Operation Christmas Child speaker shares story at Parkersburg Reformed Church

Operation Christmas Child speaker Dania Yadago visited Parkersburg Reformed Church on Sept. 13 to share how a simple shoebox gift brought joy to her life in a poverty-stricken area of the Middle East, where she and her family were persecuted for their Christian beliefs.

“I never imagined I would be on this end and have the privilege to stand before you here today,” Yadago said to the group of attendees at the luncheon in Parkersburg. “My story started in the Middle East. I was born in a country where 98 percent of the popu-lation are not Christians and the decision to follow Christ comes with other decisions as well–such as leaving your fami-ly, your country, or giving your life for the sake of the gospel.”

Although her father worked two jobs, it was very difficult for him to provide daily food for the family.

“There were nights where we didn’t eat anything but raw onions and bread. That was what we could afford,” Yada-go said.

Her family received death threats, giving them the option of either leaving their village or being killed. They moved be-tween three different countries.

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