Buenavista Village "Operation Christmas Child"

After discovering the damaged village of Buenavista (in Ixcamilpa, Puebla) after the great earthquake last September, we have been moved by the great poverty and need of the people.  What better place for Operation Christmas Child?!  The children there need a gift- not only a shoebox, but the hope

and presence of Jesus Christ!

Moving 200 shoebox gifts, along with materials to lead a children’s evangelism event (speakers, microphone, decorations, candy…) 5 hours away, through curvy mountain-side roads to the edge of civilization is no small task. 

We praise the Lord for providing a team of fellow servants, both from our church and all the way from Kentucky!, and two other cars to reach this village.

Upon arriving, we were discouraged to see that the open auditorium of the village was

littered with alcohol and soda bottles, paper plates, and leftovers from a wedding reception the day before- not to mention a group of drunken men hanging around outside questioning our business in the village.  However, within a few hours we had everything set up and had the village loudspeaker

announce our invitation to all the children for a Christmas party!

100 children attended- where they played games, sang songs, and most importantly, heard the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ!  And, they were absolutely thrilled with their

shoeboxes! (Their village had never received Operation Christmas Child before).

Testimonies:
When asked what her favorite gift in her box was, one little girl replied: “Everything! Because it all comes from Jesus just for me!”

Another 10-year-old boy excitedly pulled binoculars out of his box, exclaiming: “Now I can care for my sheep even from far away!”

When opening his box, a 14-year-old boy cried out: “This is exactly what I needed” He held up a pair of scissors.  He explained that he needed them

for school and hadn’t been able to buy them. 

The kids must have been excited because the very next day all 100 of them returned for the first class of “The Greatest Journey” – the children’s discipleship program that follows the shoebox event,

which teaches them more about Jesus from the Bible. 

Immediately after the children’s event, a Bible study was offered for the adults- 25 people stayed to hear the Word of God. 

We believe the Holy Spirit is working in Buenavista- which

makes sleeping in our car, travelling curvy roads, using less-than-adequate bathrooms, being sweaty and dusty (with a 1-year-old in tow!) all worth the effort.