Finding God in the Floorboards

In this episode of On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, Kristy Graham talks with Izabella McMillon, a current Samaritan’s Purse employee whose life was forever changed by an Operation Christmas Child shoebox years ago.

Izabella describes how growing up in communist Romania forced her community to hide any expression of religion. Fear and doubt made her unsure of God’s love for her, but when she uncovered a Bible in the floorboards of her home, she became curious. Later, Izabella received a shoebox gift, and her life was forever changed. She reflects on how the bright colors and personal gifts in her shoebox made her realize—for the first time—that God cares for her individually.

“He was a God who knew that I was ready to give up on Him, but He was not ready to give up on me. And He showed up, in this beautiful, silver and blue snow globe. And it might sound so silly for some, but for me, for my 13-year-old heart, I knew in that moment that God saw me.” – Izabella McMillon

Kristy and Izabella then explore the global impact of the ministry of Operation Christmas Child as it’s grown throughout the years. Kristy explains the mission of Operation Christmas Child: to display God’s love for each and every child through salvation in Jesus. The ministry exists to not only give physical gifts to children in underserved communities, but more importantly to bring the Gospel to those who haven’t heard it.

Kristy points out that Izabella’s story ultimately shows how God divinely orchestrates each encounter with us through the most ordinary things—like the gift of a snow globe. Something as small as a toy can display God’s presence for every child around the world, even in the most closed-off regions.

“That is what the Gospel does. It's given to all of us, but we all have to make that choice and accept it.” – Kristy Graham

Later, Izabella shares more about the lasting impact of the shoebox. God didn’t just use the one-time gift of the snow globe to show His love for her—He brought her back to bless the ministry that once blessed her. Now she serves with Samaritan’s Purse team members to make sure millions of other children around the world have the opportunity to receive the gift of the Gospel through a shoebox, just as she once did.

“What a beautiful thing that we can be part of, and be the hands and feet of Jesus by simply packing a shoebox gift.” – Izabella McMillon

Thanks to our volunteers and church partners, there are so many more stories of transformation and hope just like Izabella’s. Samaritan’s Purse is continuing to process and deliver millions of shoeboxes to children around the world each year.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)

You can partner with our ministry year-round by packing a shoebox, building a box online, and volunteering at one of our many distribution centers across the U.S.

Learn more about Operation Christmas Child at SamaritansPurse.org.