I could hardly contain my excitement when I learned that I would be traveling to the Egbe Mission in Nigeria to teach at the ECWA College of Nursing Sciences. As if that blessing were not enough, I soon discovered that I would also have the opportunity to meet with the local Operation Christmas Child (OCC) team. My heart was overflowing. For the past eight years, I have volunteered with OCC here in the United States, working alongside others to help collect more shoeboxes so that more children might hear the Good News of the Gospel. Now, by God’s grace, I would have the privilege of meeting the team on the other end of the journey—the ones who see firsthand the wonder, gratitude, and joy that fill a child’s face when a simple box is opened.
God had another beautiful surprise waiting for me. When we arrived, the pastor who led the local OCC team, Rev. David Isaiah, shared that they would be holding a shoebox distribution at the church on the mission complex during our visit. Praise God! As a year-round OCC volunteer, this was a moment many of us pray we might experience one day. When I heard the news, I was so overwhelmed with joy that I found myself jumping up and down—yes, imagine a 70-year-old, gray-haired lady jumping for joy.
At last, the day of the distribution arrived. The shoeboxes were stacked at the front of the church, covered with sheets and waiting like a promise. Slowly, the children filed in, unsure of what to expect. They were divided by age and gender, and as we waited for the last few to arrive, the anticipation in the room continued to build.
Then the celebration began—with warm welcomes for the children and their families, songs lifted in praise, and joyful dancing that filled the church. When the room grew quiet, the greatest story ever told was shared: the story of salvation through Jesus Christ. The children listened attentively. Then came the question: Did they want to accept Jesus into their hearts? Many hands were raised as the prayer of salvation was offered. Afterward, each child received a colorful booklet called The Greatest Story. They opened it immediately—some studying the pictures, others reading the words, all taking in the message of hope.
Finally, the long-awaited moment came. Each child was handed a bright red box and asked to wait just a little longer.
Once every child had received one, we began counting together slowly: 1… 2… 3… open your boxes! In an instant, the room erupted with squeals of joy, laughter, and delightful commotion. Hands lifted treasures from the boxes, eyes widened, and smiles spread from face to face.
I loved watching their expressions and seeing such pure happiness. Even the older children could not hide their excitement. One set of twins especially touched my heart. Their mother was so thankful because both children had received boxes filled with the exact same items—a tender reminder that God sees even the smallest details.
When I met with the team the following week, I learned even more about how these shoeboxes were touching the community. This was only their second year receiving boxes, yet they had already seen God use them in powerful ways. After each distribution, children were invited to attend a 12-week discipleship course called The Greatest Journey. Most distributions included 120 to 150 children, and in many cases, 100 to 150 children returned for the class—and were still coming one year later. The team had also seen increased attendance in the churches. These boxes were far more than gifts placed in children’s hands; they were seeds of faith planted in hearts, reaching children, families, and entire communities with the love of Christ.
As I look back my time in Egbe, I am reminded that God often uses simple acts of love to accomplish eternal purposes. A shoebox may seem small, but in His hands it becomes a doorway to joy, hope, and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
I returned home with a fuller heart and a renewed passion for this ministry, grateful to have witnessed how God is working through faithful hands around the world. May every box packed, every prayer offered, and every child reached continue to point hearts to the One who loves them most.
-Dr. Ginny, Egbe Medical Mission Volunteer
