Have you ever visited a refugee camp and witnessed the joy on the face of a child when receiving a gift? Not many of you have had the opportunity, but I have, and I can tell you it touches you in a way you will never forget.

That is why Operation Christmas Child is so dear to my heart. It is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, a nondenominational Christian organization led by Franklin Graham. Each year they visit over 100 countries, distributing shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and personal items to millions of children, many of whom have never received a gift before. These children live in places devastated by disasters, wars, hunger, poverty and disease here and around the world and have such little hope in a future.

But, thanks to Operation Christmas Child, these children are taught that they are loved and there is a God who loves them. They receive a book in their own language teaching about Jesus. They are invited to take a 12-week course called The Greatest Journey and upon completion they receive a diploma, a New Testament Bible and the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior.

In the past five years, 5 million children have made the decision for Jesus. This has made an impact on not just the children but their families and villages, as well as the planting of many churches.

With so much hate, anger and frustration in the world today the Operation Christmas Child project is reaching out to people with love and hope. These children are the next generation and we can do our part to change the future by packing a simple shoebox. For more information go to samaritanspurse.org/occ. Deliver your filled shoeboxes to Trinity Lutheran Church the week of Nov. 13.