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Dana and her Hygiene Items

Dana and her brothers

Growing up in Romania, my parents worked in a steel plant. My dad was a mechanic and my mum was a crane operator. Even though they both worked full-time jobs, the value of money wasn’t strong enough after the fall of communism to buy very much. We had our lights on and food on the table, but we didn’t have much beyond the very basic needs.

I wore shoes that were too large so that I could wear them longer. My clothes were either hand-me-downs or bought at secondhand stores. We had a few toys, but they were poor quality.

I accepted Christ when I was 12 years old, the same year I received my gift box. That year, before Christmas, my parents told me and my brothers that they didn’t have money to buy us Christmas presents. Christmas was about the only time we received anything, so this was disheartening.

One Saturday evening around this time, my siblings and I were at church for a youth gathering. We were surprised to receive the gift boxes after the service. I remember going home and sitting in my brother’s room on the floor, where we all laid out everything we’d received in our gift boxes. I was completely overwhelmed with joy.

My favourite gifts were hygiene items, a toothbrush, and soap. As a young girl, to have nice smelling soap and a nice toothbrush meant a lot to me.

Before I received my gift box, I was having a hard time as a new Christian. I was trying to understand why our family was struggling and why God would allow it. Through my gift boxes, God showed me that He is my Provider. He provided the things I needed in my gift box. Even though our family was struggling and I was discouraged, God still took care of us. I learned that God’s provision is always on time, and He will take care of His children.

Dana with her mother and brother

My parents always taught us the things of the Lord and about His plan for our lives. They taught us that He is all we need and He is our salvation. My gift box helped me go from knowing that in my head to understanding that in a personal way.

When you only have a little, a gift box is a lot. I felt loved when I realised that someone selflessly gave it to me. God’s love was wonderfully demonstrated because it was a heartfelt gift—nothing was asked in return.

Dana and her son packing OCC gift boxes

Now, I pack gift boxes every year with my husband and son. Operation Christmas Child is about so much more than a humanitarian project—it’s about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

I pray that those who receive our gift boxes feel as blessed as I did.

Operation Christmas Child

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The Power of a Small Gift

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The Power of a Small Gift

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