2022 August Blessings Magazine

blessings OPERATION BLESSING

AUGUST 2022

Stories of how YOU help the hurting around the world.

YOU ARE THERE IN THEIR TOUGHEST TIMES PICKING UP THE PIECES PAG E 8

A NEW START FOR BABY JORDANO PA G E 1 6

CALM AFTER THE STORM PA G E 2 0

Happenings

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Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

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You gave women the tools to feed their families

Picking Up the Pieces

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How you offered Bertha hope for tomorrow

Inside this issue

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You Are There in Their Toughest Times How a community survived a drought with your help

A New Start for Baby Jordano

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You sent life-changing surgery to a child in need

Calm After the Storm

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Rebuilding after disaster strikes, thanks to friends like you

Water for Enrique’s Village

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Bringing fresh water to a community in Mexico

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

OPERATION BLESSING

HAPPENINGS HONDURAS: Maria and her kids got the medicines they so badly needed from a medical brigade, thanks to your help.

HAITI: Pierre received his cleft lip surgery! Generous friends like you came together in a crowdfunding campaign to make it happen. Get involved at ob.org/surgeries.

UKRAINE: Refugee families got a chance to rest, eat, and be refreshed before heading on their way with supplies for their journey—all because you care.

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VIRGINIA: Staff and volunteers pitched in to pack emergency food kits to help their fellow Americans after disaster struck.

PHILIPPINES: Typhoons batter the Philippine Islands all too often, but our generous supporters regularly supply disaster relief aid to ease the burden for victims in need.

KENYA: Congratulations to the school children of Inkariak Ronkena on their new clean water system, provided by faithful partners like you.

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EMPOWERING

female ENTREPRENEURS You gave women the tools to feed their families

W

hen COVID-19 hit, the world stopped.

Government-imposed restrictions made life difficult for people everywhere— especially in impoverished nations. There, many must labor daily just to provide

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the bare minimum to feed their families. So losing work for even a short time means children going hungry. But you reached out to meet them in their need, providing help and hope through microenterprise assistance.

HONDURAS

For people like Carmen and the women she works with at a bakery co-op in Honduras, COVID drove them to the brink of bankruptcy. “The business was not working because of the effects of the pandemic,” Carmen explained.

As a single mother, Carmen must shoulder the burden of being her small family’s sole provider. At times, she was even forced to borrow food from her neighbors to feed her 8-year-old daughter, Dominic. But then Operation Blessing learned of their desperate situation.

Our teams realized one cause of Carmen and her co-workers’ struggles was a lack of equipment for their food production business.

The ladies make and sell pinole (a tasty mixture of ground corn, peanuts, cinnamon, pepper, rice, and wheat), plantain chips, and cakes—all without proper tools.

But then friends like you came

to their rescue and gave them a hand up to save their bakery.

Carmen’s business is now able to thrive because you provided her women’s group with an electric mill to quickly and efficiently process the seeds and grains they previously had to grind by hand.

They also now have what they need to make and slice baked goods, presenting them to the public with pride.

Your help gave their business a real boost, and all the ladies involved have been blessed!

Carmen shared, “Thank you to the donors of Operation Blessing for what you have given us.” With hope for the future, she continued, “We are going to take advantage of everything you gave us to make our business grow even more.”

And, thanks to your compassion, Carmen’s daughter now has the stability she needs to thrive and pursue her dreams— and so do many others.

Carmen and her daughter, Dominic

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KENTUCKY

Pieces PICKING UP THE

How you offered Bertha hope for tomorrow

“Will I have a home when this is over?” Imagine this question filling your mind as you huddle together with your family, terrified, hoping against hope that the storm raging outside will

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leave your house alone.

Bertha and her daughter can.

They lived it. And you were there for them on the other side.

When the storm came to Russellville, Kentucky, Bertha

took shelter with her daughter, knowing an EF3 tornado was wreaking havoc in her area. Bertha recalls her thoughts that day: “I didn’t know if we would have a house when we came back.” The situation seemed hopeless. Sure enough, they soon discovered that the violent winds had destroyed Bertha’s roof, blown out the windows, and riddled the rest of the house with holes.

Just thinking about her badly damaged home moved Bertha to tears. “I didn’t think it could

be fixed. I just thought it was gone.” She didn’t know where to begin to pick up the pieces of her house—or her life. But Operation Blessing heard about her need, and faithful partners made it possible for her to imagine a new future.

Bertha was told her home would be repaired, and over the last several months, partners like you not only repaired her roof and walls but also gave her new windows, flooring, cabinets, and furniture.

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have really done “ Y’all great wonders to this house.

Continued on page 18

”

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Continued from page 9

She shared her astonishment when she saw the finished work.

“They went in and fixed it, and it looks better than it did before,” she exclaimed. “You can’t tell anything happened to it. I didn’t think it could be fixed that way, it’s just unbelievable!”

Because of your support, Operation Blessing stays long after the media leaves to do the hard work of rebuilding lives following disasters. Bertha wants you to know how much all of this means to her. Time and again, she told our teams how overwhelmed she was with thanksgiving for those who helped her. “They’re good

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people,” she said. “I want to thank everyone for doing what they did—fixing everything.

Y’all have really done great wonders to this house.”

Friends like you have changed Bertha’s life—and not just hers.

Your compassion is also at work in Louisiana, delivering appliances to those whose daily lives were disrupted by a hurricane last fall.

And with your generous support, we’re consistently preparing emergency food packages for the next disaster that’s sure to come.

In all these ways, Americans are receiving the help and hope they need to continue on when disaster strikes—because of you.

Amazing Y O U

A R E

S I M P L Y

As the people of Ukraine face untold violence and tragedy, you have been there for them every step of the way, embracing them with your love and offering them hope for the future.

YOU’VE PROVIDED: * Hot Meals and Drinks * Hygiene Supplies * Diapers and Formula * Fuel and Generators

* Solar Lights and Phone Chargers * Blankets * Warm Clothing * Heated Play and Rest Areas

So many Ukrainians send you their thanks and love.

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L

ife was already hard. Najire and her six children live as pastoral nomads, roaming to feed their livestock. Then a catastrophic drought swept across their region. Without rain to bring life to the land, most of Najire’s livestock starved to death, and her children appeared to be next. Help from friends like you was one of the few things that kept them going.

Najire shared what it has been like weathering this trial, as a few weeks without rain have turned into many months of hopelessness. “This drought has been very long and very hard for us,” she confided. “I am a single mother and I have to take care of my children all

YOU ARE THERE IN THEIR TOUGHEST TIMES

HOW A COMMUNITY SURVIVED A DROUGHT WITH YOUR HELP

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KENYA

by myself. It is really hard to find food.”

She shared that her family makes a living caring for a herd of goats, but since the drought struck, more than 90 percent of their animals have died. Najire said, “The remaining goats are so weak, it’s impossible to sell them. So now I can’t buy food for my family because I can’t get the money.”

It’s not just Najire and her family facing these terrible circumstances, either. Times are tough for everyone in Tubcha village and for most communities across their county. In the best of times, community residents live hard lives in small thatched huts that they must deconstruct and move for their nomadic lifestyle. Lately, life has been Continued on page 14

Continued from page 13

all but impossible.

“We are barely surviving,” Najire said. “On so many occasions, we sleep hungry because we have no food. The situation is getting worse. There were times you could beg some food from a neighbor, but now no one has any food around this village. Sometimes we just take

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some water and sleep. It is very hard on the children especially.”

You can imagine how these mothers and fathers must feel as they watch their families suffer.

“It breaks my heart when I see my children crying because they are hungry, and yet there is nothing I can do to get them food. It’s very sad to see them lying down weak because they are too hungry to get out and play.”

But she is not alone. Your compassion has reached out to her in her worst moments, and to the whole community! Najire’s

“ I KNEW GOD WOULD NOT ABANDON US! HE HEARD MY PRAYERS AND HAS SENT YOU TO RESCUE US! ” fervent prayers to God were answered when your support sent Operation Blessing to her village with enough food to feed 150 families for more than three months. Since that time we’ve returned to provide holistic care to this village, including a medical brigade and a sack garden project to grow spinach and kale with minimal water.

Now, they all have hope for

tomorrow. On their behalf, Najire offered her heartfelt thanks. “I knew God would not abandon us! He heard my prayers and has sent you to rescue us.”

She said joyfully, “I can't thank you enough! My children have enough food now and I don’t have to worry about what they will eat tonight or tomorrow. May God bless you indeed! Thank you!”

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PERU

A NEW START for BABY JORDANO You sent life-changing surgery to a child in need

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“

The nurses looked frightened. Why won’t they let me see my baby?

”

Belzabeth will never forget the day Jordano was born. He entered the world with deformed feet.

The doctors said the umbilical cord was wrapped around his leg and called it “equine foot.” The diagnosis left Belzabeth feeling shocked and helpless.

Jordano, a lovable, playful little boy, brimmed with energy despite his condition. While he gave his parents so much joy, they constantly worried that he might never be able to walk. Can you imagine how they must have felt, wondering if their child would be able to run and play with other children, thrive in school, or even hold down a job someday?

They did their best to find help for their Continued on page 18

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Continued from page 17

son and met with an orthopedist who informed them that Jordano’s condition could be corrected by surgery. However, they would have to wait until he turned 7 months old. They counted down the months, the weeks, the days.

But then, the pandemic quarantine hit Peru, and sadly, Jordano’s surgery was postponed indefinitely.

Meanwhile his parents’ meager funds dwindled as the lockdown continued. All hope began to fade. After what felt like an unbearably long time, life began to get back to normal, but by then Belzabeth had no idea

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how to help Jordano. “I could not possibly pay for our baby’s surgery!” she said.

Then Jordano’s doctor recommended that Belzabeth reach out to Operation Blessing.

Thanks to you, we were able to offer Jordano the surgery he had waited so long for.

And the best part was that all of his medical expenses would be covered as well. Belzabeth could not believe the good news. “I felt so happy, I almost cried.” Because of your kindness, Jordano was able to have the surgery that would change his life.

GIVE HOPE and CREATE a LASTING LEGACY

After the successful operation, Jordano’s hardworking parents faithfully supported him as he wore corrective shoes, attended therapy, and went to doctor visits. Months after the surgery, little Jordano began taking his first steps with the help of your love and support. He is now more playful than ever. He can even wear normal sneakers to run outside and have fun.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for Operation Blessing.” Belzabeth couldn’t contain her joy. “My son is going to grow up like other kids. He doesn’t have to worry about his foot. He won’t be in pain. He will be happy. Thank you for everything!”

You can leave a legacy that will touch lives long into the future by leaving a gift in your will or trust to help people in need.

• Make a simple designation to Operation Blessing in your will, trust, or retirement plan • You can still benefit your heirs with specific gifts • Costs you nothing • Can be amended or revoked if circumstances change

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO: PlannedGiving@ob.org OBLegacy.org 800-333-2373 19

Calm After the

STORM +

FRIENDS LIKE YOU

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Rebuilding after disaster strikes, thanks to friends like you “When the strong winds came, the house fell down,” said Tise, recalling a tragic day not long ago.

This hardworking wife and mother supports her disabled husband and three children by cleaning houses in their neighborhood in Indonesia. The amount of money she earns— about $10 a week—isn’t much, but it keeps food on the table.

There’s nothing left over for emergencies, though, and they faced a major one recently when

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disaster struck. Powerful winds kept buffeting their home.

“The wind blew so hard that day,” Tise recalled. “I looked up and heard a cracking sound from the rotting wooden beam that held the roof up.” Then, terrifyingly, the roof was gone— and suddenly there was nothing to keep out the wind and rain.

Angel, her 10-year-old daughter, shared her memories of the event. “That day I heard rain that sounded like stones

INDONESIA

THANK YOU hitting the roof.” She continued, “When I got out, I saw that our house was destroyed. I was sad to see my house like that.” Angel takes part in an after-school program supported by a partner organization. She knew that there were people out there who could assist her family.

There was no way Tise could rebuild the house on her own, so she was overjoyed when Operation Blessing offered to help. Thanks to friends like you, we built Tise and her family a brand-new home.

After the work was completed, the

family moved in and life returned to normal—now with the added safety and security their sturdy new home provides.

Tise has nothing but gratitude for Operation Blessing. With tears in her eyes, she said, “When Operation Blessing told me that they would build my house, it was like a dream come true for me!”

She went on, “I knew that my kids would not have to worry about rain and storms anymore. I was so grateful to God.” Thank you for your heart to make this blessing possible!

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Water for Enrique's Village BRINGING FRESH WATER TO A COMMUNITY IN MEXICO

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even-year-old Enrique loves to splash in the pila—the small basin behind his house in Galilea, Chiapas, a small community in southern Mexico. On hot days, it’s a refreshing way to cool off after playing basketball with friends.

But it wasn’t always this way.

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You see, one of the main challenges in this community was access to safe water in residents’ homes. There was a system of pipes in place in the area, but it didn’t support all the families equally, and it didn’t effectively treat the water. So Enrique and his three siblings used to help their father, Javier, fetch water

MEXICO

to store it in different containers and tanks around the house. But it was never quite enough for the family of six. And it wasn’t always clean, which led to stomach pains, diarrhea, and fever.

That’s when compassionate friends like you stepped in to improve circumstances for this family and their whole community.

When Operation Blessing learned of Galilea’s unequal and unreliable water distribution system—as well as the lack of important water quality standards in the area—we set about to change that. A new water system was

installed, including the needed pipes and chlorination to make the water safe. Then all 42 families—including the kids, like Enrique—were invited to attend workshops where our staff offered training on handwashing and other good hygiene habits. The staff even provided a puppet show to reinforce the lessons.

Now Enrique and his entire family can enjoy a safe, reliable water supply.

No more hauling water from far-off places. No more worries about safety.

They are so grateful to have easy access to clean water that comes out of the faucets right at home.

“Understanding hygiene habits helped us to wash our hands better and know the importance of having correct cleaning practices in our lives,” his father said.

“Thanks to Operation Blessing, we have better health!”

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Disaster can strike at a moment’s notice, leaving victims reeling in the aftermath.

But by joining together, we can face any crisis that comes our way.

When disaster strikes, you can

STRIKE BACK! operationblessing.org

977 Centerville Turnpike Virginia Beach, VA 23463 Copyright © 2022 by Operation Blessing

(800) 730-2537