Eva Bossenberger may have already celebrated her 100th birthday, but she still uses her time to help others. She’ll rise between 2:00 to 5:00 am most days just to get an early start on making dresses that are then placed in shoeboxes.
You see, Eva takes part in a program at Samaritan’s Purse called Operation Christmas Child. Each one of her hand-sewn dresses is making a difference for little girls across the globe.
Ever since Eva was little she’s been around the world of sewing. Her mother was a seamstress, which allowed her to pick up the skill. She makes all her own clothes and made her daughters’ clothes as well.
Another important aspect of Eva’s life has been her dedication to the church. According to Samaritan’s Purse, at 13-years-old she “prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior.”
Eva’s had to work hard her whole life. Sadly, she lost her husband when he was only 36-years-old, so took on a variety of jobs to provide for her two children.
The North Carolina resident utilizes her talents to serve the Lord.
To this day Eva continues to work hard, only now it’s as a dressmaker with a goal to help girls that are less fortunate. It all started when her pastor approached her with a request.
He asked Eva if she would create 180 items for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. These boxes are packed with little gifts, then distributed to poor children in other countries.
Eva knew what she wanted to do. She decided she’d use her sewing skills to make beautiful dresses that could be placed inside. It’s her way of serving God.
She explained:
“I can’t get up on a platform and give a message—that isn’t my work. The Lord has given me hands with no arthritis, so I do a lot of sewing—I’ve been given a talent and I make use of it.”
Despite already reaching her 100th birthday milestone, it doesn’t stop Eva from doing what she loves. At first, one of her dresses used to take her a day and a 1/2 to make. But now, she can sew three a day.
Eva likes to envision what it’s like when the girls receive their special gift.
“I can see it in my mind. Plane landing and their little hands out for a box, and they open them up and they’re just thrilled … God bless each one.”
On the Samaritan’s Purse site they give a detailed explanation about the mission of Operation Christmas Child:
“Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S.”
Eva’s a true inspiration to others. Not only has she found a way to bring joy to children, but it brings her great satisfaction as well. To her, she’s doing the Lord’s work.
Watch the video below to hear Eva speak about her life and dress-making project. It’s a story that fills your heart and lifts your soul.
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