Oksana Nelson received a shoe box gift while living in a Russian orphanage.

The mint-flavored toothpaste and picture of the family that sent the box are what she remembers most.  The following year, Oksana was adopted by an American family. She now resides in Dublin, TX, and has three adopted siblings. She is now studying to get her MBA, and works part-time at Reata Equine Hospital.

The first time her church packed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, Oksana told her pastor she was once a recipient. That launched the beginning of her speaking engagements on a local and national level.  Her willingness to share her story stems from her desire to encourage volunteers and new shoe box packers with her unique testimony. Oksana has traveled on several shoe box distribution trips with Operation Christmas Child and has seen firsthand the joy and hope that comes through this simple gift.

Last year, participants packed 8,183,087 shoe boxes so that 8,183,087 children around the world could experience God's love and hear the message of Jesus Christ. Oksana enjoys sharing the eternal impact she's seen take place simply because someone decided to fill a shoe box with ordinary items.