more about Jesus and so a Bible study group was established in Melvin’s grandparents’ home.

                The Bible study group grew steadily over the next three months and 5 of the adults accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, including Melvin’s grandparents, to the astonishment of many neighbors.

                Melvin’s grandfather then asked Pastor Waisea to start a church in his home. The church grew with 25 people attending regularly over the next seven months. Melvin’s grandfather and Pastor Waisea approached a local landowner to buy some land so that they could build a church and on Sunday, 16th September, 2012 the first church service was held under temporary shelter on the land with forty people!

                In 2013, Melvin's grandfather went to be with the Lord. Today Melvin is growing into a fine young man and a bright student. He faithfully attends Sunday school and prayer meetings every week and his young sister is also involved in the activities of the church.

                Melvin is doing his best to get his Dad to come to church and is sure that God will bring him.

Operation Christmas Child is a part of the ministry of Samaritan's Purse. If you would like more information about this ministry please visit www.samaritanspurse.org and look up Operation Christmas Child.