CHILDREN IN CAPE VERDE EXPERIENCE GOD’S LOVE THROUGH SHOEBOX GIFTS DELIVERED FROM CANADA.
Shouts of joy echoed across the islands of Cape Verde. In 2025, we celebrated the arrival of the first Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts ever delivered to the small nation, about 600 kilometers off the west African coast.
Third-grader Nicoela was among the first children in the country to open a shoebox gift. A local Christian ministry invited her to a special event for children in her neighborhood in Praia, the capital city. Nicoela participated in fun activities and heard a child-friendly presentation of the Gospel and how much Jesus loves her.
She and the other children were then surprised by gift-filled shoeboxes.
‘A Lot of Joy!’
“I received a big box with lots of beautiful things inside. There were school supplies and a doll, but my favorite thing was a box to store things in, like a treasure box. I felt a lot of joy!”
Thousands of boys and girls across the islands have shared the same joy as Nicoela this year. “Through Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, we are sharing not only a simple gift, we are sharing joy and hope,” said David, a local pastor. “God’s timing is right for Operation Christmas Child in Cape Verde.”
Rooted in Jesus Christ
Shoebox gifts are just the start of how God works through Operation Christmas Child. “What’s remarkable is the discipleship,” said Pastor David. “The discipleship is important so the children can have real roots in the Word of God and in Jesus.”
At shoebox outreach events, local churches invite children to participate in The Greatest Journey, Operation Christmas Child’s follow-up discipleship program, in the following weeks.
Through the 12 Biblical lessons taught this spring and summer in Cape Verde, children like Nicoela have learned more about Jesus, how to follow Him, and how to share Him with others. Nicoela’s favorite was lesson four, “the story that says, ‘Let the children come to Jesus,’” she said.
As Nicoela saw and heard how Jesus loves her, she decided to trust Him as her Lord and Savior. “Jesus loves me,” she said. “I want to follow Jesus more and more.”
We praise God for His work in the lives of children and families across Cape Verde. Please pray for the boys and girls who have received shoebox gifts and participated in The Greatest Journey. Below are photos from some of those first Gospel opportunities in the country.
Please also pray for more opportunities to reach more children in Cape Verde and worldwide this coming National Collection Week, Nov. 17-23, 2025. It’s not too early to get ready to pack shoeboxes again.
“Declare His glory among the nations” (Psalm 96:3).
Joy in Photos
From Canada with love!
