In the Time of Coronavirus You're Feeding the Hungry – Blessings Magazine – June 2020

blessings OPERATION BLESSING

JUNE 2020

Stories of how YOU help the hurting around the world.

IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS

YOU’RE FEEDING THE HUNGRY WITH NUTRITIOUS FOOD

YOU BROUGHT HEALING AFTER NEAR DEATH PA G E 8

WORLD RESPONSE TO COVID-19

PA G E 1 6

HANDMADE HOPE PA G E 1 9

Inside this this issue issue

12

You’re Feeding the Hungry with Nutritious Food Feeding Americans in the time of coronavirus

Happenings

4

Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!

A Flood of Relief

6

Learn how you blessed displaced disaster victims in South Sudan

You Brought Healing After Near Death

8 2

A father gets the surgery he needs to recover

World Response to COVID-19

16

You are standing strong against coronavirus

Handmade Hope

19 22

You’ve helped a struggling family in Peru

You Sent Health and Smiles to Rural India

Through the Smile on Wheels mobile clinic

operationblessing.org | 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463 | (800) 730-2537 3

OPERATION BLESSING

HAPPENINGS GEORGIA: Operation Blessing food distribution partner, Warehouse of Hope,

is living up to its name by offering hope to Americans in need of hunger relief in difficult times.

HAITI: In Haiti, expectant mothers

received pre-natal education and vitamins to ensure healthy pregnancies and babies because you care.

KENYA: Thanks to you, a free

medical brigade in Kenya offered vital medical care to many hurting people in the area of Bamba.

4

PERU: Because you have provided new clean water projects in rural areas of Peru, residents like Felipa have a lot to be thankful for.

HONDURAS: When little

Annie needed emergency surgery to save her eyesight, thanks to you and our lifesaving surgeries program, we moved swiftly to help her.

PHILIPPINES: You’re

providing protective gear and encouragement to front-line medical workers during the coronavirus as part of our worldwide response to this pandemic.

5

A Flood of Relief Learn How You Blessed Displaced Disaster Victims in South Sudan

L

ast year, South Sudan saw an enormous amount of rain.

Beginning in June and lasting for months, torrential downpours caused flooding that displaced tens of thousands of residents. Homes were destroyed, livestock lost, and livelihoods washed away.

The Mudari people of Terekeka live an agrarian lifestyle, depending on animals and farming for sustenance. Due to the tremendous flooding, most people couldn’t work the land.

This has led to extreme food insecurity as men and women have no way to earn a living

6

wage and provide for their families. It's also increased disease, due to unsanitary conditions and families living without proper shelter.

Helen knows this hardship firsthand. A young mother of five children, she’s unsure of her own age. She endured much suffering even before the flood, caring for one disabled child and working hard to provide for her kids. Now, she must weed through bushes and thorns in hopes of finding wild vegetables.

“It is very hard to find food,” Helen says. “I sometimes have to leave my children alone to go find

SOUTH SUDAN

something to eat.”

But thanks to our generous friends like you, Operation Blessing has partnered with International Aid Services (IAS) from Denmark to help these families during their great suffering. You have made it possible to provide critical resources for the Mudari people as they endure displacement. Maize, flour and lentils have been distributed in large bags to families, along with much-needed blankets and mosquito nets that help protect them from malaria.

And you continued to bless the most at-risk populations of South Sudan, as Operation Blessing and IAS worked with the National Christian Development Organization on a project to serve the elderly, disabled,

malnourished children, and nursing mothers—a huge blessing to Helen and her kids.

Helen with her youngest child

We are grateful for you and your heart to see the suffering of the Mudari people alleviated in their time of need. Your gifts and prayer support give hope to those who have lost everything.

“God sees the struggling of the women, and God has given support through these organizations,” Helen said. “Thank you and God bless you!”

7

You Brought Healing AFTER NEAR DEATH

D

mytro didn’t think a trip to check on his house would almost cost him his life, but living in war-torn eastern Ukraine, danger was often too close for comfort.

Dmytro is a loving single father who cares deeply for his 12-year-old son, Daniel. Dmytro and Daniel had been living in a modest home that Dmytro had purchased by working hard as a miner. Then one day soldiers arrived and warned him saying, “If you want to survive, move out!”

He and Daniel heeded the warning and moved from the home they loved into a small, one-bedroom apartment in a safer area.

But Dmytro worried about the home he had worked so hard for. One day he decided to return to check on it and retrieve some tools he needed with young Daniel and his friend Oleg.

Leaving Daniel in the car a few blocks away, Dmytro and Oleg walked to the house. Then, while in the backyard, Dmytro hit a tripwire. Daniel recalls, “That day I called three times.

Dad’s friend Oleg told me on the phone that everything was all right. Then there was an explosion… I kept calling them both, but both of their phones were disconnected. I called dozens of times but nothing helped.” He continues, “I felt really scared… nobody explained anything to me, but I realized dad was badly wounded, and I could only guess whether he was still alive.”

Continued on page 10

8

UKRAINE

“The scariest thought for me has always been that I would never see my son Daniel again."

– Dmytro

Continued from page 8

Thankfully, Dmytro was still alive, but only barely.

The bomb had left Dmytro with over 200 shrapnel wounds. He was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. In order to save his life, doctors had to remove a large portion of Dmytro’s skull.

Though he had survived the explosion, Dmytro was in a very hard place. His injuries made it impossible for him to work and support his son. Not only that, with part of his skull missing, Dmytro lived in constant danger. Even the smallest bump on the head could have killed him. “Before my injury, [my son and I] used to be together all the time— fishing, cycling, and going to the seaside,” he lamented.

Dmytro needed another surgery to install a protective plate. But unable to work and with no way to 10

pay for the surgery, he didn’t know what to do.

That’s when YOU stepped in to change everything for this loving father. You made a way for Dmytro to have the operation that he needed.

Now he has a titanium plate protecting his brain, and he no longer has to live in fear of bumping his head.

Dmytro can now care for his son.

“Finally, I am home with my son,” Dmytro exclaimed.

“The scariest thought for me has always been that I would never see my son Daniel again.”

Thank you for blessing Dmytro and for making sure that he will be able to provide for his son in the future!

HAPPY

Father's DAY

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” - 1 John 3:1 niv

UNITED STATES

YOU’RE

FEEDING THE HUNGRY WITH NUTRITIOUS FOOD Feeding Americans in the time of coronavirus

T

he coronavirus pandemic has brought more than just illness to our world.

It’s caused panic, heartache, and financial crisis as well.

With quarantine and social distancing measures in place throughout the world, many have lost their sources of income and struggled to find food on the grocery store shelves.

But thanks to faithful friends like you, Operation Blessing has been actively feeding the hungry for decades! And during this

12

changing time of crisis, we continue to look for innovative ways to get food into the hands of the hungry around the world.

Here in the U.S., our semi-trucks collect tons of groceries from manufacturers! The food is then delivered to our distribution partners throughout the country and given to those in need.

The sick, the elderly, the disabled, the unemployed and the working poor can all receive the nutrition

Aubrey eats a nutritious dinner thanks to you.

they desperately need.

During this time of crisis, we won’t back down with our hunger relief efforts—instead, thanks to you, we’re ramping them up to meet the growing need around us. Many schoolchildren are staying at home and millions find themselves recently unemployed, but with your help we’re determined to bless as many as we can.

Aubrey’s family of five in Michigan regularly received food to supplement her hardworking parents’ income.

“There were a lot of times where I had to pick either paying all the bills off or getting food and gas to get to work,” her father, Adam, said. “It was really rough.” Aubrey and her whole family are so thankful that you have provided them Continued on page 14 13

Smiling OB staff hands out food to those in need.

Continued from page 13

with the groceries they need during hard times.

Stephanie got crisis relief.

Even during normal times, single mom Stephanie struggles to support her four kids and her mother who suffers from kidney 14

disease. But it’s gotten even more difficult during the coronavirus crisis. “It’s been a little tough,” she shares.

“I’m used to them being at school for breakfast and lunch, and then with them being home, it’s harder to come up with food.”

She reached out to our distribution partner, Rescue Church, where she found the help she needed to feed her kids. She sent a special

Peace I leave with you;

my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

– John 14:27 esv

message for you. “Tell them thank you! I really appreciate it. It’s a blessing.”

Anthony’s family also got the help they needed thanks to you! He and his wife both lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis. He had no way to support his wife and child, but then you gave him bags filled with food. “We don’t have money to go buy things, and even if we did, there’s nothing on the shelves here,” he said.

While he hopes to get back to work before long, he said, “I’m just thankful for everything. Really thankful!”

Other grateful recipients

have been sharing the food you supplied with elderly neighbors and kids in need. You are making a huge difference in this difficult season!

In this time of the coronavirus pandemic you’ve also been supplying medical protective gear and disinfectant supplies all around the world, as well as continuing our work in providing the clean water essential for good health and hygiene.

Thank you again for your heart of love and faithful giving that makes this food distribution possible.

15

WORLDWIDE

You sent relief supplies around the world during the coronavirus crisis.

WORLD RESPONSE TO COVID-19 You are standing strong against coronavirus

T

o say the past few months have shaken our world would be an understatement. The coronavirus crisis has challenged us all in unexpected ways.

But during this time, YOU are standing strong against COVID-19 and responding to the growing needs of our rapidly changing world. Thanks to you, OB teams are working hard to keep up with the demands of this crisis.

We’re regularly at work in nations all over the world, and our offices have reached out to their communities to help those in need.

16

WORLDWIDE

LATIN AMERICA, CARIBBEAN, AND AFRICA In Guatemala our team has provided vital masks to medical workers, food to those in need, and they are producing massive amounts of chlorine. They were even recognized in a meeting with the country's president for their donation. Thanks to your support of our clean water efforts, many of our teams have access to highpower machines for making chlorine. We’ve been able to distribute this helpful disinfecting tool throughout Latin America, Kenya, and Haiti. In Peru the chlorine you supplied allowed the ministry of health to disinfect local markets.

ASIA Your generous gifts are helping provide essential items to over 50 hospitals in the Philippines. Our workers delivered medical supplies to the doctors, nurses, and

staff members struggling to contain COVID-19.

Because of friends like you, they received gloves, soap, alcohol, and personal protective equipment and more. The team in the Philippines traveled with a pastor who took time to pray with the exhausted healthcare workers and lift their spirits. You also reached out to Wuhan, China, in the early days of the outbreak, and you’re sending masks, food, hygiene supplies, and first aid items to Thailand.

UNITED STATES AND EUROPE Here in the U.S., we’ve been providing extra food resources to help those in need at this time. Our teams have also been distributing sanitizing kits and invaluable N-95 masks to hospitals, government agencies, and first responders. Thanks to your Continued on page 18 17

Continued from page 17

have also been blessed! support, when we And we can take joy in learned a local veterans’ the fact that God has hospital lacked protective been moving—bringing masks, we quickly communities reached out You are and families to supply them. reaching out to closer, drawing And in Ukraine people to Him, we’ve been and providing distributing during this crisis! opportunities food and soap to love our neighbors. May to those in need. we come out of this time So many people have suffered due to COVID-19, stronger, healthier, and wiser than ever before. but thanks to you, many

28 nations

THANK YOU!

Thank you so much for reaching out to help during the COVID-19 crisis! Your unwavering support of the hurting means the world to us. We’d also like to extend a special thanks to the medical workers and others who’ve worked tirelessly to save lives and keep our country running through this pandemic.

With love, All of us at Operation Blessing

PERU

Handmade Hope HOW YOU BLESSED A STRUGGLING FAMILY IN PERU

S

egundo is a hardworking husband and father. He lives in Padrecocha, Peru, a small community full of culture.

Like many of the Cocoma-Cocamilla natives, Segundo and his wife Eliana work as artisans by trade. Together they care for 1-year-old Abraham with the money they earn selling their art, but often their earnings fell short.

Continued on page 20

19

My wife and I strive to get ahead despite the difficulties. But thank God for His blessings and because

He will never abandon us.

- Segundo

Continued from page 19

Segundo starts his days collecting clay from the riverside to form his ceramics. Eliana focused on crafts made from chambira fiber, her work celebrating her local culture. Although they worked hard, they lacked the proper tools to thrive at their business, which made it difficult to provide for their family.

Segundo also spends time as a local missionary, sharing the good news of Jesus with his community. He graduated from a local seminary and co-founded a church.

Despite their hard work, when food or healthcare expenses popped up, Segundo and Eliana had a hard time affording them.

20

So they expanded their efforts and opened their own grocery store too. They served the community with foods and goods as they worked to increase their monthly income. Still, it wasn’t enough.

Eliana's new store

“I’m always trusting in the hand of God,” Segundo said.

“My wife and I strive to get ahead despite the difficulties.

But thank God for His blessings and because He will never abandon us.”

Then, thanks to friends like you, Operation Blessing was able to meet Segundo and Eliana in their time of need!

Segundo joined Operation Blessing’s program to help entrepreneurs, where he refined his skills and learned best practices as a business owner. Our generous partners also provided supplies for Segundo and Eliana, like an array of paints, paint brushes, carving tools, and Balsa wood. You gave them essential items for Eliana’s store, such as rice, sugar, oil

and canned goods.

Because of you, Segundo and Eliana have a new hope within them and a new ability to provide for their little family. Not only can they afford food and medicine, but they can now reinvest in growing and improving their business for the future.

Thank you for empowering this family as they pour into their own community!

“Thank you, Operation Blessing, for this meaningful help,” Eliana said. “My family and I are very grateful!”

21

INDIA ALABAMA

YOU SENT HEALTH AND SMILES TO RURAL INDIA Through the Smile on Wheels mobile clinic

Through your faithful support of Operation Blessing, you have also supported many of our front-line medical partners.

In rural India, because of you, Bangalore Baptist Hospital’s “Smile on Wheels” mobile clinic brought free medical care to approximately 40 rural villages each quarter, seeing about 1,000 residents who might otherwise never receive care for what are sometimes life-threatening conditions. You made it possible for the clinic’s qualified staff to provide consultations, tests, procedures, medications, referrals and more. But rather than us tell you about it, let’s hear from some of the precious people who’ve been most blessed by your kindness!

“We had ignored the persistent headaches and tiredness because we had to travel long distances to consult a doctor. But, no more. We get the best medical care at our doorstep!”

— Sisters Nagamma and Narasamma

“I am fit as a fiddle now.

Previously, when I had high-level diabetes, I found it tough to manage the bulls.”

— Guru Shankar, 50 22

“My daughter escaped death. What was a hopeless situation turned into one of relief and joy, and now she is growing healthier by the day.

Thank you for all your help.”

— Manya’s Mother “I had my cataract surgery at Bangalore Baptist Hospital, and every month I get my blood sugar and blood pressure tested…. I’m also part of the Health Committee.”

— Lakshmanan, 76

“We are blessed to have you.

I want to give back something in return. I will do any work for the running of this clinic; it means so much to us.” — Muniraju, 60

“Thank you for the care and the medicines. I am at peace now and am back to my field—where I belong.” – Narayanamma, 68

23

LET’S HELP

more people THIS YEAR THAN EVER BEFORE!

YOUR COMPASSION TODAY MEANS HE CAN EAT TOMORROW! Together, we can win the fight against hunger, crisis, and disease. Get involved today at ob.org/give

operationblessing.org

977 Centerville Turnpike Virginia Beach, VA 23463 Copyright © 2020 by Operation Blessing

(800) 730-2537