On Easter Sunday, believers around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He died on a cross to save us from our sins, but three days later, rose again to life and the promise of salvation for all who believe.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Each day, around the world, God works through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to open doors for children to hear the Gospel, be discipled, and discover the eternal hope of Easter.
Every 24 hours, 15,190 children enroll in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson discipleship program that teaches them who Jesus is, how to follow Him, and how to share Him with others.
In Mexico, the hope of the Easter story was unfolding for little Ishmael. A few weeks earlier, an Operation Christmas Child outreach event took place at the orphanage where Ishmael lived. As he opened his shoebox, brimming with gifts from friends like you, he also received The Greatest Gift, a Gospel booklet offered alongside each shoebox that shares the story of Jesus.
Ishmael, along with many other children, went on to attend The Greatest Journey. During the sixth lesson, called The Great Friend, where children hear the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit stirred in Ishmael’s heart.
As Ishmael listened, he began to identify with Jesus’ experience of being betrayed and beaten. Ishmael has scars on his head and face from past trauma. When the lesson explained how Jesus died for us so that our sins and past mistakes may be forgiven, Ishmael burst into tears.
The teachers finished the lesson by praying that the children would receive Jesus into their hearts. Ishmael prayed with a steady, sincere voice. At the end of the prayer, a change came over him. The class sang one final song, and Ishmael, crying tears of pure joy, smiled and sang the lyrics as loud as he could: “I have a friend who loves me, loves me, His name is Jesus … who loves me, loves me, yes, with tender love.”
This Easter, you can be part of spreading hope and joy to children worldwide with Operation Christmas Child. A gift of $8 gives a shoebox recipient the opportunity to attend The Greatest Journey and know The Greatest Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ.
