Greatest Journey at Uganda Distribution

This video was recently posted on YouTube of a group of volunteers going on a shoebox distribution in Uganda, where they also had the opportunity to see The Greatest Journey. It also points out that not all children were able to receive supplies and attend because of funding... learn more about The Greatest Journey and consider giving so that MORE can be discipled.

FREE TOOTHBRUSHES AND FLOSS

RITE AID 2 FREE TOOTHBRUSHES (or moneymaker with coupon)
Oral-B Complete Manual Toothbrush, 1 ct $2.99
Buy 1, Receive $2.99 +Up Reward, Limit 2
Use $0.75/1 Oral-B Pulsar, 3D White, Pro-Health or Complete OR (2) Indicator or Cavity Defense Toothbrushes, Limit of 4 like coupons per household per day from PG 7/7 (exp 7/31)
Pay $2.24, Receive $2.99 +Up Reward
Final Price: $0.75 Moneymaker

WALMART FREE FLOSS
Reach Floss, 55 yds, $0.97, regular price
Use $1.00/1 – Reach Floss Product, Any – (coupons.com)

SCHOOL SUPPLY DEALS for 7/28

Rite Aid:
Get 3 FREE school supplies: You pay 3/$0.99 get back $0.99 +UP REWARD when you buy 3 of the following (on sale for 39 cents each or 3/.99): Eraser Caps, Poly or Paper Portfolios, Sliding Pencil Case, 70 ct. Notebooks, Pencil Sharpeners, Rulers, 10 Pack Sheet Protectors, Acme Kid Scissors, Playskool 24 ct. Crayons or School Glue or Home Index Cards. S *Limit 1 +UP offer per household. (Deal found at clip with purpose)

ToysRUs:
Crayola Crayons 4 for $1 (max 8 boxes) from 7/28-8/3

Staples:
Paper Mate Sharpwriter 0.7 mm Mechanical Pencils, 5 pk., 50¢, limit 2
Slider Pencil Case, 1¢, limit 4(with $5 minimum purchase)
 2 Pocket Paper Folder, 1¢, limit 10(with $5 minimum purchase)
Bic Velocity Gel Pen Black, 2 pk., 50¢, limit 2 Manufacturer Coupon -$1.50/2 Bic stationary items, enter sweepstakes (Facebook) printable (makes it FREE)
Zebra Z-Grip Retractable Ballpoint Pens, 7 pk., $1    -.75/1 Zebra pen writing instruments printable
(makes it 25¢)
Free after Easy Rebate and with InAd Coupon Staples Photo Supreme Paper
Free after Easy Rebate and with InAd Coupon Staples 8.5″ x 11″ Mutipurpose Paper Ream

Walmart:
1 Subject 70 Sheet Notebook $0.17
12" Wood Ruler $0.25
Cra Z Art Color Pencils 12ct $0.50
Pencil Sharpener $0.25
Crayola Crayons 24ct $0.50 

Ralph's Story and the Blessings of School Supplies

It's school supply season so I just had to share one of my favorite OCC videos, and one that shows the value of including school supplies in your shoeboxes. (And it is from the Philippines where so many of our NW shoeboxes go.) I hope you enjoy.


Don't forget NOW is the time to buy those school supplies... at serious discount!

Focus on the Family and Operation Christmas Child join forces

Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey have partnered up with Operation Christmas Child
in a neat way!

Give a “Jesus Loves Me” Lamb to a Child!

Through your gift of any amount, Focus on the Family will donate a musical plush lamb to put inside Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes that will be sent to children around the world. These lambs, along with many practical items in the box, create a wonderful opportunity for a precious little boy or girl to learn about the love of Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life!

Learn more at https://focusonthefamily.webconnex.com/jlmlamb2013

Frugal Girls on OCC the Frugal Way

http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/07/operation-christmas-child-boxes.html

Their site has many savings and ideas for packing your shoeboxes frugally not just in their informational post but year round. So grateful for their support of OCC.

Back to School Bargains Help Operation Christmas Child

Found this article and loved it so much I just had to share! http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/07/20/2478164/back-to-school-bargains-help-operation.html

As back-to-school specials begin to dominate many shoppers' attention, area Operation Christmas Child (OCC) leaders say it's also a great time to shop for items that can easily be packed into "Christmas Shoeboxes."

The gift boxes will be sent to needy children in about 100 war-torn or devastated nations.

"For just a few cents each, people here can buy a lot of crayons, markers, flip-flops, note-books, pencils ... all sorts of school things to send children who have literally nothing," said Tricia MacFarlan of Richland and OCC area coordinator. "It's one way to send some love to a lot of hurting children and let them know there are people in the world who do care about them."

Nino Kapitula, 24, of Richland, received an OCC Shoebox filled with gifts when she was 10 and living with her family in Moldova. In it was a box of crayons; she'd never had color crayons.

"I got into trouble because I tried to eat them," she said with a laugh.

She was the only one in her school who had crayons.

Donors are asked to fill a shoebox with gifts including small toys (no war themes), personal hygiene items, candies (nonchocolate), clothing, and school supplies. Donors are asked to include $7 per box to help pay for the shipping costs.

Last year, donors from the Mid-Columbia and Eastern Oregon filled and gave 12,642 Christmas Shoeboxes; they were among 243,000 collected in the Pacific Northwest and 6.5 million gift boxes nationwide.

Operation Christmas Child is a worldwide children's project of Samaritan's Purse, a nonprofit Christian relief and evangelism organization. Shoeboxes will be collected around the region in November.

Note that this is from Eastern Oregon... love seeing this being promoted all over Oregon and this article demonstrates how powerful the simple school supplies can be in the shoebox.. they transform lives! 

Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/07/20/2478164/back-to-school-bargains-help-operation.html#storylink=cpy

SAVINGS for the week of 7/21/13

A mixup of various deals for your shoeboxes:

RiteAid:
Pencil Pouch $0.47

Staples:
Bic Round Stic Grip Ballpoint Pens, 8 ct $0.25 Limit 2
Ziplock bags, $2
Staples Multipurpose Paper (500 sheets) on sale $6.99,
Buy 1, Get $5.99 Easy Rebate — limit 2,
Use $1/1 Stapes coupon, FREE after coupon & rebate

Walmart:
1 Subject Notebooks (70 Pages) - $0.17
Crayola 24-count Crayons - $0.50
Crayola 10 Count Markers - $0.97
Crayola 12 Count Colored Pencils - $0.97
Bic Crystal Pens - $0.97 $1.50/2 Bic Stationary Products printable

Michaels:
unknown yet... last week the flip flops were 70% off.... I will let you know if that continues or goes even lower. 

VBS and Operation Christmas Child.... a Great Matchup.. and a PRAISE REPORT

First of all, I wanted to apologize for my lack of posts this week.. I was working our church VBS. I am thoroughly exhausted and MORE thoroughly blessed. Andyway, many VBS programs have a collection of goods or money, towards a godly purpose.... for years, the VBS at Calvary Chapel Klamath Falls has raised money for Gospel for Asia... a very worthy cause. This year however, the money raised went towards The Greatest Journey!!! And I am thrilled to announce that this year the children brought in a total of $141 for Operation Christmas Child... and we received an additional check for $75 from a separate donor! I am rejoicing in the blessings that this will bring. That money will sponsor 36 children going through The Greatest Journey and receiving a New Testament in their own language!!! What a wonderful pairing. Children HERE learning about Christ... paired with children around the world who WANT to learn about Christ and now getting that opportunity!!!

The Greatest Journey.... Take a Peek

MISSIONS FOCUS OF OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD... event here in Klamath Falls

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – Christmas in July

The Missional Focus of OCC

Come and hear what God is doing around the world!

Saturday July 27th, 1-3 pm, here at Calvary Chapel Klamath Falls

Operation Christmas Child is about SO MUCH MORE than a shoebox!

Would you like to know more about the missions’ aspect of Operation Christmas Child? We will be sharing all about the discipleship program, The Greatest Journey, a 12 lesson program designed to teach children about Christ, and about how to be a Christ-follower. Each child who completes the Greatest Journey receives a New Testament in their own language.

Millions are making decisions for Christ!

Hear the Stories of Christ working.

Experience part of a lesson of the Greatest Journey.

RSVP to lambofhisflock @ gmail . com or here in the comments section.

Toys R Us, Crayola Crayons 4 for $1

I know we do not have a Toys R Us here in Klamath Falls, but many of my readers are from outside the area, or maybe you are heading to Medford. Anyway....

Valid in stores now through the 20th... limit 8 boxes. Great deal on GREAT quality crayons.

The Gift of School Supplies

Its school supply season... and what can be bought for so little at this time of year can be a HUGE blessing for the children who receive the box. Over and over again we read about the thankfulness of the children who receive these simple items. Here is one such praise from the Philippines:

2013-01-02


Just in time!
Due to lack of resources, Florence Mae's parents couldn't provide her enough pencils and pens for her schooling. She used to have one pencil but she lend it to her seatmate who also doesn't have a pen. Sometimes, her teacher would let Florence borrow her pen. During the OCC gift distribution, Florence excitedly approached us and told us she asked Jesus to give her pencils and school supplies and she could not believe her eyes for there in her shoe box are a dozen of pencils, lots of pens, big crayons and other school supplies. "These gifts are more than enough, now I can also share it with my seatmate too!", she joyfully said Indeed, God's gift was just in perfect time for Florence needs in school.

Church to Church

100% of churches that participate in Operation Christmas Child are partnering with churches around the world.... sharing the love of Christ and participating in the Great Commission...

Finding Love in a Shoebox - Livia Satterfield

Many of you already know the touching full circle story of Livia.... I have shared her video on her before, but on the 33 for a moment blog I linked to yesterday I found an older video from a CNN story on Livia and Operation Christmas Child... and I wanted to share it with all of you. What a beautiful beautiful story of God's love.






And here is the youtube video I have shared before:

A Great Box for Free

Sounds impossible, right? I mean, sure, we can get a lot of stuff free. I post stuff about it on here all the time. Free toothpaste deals. But EVERYTHING? And great stuff too?

One blogger challenged herself to do JUST THAT... and she shared what she has so far...

Read about it and see what she got at http://33foramoment.blogspot.com/2013/06/occ-free-box-update.html I will be watching her to see her progress. And I am inspired.

Read through all her Operation Christmas Child posts at http://33foramoment.blogspot.com/search/label/Operation%20Christmas%20Child

"How are you?" "I Thank God!" The Greatest Journey Changing Lives

This blog was posted just yesterday on the Samaritan's Purse blog...

Samaritan's Purse Blog | View More

“How Are You?” “I Thank God!”

July 10, 2013

One of our staff members in the UK saw firsthand how "The Greatest Journey" is changing lives in Liberia.
By Mark Datson, who works in the UK office as the Operation Christmas Child International Manager. He visited the Operation Christmas Child National Leadership Team in Liberia earlier this year to learn more about their teaching of The Greatest Journey.

Children in Liberia are at risk of being exploited, missing out on education, and being exposed to avoidable diseases.

For those of you who have visited Liberia, you will know that this expression is a commonly heard exchange between Christian brothers and sisters. God is a large part of life here, as can be seen by the numerous churches and missions throughout the city, and the boldly printed Bible-inspired names of schools and small businesses such as the God is Great stationery store or the God’s Hand beauty salon.

Yet perhaps for those who have lived through 14 years of civil war, responding with “I thank God” is a very real sentiment, implying, “I’m glad to have lived to see another day.” Liberia has a long path to walk to lift itself up out of poverty, and compared to some other countries in West Africa, it still has a long way to go. But today there is much to be thankful for—roads being built or repaired, private investment in trade, and improving conditions for government teachers.

Still, peace is fragile, and the presence of UN forces is still deemed necessary. Children are still at risk of being exploited, missing out on education, and being exposed to malaria and other avoidable illnesses.

Reaching children with the hope of the Gospel is important, as is taught at our training day for teachers of “The Greatest Journey.” We are sharing God’s heart for ministry to children, knowing they are able to understand the amazing Good News of Jesus, to follow Him, and to share Him with others even from a young age.

It is great to be able to encourage and equip those volunteer teachers who are so glad for such a quality resource that is being made available to them. More than 50 people attended the training given in Monrovia, and two people were approved as teacher trainers, meaning that trainings can be organized more often.

Through “The Greatest Journey,” children are learning about the Good News of Jesus Christ, how to follow Him, and how to share Him with others.

Danielle, who works in the Child Protection office at Samaritan’s Purse Liberia, said that “The Greatest Journey” is just what they need as a follow up course for their Vacation Bible School program. It provides a way of reaffirming the link between the children they are in touch with and the church.

I asked Danielle about the varying reading abilities of children in classes and was glad to learn that she thought that even those with lower abilities loved the material, valued the fact that they had their own copy, and understood and remembered the stories from the wonderful pictures in it. Attendance at “The Greatest Journey” classes is better than at other courses Danielle runs—a fact she attributes to the students having their own books.

We look forward to beginning “The Greatest Journey” classes in two new counties this year—Nimba and Bong—where people are waiting eagerly to be trained and to be given the materials. The Discipleship Coordinator in Liberia has a growing job on his hands to oversee the program as it expands. We pray that he will find people who can share the privilege of encouraging and keeping in touch with the 100 teachers who will soon be launching into action.

How are you today? I hope that along with me you are you thanking God!

Operation Christmas Child in the Baltic Nations

This is a part of the world close to my heart for it is where my mom is from. The Baltic nations are generally not what we think of when we think of Operation Christmas Child.. we usually think of impoverished children in Africa, children in the deep Amazon rainforests, in Islamic nations, or war torn areas... but OCC makes a HUGE difference in the Baltic Nations of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia where for decades under Soviet control they could not worship freely.

Now, Operation Christmas Child is partnering with churches throughout these nations to share the love of Christ! The below quote is from OCC on facebook and I had to share:

A Christian boy in Lithuania invited several of his classmates to a distribution through the Friend-to-Friend program. “My friends were glad and thankful for the invitation,” he said. “Now I can seriously talk with them about my faith. Jesus is so good to everyone. My friend found five toothbrushes in his box, and there are exactly five people in his family. The Lord blessed not only my friend but also his household.”

Our God is SO faithful in the distribution of these boxes!

I remember it was shortly after I began volunteering that I found a video of the VERY FIRST Greatest Journey graduation in Latvia and in all of Europe... it blessed me then, and perhaps it will bless you now.





I wanted to share just more stories from these nations because God IS working.

One family in Estonia had major financial problem and tough times. The mother had no work and father`s salary was 2000kr ($182 US Dollars). There were 3 little children in the family. It was Christmastime, but they had no money for food or for presents, which left the parents depressed. Their family was invited to the church where an OCC distribution took place. The family was amazed that each of their children got a shoe box gift. Now, 7 years later, these children are Christians and work for God`s Kingdom. They are also part of the OCC distribution team. They thank and praise God for what He has done for them. These gifts were a big blessing to a lot of families.

And here is part of a newspaper story on a family that MET the recipient of their shoebox in Estonia! (read the whole article at http://www.dglobe.com/event/article/id/52874/)

For one Worthington family, the importance of Operation Christmas Child became very personal when they had the opportunity to meet one of the recipients of their shoebox gifts this past summer. George and Paula Wolyniec and their sons, Patrick and Oliver, were visiting relatives in Poland and made a side trip to Estonia.

“When Oliver was 6, both he and Patrick packed boxes to be sent overseas, and I included pictures of the boys with our address on the backs,” explained Paula Wolyniec about how the relationship began. “The following March, Oliver received a thank-you from an 8-year-old boy in Estonia, one of the Baltic republics of the former Soviet Union. We were puzzled at first, because we didn’t immediately make the connection, but when we figured out what Raul had thanked Oliver for, we were amazed and excited to find out who had gotten the box.”

Oliver wrote back to Raul, starting a pen-pal relationship that has continued for more than seven years.

“The boys have sent letters, pictures and gifts back and forth during all this time, and several years ago, when we started to talk about going back to Poland to see George’s family, Raul and his mother, Anne, invited us to come and visit them,” Paula said.

The opportunity to make the direct connection came when the “Amazing” Worthington City Band — of which Patrick and Oliver are members — planned a July trip to sister city Crailsheim, Germany.
“At the end of that stay, the boys and I traveled to Poland by train, where we met George and had a wonderful time with his mother,” Paula detailed. “Then, because we were only 500 miles away, we flew to Estonia, where we were warmly met by Raul and his mother. Because of the correspondence between the boys, we felt very at home with them, and now we feel as though we have family in Estonia.

“They were very grateful for the original Christmas box, and we’re all very grateful for what has transpired since then,” added Paula, who also said that her family has been “blessed by the opportunity to participate in Operation Christmas Child.”

Let the Back to School Sales Begin!! Staples 1 cent deals

Thanks to the sharing of this deal by Clip With Purpose we know about these AWESOME deals for the shoeboxes!

Learn the details at her blog at http://www.clipwithpurpose.com/staples-penny-sales-have-started/

Free Toothpaste at Rite Aid

 

This is from Clip with Purpose.. who also found it online. :) Gotta love the internet.

There is a new printable Colgate Coupon  for $0.75/1 Colgate Total, Optic White, Max Fresh or SensitiveToothpaste!

Use it at Rite Aid this week to get Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste for FREE:

Total Advanced Toothpaste 4oz – $3.50
USE: $0.75/1 Colgate Total, Optic White, Max Fresh or SensitiveToothpaste
Pay $2.75, Get Back $3 +UP

Thank you for the scoop OC Deal Mama!

Michaels Spring and Summer Clearance Event

Shop Spring and Summer clearance  Thursday July 4th- Saturday, July 6.  The sale has not even been announced on the Michaels website yet.  Starting at midnight tonight the sale information will be on this page of the  Michaels website.

I will be there bright and early to find the best deals! I am praying for good finds for the shoeboxes. 

Also don't forget that in the next few days there should be some great deals on Red, White, and Blue items from 4th of July clearance.

Operation Christmas Child - Christmas In July - The Missional Focus of OCC, Klamath Falls Event

July 27th, 1-3 pm, at Calvary Chapel Klamath Falls, 1201 S Alameda.

Operation Christmas Child is about SO MUCH MORE THAN A SHOEBOX. 

It is a Gospel Opportunity! 

If you have ever wanted to know more about what happens after you send off your shoebox, come and join us!

If you want to learn more about The Greatest Journey, the optional discipleship program that follows the shoebox, come join us!

Millions are making decisions for Christ.. children, families, and communities. 

Come hear stories of how Christ is working.

Experience a bit of a lesson from the Greatest Journey.

Whether you have been doing Operation Christmas Child for years, or simply want to learn more about this ministry, this will be a fun and informative event and we would love to have you attend.

Fun Floral Pencil Craft.. Kids crafting for kids

This is another one of those fun crafts you or your children can create for your shoeboxes. I LOVE crafts where kids or teens can help make items that will bring joy.

I found this idea on A Thrifty Mom blog and the link to the project will be below.

 Aren't these FUN?!?!?! Why yes. Yes they are!

This is a super simple craft, cute, fast, and fun. All the supplies are generally available at a Dollar store... but if not, surely at your local craft store or Walmart.

For full instructions of this simple craft go to http://athriftymom.com/diy-flower-pencil-money-saving-craft-for-kids/

A Toothbrush and Toothpaste kind of Week

Learn how to get light up toothbrushes for 44 cents each with printable coupon at Walmart at http://mojosavings.com/firefly-toothbrushes-just-44%C2%A2-each-at-walmart/

Also at Walmart -  Colgate Toothpaste - $0.97 Use $1/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 7/13/13 (SS 06/30/13 R) (if your Walmart carries them for this price otherwise Use $1.87)
Final Price: Use $.03 Money Maker!

Did you print the online coupon a couple weeks ago that I told you about? Or get the paper? Then enjoy free toothpaste and toothbrushes this week at Rite Aid!

Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste, 4 oz $3.50
Buy 1, Receive $3.00 +Up Reward, Limit 2
Use $2.00/2 – Colgate Total, Optic White, Max Fresh or Sensitive Toothpaste, 4 oz o larger, no more than 4 coupons for the same product in the same transaction – (coupons.com no longer available)
Or $0.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste, 4 oz larger, Limit 4 of the same coupon in the same transaction from SS 6/30 (exp 7/13)
Pay $5.00, Receive two $3.00 +Up Rewards
Final Price: $1.00 Moneymaker, when you buy 2


Oral-B Complete Manual Toothbrush, 1 ct $2.99
Buy 1, Receive $2.00 +Up Reward, Limit 2
Use $1.00/1 Oral-B Pulsar, 3D White, Pro-Health or Complete OR (2) Indicator or Cavity Defense Toothbrushes, Limit of 4 like coupons per household per day from PG 6/2 (exp 6/30)
Pay $1.99, Receive $2.00 +Up Reward
Final Price: $0.01 Moneymaker

Crest ALSO free Crest - $2.99
Buy 2
Use $2/3 Crest Toothpaste, Crest Rinse, Oral-B Glide Floss or Oral-B Glide Floss Picks, exp. 6/30/13 (P&G 06/02/13)
Pay $3.98 OOP
Get (2) $2 +up (limit 2)
Final Price: 2/FREE

AND... go to COUPONS.COM now and print $1 off and $2 off a two pack of Reach Brand toothbrushes!!!!  (This is where the Firefly lightup toothbrush coupon is.. and where I got the Colgate coupons last month!) You never know WHAT toothbrushes will go on sale at Rite Aid or Safeway or that you will find at the Dollar Tree.. so grab these coupons while you can.

The Greatest Journey Peru ... A Spiritual Harvest Beyond Anything They Anticipated

At our volunteer CONNECT conference, guest speaker Lou Giglio talked about our verse for the year... that God would do IMMEASURABLY MORE than we could ask or imagine... this story tells a bit of how God IS doing that through The Greatest Journey.    

Growing in Faith

March 9, 2012

Peru

Peruvian teachers witness God’s hand at work as their students learn The Greatest Journey curriculum
Ask Sunday school teachers anywhere in the world, and they will agree that there’s no greater reward than to see their students come to faith in Jesus Christ and experience real change in their lives.
For Lucy and Tania, teaching The Greatest Journey discipleship program at the Assemblies of God Church of Light and Hope in Lima, Peru, has produced a spiritual harvest beyond anything they anticipated and has confirmed their calling in ministry to children.

Last year, their pastor learned of the 12-lesson Bible study curriculum being offered to boys and girls who had received shoe box gifts from Operation Christmas Child. The more the Sunday school teachers heard about the materials, the more excited they became.
As director of the children’s ministry at the church, Lucy has overseen the implementation of The Greatest Journey and had the privilege of teaching some of the classes this spring.
“The children are praying now and giving praise to God,” she said. “They have a difference in their attitudes, even in the way they sing. It is beautiful to see.”
That enthusiasm is not the initial reaction of some children, Lucy said. They are reluctant to attend, and arrive with the assumption that they will be bored. But by the end of the second or third lesson, they are eager to return—and they bring friends too.
“When they see the lessons are fun, they change their attitude and want to come to the classes,” she said. “They see God’s love for them and then they love themselves and know that they are special. When they feel important, they reach out to others with love.”
One of her students invited his 8-year-old friend, Juan Pablo, to attend the discipleship classes. He repeatedly said no, but when Juan Pablo saw his friend change his curiosity got the best of him and he decided to come to one of the classes.
“Since then Juan Pablo has accepted Jesus as his Savior and he is attending our church,” Lucy said. “He is involved in our children’s drama activities.”

Tania has taught Sunday school at the church for the past two years, but The Greatest Journey curriculum presented new challenges to her. She realized that she needed to spend additional time in God’s Word and prepare her own heart spiritually before she could teach her young pupils.
“The children love to ask questions, and that helps me to learn too,” she said. “As a teacher, I have to know the Bible in addition to preparing the lessons.”
Tania estimates that as many as 90 percent of the families living in their district are not believers. Reaching the children is the first step in bringing their parents to Christ too.
In many cases, mothers and fathers are learning the importance of prayer and forgiveness through the examples of their children.
Karen is a 10-year-old girl who was abandoned by her mother and angry at God. Karen had been raised by her grandmother and had little contact with her mother. When her mother reappeared last year and insisted Karen live with her, the child balked at the idea but had little say in the matter. She was consumed with resentment and rebellion.
“Karen went to The Greatest Journey classes, but didn’t want to know anything about God. She was mad at Him,” Lucy said. “But because of the lessons, she has started to understand what it means to forgive and love. Now she attends the Sunday school and participates in prayer. Her mother drives her to church and just recently she started coming to the services with Karen.”

Both teachers have seen previously reserved students stand up in class and ask for prayer for situations that are difficult for them to talk about—an alcoholic father, a relative who needs surgery, a brother who gets in fights at school.
Diego went to Tania’s classes despite his father’s disapproval and prayed to receive Jesus as Savior. But he didn’t stop there. He also prayed his parents would stop arguing, and he prayed for their salvation.
The heartfelt prayers of the 8-year-old child were answered. Through Diego’s example, his father became open to the Gospel and committed his calloused heart to God. He sought peace—with Christ, with his wife, and with his children. They even began attending church together as a family.
A surprise blessing came recently when Diego’s family was able to move from their rented room in a run-down house to their very own apartment. Over the past several months, his father became more responsible with his earnings as a taxi driver and began saving money. Combined with his mother’s income as a teacher’s assistant in a public school, the family finally had the resources to afford a nicer place to live.
“Diego told me he was so excited to have a kitchen and his own room,” Tania said. “As you can see, every child has a story. What they are learning in The Greatest Journey has become a real adventure that they can apply in their own lives. And they know that when they have problems, they can take them to God in prayer.”
Success stories like these have enlarged Lucy’s own faith in the Lord and encouraged her to recommit her dreams to Him.
Now in her 20s, she has attended Assemblies of God Church of Light and Hope her entire life. She remembers attending services in the original sanctuary with its sparse furnishings and sand floor.
“Even then, I remember praying that my church would grow,” she said. “God is answering my prayers and I praise Him.”
As a child, Lucy came to Sunday school classes in the church and heard some of the exciting Bible stories that she now teaches to kids in The Greatest Journey program. Teaching the lessons has given her a renewed passion as she guides young people to begin their own personal walk with Jesus.
“God has brought me closer to Him and I see the needs of children in a new way,” she said. “Children want to know that God is close and loves them and is their friend. This is the ministry that He has called me to do.”
Launched in Latin America in 2010, The Greatest Journey discipleship program has been translated into dozens of languages and will be available in more than 50 countries this year.
Samaritan’s Purse partners with in-country churches to distribute Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes and to provide the discipleship program as a follow-up outreach to children in the community. In Peru alone, over 1,000 volunteer Christian instructors like Lucy and Tania have participated in an in-depth training program to equip them to teach the curriculum.
As the children learn about God’s gift of salvation, many become faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Through the Bible lessons, the harvest of souls multiplies as these boys and girls are encouraged to pray for others and to share the Good News with their family and friends.