Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 198 million shoebox gifts to children in over 170 countries.
The shoebox gifts are filled with various things like toys, school supplies and hygiene items and delivered to children in need around the world — many who had never received a gift before.
This weekend, area residents are invited to hear the story of one young man whose life was changed when he received a shoebox as a child living in Rwanda.
Alex Nsengimana grew up amid an unstable Rwandan government, according to information provided by Rusty Keplinger with the Morgantown Area Operation Christmas Child.
While living at an orphanage, Nsengimana received a shoebox from Operation Christmas Child. The shoebox gift sowed seeds of hope and love that he desperately needed.
Nsengimana now serves with Operation Christmas Child, paying forward the hope and love he received through a shoebox gift as a Full Circle speaker.
Full Circle speakers are those who received a shoe box as a child, and now travel to tell their stories about what that box meant to them, both emotionally and spiritually.
Nsengimana will be talking about his first-hand experiences as a child in Rwanda and his testimony to how God protected and intervened in his life after surviving Rwandan genocide this Sunday at two area churches.
At 9 a.m., Nsengimana will share his story with the congregation at Simpson Creek Baptist Church, 231 W. Philadelphia Ave., Bridgeport, for a portion of the regular service.
At approximately 9:30, he will go across the street to the Family Life Building for a less-formal meet-and-greet sponsored by the SCBC Youth Group. He will be available there to socialize and answer questions until approximately 10 a.m.
Nsengimana will then be traveling to the First Baptist Church, 70 Rebecca St., Shinnston, for a service that begins at 10:45 a.m.
Nsengimana will speak for 15-20 minutes during that service.
According to Keplinger, following the service, there will be a light luncheon with fellowship until approximately 2 p.m. Anyone may attend the service or luncheon.
Keplinger said all are invited and encouraged to join either church for worship and to meet and hear Nsengimana’s story of how his life was changed with a simple gift.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
