This is the West African nation of Cape Verde, where no child has ever received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox—until now!
‘We Have Been Praying for This’
God has opened doors for gift-filled shoeboxes—packed by you—to reach boys and girls who call Cape Verde home. Canadian boxes will be distributed in the coming months as we partner with local churches, which will also invite children to attend The Greatest Journey. The 12 lessons of this follow-up discipleship course introduce boys and girls to the Gospel, teach them what it means to follow Jesus Christ, and show them how to share Him with their friends and family.
“The arrival of Operation Christmas Child in Cape Verde is a great blessing and a source of great joy for us,” said the National Leadership Team. “We have been praying and thanking God for this opportunity to reach children.”
‘We Hope to See Communities Transformed’
A little less than 600,000 people live in Cape Verde, and most are of mixed European and African heritage. Though Portuguese is the official language, most families primarily speak Crioulo.
The economy is largely supported by tourism, as the islands are a popular destination for beach vacations and viewing unique wildlife like lemon sharks and sea turtles. Cape Verde is also famous for a type of music similar to the blues called morna.
Although it’s an idyllic place in many ways, our local church partners see the uphill battles Cape Verdeans still face every day.
“The social challenges are unemployment, housing, poverty, health, and family breakdown, among others,” the National Leadership Team explained. “Social inequalities lead some young people into crime and drug addiction.” Many households are headed by single mothers who earn a meager income as street vendors.
Our team added that some of the “greatest spiritual difficulties” in the nation include “a lack of practical living of the faith” and growing secularism. Many children and families need to hear the clear Gospel message, “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).
As God uses Operation Christmas Child to make inroads for the Gospel, one of our local team members shared, “We hope to see these communities transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Ways You Can Pray for Cape Verde
- Pray for God’s guidance for the National Leadership Team as they establish Operation Christmas Child in Cape Verde with the help of Samaritan’s Purse staff.
- Pray for our partner churches as they are trained to host outreach events and distribute shoeboxes to vulnerable children.
- Pray that many boys and girls would hear and receive the hope, love, and truth that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
