Operation Christmas Child sends millions of shoeboxes filled with toys and vital items around the world to children every Christmas, and one of those recipients, Rwandan Alex Nsengimana recently visited Baldwin and Mobile counties to share about how the simple gift had made such an impact in his life.

Nsengimana is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. Some of his other family members were not as lucky.

“My mom passed away with AIDS when I was a very little boy,” Nsengimana said. “During the Rwandan genocide, my grandmother and uncle were killed right in front of me. People argued about whether or not to kill my entire family. A bullet missed my head by an inch. We walked for miles and miles, sleeping in the bushes, the dirt and abandoned buildings. In the end I was put in an orphanage.”

It was while he was at the orphanage that Nsengimana received one of Operation Christmas Child’s shoeboxes, an event that he said changed his life permanently for the better.

“That box gave me joy when there was nothing left,” Nsengimana said. “God used that moment to give me a glimpse of greater joy that is in Him.”

One item in Nsengimana’s box was something he had never seen before, which held his interest – a candy cane.

“It was this red and white striped stick, and I didn’t know what it was,” Nsengimana said. “I bit into it with the plastic still on it and tasted that sweet, cool taste. Even to this day, tasting that can take me back and remind of the joy I felt that day.”

Another of Nsengimana’s gifts stuck out to him – a comb.

“I carried that comb with me for years after that,” Nsengimana said. “Just having something that I could call my own, something that reminded me that someone out there cared about me gave me hope.”

Nsengimana soon got the opportunity of a lifetime and was able to join the African Children’s Choir, getting to tour the United States and Canada.

It was during that time that Nsengimana learned English and soon gave his life over to Jesus Christ.

“I saw that God had a plan for my life, that He had been with me and was going to be with me for all times,” Nsengimana said. “He saved my life not as some coincidence, but as a part of His plan.”

After his time in the Children’s Choir, Nsengimana returned to the orphanage in Rwanda, but was eventually adopted by a family in Minnesota, allowing him to go to high school and attend college in the United States.

“I feel incredibly blessed for everything that has happened to me in my life,” Nsengimana said. “Even the horrible things, God has been able to use them and help show how something so small as a shoebox filled with gifts can bring hope to people all over the world.”

Nsengimana shared his story with WABF 1220 AM’s Lori Dubose last week on her program, and she said she was touched by what she learned.

“It genuinely makes you appreciate what you have here in this country, to hear that something simple like a comb or a candy cane can mean so much to someone,” Dubose said.

Reid Guy, a leadership development manager for Samaritan’s Purse, said Baldwin and Mobile counties traditionally have been big supporters of the Operation Christmas Child program.

“Churches and community groups from across this region have always done a great job of gathering together throughout the year to pack shoeboxes and drop them off during our collection week,” Guy said. “From there, they’ll get processed and dropped off to 150 countries around the world. Last year, the ministry packed 11.2 million shoeboxes. This area packed about 45,000 shoeboxes total, so this year we’re looking do at least around 50,000 shoeboxes.”

Guy said anyone interested in learning more about the program or helping out by volunteering should visit the Samaritan’s Purse website at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.