A Ukrainian mother gives thanks for the Good News and great joy that God is bringing to refugee children through Operation Christmas Child.

“The war started suddenly,” Elena, a fine arts teacher in Ukraine, said. “I prayed every day, ‘Lord, I trust in You. Give me strength, patience, and humility for this day.’” Soon, she and her daughter fled to Poland to escape the increasing violence. They arrived close to Easter and moved into a hotel that was housing refugees. There, an Operation Christmas Child festive outreach event was held by a Samaritan’s Purse local church partner. Elena’s daughter received a shoebox gift and enrolled in The Greatest Journey.

“I hope these activities provided by the church here, like The Greatest Journey, will help our children grow and mature in their faith,” Elena said. “I hope the children will value not only these gifts but the [Gospel] message behind them.”

Watch Elena’s story in the video above.

Thousands of churches across Ukraine are distributing nearly 400,000 shoeboxes this year to boys and girls caught up in the ongoing conflict. Please continue to pray for these children, and for our teams and church partners as they share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them.

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