May 2024 Blessings Magazine

Hatching Hope for the Future

How your support is shattering the chains of generational poverty

Happenings

Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!

Love and Hope in the Midst of Tragedy

You blessed a war widow and her sons in Ukraine

A Miracle Baby

Thank you for saving a newborn’s life and making way for a new generation

CAMBODIA: Your faithful support gave handsome Leang Lik a successful lifechanging surgery that has healed his cleft lip.

UKRAINE: Because of your generosity, Operation Blessing has delivered food bags to families in Ukraine that were in desperate need of groceries.

CHILE: Your compassion allowed Operation Blessing to help rebuild a home for Daisy and her family after devastating wildfires ravaged their town.

UNITED STATES: More than 100 Operation Blessing volunteers gathered together in Chesapeake, Virginia, to pack hundreds of Emergency Meal Kits for those in need.

ISRAEL: Because of your love and support, Wanchai received special orthopedic shoes to aid him in recovery and future therapies, after being injured during the brutal Hamas attack in Israel

MEXICO: Thanks to compassionate people like you, Operation Blessing’s partnership with UNICEF provided families in Mexico with emergency hygiene products to alleviate their health concerns.

LOVE and HOPE in the Midst of Tragedy

YOU’RE HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE NAVIGATE WARTIME

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Marina learned her husband had been killed in the war. She could barely identify his ravaged body, except for the slip of paper containing the Lord’s Prayer, which he still had.

LEvery day, the Operation Blessing team works to ensure that places for refugees have bread and food and that people do not go hungry.

–Marina

ife changed dramatically for Marina and her family in Ukraine on the fateful day of February 24, 2022, when Russia attacked. She told us, “The first day of the massive war brought numerous casualties to our town of Vugledar, widespread destruction of homes, terrifying siren sounds, and an icy fear for the lives of our two children.”

Marina couldn’t bring herself to abandon her husband, Arthur, who served in the army near their city. Instead, she and her sons, Maxim (16) and Vadim (7), along with several others, huddled in a bomb shelter as explosions thundered and shook the ground. Forced to use water that came from puddles and melted snow, they would strain it through cotton and boil it to try and make it safe. Sometimes Marina would run to her nearby apartment to cook food, but once as she was rushing back with hot soup in one hand and boiling water in the other, a rocket landed close by her. She said, “The explosion scattered the soup from

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the shock wave, and I fell. Wounded and covered in blood and hot soup, I … realized I had miraculously survived.”

After that, Arthur insisted she evacuate with the children. Marina gave Arthur a slip of paper with the Lord’s Prayer written on it, and he asked her to pray for him.

As she fled the area with her two boys, shells exploded around them and shrapnel hit their car. The boys huddled on the floorboards in terror. From that point on, much of what occurred remains hazy to Marina. They did find shelter in a safer area of Ukraine. Although traumatized, eventually she began to experience some peace and a bit of happiness.

But even that was torn away when she learned her husband had been killed in the war. She could barely identify his ravaged

body, except for the slip of paper containing the Lord’s Prayer, which he still had on his person.

These were dark days indeed for Marina and her boys. But during this time you made a huge difference in their lives.

You demonstrate God’s love by reaching out to comfort the brokenhearted with hope, help, and healing in times of tragedy. Marina said, “Every day, the Operation Blessing team works to ensure that places for refugees have bread and food and that people do not go hungry.”

That’s only possible because of wonderful friends like you!

At the shelter run by our partner organization and supplied by caring people like you, Marina has found herself surrounded by the prayers and encouragement of Christian believers. This has

During a worship service Marina decided to receive water baptism, which she feels marked the beginning of a new life for her and her children.

Thanks to wonderful donors like you, we provide vital supplies that have kept them alive—like fuel for warmth, essential food items, homemade bread for the elderly and those injured in the war, and even Christmas presents for the children.

kept her sane. During a worship service she decided to receive water baptism, which she feels marked the beginning of a new life for her and her children.

Since then, she has learned that Arthur died a hero while saving another man. And knowing that Arthur still kept the Lord’s Prayer with him during his last moments offers her assurance that she will be reunited with him someday in heaven.

Isn’t it touching to know that you helped make this beautiful story possible? That’s why we’re so incredibly thankful for you.

Marina’s story is still ongoing—as is the war in Ukraine. Thanks to wonderful donors like you, we’re able to reach out to Ukrainian refugees with aid, support, and encouragement. And for those who remain in the war-torn nation, we provide vital supplies that have kept them alive—like fuel for warmth, essential food items, homemade bread, hot meals for the elderly and those injured in the war, and even Christmas presents for the children.

Over two years have passed since the war began in Ukraine. But let’s not recall these years merely as a time of tragedy and violence; let’s also remember them as years when God’s love shone brightly through you to bless those in the most desperate need!

Thank you for saving a newborn’s life and making way for

a new generation

Although Zifan’s parents were ecstatic to learn they were expecting their first child, they despaired when they learned Zifan had something terribly wrong with his heart. The doctors told them that without an expensive operation, the child would die right after birth. Surgery was out of reach for Zifan. His family is part of the oppressed Muslim population in China, and his father’s income as a restaurant worker could never cover the cost.

With such a grim diagnosis, Zifan’s mother was advised not to carry her pregnancy to term. “But I remember an ultrasound where I heard his heartbeat,” she said. “And when

Miracle Baby A

he kicked, it seemed he was telling me, ‘Mom, I’m strong. You should be strong, too!’”

Providentially, a woman met the worried parents and told them about Operation Blessing— and your compassion made it possible to provide the surgery that repaired Zifan’s heart. This jubilant Muslim couple was astonished that Christians would come to their aid. “I didn’t

expect a Christian lady who was completely different from us to help,” Zifan’s mother said. “But she was very warmhearted.”

Through this, you helped to share the love of Christ with their family as well.

Seeing sweet little Zifan bustling about these days, smiling with delight as he plays happily, you’d never know his birth—and health—had ever been in doubt. This radiant child has brought so much joy to his grateful parents, and it’s all thanks to caring, compassionate people like you!

Hatching Hope for the Future

HOW YOUR SUPPORT IS SHATTERING THE CHAINS OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY

Adevoted wife and mother of two young children, Ofelia stood at a crossroads. Household expenses continued to mount while her husband’s daily wage as a field worker barely covered the basics needed for their kids. Ofelia had taken up weaving to help stabilize their income, but sales were slim, and each item barely turned a profit.

She held up the colorful garment before her. There was no doubt it was beautiful, but would it earn the money needed to help her struggling family? They had long endured a relentless grind for survival, but now they faced the possibility of being separated from one another.

Burdened by the weight of responsibility, Ofelia’s husband contemplated a drastic measure. He could leave his family and home in a desperate search for employment opportunities outside of their impoverished nation. The idea of saying goodbye to his wife and children was heartbreaking, but he couldn’t ignore the painful truth that

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his meager earnings simply could not give his family a sustainable future. Sadly, the best way to ensure that his wife and young children were taken care of seemed to be leaving them behind.

Desperate tales like this are woven into the fabric of Guatemalan society—stories of families torn apart by economic necessity and parents forced to make agonizing choices. Should they pursue a better life for their young ones, even if it means they won't get to be a part of it?

Their situation was grim, and Ofelia could feel her family slipping away. She turned to God for an answer, for some way to ensure that her children would grow up knowing the love and care of their father.

Then you stepped in and helped answer those prayers— with feathers and eggs!

You provided the family with a poultry business, a microenterprise designed to help families like Ofelia’s free themselves from poverty—not just for a day or a year, but for a lifetime. By providing cages full of clucking hens, bags of chicken feed, and the knowledge offered through invaluable training, you gave Ofelia and her family more than just resources; you lit a path leading out of the oppressive shadow of generational poverty. Offering a meaningful hand up rather than a fleeting handout, you blessed Ofelia and her husband with the opportunity to free their children from the soulcrushing cycle they had endured through many long years.

Now, as the sun rises over the hills of her village in Guatemala, its golden rays fall upon Ofelia’s bustling poultry business. She said, “I collect around 170 or 175 eggs a day and those sales have helped me

opportunity to have a project because it has been a great help.”

During a time when poverty throughout Latin America has created an immigration crisis, your generous heart ensured that to her thriving business, collecting reminder that the bonds of love—

Your generous heart helped ensure that Ofelia’s family was able to stay united and work toward a better future for their children right in their homeland.

Refreshment for a Mother’s Soul

YOU ARE GIVING A NEW FUTURE TO HER CHILDREN IN KENYA

Laingeso poured the fresh cool water you helped provide over her children’s heads. She recalled how clean, fresh, and satisfying their water now tasted on her lips. She smiled, maybe even laughed. Thankfully, her children—Khoboso (3) and Thuleyo (10 months)—would be spared the agony she had endured for far too long.

Laingeso’s life had been a constant battle for clean water. It could have been tragic if wonderful friends like you had not intervened. Her family relies on water to

The clean water you helped provide tasted clean, fresh,

drink, cook, and keep their livestock—their primary source of income—alive. They often traveled from place to place just to find enough of this precious resource for their thirsty goats, cattle, and camels. But the recent drought in the Marsabit region of Kenya had dried up most of their watering holes. They settled with about 430 other families in the Korr villages to endure the worst. Every day, women and children had to carry two or three jerrycans several miles to gather

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With your support, we built a new clean water system for Laingeso's village.

God heard her prayers and answered through generous supporters like you! Your love and compassion came to her rescue and helped build a new deep borehole well that provided fresh, clean water to Laingeso, her children, and the 430 families in the Korr villages. Your generosity also blessed each of the four communities with bathrooms and hand-washing stations. Residents learned about safe sanitation practices so they can create healthier habits that will help prevent further infection and disease.

Laingeso couldn’t contain her joy. “When we tasted this water for the first time, everyone in the village was so excited as the water was fresh, clean and very satisfying.” She added, “Now we fetch water from the taps and go to the bathroom and shower comfortably and there is also the privacy to shower.”

With one water system, friends like you changed the lives of these communities for now— and for generations to come. “If

there was something we could give to show our gratitude, we would, but now only our words and our smiles can express the gratitude in our hearts,” said Laingeso. “May you be blessed, and may the Lord reward your generosity.”

TAX-WISE WAYS TO GIVE

You can save on taxes while supporting your favorite Operation Blessing outreaches.

1

DONATE YOUR SHARES OF STOCK

« You can give appreciated stock that you’ve held for more than one year.

« You can use this as a charitable deduction for the fair market value.

« You won’t have to pay capital gains tax.

2

DONATE FROM YOUR IRA

« If you are 70 ½ years or older, you can give “tax-free” directly from your IRA.

« You can satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution with a Qualified Charitable Distribution, if applicable.

Connect with our planned giving specialists to discover ways you can give a meaningful gift without affecting your monthly budget.

Gift Annuities | IRA Rollovers Legacy Giving | Stocks

800-333-2373

PlannedGiving@ob.org

For free resources, visit: ob.org/plannedgiving

Her children rise up and call her blessed.

–Proverbs 31:28

BLESSINGS ABOUND

Ruth is overjoyed thanks to her new baby—and to your love and care

Mothers! Celebrating

Meet Ruth, a loving young wife and mother who devotes herself to her family and caring for her farm animals in a remote village of Peru. Under normal circumstances, she might not have had the time or resources to travel and seek prenatal care. But thanks to friends like you, Operation Blessing brought care and guidance right to her and other expecting mothers in her area. She received prenatal training and an ultrasound at no cost. As her firstborn is a boy, she was excited to learn her second child would be a healthy girl. After Ruth’s daughter was born, you also blessed her with a wonderful packet of baby supplies. Overjoyed, Ruth said, “We thank Operation Blessing and all the people who make this kind of help possible.”

A Saving GRACE

“The morning of the tornado was a horrible scare,” Florence reflected.

“The sky turned colors I had never witnessed before. One particular tree actually fell over my bedroom.”

Early on a January morning, the town of Cottonwood, Alabama, was devastated by a tornado. Structures were toppled over, trees were down

everywhere, and the future looked bleak. The people of Cottonwood needed a saving grace to help restore their community.

Thankfully, Operation Blessing deployed to the town to provide immediate assistance and vital supplies. This was all made possible by friends and partners like you.

THANK YOU FOR RESTORING HOPE TO THEIR COMMUNITY IN ALABAMA

“I hadn’t heard of this organization prior to my daughter coming over and telling me about them. ‘Oh Mom, it’s going to be all right. I trust these people. I trust Operation Blessing,’” said Florence. “I said, ‘All right, you trust, I trust.’”

Florence and her daughter weren’t the only ones whose lives were touched by your compassion and generosity. Lottie, another resident of Cottonwood and a tornado survivor, shared a similar experience.

“I heard the sirens go off, but I was still in bed,” Lottie recalled. “When things started hitting my house, I was afraid. I jumped out of bed and looked out the window. My shed was down, and a tree fell on my truck. I really got upset, but all I could do was turn to Jesus.”

In her time of need, your love was there. Not only did Lottie and her neighbors get help clearing debris, but they also received food, water, and cleaning supplies. Most importantly, they were shown muchneeded kindness thanks to your support.

“Operation Blessing is here to help us,” said Lottie as she smiled. “They’re doing a wonderful job.”

While cleaning up, one of our relief team members found Lottie’s Bible underneath her demolished shed. To her surprise and relief, the Bible was fully intact without a scratch. This gave Lottie hope that everything would be just fine.

Your generosity and commitment to helping others make a world of difference in times of tragedy.

“I think Operation Blessing is a good group of people from the bottom of my heart,” beamed Lottie. “I thank you all for being here to help me and others.”

The Bible was fully intact without a scratch.

In their time of need, your love was there!