Issuu

blessings OPERATION BLESSING

MAY 2020

Stories of how YOU help the hurting

Helping Mothers HELP THEIR WORLD

YOU ARE FIGHTING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS PA G E 1 0

Happenings

Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!

Feeding and Freedom

You are faithfully feeding a military family of six in the US

Helping Mothers Help Their World

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You give mothers the ability to improve their familyâ€™s future

Inside this this issue issue

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You Are Fighting the Coronavirus Crisis

Reaching out to first responders, medical facilities, and more

You Sent New Opportunity to a Mother in Need Skills Training Opens Doors in Pakistan

Wearing a New Smile

You provided a young girl in Myanmar with a life-changing surgery

Flowing Streams of Mercy

OB friends like you bring clean water to a rural community in Peru

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

OPERATION BLESSING

HAPPENINGS PERU: Villagers from Sales Grande in the highlands of Peru now have easy access to clean, healthy water thanks to you!

CHINA: You responded to the coronavirus in China by sending vital medical supplies like tens of thousands of masks and thousands of protective suits.

UKRAINE: After suffering a

brain injury from an explosion, a loving father will be able care for his son again because you sent a life-changing surgery his way.

EL SALVADOR: Women in the community of San Juan now have the

opportunity to learn new skills and earn a good living by baking because you cared.

FLORIDA: Your love

and support continues to reach out to residents of Mexico Beach who are still struggling to recover long after Hurricane Michael destroyed their town.

KENYA: Thanks to

you, Susanâ€™s life and so many more around the world are being transformed through life-changing surgeries.

FEEDING AND FREEDOM You are faithfully feeding a military family of six in the US

Alexa finds encouragement while her husband is at sea.

lexa is the picture of a supportive military spouse. Her husband, Juan, has been in the United States Navy for several years. From when they first married to today, Alexa has

remained a strong anchor for the family back home. Juanâ€™s duties with the Navy regularly take him away from his family, as he boards a ship for five to six months at a time.

VIRGINIA

Alexa is not allowed to discuss the whereabouts of her husband’s ship, and these unknowns often create further concern for their family. But even when Juan is away, there is a sweetness to Alexa’s days. She stays home to mother her four young children: Sutton, 6; Alaina, 3; Kasey, 1; and Micah, 2 months. Caring for them is one of her greatest joys. Yet with so many mouths to feed, Alexa often feels the strain to make ends meet at the end of the month. The family’s one fixed income often gets stretched to its limit as Alexa makes the most of every dollar. “After the bills are paid and the kids are taken care of, there’s not much left to help with groceries,” Alexa said. Alexa first discovered an Operation Blessing partner

one day while scrolling through Facebook. She sought out information about the food ministry, searching for any help she could find to subsidize her family’s needs. What she did not expect was how friends like you would change her life!

The OB volunteers love Micah!

Thanks to you, our food distribution partner near Alexa’s home regularly welcomes new beneficiaries to have their needs met through the ministry of hunger relief. They offer church services full of encouraging prayer and worship. Next, they serve a hot meal to recipients like Alexa and her children. Continued on page 8 7

Continued from page 7

Then, because you cared, family now. My girls love coming here!” Alexa said. they load up cars with groceries and food supplies. This blessing helps sustain Alexa’s family for weeks. And it leaves her enough money to attend to other important expenses. “We don’t have to sacrifice Alexa receives prayer and support Beyond the groceries any other bills like gas or anything,” Alexa explained. and the support for Alexa,

THE WARMTH AND KINDNESS SHE’S FOUND AMONG THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE IMPACTED ALEXA GREATLY. The warmth and kindness she's found among the volunteers have also impacted Alexa greatly in connecting with our partner, especially from the ministry director, Mae. “Mae has opened her arms to us. She is like 8

your kindness gives peace of mind to Juan while he is called away from his family. Thank you for your generosity to see military families cared for while their loved ones serve our country and protect our freedom.

Happy Mother's Day! As an Operation Blessing friend, you are helping mothers in need around the world every day. By blessing mothers through ultrasounds, medical care, education, skills training, small businesses, agricultural projects, food pantries and more, you help create vibrant, thriving families for generations to come.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good. – Romans 8:28

YOU ARE FIGHTING THE

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS Reaching Out to First Responders, Medical Facilities, Hungry Families, and more ecently, our world has been facing the unprecedented crisis of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Phrases like “social distancing” and “shelter in place” have become the new norm. We’ve been flooded with tragic stories and images from all around the globe as the virus spreads. But many encouraging and heartwarming stories have come during this season as well. People are finding rest, spending time with their families, and pouring out love and compassion in incredible measures. Thanks to your faithful support, Operation Blessing has been able to respond quickly and

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WORLDWIDE

effectively as the changing needs arise. Which means you have been a part of fighting this virus, and a huge blessing to our world in the midst of crisis! As the crisis first emerged in China, you sent huge shipments of masks and protective gear to help medical workers on the front lines. When it traveled to other nations, our teams in places like Guatemala and the Philippines promptly distributed protective gear and disinfectants. In the U.S., because of you, we quickly reached out to our food distribution partners, and began sending even more free groceries and water to those hit by the financial hardships of the crisis, including children who lost school meals and workers who lost wages. With your help, we also reached out to first

responders and hospitals in a number of U.S. communities. “Many of us are working remotely right now, or being asked to, but these folks can’t,” said Hannah Slusher, operations manager for Operation Blessing. She went on to explain concerning the Norfolk PD, “We actually provided … 1,000 N95 masks. And through partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, we also provided them with sanitizing kits.” The officers greatly appreciated these buckets full of cleaning and disinfecting supplies. Operation Blessing always stands ready to respond to crises and reach out to those in need. With your ongoing support, we’ll be able to continue offering humanitarian aid during this COVID-19 crisis and long into the future. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. 11

KENYA

Helping Mothers HELP THEIR WORLD

eet Mary, a cheerful widowed mother from Kenya. Once upon a time, struggle and hardship overshadowed her life. But now, thanks to you, Mary and so many mothers all around the world have gotten the help they need to support their families and improve their futures. When Mary’s husband died years ago, her life took a quick turn for the worse. He’d come from Tanzania to work as a herdsman but didn’t own any land in Kenya. So, when he died, Mary and her six children found themselves homeless. They bounced around between friends and relatives for a while, as Mary struggled to provide food and basic necessities for her children. As if life wasn’t hard enough, a severe drought swept across her area and wiped out the little flock of three cows and eight goats that she had managed to build, leaving Mary devastated. She worked hard at farming jobs, but too often her children went to bed hungry, and they kept getting sent home from school because she couldn’t pay their fees. Mary said, "I was trying everything I could do to provide for my children. It hurt a lot to see them lacking food, Continued on page 14

You gave Mary a chance to give her family a brighter future

“OPERATION BLESSING CAME IN JUST AT THE

right time!”

– Mary, mother of six

Continued from page 12

clothes and even school fees. But nothing seemed to work, no matter how much I tried!" She thought she’d run out of hope. Then she finally moved closer to family near Kimana, Kenya, where you regularly send support. When OB heard about Mary’s situation, thanks to you, we were able to quickly make some huge 14

changes in her life. You gave her a plot of land on the OB-supported farm, along with seeds and tools to begin growing food for her children. Her youngest children enrolled in the OB preschool, where they received a high-quality education and two nutritious meals every day for free! Mary and her children benefitted

from the water system you had built in her new area, getting clean, healthy water. In a short time, Mary’s worry and discouragement turned to joy and hope. “I couldn’t believe it when Operation Blessing came to my help. Life was getting harder for me and my children. Operation Blessing

Checking th e chickens.

r work. Mary enjoys he

came in just at the right time!” Mary said with a smile. Today, Mary reaps abundant harvests that allow her to take good care of her family. She can even afford school fees and uniforms for her older children. She’s also gotten involved with the poultry project you sent to her area. Women work together tending the chickens and in return have eggs for their children, increased incomes, and the support of the group. Mary is thankful for these huge improvements in her life. Not only does it help her and her children today, but it is breaking the cycle of poverty for her

family. With good health and solid educations, they have hope for bright futures full of opportunity. And with your support, Mary has modeled how hard work can make a difference in their lives. You send help to mothers all around the world through agricultural programs, skills training, small business support, and more! Thank you for supporting mothers in need and helping them to help their families for generations to come. In Mary’s words, “I am so grateful for all the help you have given me and my family. … May God bless you all for your kindness!” 15

PAKISTAN

You blessed Safina and her sons.

YOU SENT NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO A MOTHER IN NEED SKILLS TRAINING OPENS DOORS IN PAKISTAN

afina’s life as a mother in Pakistan hasn’t been easy. Her husband didn’t earn enough as a janitor to fully support their family of four, so they lived with her in-laws. Sadly, Safina’s living situation was filled with strife, disrespect and even abuse.

Then, when his sister moved back into the family home after a failed marriage, the strife and abuse grew even worse. In order to protect her children, Safina was forced to take her boys and move back into her parents’ home. Safina’s greatest wish was to learn to be independent and earn a living to provide for herself and her sons. That’s when she discovered an Operation Blessingsupported program in her area. Out of the kindness of your heart, you provide vital skills training to struggling women like Safina in

Pakistan who need a way to better support themselves and their families. Through this program they can study sewing, cosmetology, computer literacy, and more. Thanks to you, Safina is now learning to be a seamstress! Her teachers report that she’s enthusiastic and motivated. Whatever the future holds, Safina feels confident that she’ll earn more respect and be better able to care for her family thanks to this tremendous gift. Safina offers you her love and gratitude, and she says, “Thank you for supporting struggling mothers like me!”

Whatever your favorite social media, be sure to share the inspiring stories you are making possible with your friends and relatives. It’s a great way to spread the word about helping the poor and hurting, raise awareness for a great cause, and ultimately change the lives of those in need!

MYANMAR

WEARING A NEW SMILE

YOU PROVIDED A YOUNG GIRL IN MYANMAR WITH A LIFE-CHANGING SURGERY

i Ei has brought joy to her parents’ hearts since the day she was born. But pain and concern also followed her birth, as her parents noticed a birth defect in their otherwise perfect baby girl. Born with a cleft lip, Ei Ei’s condition made eating and speaking very difficult. Now 6 years old, she’s reached a time when most children begin to integrate themselves into their communities with friends and classmates. But Ei Ei’s

mother, Daw Hla Hla Win, could not help but worry over her daughter. “Whenever we saw that her face was different from other children, we were so sad,” Daw Hla Hla Win said. “And our family was so worried about her future.” She saw Ei Ei struggle to eat, as rice would often spill out of her split lip when she chewed. These daily challenges caused Ei Ei to feel shy and embarrassed, making it difficult for her to meet new people. But there Continued on page 20

Ei Ei and her mother both smile thanks to your help.

Continued from page 18

seemed to be no solution, as her parents often had difficulty just making ends meet with the meager wages they earned. Then, because of faithful Operation Blessing partners like you, Ei Ei’s life was totally transformed. When Daw Hla Hla Win connected with OB staff members, she applied for Ei Ei’s life-changing surgery, which filled the family with hope. A few weeks later, you provided Ei Ei with the surgery she needed— repairing her cleft lip! She and her family are overjoyed with the outcome of the procedure. 20

“Now my daughter is so beautiful and can eat regularly,” Daw Hla Hla Win said. “Thank you so much to the donors for helping my daughter!” Operation Blessing is eager to help men, women, and children all over the world who struggle with physical affliction every day. Through our lifesaving surgery program, you help thousands of people every year who suffer from painful conditions, social stigma, and public shame. Thank you for your generosity to bless Ei Ei with healing! Her affliction has now transformed into a testimony of your kindness.

Their Future and Yours Charitable Gift Annuities with Operation Blessing can bless families in need while providing you with income in retirement.

It’s a win-win! YOUR BENEFITS INCLUDE: • The security of stable cash flow for life. Yes, for life! • Higher than average returns compared to CDs and savings accounts. • A way to increase retirement income. • Payments taxed less than regular income. • An immediate charitable income tax benefit if itemizing deductions. • The satisfaction of knowing your gift will help those in need for generations to come!

For more information about the gift that pays you back*, please contact

PlannedGiving@ob.org *annuity gift is minimum of $10,000

OB friends like you bring clean water access to a rural community in Peru

FLOWING STREAMS

of Mercy

uisa lives nestled among the rough terrain of Puno in the Sales Grande community of Peru, hours from the nearest city. She lost her husband six years ago, leaving her alone in the

vastness of the highlands. All her sons have married and are raising families of their own in larger cities. Luisa is 70 years old, but she still fills her days with work, waking early each morning to tend to her

PERU

livestock. She must collect water for them and herself, requiring her to search out sources of water. But these sources were always far away and seldom clean. She risked her health if she drank the water. “After my husband passed away, I no longer had someone to accompany me to collect water,” Luisa explained. “I would have to ask someone to help me carry it home. But many times, I would have to carry it home in small buckets because otherwise it was too heavy for me.” But thanks to you, Operation Blessing was able to act when we learned of the need in her community. With your help, the local OB staff developed a water project and constructed a system to allow locals to obtain safe drinking water through natural filters and chlorinators close to their homes. You have greatly

improved the quality of life in this community! Luisa can now easily access water from a faucet near her home. This will not only relieve her of the stress and physical strain of fetching water, but it will improve the overall health of her drinking, eating and cleaning activities. She is now overwhelmed with thanksgiving for these flowing streams of mercy.

Luisa is excited about her water.

“Oh God, my Lord, thank You so much for this blessing!” Luisa said. Thank you for caring for a widowed woman amid her struggle. You have not only blessed Luisa but the entire community she calls home. 23

HELP FELLOW AMERICANS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Your love can reach out to the hurting through this unprecedented time with supplemental food, medical protective gear, disinfecting supplies and more. Give now at ob.org/COVID

operationblessing.org

(800) 730-2537