Shine Your Light – Operation Christmas Child
Dania Andraos
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
I spent most of my childhood doing my homework in the dark under a burning gas lamp. My country in the Middle East was swathed in darkness physically and spiritually. Persecution fell heavy on my family as the only Christians in our village. At school, I was bullied for my faith. Christian resources were limited to only two hours broadcasted on a radio station, and poverty prevented us from having access to a radio to even hear it.
Yet my parents did not hide their lamp under a basket. They continuously encouraged me to be content and keep my eyes on Jesus, modeling Christ’s call to “let your light shine before men.” Amidst rejection, war, and persecution, their commitment to sharing the Gospel prevailed and God used their faith to move mountains. I witnessed lives being changed, even as we received death threats urging us to stop telling others. My mom recited Psalm 23 to me every night before bed. She taught me to pray.
As a young girl, I really wanted to have my very own toys like the other kids, and my family longed for a radio to listen to the news and the Christian radio station. My family couldn’t afford such things, so we asked God to provide. God pierced through the darkness and answered our prayers when I received a colorful Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. Among the school supplies and toys, we found a small box that held a mini radio. Holding that gift, I was reminded that God is the God of details. In a very unique, ordinary way, he pierced through the darkness, and showed me that I am seen and loved by Him.
Eventually the war forced us to leave our country as refugees, but our calling to shine our light did not change. We found Operation Christmas Child on this side of the shoebox, and now we get to be a blessing to others!
My parents, the shoebox gift, the radio and its Christian broadcast station were all tools for discipleship in my life. When I pack shoeboxes with my family now, I know that I am partnering with the global body of Christ to create Gospel opportunities.
You, too, can create spaces for the Gospel to shine in dark places. You can place tools for discipleship in the ready hands of ministry partners around the world. And you can impact the life of a child when you pack a shoebox that demonstrates God’s eternal love!
– Dania Andraos
Today, Dania serves as a National Spokesperson with Operation Christmas Child and she loves hearing the many stories of God changing lives all around the world, as well as sharing her own story of God’s faithfulness throughout her life. To hear more encouraging stories like Dania’s or learn more about how you can get involved with Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
