Many families are familiar with the popular Christmas tradition of filling shoe boxes with toys, toiletries and school supplies to donate to Operation Christmas Child. Around Thanksgiving time, churches and organizations garner volunteers to put the boxes together, getting them ready to send around the world to children considered to be at risk or in need.
Samaritan’s Purse partners with these churches and organizations to spread a little joy and cheer during Christmas time. According to Samaritan’s Purse, 135 million children in 150 countries have received a gift-filled box since the program began in 1993.
At seven years old, Tyrel Wolfe and his family participated in a project that would forever change their lives. The young boy and his family became involved with Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan’s Purse through their church.
That’s where the magic began. The boy filled the a shoe box that was meant for a young girl around his own age.
Tyrel was excited to put the box together, but then forgot about it once his family delivered it to their church. From there, it was then sent to the Philippines.
Then more than a decade passed since little Tyrel put together the box when he received an unexpected friend request from a woman named Joana Marchan. Joana and Tyrel started messaging on Facebook, as Joana wanted to get in touch with the person who sent the shoe box so she could say thank you.
However, Tyrel’s parents warned him to be cautious, because this person had the same name as the girl he sent the Christmas box to years ago. As it turns out, the same girl that received Tyrel’s box over a decade ago was indeed the same woman trying to get in touch with him now.
Watch the video and see how Tyrel and Joana’s relationship changes once Tyrel finds out the truth about Joana. People who know Tyrel as the compassionate kid from the farm aren’t surprised by the next change of events. Their story is one that will stun you.
It’s shocking to see what happens to the two of them.