Operation Blessing Partners are Breaking Poverty for Generations – Blessings Magazine

blessings OPERATION BLESSING

MAY 2021

Stories of how YOU help the hurting around the world.

Operation Blessing Partners Are Breaking Poverty for Generations

UNMASKING GRACE PAG E 6

THE POWER OF A MOTHER’S LOVE PA G E 1 0

JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME PAG E 2 0

Happenings

Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!

Unmasking Grace

You created a business for a struggling single mother in Peru

The Power of a Mother’s Love

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Thank you for blessing the mothers who bless their families

Inside this this issue issue

You Are Breaking Poverty for Generations Blessings for a woman and her whole family in Kenya

Hope Fulfilled for a Mother in Need

When Jen and her boys needed it most, you sent help

Just in the Nick of Time

Operation Blessing friends saved the life of a single mother in Haiti

Massive Earthquake Shakes Indonesia

You responded with vital disaster relief

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

OPERATION BLESSING

HAPPENINGS TANZANIA: You saved sweet little Innocent’s life when you provided surgery to remove a massive cyst near his brain.

PERU: Armando and Rosa have a safe new home in which to raise their beloved granddaughter, thanks to a housing project you support for vulnerable families in Peru.

VIRGINIA: Our food operations manager for the U.S. Disaster Relief program has been cooking up hot meals to fill the bellies of hungry children during COVID-19. 4

PHILIPPINES: Over a year after the Taal Volcano eruption, you were still aiding victims by helping them rebuild their homes and businesses.

KENYA: You help struggling people in Africa and around the world to break out of poverty and hunger through agricultural initiatives and earnings.

MEXICO: Cristina, her elderly husband, and many others in Mexico have extra food during COVID-19 thanks to gardens that you provided. 5

PERU

UNMASKING

GRACE

You created a business for a struggling single mother in Peru

Loyda's family now has more food to eat, thanks to you.

Here you see Loyda hard at work making her masks.

oyda grew up as one of 10 children. For as long as she can remember, Loyda’s family worked hard to survive. Her mother had a garden behind their humble childhood home in Peru, growing watermelon and corn to sell in the markets. But this money was never enough to provide Loyda and her siblings with the clothing or education they needed. She watched her older brothers and sisters get their own jobs and find opportunities to earn money. As she grew older, Loyda realized it was her time to seek employment. One day, a friend of her mother invited Loyda to work as her in-house helper. Loyda was excited for the opportunity to venture out and make something of herself. “I told my mother I wanted to do something to help her,” Loyda explained. “I was 15 and I didn’t know how to read or write. I also wanted to buy my own clothing and footwear. I wanted to work.” For Loyda’s hard work, her employer compensated her by paying for her education. She quickly earned the respect of her host due to her faithfulness in completing daily household chores. As an adult, more hardship has come for Loyda. Her husband was unfaithful in their marriage, and Loyda was left caring for their three children on her own. “Had I been a woman that always depended on her husband, I would probably be starving Continued on page 8 7

Loyda grew up as one of 10 children. For as long as she can remember, Loyda’s family worked hard to survive. Continued from page 7

with my children today,” Loyda said. “But with God’s help, we keep going forward. I ask God for strength to keep sustaining them. I tell my children to forgive their father if one day he comes to visit us.” She continued working hard, pursuing various employment and business opportunities to

support her children. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Peru, caring for her family became even more difficult. As a vendor selling food in the local market, Loyda saw her business severely decline during the pandemic’s peak months.

The family offers a prayer of thanks before a hearty meal.

Loyda and her youngest child smile brightly, thanks to your help.

She struggled to find income. Loyda sold any food or refreshment she could think of just to have enough money to buy rice for the day. “I prayed to God for help,” Loyda said. “One time we did not have anything to eat, and we bowed to our knees in prayer. That day our neighbor called us to have lunch with them and the next day my sister called me to give me food. I have always trusted the Lord.” Loyda was determined to remain brave her for children. And thanks to you, Loyda’s miracle was right around the corner! OB Peru visited the community church where Loyda and her children attend and serve. The Operation Blessing staff proposed a new project to empower women like Loyda during the pandemic. Ten women were trained in the craft of mask-making. They learned how to use sewing machines and how to enter the market with brand-new products and designs. Loyda has been revitalized by this new business. Your kindness has emboldened her to thrive. She reports she can now better afford daily expenses, reinvest in her business, and pay for her children’s education. “This project is helping me to better myself,” Loyda said. “I feel so happy. This is so valuable. Thank you, Operation Blessing!”

WORLDWIDE

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about at Operation Blessing, it’s the power of

a mother’s love. Mothers go to great lengths to care for their children, so investing in the life of a mother is a reliable way to help whole families. Through lifechanging surgeries, women’s health initiatives, education and skills training, agricultural programs, and small business opportunities, you are pouring into the lives of mothers around the world. You also support struggling mothers with

Mother’s Love THE POWER OF A

food, clean water, and disaster relief.

Thank you so much for blessing these women so they can better bless their families for generations to come. 11

KENYA

You Are Breaking Poverty for Generations Blessings for a woman and her whole family in Kenya

ora, a hardworking single mother and grandmother, lives in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. While five of Dora’s children are grown, two remain in school, and she now cares for several grandchildren, as well. Her whole family depends on Dora. Unfortunately, Dora has no education, which makes it impossible for her to get a formal job. “I did not have the opportunity to go to school,” Dora recalls. “During our

time, girls were not allowed to go to school.” With few opportunities, Dora has struggled to provide for her family, and it looked like the cycle of poverty might continue for generations to come. But then, Operation Blessing partners like you intervened! Years ago, Operation Blessing donors made it possible to provide Dora with a plot of land to farm along with seeds and supplies. Not only that, you helped Continued on page 14

You made it possible to provide Dora with a plot of land to farm along with seeds to plant and goats to raise.

Continued from page 13

This is the old run-down hut Dora and her grandkids used to live in.

build and support a school in Dora’s village that her younger children attended. However, you didn’t stop there. You continued to extend blessings to Dora and her children and grandchildren. Dora and her family lived in a small traditional Kenyan hut made of sticks, cow dung, and thatch grass. The hut had poor ventilation and the smoke from their cooking fire filled the interior. “It was very tough,

Dora's safe new home and rainwater harvesting system.

especially for the children— they couldn't study or do their homework well because of the smoke,” Dora said. When it rained the hut’s thatched roof would leak, sometimes drenching Dora and her family in the night. “I was always worried whenever rain clouds gathered,” Dora remembers. “When it rained, we couldn’t sleep. ... We had to stay awake and cover ourselves with an old cowhide to keep us from the dripping rain.” Despite these challenges, Dora stayed strong in her faith, and she would often pray for God to make a way. When Operation Blessing learned about Dora’s living situation, there was no

question what had to be done: Dora needed a new home, and Operation Blessing friends like you made it possible. OB Kenya built Dora a brand-new brick home and even installed a rainwater harvesting system to provide water for the family. “I am so happy because of what you’ve done for us,” Dora

exclaimed. “The house is warm and roomy; the children have space to study and play, and nice beds to sleep in. And water just by our doorstep!” It’s only the generosity and kindness of people like you that make these blessings possible. Thank you for your heart to bless Dora and the generations after her. “Thank you so much,” Dora rejoiced. “We are always praying for you. May God bless you for the house and the water tank!”

HOPE FULFILLED for a

MOTHER IN NEED

When Jen and her boys needed it most, you sent help their way

en has always been passionate about motherhood. Her two teenage boys, Roman and Lucca, mean the world to her and she enjoys being able to care for them. “I just always wanted children, and I’m so, so grateful that they want to spend time with me.” A couple of years ago, Jen started her own property management company. While the business was initially successful, things fell

GEORGIA

apart when one of her major investors left the company and she had to shut it down. Jen grew heartbroken. “It was devastating. I mean, it was so unexpected. When you’re in that situation, it is a freefall, and you just get creative. You try not to run up bills, try to pay what you can. I sold lots of stuff, even for $10 or $20. Anything to pay a water bill, anything to keep the electricity on. It’s a scary

thing. I was really trying to mete the food out, and I was running out of ideas. How do I feed these kids?” That’s when you stepped in. Jen found out about Warehouse of Hope, an Operation Blessing partner based in Georgia that provided food to help her feed her family. “Just the environment and the atmosphere there is one of hope,” Jen said. She explained that they offer some great food Continued on page 18

Your generosity made it possible for Jen’s family to enjoy family dinner together.

Continued from page 17

Jen and her boys enjoy volunteering at Warehouse of Hope to help others during hard times.

options, and gave her what her family needed. Thanks to you, Operation Blessing has been working with Warehouse of Hope since 2003, sending trucks with nonperishable food and other grocery items to the ministry on a weekly basis. The organization strives not only to provide families with food, but also to show them the love of Christ. By partnering with Operation Blessing, you are a part of that mission, as well. Because of the overwhelming love and support Jen and her boys received from friends like you, they began serving as volunteers—working to pass along that same love and support to others who are in need. “The opportunity to give back 18

changed our lives. It changed our outlook,” Jen shared. “My son, Lucca, he loves the warehouse and stocking and running and helping people with their carts. It just became something that we looked forward to doing.” Jen now has a new job in finance, and with the assistance of your faithful support, her family is finally getting back on its feet. While COVID-19 halted the family’s ability to volunteer, Jen’s youngest son, Lucca, says he will always hold Operation Blessing and its generous partners dear to his heart. “People that donate to Operation Blessing and can make things like Warehouse of Hope possible, it’s really nice, and it helps just so many families.”

Their Future and Yours Charitable Gift Annuities with Operation Blessing can bless families in need while providing you with income in retirement.

It’s a win-win!

YOUR BENEFITS INCLUDE: • The security of stable cash flow for life. Yes, for life! • Higher-than-average returns compared to CDs and savings accounts. • A way to increase retirement income. • Payments taxed less than regular income. • An immediate charitable income tax benefit if itemizing deductions. • The satisfaction of knowing your gift will help those in need for generations to come!

For more information about the gift that pays you back*, please contact 1-800-333-2373

PlannedGiving@ob.org *annuity gift minimum is $10,000

ingle mother Alexandra lives with her 11-year-old daughter, her mother, and her sister in Haiti. As sole provider for her family, she spent her days working hard as a secetary for a security agency. Then Alexandra began to experience pain and uterine bleeding. She visited a local clinic to figure out what the problem was. During her medical exam, the doctor detected an abdominal mass. A further sonogram confirmed that Alexandra had a fibroma.

Just in the Nick of Time

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HAITI

Alexandra’s doctor informed her that she should immediately prepare to have surgery, due to the position of the fibroma. However, Alexandra postponed the procedure because she didn’t have the money to pay for the surgery and no other family member could help. She resolved that she would just have to endure the pain. But a few months later, things got worse. Her return visit to the clinic revealed that two more fibromas had grown in Alexandra’s abdomen and the first fibroma had grown in size. It wasn’t long before Alexandra was experiencing difficulty breathing, severe anemia, and frequent fainting. She had to stop working and could barely walk. As her condition worsened, Alexandra required a blood transfusion and she was told that any further delay could kill her. Alexandra felt hopeless

and out of options. But she remembered a Christian women’s non-profit, Femmes VEE. Alexandra contacted the organization, and they connected her with Operation Blessing in Haiti. When our staff heard Alexandra’s story, they knew you would want to help. Thanks to the compassion of friends like you, Alexandra was soon admitted to surgery. All fibromas were successfully removed, and Alexandra is now on the road to recovery.

You saved the life of a single mother in Haiti Thank you for your heart to see the lives of men, women, and children around the world changed, their futures forever marked by your love! 21

MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE

SHAKES INDONESIA YOU RESPOND WITH VITAL DISASTER RELIEF

ot long ago, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi in the early morning hours, sending thousands fleeing from their beds. Over the next days, as the dust cleared, 84 people were found dead, over 300 seriously injured, and approximately 30,000 residents were displaced from their homes. In addition, the quake and over 39 aftershocks caused

significant damage to homes, businesses, roads, and other infrastructures in the area. This left the people of Sulawesi in desperate need of help, and Operation Blessing friends like you responded to their cries. Thanks to your support, we quickly sprang to action, preparing for a massive effort to offer relief to those affected by the earthquake. Fortunately, our Indonesian branch, Obor Berkat, was already on the ground and able to respond. We reached out to the earthquake victims with food, hygiene kits, and medical care. Remy was one of the many residents to receive aid thanks to your compassion. This 56-year-old worked as a cookie

INDONESIA

seller. She told us that she was sleeping when the earthquake suddenly struck and shook her awake. Next, everything went black as the electricity died. She wanted to run from her house but struggled to find her way in the dark. When she finally found the door, it wouldn’t open due to the damage from the quake. She screamed for help for a long time, afraid she would die trapped her home. Finally, someone heard her cries and helped her escape. She shared with us that the earthquake badly damaged her house and she’d had nothing to eat for days. Then, thanks to your generous support, Operation Blessing workers handed out food packets and hygiene kits to Remy and her neighbors. She was so happy to receive the help! You also provided medical exams and care to victims of the quake. Remy gives glory to God for her escape from death. She’s thankful to God and to you for helping her through this difficult time.

Planting seeds of love… growing bountiful blessings! You can plant even more seeds of love today that will reap a bountiful harvest for the poor and hurting long into the future.

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