CRESTVIEW, Fla. — A Rwandan genocide survivor who once received a gift-filled shoebox through Operation Christmas Child is coming to Crestview to share how the simple gift changed his life, organizers announced.
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Alex Nsengimana will visit the Crestview area from February 26 through March 2 to speak with local churches and community members about his experience as a child in Rwanda and the impact of receiving a shoebox packed by volunteers.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, which delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world each year.
According to Samaritan’s Purse, Mr Nsengimana grew up during a period of violent unrest in Rwanda. During the genocide, he lost his caregivers and fled for safety before eventually finding refuge in an orphanage, where he lived for several years.
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One year after arriving at the orphanage, Nsengimana received a shoebox gift through Operation Christmas Child. He has said the gift brought him hope during a difficult time and helped him realize that his life had purpose.
Mr Nsengimana now serves with Operation Christmas Child, sharing his story and encouraging others to continue packing shoebox gifts for children in need.
He is scheduled to speak on Saturday, February 28, at 3 p.m. at Woodlawn Baptist Church, located at 824 N. Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview.
Local volunteers in Crestview will once again participate in Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week from November 16 through November 23. During that time, residents can drop off gift-filled shoeboxes at designated locations across Florida, which will be announced later this year.
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Participants may also donate $10 per shoebox online through the “Follow Your Box” program to receive a tracking label and learn the destination of their gift.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has reportedly collected and delivered more than 244 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
More information is available at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling 407-273-6112.
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