Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!
You provide a fresh start in the most meaningful ways
On both sides of the globe! 4
God’s mercies are new every morning
How you are helping hardworking Americans build a
You’re helping a former Hamas hostage bless his home community
Your compassion provided 5-year-old Kevin with a lifechanging surgery and treatment for his bilateral clubfoot, and he is now completing physical therapy.
PHILIPPINES: Your love and support provided a 74-year-old widow named Josefina with necessary disaster relief supplies after Typhoon Julian ravaged her local area.
Your gracious giving sent teams and disaster equipment to Sarasota, Florida, to remove debris from Tom’s home after Hurricane Milton devastated his property.
KENYA: Because of your generosity, Dora was provided with one buck, six does, and a secure pen to properly raise goats with a goal of raising them and selling some at her local market to provide for her family.
PERU: Thanks to Operation Blessing’s prenatal counseling program, Yaneth was able to attend childbirth preparation workshops and receive essential supplies for her newborn.
ASHEVILLE, NC: After Hurricane Helene ripped through the River Arts District, Operation Blessing helped local artists get back to work by setting up a temporary workspace as their permanent studio spaces are rebuilt.
You provide a fresh start in the most meaningful ways
We’ve all seen photos and videos of the unimaginable devastation Hurricane Helene wrought in the hills and valleys of Appalachia. Mudslides covering
Named “the beautiful” by Native Americans, the Swannanoa River provided a peaceful home for many.
After a hard day at work, Joe liked to return to his “little paradise” beside the river—listening to the flowing water, fishing, and enjoying the serenity around him. It had taken him many years to buy his dream house, and he felt an
When Helene hit, the force of the river—engorged by the storm’s unheardof rainfall—caught him off guard. He and his faithful dog, Bo, sought refuge at a neighbor’s house on higher ground. They waited together for hours as the rain pounded relentlessly. When the storm finally subsided, Joe was devastated to realize the river had entirely swept away his precious home. Like many of his neighbors, he had no flood insurance, and he to rebuild. Along with others who live near the river, he’s staying on what’s left of his property. He was without water, electricity,
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When our Operation Blessing team saw Joe camping by the river, we asked how we could help him and his neighbors. Friends like you provided water, food, solar lamps, and generators—and offered prayers. Thanks to generous donations, we also gave him a new set of tools for work and a car to replace the one he lost, so he could return to his job. And we pray he will soon rediscover the peace he once found by the river, even as we work to help rebuild homes in the area.
After devastating the city of Asheville, Hurricane Helene left Maria and her 3-year-old son, Soma, without water or electricity. They began visiting our Operation Blessing base of operations so she could charge her electronic devices, take calls essential to her real estate business, and enjoy a hot meal with her son. She’d also bring a plate of food to her elderly mother, who depends on Maria. Your help eased the burden she carried. “Every little bit helps,” Maria says, grateful for not only the meals but also the supplies she’s received. For Soma, a sweet boy with an infectious smile, the base is a temporary haven in the midst of uncertainty. It was also a beacon of hope for mother and son, offering not only the basics of survival but also the warmth of community and compassion during an immensely difficult time.
Sixteen-year-old Ricardo considers himself one of the lucky ones. After Hurricane Helene hit, his family’s house had no major damage, even though he and his mother were left without water or electricity. And, he knew thousands of people had lost everything. So he looked for ways to lend a hand.
volunteer, arriving every day with his mother to assist our team— doing anything from restocking the kitchen to unloading trucks. The storm had brought Ricardo some heartaches. He wasn’t sure when he’d be able to return to school. And the teenager had lost a close friend, one of many who didn’t survive
Blessing hard at work in The Home Depot parking lot— preparing hot meals and distributing thanks to your generosity. Ricardo asked if he could help. For weeks, he became a dedicated
And those are just a few of the many lives touched! Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, you made it possible for us to reach out with love, comfort, and practical aid throughout North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. You are also enabling us to stay in the Asheville area for an extended time, helping to rebuild lives and even businesses. Thank you!
Because of friends like you, we are turning dreams of clean water into reality for hundreds of remote villages around the world each year. In fact, during the last fiscal year over 59,000 people received clean water, thanks to our generous partners.
Today, we’d like to send a hearty congratulations to the communities San Jose La Unión in Mexico and Masuyati in Kenya on their brand-new water systems, each tailored to the village’s unique needs. The residents now have improved health and increased dignity, along with more time for education, work, and family.
Perhaps most importantly, they have fresh hope for the future in this new year! Thank you for making this possible.
Residents in San Jose La Unión now have a rainwater system with filters and chlorination.
During the last fiscal year, friends like you provided over 300 water systems in villages around the world.
Villagers in
celebrate their new water system.
The birth of a child is always a reason to celebrate. For months, parents prepare for the arrival of their precious little family member and eagerly await the joy of seeing their face for the very first time.
But that joyous expectation can quickly turn to tears when a new son or daughter is born with a condition like cleft lip. The trials both parents and children will face seem insurmountable. Feeding will be difficult. Malnutrition is more likely. Imagine how helpless a mother must feel to watch her beloved child suffer—and know she can’t afford the means to help.
And what if your child is the only one your community has ever seen with such a condition? Imagine the harsh looks, whispered gossip, or worse, the accusation that your precious baby is cursed.
A reason to celebrate, thanks to a life-changing surgery
That was the world that little Thoon entered when she was born. As the only child with cleft lip in a small rural village in Myanmar, you can imagine the isolation her family felt simply because their friends and neighbors didn’t understand. Feeding time often ended in tears and frustration for both mother and daughter. Thoon couldn’t even swallow water without difficulty, and her young mother, Daw, had to rely on others to help her feed her baby girl the precious milk she desperately needed.
Even at a young age, Thoon could sense the stigma around her. She held her tiny little hands against her mouth to prevent food from escaping, and while in public she often hid her cleft lip so others couldn’t see it.
Without surgery, Thoon’s future looked bleak. Daw wanted
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her daughter to have the surgery as soon as possible, but like any concerned mother, she was anxious. Saving enough money to pay for an operation would take time. Thoon’s father even tried looking outside the country to find better paying work.
Thankfully, friends like you stepped in to provide a free surgery for little Thoon, so they wouldn’t have to wait a moment longer.
For Thoon and her family, your gift provided a transformation indeed. Following her surgery, Thoon could finally eat without choking and even started to speak a few words with clarity. And because of your love and support, her confidence began to grow. When her parents took her out in public, she no longer hid from strangers. She showed off her face proudly to everyone she met.
“I am deeply grateful that my daughter could
Thank you for giving Thoon a chance to thrive.
undergo surgery,” said Daw. “If we had tried to arrange the surgery on our own, it would have taken much longer.” With their burdens lifted, Thoon’s entire family could finally experience the joy surrounding their beloved little girl. They now had a reason to celebrate fully thanks to your support!
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23
WISHING YOU A Happy new year!
In today’s challenging economic climate, even those working multiple jobs can find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Katrina, a dedicated special education teacher’s assistant by day and front desk attendant by night, knows this reality all too well.
“It’s been tough. I won’t lie,” Katrina admits.
“Just trying to make ends meet at times. … One job takes care of the mortgage, the other job takes care of the car payment and everything else in the middle. I hustle, just to make it through.”
Despite her tireless work ethic, Katrina often faces difficult choices when it comes to personal expenses.
“Do I need it? Do I have to have it? Can I do without? And that’s what hurts,” she shares, revealing the emotional toll of financial stress.
Fortunately, Katrina found crucial support through Operation Blessing’s food partnership with our distribution partner New Life Church. Initially hesitant, Katrina recalls her first visit to the food pantry: “I’ll be honest with you, I was a little embarrassed. I hadn’t done anything wrong. But I’m like, ‘Lord, I’m in this line. I’m working. I’m trying to do everything I know possible to do, and I’m having to be in this line.’”
One job takes care of the mortgage, the other job takes care of the car payment and everything else in the middle. I hustle, just to make it through.
However, the warmth and dignity she experienced quickly put her at ease. “Everybody prays with you. They uplift you. Everyone has a beautiful smile, and it makes your heart feel good,” Katrina says.
The quality and variety of food she receives has been a gamechanger, allowing her to spend her limited resources more effectively.
“When I go to the pharmacy, I can pick up my medicine,” Katrina explains. “I don’t have to ask, ‘Can you hold onto this for a day or two?’ or wait until I get paid.”
And it’s all because of friends like you that we can help hardworking people like Katrina. Beyond the immediate relief, your support is enabling Katrina to pursue her dreams. While
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juggling her jobs, she’s also finishing her general studies with plans to earn a degree in American Sign Language. Her passion for helping others shines through in her work with special education students: “They have taught me unconditional love. No matter what, they have a smile,” she said. “I want to give to the children ... I want to let them know they mean something.”
Katrina’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that compassionate supporters like you have on the daily lives of those we are privileged to serve. It’s not just
offering hope, dignity, and the opportunity for a better future.
As for the support she’s received, Katrina’s gratitude is heartfelt. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are a godsend. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where I would be.”
While juggling her jobs, Katrina is also finishing her general studies with plans to earn a degree in American Sign Language. Her passion for helping others shines through in her work with special education students.
Would you like to wake up each morning with the amazing feeling of knowing you’re making a difference?
You can be a part of building blessings across the globe every day. Whether it’s through food for struggling neighbors, life-changing surgeries, clean water for vulnerable villagers, or vital disaster relief,
you can be the blessing the world desperately needs. Get involved in rescuing the hurting on a daily basis for $19 a month or more. You can make it possible for us to respond to urgent cries at a moment’s notice. In return, you will receive a handmade chambira-fiber cross from Peru as our gift to you!
ob.org/blessingbuilders
You’re helping a former Hamas hostage bless his home community
When they took me, I never expected they’d bring me back alive. “ “
These haunting words from Jimmy Pacheco capture the terror he endured as one of the hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel. Jimmy, a Filipino national, worked as a caregiver for an elderly man in Israel. On that day, his employer was brutally murdered, and Jimmy was taken hostage. During his captivity, he suffered tremendously
Out of desperation, he even ate toilet paper dampened by water on the walls—so he could survive and see his children again.
After being held for more than a month, Jimmy was finally freed in November 2023. An Operation Blessing team from his Philippines homeland was on the ground in Israel and provided him with emotional support.
“When I first saw the sunlight and came out from the tunnel, I just knelt,” Jimmy said, his voice full of emotion. “I thanked the Lord because I saw the sun again and breathed fresh air.”
Thanks to friends like you, Jimmy’s story didn’t end with his release—it transformed into one of hope and giving. The trauma of Jimmy’s experience led him home to the Philippines, where Operation Blessing remained in touch with him. “Life has gotten easier,” Jimmy shared, finding peace with his family in Santa Ana, situated in the province of Cagayan.
But rather than focus solely on his own recovery, Jimmy turned
to his community’s needs. “I can’t help but think about my neighbors,” he explained. “Since I was young, I’ve always preferred giving rather than receiving. You know what they say: it’s better to be the giver than the receiver.”
Because of your generosity, Operation Blessing was able to partner with Jimmy to bring vital healthcare to remote areas in Santa Ana. Through our mobile medical clinics, your compassionate support provided eye exams, medicines, vitamins, hygiene kits, and health screenings to hundreds of families across three underserved communities—all free of charge. “They really need this kind of medical mission,” Jimmy emphasized, speaking of his neighbors.
In these isolated locations, access to basic healthcare is often out of reach, and the challenges Jimmy
witnessed growing up in this region stayed with him even during his years working abroad. Having experienced hardship in his own childhood, he understood firsthand how a lack of basic medical care can impact entire families.
That’s why Operation Blessing’s mobile medical clinic was so crucial—it brought essential healthcare directly to these communities, removing barriers of distance and cost that had long prevented many from receiving the care they desperately needed.
Your continued kindness helped turn one man’s traumatic experience into a multiplying blessing for his community!
Despite Jimmy’s own challenges, his first thought was to help others. Your faithful support allowed him to become the hands and feet of Jesus for his neighbors. Jimmy’s story is a reminder to us all that Jesus can take even our darkest moments and use them to become a light for others.
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