The Shoebox That Changed Everything

“There’s no government or darkness that can stop the gospel. The light always shines through.”

On this episode of What Hope Sounds Like, Jeff talks with Izabella McMillon from Operation Christmas Child. Izabella grew up under communism in Romania, where faith was forbidden and even owning a Bible could cost your life. But God broke through that darkness in the most unexpected way: through a hidden Bible and, years later, a simple shoebox.

You’ll hear how Izabella’s first prayer for snow led to a snow globe tucked inside her shoebox, and how that moment became proof to a 13-year-old girl that God saw her, loved her, and was real. Today, Izabella helps lead others to share that same hope around the world through Operation Christmas Child.

It’s a story about light breaking through darkness, a child’s faith, and how God can use something as small as a shoebox to change a life forever.

3 TAKEAWAYS

1. God sees us—even in the darkest places. Izabella’s story proves that no barrier can keep Him from reaching those He loves.
2. Small acts of obedience matter. A simple shoebox, packed and prayed over, can open a heart to Jesus.
3. Hope multiplies. Izabella once received a shoebox as a child; now she helps share that same hope with children worldwide.

PACK A SHOEBOX HERE