Romania
Many shoebox gifts packed in the UK are now bringing joy to children living in Romania!
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Population:
18,326,327, with 16% under the age of 15 (source – CIA The World Factbook)
Flag:
We thank God for the thousands of children who have received shoeboxes here since Operation Christmas Child began outreach events. While we are not able to provide pictures or information on the specific child who received your individual shoebox, we hope you will be inspired by the photos and stories below.
Children Receiving Shoebox Gifts in Romania
Every shoebox gift given is a tangible expression of God's love.
This little girl loved her new teddy!
This boy had lots of fun with his new harmonica!
This young lad was delighted with his new red football!
Balls make great gifts for your shoebox
Don't forget to pray for the child who received your shoebox gift.
Stories From Romania
A Church Planted
Local partners were keen to reach out to the Roma Community in one of the neighbouring villages. The village only had small huts and nowhere large enough for a group gathering, so they decided to hold the outreach event outside. Children came from all over the village and were very happy with the gifts they received. Many were also keen to come back for The Greatest Journey sessions. The community were so delighted that in this same village, a church now meets regularly with open air services.
Our Local Partners Shared:
"A ministry partner in the Cluj area decided they would share gifts with a group of young people with Down’s Syndrome and with the families of women in Gherla prison. When they first arrived, they found that the children were nervous of visitors and scared they may be taken away from their home. But instead they were wonderfully surprised and full of joy to receive the unexpected gifts. It was moving to see the intensity with which a little girl hugged her new doll; and to see children sharing items with friends."
Dana’s Story:
“One Saturday evening my siblings and I were at church for a youth gathering. We were surprised to receive the shoebox gifts after the service. I remember going home and sitting in my brother’s room on the floor, where we all laid out everything we’d received in our shoeboxes. I was completely overwhelmed with joy.
My favourite gifts were hygiene items, a toothbrush, and soap. As a young girl, to have nice smelling soap and a nice toothbrush meant a lot to me.
The Greatest Journey
Each shoebox gift delivered by Operation Christmas Child is a tangible expression of God’s amazing love. But a shoebox is just the beginning. After receiving a shoebox gift, children have the opportunity to enrol in The Greatest Journey – 12 fun and interactive Bible lessons, where they get the chance to discover who Jesus is and how to begin their own journey of faith. At the end of the course they get to experience a graduation ceremony where they receive a New Testament in their own language.
Thank You
Thank you so much for packing a shoebox gift and sending love and hope to a child in need. Your generosity makes such a difference!
