SERINANE, Botswana – Operation Christmas Child’s follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey, is helping people discover the power of the gospel in the Southern African country of Botswana.

In the desert village of Serinane, hours outside Botswana’s capital Gaborone, jobs are hard to come by. The little money that finds its way to the village is often spent on alcohol; many families are hurting as a result. Life is difficult for everyone here. Change will only come person by person, with God’s transforming power.

Agnes Khumo is one who has been changed as she’s learned to receive God’s love, to love others, and to forgive her mother. The Lord used Operation Christmas Child and The Greatest Journey discipleship program to bring spiritual healing and wholeness in her life.

Bathusi Ruth Tonoko, Operation Christmas Child Volunteer:

“This is the place I started the church with the children. In the beginning people from this village, they were hard-hearted to receive the Gospel. There is lack of jobs and too much of usage of alcohol, and that’s oppressing too much and giving me some challenges. The turning point was when we distributed gift boxes. After that, I saw a great impact.

People need God in this village. They need the Word. When I walked around this community, children were much rejected and neglected, deserted by the parents.

I’ve seen Jesus putting hope upon the children. After the distribution, many of children gave their life to Jesus and started with The Greatest Journey.

The Greatest Journey is so impactful because it’s the Word of God. It opens their minds, and it opens their hearts. Through The Greatest Journey, God is doing a great work. Operation Christmas Child is helping me, supporting me in the ministry.

Jehovah, we thank You, oh King of Glory, Almighty God, as we glorify Your Name even today, it is because You are God. Almighty God and, Father, we worship You. We give You all the honor, we give You all the glory.

My hope for this community in the months coming is that I see saved people who will be serving God wholeheartedly.”

About Samaritan’s Purse International

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To read more news on Samaritan’s Purse on Missions Box, go here.