blessings OPERATION BLESSING
JANUARY 2020
Stories of how YOU help the hurting around the world.
YOU ARE REACHING OUT TO MANY
Tribes, Tongues, and Nations A SURVIVOR’S SMILE PA G E 6
A HARVEST OF BLESSING PA G E 1 0
GETTING BAHAMIANS BACK ON THEIR FEET PA G E 1 6
Happenings
4
Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!
A Survivor’s Smile
6
When a Holocaust survivor needed new dentures, your kindness came through
OB Trending
9 2
Don’t miss out on all the latest—like your support for Syrian and Kurdish refugees
Inside this this issue issue
12
Reaching Out to Many Tribes, Tongues, and Nations
Learn how you’re blessing various people groups across the globe!
A Harvest of Blessing
10
A widowed father in El Salvador receives a greenhouse thanks to you
Getting Bahamians Back on Their Feet
16 20
You helped reopen a family restaurant after Hurricane Dorian
Hope and Clean Water for Mexican Community A new water system and garden transform a school
operationblessing.org | 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463 | (800) 730-2537 3
OPERATION BLESSING
HAPPENINGS MICHIGAN: In partnership with the Buist Community Assistance Center, you are putting food on the table for hungry families in Michigan.
GUATEMALA: You blessed
the community of Creek Negro in Puerto Barrios with a dental brigade, providing checkups, cleanings, and oral health tools to hundreds of residents.
MEXICO: Because of support
from friends like you, young Paquito in Mexico is no longer at risk from the dangerous water that made his family sick.
4
BAHAMAS: Together with Judah 1 Airlines, Operation Blessing friends
like you sent huge deliveries of disaster relief supplies to survivors in the Bahamas still struggling to rebuild their lives.
TEXAS: Although Houston,
Texas, was overlooked in the national media, Operation Blessing volunteers worked tirelessly for victims of Tropical Storm Imelda.
SYRIA: Kurdish
and Syrian children are being fed by generous Operation Blessing partners as they seek refuge from the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
5
ISRAEL
A SURVIVOR’S
Smile When a Holocaust survivor needed new dentures, your kindness came through
Memories of the Holocaust still haunt Yosef. He was just 14 years old when the Nazis invaded his home of Hungary. Within one week, Yosef wore a yellow star. Shortly after that, he and his family were forced into ghettos with thousands of other Jews. Then Yosef and his family, including his 15-year-old brother, found themselves as new residents of Auschwitz, the largest Nazi concentration camp. Through extreme malnourishment and a string of various sicknesses, Yosef spent several agonizing months in Auschwitz, evading death time and time again. Under the rule of the “angel of death,” Josef Mengele, Yosef can remember the ever-increasing death toll signaled by constant black smoke. He recalls hearing “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One” shouted with horror prior to the death of prisoners, a memory that still causes him to awake in a sweat. Due to his small size and young age, he miraculously escaped death as it lurked at every corner. “When I grew sick and thought I would die, I wondered, ‘who will tell my story?’” he said. 6
Yosef recalls his time as a prisoner as he holds the cap of his uniform.
Yosef and his brother were transferred to another camp in late 1944. Through perseverance and the hand of God upon him, Yosef was among a group liberated by American soldiers on April 27, 1945. He eventually arrived in Palestine where he served in the Givati Brigade, fighting for the liberation of Israel. Together, Yosef and
his brother ran a carpentry business for 50 years.
Yosef
spent several agonizing months in Auschwitz, evading death time and time again.
In his later years, when his oral health began Continued on page 8 7
This Holocaust survivor is thankful to receive new dentures. Continued from page 7
to need attention, Yosef received dentures from a since-discontinued program for Holocaust survivors. But then he lost a significant amount of weight, causing his mouth to shrink. The ill-fitting dentures created sores in his mouth, making eating painful and difficult. And sadly, when Holocaust survivors face a situation where food intake becomes problematic, it raises
post-traumatic issues for them and increases the intensity of their nightmares and distress. But thanks to generous partners like you, Yosef was referred to Dental Volunteers for Israel, a clinic Operation Blessing partners with. Because you care, he was able to consult a lab technician who repaired his dentures, easing the pain in his mouth and mind.
Thank you for your heart to remember and care for Holocaust victims. Celebrate Holocaust Remembrance Day with us on January 27 as we honor survivors like Yosef! 8
OB Trending on facebook
Don’t miss out on all the latest posts. Follow us on Facebook today!
facebook.com/operationblessing 9
A HARVEST OF
BLESSING
A widowed father in El Salvador receives a greenhouse to feed his children thanks to you
M
arion is a true family man. When he was widowed after being married for 20 years, Marion felt devastated. He often found himself overwhelmed with the daily tasks of work while also tending his daughter Darlyn (8) and his son Christofer (3). Cooking and caring for his children, along with helping them in school, were tasks that his wife had always managed.
10
EL SALVADOR
“The mother plays a fundamental role in the family, and now that she is not here, it is my turn to do everything for the well-being of my children,” he said. Marion devoted much of his life to farming. He resides in an area of El Salvador that is perfectly fertile for planting vegetables. But Marion struggled due to a lack of protection for his crops. Vermin, pests, and disease could easily take hold of his produce, and several times he has lost everything he had sown. This caused stress for Marion, as he feared that he wouldn’t be able to feed his children. But thanks to you, Operation Blessing met Marion with hope. Because of his skill in agriculture and the health of his land, OB partners made it
possible for a greenhouse to be built where Marion can now plant his crops and anticipate a bountiful harvest. The greenhouse even provided the opportunity for him to plant a wider variety of crops, ensuring financial security for Marion and his children!
“It’s so nice to go with my kids to see the crops. That motivates me to keep working so they have a better future,” he said. Marion now has security through his greenhouse. You have sown seeds of hope and he will continue to harvest this blessing! Thank you for providing in his time of need. 11
REACHING OUT TO MANY
Tribes, Tongues, and Nations Learn how you’re blessing various people groups across the globe!
WORLDWIDE
O
ne of the great things about partnering with Operation Blessing, is that you have a chance to reach out to so many different tribes, tongues, and nations. By sending humanitarian aid around the world, you show people from various backgrounds how much God loves and cares about them. In each region, our programs are tailored to the specific needs and cultures of the people who reside there. We stay hard at work on your behalf in over 30 countries, so we wanted to give you a quick peek at what that looks like.
AFRICA – Africa is full of
many tribes and languages. You’ve transformed entire Maasai villages in Kenya. You’ve offered life-changing surgeries throughout Burundi and Tanzania. With health training, agriculture and poultry projects, schools and nutrition programs, and strategic partnerships to assist vulnerable families, you’ve created lasting change. During times of famine, drought and cyclones you’ve been there too, sending food, clean water and more. ASIA – To many people groups throughout Asia, you provide important care like life-changing surgeries, mobile medical clinics, and water wells for remote Continued on page 14
13
And behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all
nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb – Revelation 7:9 nkjv
Continued from page 13
communities. You offer skills training to help people break out of poverty and abusive situations. Through partnerships, you help rescue women from human trafficking in Thailand and India, and provide them with vital after care. And during the infamous earthquakes and tsunamis of that region, you quickly sent disaster relief. MIDDLE EAST – In the Middle East, you bless Jews, Christians, Arabs, Kurds, and Yazidis alike. Elderly Holocaust survivors receive support and medical care. Refugees get emergency aid as they flee the terrors of ISIS 14
and foreign invasions. In the Judean Desert, you provide clean water solutions and emergency food supplies to Bedouin tribes. And you send relief to persecuted Christians throughout the Middle East and beyond. CARIBBEAN – In the poor country of Haiti, you offer support to several communities. This includes medical care, dental care, clean water, and schools for the children. You also provide enriching programs like chess, art, soccer, and martial arts. Older children have a chance to continue their education thanks to scholarships and housing. When storms such
as this year’s Hurricane Dorian hit the Caribbean, your love and support is there for islanders in their hard times. LATIN AMERICA – Whether to the mountains of Guatemala or the jungles of the Amazon, you send vital aid to Latin Americans. Community Health Volunteer training, medical and dental brigades, school nutrition programs, and clean water initiatives all provide better health. Microenterprise opportunities, educational support, housing, and agricultural programs offer opportunities to break out of poverty. And during volcanoes, floods, and earthquakes, you’re there making sure victims have essential disaster relief. UNITED STATES – Here at home in the U.S., there are still many needs to be met.
Hunger in America is a real issue. The sick, elderly, disabled, unemployed, and working poor often need supplemental food. Because of you, our Hunger Strike Force delivers semi-truck after semi-truck full of groceries to our distribution partners every month. During times of disaster, you send immediate food, water, and hygiene supplies to reeling communities. In addition, our donors and our volunteers provide help restoring the homes of disaster victims. Thank you for sending God’s love to those in need, both around the corner and across the globe!
15
GETTING BAHAMIANS
back on their feet
YOU HELPED REOPEN A FAMILY RESTAURANT AFTER HURRICANE DORIAN
O
ver a month after Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas, recovery was still only beginning. But Operation Blessing was on the ground to help. And now, thanks to friends like you, a family restaurant is running again. They’re serving up fresh Caribbean food, and a hope for the future. Beverly has lived on Grand Bahama Island for 29 years, where she has two children and one grandchild. She’s run a small 16
but successful restaurant along the beachfront in the community of High Rock. Then came Hurricane Dorian. She had to run for shelter. “It was so scary,” Beverly said. “The water started coming in the house… It was so dirty.” Next the ceiling began caving in. Beverly and others nearby endured the storm for around 15 hours, praying the entire time. Although she and her family came through safely, she reported that 16 people drowned in her area.
BAHAMAS
Beverly's grandson joins in prayer for the first meal at the new restaurant.
When she could finally get out to investigate her restaurant, nearly everything had been washed away. Pieces of the structure still stood, but the ceiling and walls were gone. Beyond the building, the normally soft, sandy beach had disappeared. She could only see rocks. While she felt sad about her restaurant, she said,
“Better for the building to go than for life.� Operation Blessing arrived shortly after the storm, delivering clean water and solar lights, and providing medical care in hard-hit areas. Then, thanks to friends like you, we began helping the islanders rebuild and repair damaged structures, including Beverly’s restaurant! Continued on page 18 17
The OB team helps Beverly slice up veggies. Continued from page 17
Operation Blessing workers arrived on the scene with supplies to revive her business and get her family back on their feet. When the work was complete, Beverly 18
smiled and danced with our staff to a local tune as she prepared to reopen. Together, they chopped vegetables and fried up fish against the background of a calm sea.
Her restaurant became the first to open in her community after the storm, providing both hope and food to those around her. Beverly said, “Today I feel good, knowing that someone cared for us… You know something is going to go on again.” Thank you for being there to help get Beverly back on her feet. As she served up her first meal, she said a prayer over it. “Thank you for Operation Blessing that has come
and brought life and brought Your love. Lord, bless this food, bless this family, and bless this community.” To that, we heartily say, amen. Today I feel good, knowing that
someone cared for us …. You know something is going to go on again.
START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT! Establish a Charitable Gift Annuity that pays you a fixed income for life. • Delivers immediate partially tax-free benefits • Supports the poor and hurting through Operation Blessing • Minimum gift amount is $10,000 Contact Planned Giving to receive your illustrated guide showing your payment rate and benefits at 800-730-2537, by email at PlannedGiving@OB.org, or visit OB.plannedgiving.org.
MEXICO
HOPE AND CLEAN WATER
FOR MEXICAN COMMUNITY A new water system and garden transform a school
20
A field report by David Burbach, OB Manager of Integrated Media
I
t’s hot, muggy, and threatening rain as we walk up to the local school in El Castellano, Mexico. The facilities appear small but well-kept, and it’s clear that
the people here take pride in their school. Nearby, a group of mothers stands by the gate of a lush community garden. Children laugh and play on the adjacent playground. Continued on page 22 21
ALABAMA Continued from page 21
I’m travelling with a group from Operation Blessing Mexico, including national director Montserrat Villafana. She laughs and talks with some of the children who are eager to show us all the veggies they’re growing in the school garden. Thanks to the support of Operation Blessing’s generous partners, OB was able to plant this garden and teach the children here how to tend it. Now, they get to eat nutritious veggies while at school and even bring some home to their families! While touring the 22
garden we meet Silvano, a friendly young man of 12. Silvano tells us that before Operation Blessing came, the community of El Castellano struggled without clean water to drink. “Here the water is very scarce when there is a drought,” Silvano says. Unfortunately, lack of water wasn’t the only problem; the water was unsafe, too.
However, not too long before I arrived, your support had allowed Operation Blessing to install a state-of-the-art rain catchment system complete with chlorination, a filtration system and a network of pipes.
“Here the water is very scarce when there is a drought.” – Silvano, age 12
Excitedly, Silvano gives us a detailed tour of the new water system and finishes it off with a glass of clean, clear water. “I am very thankful to all the people who supported us and installed our water systems,” Silvano says. “And, well, thank you
very much to all of them!” As we wave goodbye to Silvano and his schoolmates, we think about the incredible impact that Operation Blessing donors like you have made for these children and this community. Thank you for your generosity and faithfulness! 23
THANK YOU FOR BEING MY MIRACLE You’ve been a miracle in so many lives. This year please continue changing the stories of vulnerable children around the world.
operationblessing.org
977 Centerville Turnpike Virginia Beach, VA 23463 Copyright © 2019 by Operation Blessing
(800) 730-2537