This December I visited Cartagena, Colombia, where thousands of boys and girls received a wonderful surprise—gift-filled shoe boxes from Operation Christmas Child. You should have seen the smiles that lit up their faces. This was a new experience for most of them. Because their families struggle just to put food on the table, no money is left over for toys or school supplies. These shoe box gifts not only brought them a merry Christmas but also hope for tomorrow—and for eternity.

Thanks to millions of caring people like you, Operation Christmas Child is bringing joy and the hope found in Jesus Christ to hurting children in over 90 countries. More than 7.4 million shoe box gifts were collected this season, the most ever in the 12 years of the project. This report is a special thank-you gift for the many people who prayed, packed shoe boxes, volunteered, and contributed financial support.

The gift of a simple shoe box has changed the lives of countless children and their families. Along with the boxes, children are offered Gospel literature that tells the story of God's greatest gift to the world—His Son. Many learn more about Jesus through our follow-up Bible study program. They come to realize that God truly loves them and has a plan full of hope for their lives, no matter what their circumstances may be.

We are excited by the awesome work God is doing in so many young lives through Operation Christmas Child. I hope this report will encourage you to continue reaching out to hurting children with your prayers and support. Together, we are bringing precious little ones to the welcoming arms of a loving Savior, who says, “Let the little children come to me … for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14, NIV).

Thank you, and may God richly bless you.

Sincerely, Franklin Graham President and CEO, Samaritan's Purse