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Operation Christmas Child Hosts Survivor of Rwandan Genocide
Alex Nsengimana, who long ago was a recipient of an Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoebox, will speak at First Baptist Church – Ferguson, 333 N. Florissant Road, April 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. Nsengimana grew up in Rwanda and experienced first-hand the horrors of his nation’s genocide. In 1994 he witnessed the murder of his grandmother and uncle. He escaped to an orphanage, where he received a shoebox gift from OCC. He recalls being so excited to have something of his very own.
Eventually Nsengimana came to the United States as part of an African Children’s Choir. In 2013 he returned to Rwanda with OCC and hand-delivered shoebox gifts to children in the orphanage where his journey began. He also visited in prison the man who killed his uncle and offered him forgiveness.
Alex now serves with OCC as a national spokesperson, sharing the story of hope and love he received through a shoebox gift. In addition to the appearance at First Baptist – Ferguson, he will be speaking to the children at several area schools.
St. Louis area kids, families, churches and groups will soon begin collecting gift-filled shoeboxes for OCC. The 2016 goal is to provide shoeboxes to 12 million children. With a computer or mobile device, anyone can conveniently pack a personalized OCC shoebox gift using the information provided at Samaritan’s Purse website. There is also special tracking technology so that shoebox preparers can discover where in the world their gifts will be delivered.
During the week of Nov. 14 – 21, St. Louis area residents can drop off shoeboxes packed with a “Wow!” item—like a doll or soccer ball—and other fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items at churches throughout the area. The boxes are then prepared and delivered to children overseas using whatever means necessary—boats, airplanes, trains and even elephants.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, OCC has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 135 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. In 2016, OCC hopes to collect 20,800 shoeboxes from the St. Louis area.
For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call Vicki Stamps at 314-363-1150 or visit the Samaritan’s Purse website.
