Yuri Lopez grew up in 14 different orphanages in Honduras, after being separated from her family when she was 2 years old. Her life seemed hopeless. But when she was 6, Yuri received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift and “experienced hope for the very first time,” she said.
“Everything in my shoebox was special,” Yuri said. “But the most important thing was the picture and note from the little girl who sent that shoebox to me. Her note said, ‘Jesus loves you and I love you too.’ At that moment it made a big impact on me, and it continued to for many years.”
In fact, seven years later, Yuri took out the note the girl put in the shoebox and read it again when she questioned whether God really cared for her—and it made her realize that He did love her. “That day I embraced God’s love and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior,” she said.
Now, as an adult, Yuri packs hundreds of shoeboxes to let children in need around the world know that God loves them—and that she does too! Watch the video above to learn more about Yuri’s story.
There’s still time to pack a shoebox for boys and girls across the globe and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. But time is running out! National Collection Week is now: Nov. 15-21!
Please donate $12 for every shoebox you prepare. Your donations will help cover project costs, including shipping (make one combined donation for multiple shoeboxes). Consider making an additional donation to help Samaritan's Purse go beyond the shoebox and expand assistance to children, their families, and their communities. Samaritan's Purse does not provide receipts for the value of gift items included in a shoebox.