MINYA, EGYPT — Jessica gave her life to Christ after receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift and attending The Greatest Journey course in her Egyptian village. When COVID shut down the churches, Jessica started her own discipleship group and led her friends to the Lord.

Jessica – Shoebox Recipient:

My name is Jessica and I live in El Bayadeya village in Minya, Egypt. I was invited four years ago to an Evangelism Festival where I got my shoebox. I got several items in the box that I was very happy with. I found a t-shirt, pants, socks, and this bird that I love.

I started to attend the discipleship program and wasn’t sure if the Bible stories were true. After I hear about the love of Jesus and that He died for me, I started to believe and have a strong faith. I learned that God loves us, and that every one of us can have eternal life. I wanted to have this eternal life for myself, and to share it with others as well. I decided to give my life to Jesus and live for Him. I saw how my life was changed, and I wanted to impact other people’s lives.

Samuel Sophi – Pastor:

Because of Covid, all of the churches were shut down and we had to stop all activities, including the discipleship groups. I was completely surprise when I heard that Jessica had started a discipleship group with all of her friends in the neighborhood.

Jessica:

I started to gather all of the people living around me when the Church was closed, and shared with them the Bible stories from the discipleship program. I shared my faith with my friends, and they became believers and gave their lives to Jesus. I started to see real changes happening in their lives. God gave me faith in my heart and my life changed from doubt to faith. God is always with me, even if He didn’t give me all the things I ask for. But I’m sure that He is there for me. I love Jesus and I’m sure He loves me too, and I will live with Him forever.

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 the 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.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.

The Greatest Journey is a 12-lesson discipleship course designed for Operation Christmas Child shoebox recipients. Children who participate in the program learn how to follow Christ and share Him with others. As they do, entire families and communities are transformed by the power of the Gospel, and churches are started.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

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