blessings OPERATION BLESSING
MARCH 2020
Stories of how YOU help the hurting around the world.
YOU HAVE BROUGHT AN OVERFLOW
OF BLESSINGS A NEW WATER WELL IN THAILAND PA G E 6
LIFESAVING AID FOR PREGNANT REFUGEE PA G E 1 6
RISING FROM THE RUBBLE
PA G E 2 0
Inside this this issue issue
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You Gave Clean Water and Fresh Food to a Boy in Need Carlos enjoys Operation Blessing nutrition and water projects in Mexico
Happenings
4
Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!
A New Water Well in Thailand
6 10 2
Your gift overflows from a school to bless the village surrounding it
Restoring Hope After a Devastating Accident
You sent Kennedy in Burundi the surgery he needed
Lifesaving Aid for Pregnant Refugee
16 18
Thanks to you, a Venezuelan mother gets help just in time
You’re Providing Security for a Single Mother
Because of you, Stevie and her children received food during uncertain times
Rising From the Rubble
20
You offered a whole new life for a widow and her family after an earthquake
operationblessing.org | 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463 | (800) 730-2537 3
OPERATION BLESSING
HAPPENINGS THAILAND: Friends like you gave children at a school in Ban Pongtueb clean water, enriching their education with more time spent in the classroom instead of fetching water.
ALBANIA: Albanian earthquake
victims receive food from you, our generous partners, as they begin to rebuild.
UGANDA: Children at the Abide Family Center for vulnerable families are enjoying a healthy meal, thanks to your support.
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HAITI: You helped Jacqueline with the life-changing surgery she needed so
she can continue to care for special-needs children in Port-au-Prince.
PERU: You are feeding hungry children on the Ccapi Uros islands, curing Noemi’s anemia.
VIRGINIA: Volunteers
at a Virginia Beach food bank pack groceries for hungry families during the holidays, thanks to you.
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THAILAND
A NEW
Water Well IN THAILAND
Your gift overflows from a school to bless the village surrounding it
I
n America, we take for granted the ease of turning on a faucet, taking a shower, or flushing a toilet. But in so much of the world, clean water is hard to come by. Many spend hours each day trekking through dangerous terrain and hauling water from sources that aren’t even safe. Waterborne illnesses take far too many lives. And lack of water causes others to miss school and work, trapping them in the vicious cycle of poverty. But for one school and village in Thailand, all of that has changed because friends like you cared enough to help! The remote community of Ban Pongtueb is home to several tribes, including the Northern Thai and Lahu peoples. The roughly 215 families residing there work primarily in agriculture, growing cassava, rice, corn and beans. And the school in the village serves to educate children through the sixth grade. However, lack of water affected the children and their education. At times the water source would dry up completely,
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but even in the best situations, the water was filled with contaminants and unsuitable for drinking. Sasiprapa, an 11-year-old student, said, “For drinking water, I would bring it from home which is around one kilometer away from the school. On some days, if my water is not enough, I would have to buy water to drink.” Some of the students, she said, had no choice and drank the dirty, unsafe water at the school. Then, thanks to friends like you, Operation Blessing
showed up to initiate a water well project! It not only proved a huge benefit to the schoolchildren, but the blessings also overflowed to help the surrounding village. A nearby farmer named Malee said, “The community has also drawn water from the school to drink and consume. We are all very happy. ... May God bless everyone to have happiness and prosperity.” Thank you for helping to send the priceless gift of clean water to precious people in need all around the world. 7
9 WAYS CLEAN WATER CAN
Change the World PREVENT
waterborne illness
IMPROVE
hygiene and sanitation
SAVE
time and energy
PRODUCE
nutritious food
SUPPORT
education and learning
UPLIFT
communities
OFFER dignity
BOOST
earning potential for struggling parents
This month we celebrate World Water Day! Let’s make the dream of clean water a reality for those in need. Learn more at ob.org/WaterDay2020
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Don’t miss a single new post of the exciting work you’re doing around the globe. Follow us on Twitter today at
Twitter.com/OperationBless
BURUNDI
Through a partnership between OB and Kibuye Hope Hospital, you provided Kennedy the life-changing surgery he needed.
Restoring Hope
AFTER A DEVASTATING ACCIDENT
K
ennedy was born with a vibrant soul. Full of curiosity, he’s always looked at the world in front of him with wonder. But one day while his mother was cooking on an open fire, Kennedy came too close to the flame and was badly burned. Devastated, his parents rushed to his aid, giving him the only
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treatment they could provide. But Kennedy never got proper treatment for his severe third-degree burns and the scarring left him with limited use of his arm. Over a year later, however, Kennedy was referred to the Operation Blessing supported Kibuye Hope Hospital in Burundi. The next month he was
Discover the Benefits
operated on twice, where specialists corrected issues caused by the burns on his elbow and shoulder. Thanks to your generosity, Kennedy’s arm is much better, and he can move it freely. Kennedy’s recovery process took approximately three months, and his bright personality began to blossom again. Kennedy bonded with the medical students who were taking care of him, joining them with his own chart and stethoscope as they made their morning rounds. Thank you for your kindness that helped Kennedy receive life-changing surgery in his desperate time of need. Your faithful support enables men, women and children all over the world to receive the critical operations they need to grow healthy and strong for years to come!
of Planned Giving Maximize Your Tax Benefit Donate Appreciated Stock:
Give stock shares and receive a deduction for the full market value while avoiding tax on capital gains. Charitable IRA Gifts :
Bypass tax on your IRA RMD by receiving a QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution).
Gifts That Pay Income Charitable Gift Annuity: Supplement retirement income with steady payments for life that are partially tax-free. Minimum gift amount is $10,000.
Plan Now & Give Later Beneficiary and Legacy Giving:
Easily arrange now for part of your assets to be designated to help the poor later through your retirement plan, insurance policy, bank or brokerage account, will, or trust. For more information, email PlannedGiving@OB.org or call 1-800-333-2373
MEXICO
YOU GAVE CLEAN WATER AND FRESH FOOD
TO A BOY IN NEED Carlos enjoys Operation Blessing nutrition and water projects in Mexico
N
ot far from Guadalajara lies Lake Chapala, the largest freshwater lake in Mexico. Surrounded by mountains and green hills, the lake’s beauty attracts tourists, vacationers and retirees from nearby cities and around the world. Along the lakeshore, numerous towns and villages rely on the lake for fish and for water. But Lake Chapala’s scenic views hide a deadly secret— heavy metals. Flowing down the Lerma River from numerous industrial operations, the heavy
metals, along with other toxic substances, empty into the lake, making its water unsafe to drink and its fish unsafe to eat.
For the poor living in communities along the lake, the water’s toxins have had devastating consequences, especially for children. OB staff receive many reports of birth defects, kidney disease, and stymied mental development among Continued on page 14 13
Carlos enjoys planting seeds and watching them grow. Continued from page 13
residents. But there are other issues here too. Malnutrition and lack of healthy food create constant problems for adults and children alike. One of the roots of chronic malnutrition is the polluted lake water, which makes growing safe food difficult in the area. With all they faced, the poor villages on the lake needed help. That’s when you sent Operation Blessing. Thanks to your 14
support, teams from OB Mexico began working to provide clean water and improve nutrition along the lake. These efforts brought Operation Blessing staff to the El Chalpicote elementary school where we met 7-year-old Carlos. Carlos is a rambunctious and fun-loving little boy, who enjoys chasing his friends around the school during recess. He, like the other children at the
After getting to participate in the classes and in planting the veggies, Carlos became excited to try them all.
school, lives close to Lake Chapala and has had limited access to healthy food and clean water. Thanks to the kind and compassionate support of Operation Blessing friends like you, OB Mexico staff installed a rainwater catchment system at El Chalpicote, so that Carlos and his friends can have clean water to drink. Not only that, OB partners built an organic garden at Carlos’ school. You provided nutrition and gardening classes so that Carlos and his classmates can learn how to grow nutritious food and eat a well-balanced diet. At first, Carlos seemed a bit wary of vegetables, preferring potato chips as his snack
of choice. However, after getting to participate in the classes and in planting the veggies, Carlos became excited to try them all. When harvest time came, Carlos was the first to try the lettuce, and he loved it!
It’s only because of the faithful and generous support of Operation Blessing partners like you that we can bring life-changing clean water and hunger relief solutions to people like Carlos. Thank you for showing God’s love to the poor in Mexico, the U.S., and around the globe! 15
LIFESAVING AID
FOR PREGNANT REFUGEE
T
Thanks to you, a Venezuelan mother gets help just in time
he humanitarian crisis in Venezuela rages on. Political upheaval and unrest have created a nearly unlivable situation. Many Venezuelans have no access to medical care, electricity, or clean water. Food is scarce and people are starving. Thousands upon thousands of refugees made the dangerous trek to flee over the border to Colombia this past year. Thanks to your compassion, Operation Blessing was there to help. You made it possible for us to spend several months in Colombia providing clean water systems, medical care, and food for hurting refugees. Over the past year, these systems have provided tens of thousands of gallons of clean water for those in need.
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COLOMBIA
As the crisis still continues, you recently provided more medical brigades and continued upkeep on the clean water systems OB installed. Because of you, OB teams offered desperately needed medical aid for hundreds of Venezuelans. Perhaps most significantly, because you care, we were able to help a young mother just in time! Paola fled Venezuela with her 8-year-old daughter, Durasca, while expecting her second child. She explained, “I’m pregnant and delivering in Venezuela is inhumane. It is not possible. There are no medicines. There is nothing over there.” Paola and her daughter had been walking over difficult terrain for three days when they arrived at the OB medical brigade just over the border in Colombia. There the doctors examined her and discovered she had placenta previa, putting her baby and
her life at extreme risk. But you made it possible for us to rush Paola and her daughter to the nearest hospital for emergency care. Paola said, “I’m truly thankful to God first of all, and to you all who have been angels.”
She and the baby received the help they needed, but so many Venezuelans still need our assistance. “You are loving people, and I ask you, as a Venezuelan, do not stop giving that support to those Venezuelans that are walking.” 17
Because of you, Stevie and her children received food during uncertain times.
YOU’RE PROVIDING SECURITY
FOR A SINGLE MOTHER IN THE MIDWEST
S
tevie grew up in a town surrounded by darkness. The city in Indiana where she was born and raised is known for its high suicide rates. Stevie even personally knows many relatives and close friends who took their own lives. Stevie thought she had escaped the gloom and found happiness with her husband and their young son, Thorben. But then her husband began to change, bringing
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UNITED STATES
the darkness back. He exhibited behavior that was alarming and troublesome to Stevie. Despite Stevie expressing her concern to him, her husband continued in the same unsafe patterns. They separated soon after. Due to the stress of being a single parent, Stevie also lost her job. Then she learned that she was nearly six-months pregnant. Stevie was completely shocked by the news. “I honestly thought my symptoms were just stress-related,” she said. After the birth of her second son, Asa, Stevie began to work as a bus aid for the local school system, but even with her regular income, she was struggling to make ends meet. “Things [have been] very tight,” Stevie said. “Diapers are not cheap!” But recently, Stevie found the Operation Blessing partner Bread of Life not far from where
she lives. She visited the ministry and, because of you, was able to receive a carload full of groceries— including diapers!
“We need more people who do good things. I’m really thankful!” Stevie said. Thank you for feeding Stevie and her sons during her time of instability. You are faithful in filling the gap for single parents who are struggling to pay bills, and you support their families as they get back on their feet. 19
PERU ALABAMA
Rising
FROM THE RUBBLE You offered a whole new life for a widow and her family after an earthquake
A
nita’s life was already falling to pieces. Her husband of 20 years who had always supported their family, even when ill, had recently died of stomach cancer. Although his passing was expected, it still left Anita in the difficult position of supporting her four school-aged children and her elderly father. She did her best, working domestic jobs and selling products at the local market. Then, a few months later, the unthinkable happened. “We were sleeping that night,” Anita said, “and suddenly everything started shaking and making loud noises. We were Continued on page 22
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"THIS BUSINESS WILL HELP ME VERY MUCH TO KEEP SUPPORTING MY CHILDREN."
Continued from page 21
terrified at the thought of the house falling with us inside so we just ran outside in the middle of the darkness.” There they felt the ground trembling beneath their feet. Then, to their shock and dismay, their house crumbled before their eyes. An 8.0 magnitude earthquake had struck their area of Peru, causing much damage to homes and infrastructures, as well as two fatalities. For Anita and her family, it meant their home and possessions now lay completely in rubble. 22
Thankfully, neighbors invited all six of the family members to stay at their home. Although Anita struggled with discouragement, she’d been raised to keep moving forward in difficult situations. So, she spent much time in prayer, and hope still welled in her heart.
That’s when Operation Blessing heard about Anita’s situation. Your compassion provided Anita’s family with a brand-new sturdy home. You also sent furnishings and groceries for the family, along with a good dose of encouragement. Anita said, “I want to thank God and Operation Blessing for this gift, for such a pretty and safe home. For all the help we have received, my children and I are very happy and grateful.” But the blessings didn’t stop there! You gave even more to Anita and her children. To make sure that they have plenty of income long into the future, you sent them a new small business opportunity too. The OB staff helped Anita set up an open air shop on a busy street and provided all the supplies for her to open a food vending stand. She will be selling
groceries, refreshments, and hot meals like fried fish, chicken and rice. This business and the new home have given Anita’s family a strong start as they rise from the rubble of the earthquake and all that they’ve lost.
“Thank God for sending you guys to help me with my family,” she said. “This business will help me very much to keep supporting my children.” Her hope and prayers were not in vain. Because of your compassion, Anita and her children now have big smiles as they move forward into a brighter future. 23
Water
MEANS LIFE
Clean water can make all the difference. Send an overflow of blessings to a village in need today at ob.org/WaterDay2020
operationblessing.org
977 Centerville Turnpike Virginia Beach, VA 23463 Copyright Š 2020 by Operation Blessing
(800) 730-2537