Blessings Magazine - April 2022 by Operation Blessing

blessings OPERATION BLESSING

Stories of how YOU help the hurting around the world.

APRIL 2022

A new lease on Life

Thanks to You

A GLIMMER OF HOPE IN UKRAINE’S DARKEST HOUR PA G E 1 0

Happenings

Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!

Real Compassion Brings Real Hope

7 10 2

You provided a surgery marathon for patients in Mexico

A Glimmer of Hope in Ukraine’s Darkest Hour

You sent lifesaving aid during the deadly Russian invasion

Inside this issue

Hope Springs from Bitter Drought

You sent vital relief to drought-stricken Kenyan families

Blessing by Land, Sea and Air in the Philippines

Love and assistance after a devastating typhoon

Because You Care!

A big shout-out to all of our volunteers for National Volunteer Week

No Longer Alone

Thank you for supporting a single mom with lupus who’s raising three kids

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

OPERATION BLESSING

HAPPENINGS INDONESIA: Because of partners like you, volcano victims in Indonesia received vital medical care and medications during their difficult time.

NORTH CAROLINA: With your help, our faithful volunteers at food distribution centers continue offering food to hungry Americans during challenging seasons in their lives.

KENTUCKY: Tornado victims with damaged homes now have secure new sheds to store their belongings in as they rebuild. Thank you for making this and other ongoing disaster relief possible! 4

PERU: In the community of Amachoco, young children now have a safe classroom for learning, a kitchen where nutritious food can be prepared, and a hygienic bathroom, thanks to friends like you.

GUATEMALA: You help give hope to children who are vulnerable to neglect, abuse and trafficking through our partner, Village of Hope. They receive food, medical care, and so much more.

HAITI: After a major gas explosion injured many in Haiti, you reached out to struggling hospitals with the medical supplies they needed to treat the wounded. 5

new life CELEBRATING

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

MEXICO

REAL COMPASSION brings REAL HOPE YOU PROVIDED A SURGERY MARATHON FOR SUFFERING PATIENTS IN MEXICO

or over 40 years, Operation Blessing has been dedicated to partnering with faithful friends like YOU to demonstrate God’s love by alleviating human suffering. An area that is quickly growing, thanks to your compassionate support, is our Life-Changing Surgeries program—an initiative made possible by our generous partners. In fact, with help from friends like you, Operation Blessing recently hosted a surgery marathon for medical patients in the impoverished Chiapas region of

Mexico. With the support of local doctors who have a heart to help, and thanks to reduced costs at a nearby clinic facility, the lifechanging event made it possible for more than a dozen patients to receive the treatment they needed. Through this special project, a faithful supporter changed lives for the poor and hurting. In all, 14 beneficiaries received much-needed surgeries in just one week! Thank you so much to our special partner, and to all of you for your hearts to give. Continued Continuedononpage page148 7

Continued from page 7

Meet the people BLESSED by

THE SURGERY MARATHON in Mexico

ANGEL

BLANCA

Age: 16 Inguinal Hernia

Age: 39 Fibroid Tumors

CANDELARIA

ELIZA

FRANCISCO

Age: 55 Gallbladder Issues

ANGELICA

Age: 42 Inguinal Hernia

Age: 9 Nasal Polyp

Age: 67 Inguinal Hernia

JORGE

Age: 11 Testicular Cyst

PASCUAL

Age: 39 Gallbladder Issues

MARIA DOLORES

MERCEDES

PATRICIA

YESENIA

Age: 48 Gallbladder Issues

Age: 39 Fibroid Tumors

CONSUELO

FANNY

Age: 55 Gallbladder Issues

Age: 7 Inguinal Hernia

Age: 31 Gallbladder Issues

Age: 39 Gallbladder Issues

HELP NOW

Visit: ob.org/surgeries

to help more patients who need your support

A GLIMMER OF HOPE IN UKRAINE'S DARKEST HOUR

You sent lifesaving aid during the deadly Russian invasion

n February 24, Russia’s Vladimir Putin announced a military operation to “demilitarize and denationalize Ukraine.” A few minutes later, missile strikes began in major cities throughout Ukraine, including near the capital of Kyiv. Since the beginning of the conflict with Russia eight years ago, Operation Blessing friends like you have been sending critical aid and life-changing surgeries to the besieged areas of Ukraine. Along with our partners on the ground, we’ve continued serving in the line of fire and dreaming of a long-awaited peace. Instead, Ukrainians like elderly Vira from the Donetsk region faced a horrifying new reality as the regular artillery fire they were accustomed to enduring exploded into intensive

UKRAINE

shelling and missile strikes. Suddenly, they were on the front lines of a full-scale Russian invasion. Many were wounded and died, while many others lost cherished loved ones, as well as their homes, livelihoods, and more. Although hundreds of thousands of people have fled the conflict, some couldn’t. Some had ill parents who couldn’t be relocated, others were tired of wandering and chose to settle in their basements, and many simply didn’t have the money to leave the war-affected zone. That’s why we’re so grateful for ongoing donations from faithful friends like you, so we could immediately begin reaching out to embattled souls like Vira. Through our team on the ground in Ukraine and our partner organizations in the war zone,

compassionate Operation Blessing donors began to make a huge difference right away. You made it possible for us to supply food, hot meals, water, generators, and fuel. In addition to the other lifesaving supplies, these generators provide a priceless lifeline for families with no power to charge their phones—and would have no way to contact loved ones without them. With your help we’re also supporting evacuees as they face untold challenges reaching and surviving in new areas. As the situation continues to unfold, Operation Blessing is committed to standing with victims of the conflict in Ukraine—and ready to help survivors and refugees any way we can. Thank you for providing a glimmer of hope in these dark times.

KENYA

Hope Springs from

bitter

drought

n the Marsabit region of northern Kenya, drought threatens the survival of all who call it home. The area has seen little rain this year, and that severely dry condition has made it difficult for residents to raise and sustain the provisions they need to live. Here, most community members earn a living as pastoralists— raising goats, cows and camels to sell. They often wander the land, searching for vegetation and water to keep their livestock healthy. In the remote village of Tubcha, Diboya and her husband, Woromo, are small-scale herders who have felt the devastating

Hope Restored!

effects of the lack of rain. Without access to water, many of the couple’s animals died, putting the sole means of providing for their children in jeopardy. “It has been very hard for us this year,” Diboya explained sadly. “The drought has been very bad for us. Most of our animals have died, and that is what we depend on for our livelihood. We sell the livestock so we can buy food for our families. But now, with most of the livestock having died from lack of pasture, we can hardly find food.” Continued on page 14

“

You sent vital relief to droughtstricken Kenyan families

The drought has been very bad for us. Most of our animals have died, and that is what we depend on for our livelihood. -Diboya

”

Continued from page 13

As residents faced the harsh reality of the unforgiving drought, the government declared the situation a national disaster. Diboya and Woromo did everything they could to provide for their family, but with each day that passed, things continued to get worse. Food was scarce, and they were desperate for relief. “As a mother, it breaks my heart when my children are crying because I cannot give them food,” Diboya said. “But mostly there is nothing to eat for days, and when we manage to get a little from neighbors, we are still worried about tomorrow.” As resources dwindled, so did hope. But thanks to the love of friends like you, help was on the way. Through the generous support of Operation Blessing partners around the world, food packages were donated to Diboya and her neighbors. In fact, about 150 families received enough food to last a month, along with water backpacks, lifting a heavy burden for villagers who had suffered for so long. “Indeed, God has heard our prayers. No one has ever brought us food

“

You have really touched our lives and given us hope. It is very hard when a father cannot provide for his children. Now I can smile again when I see my children eating and being happy once more. -Woromo

”

before,” Woromo said. “You have really touched our lives and given us hope. It is very hard when a father cannot provide for his children. Now I can smile again when I see my children eating and being happy once more.” Thank you for the kindness you have shown to this community in need. Because of you, Operation Blessing is there when disaster strikes, to bring healing and hope to those who need it most. May God bless you for the life-changing support you give!

Through the generous support of Operation Blessing partners around the world, packages were donated to Diboya and her neighbors.

Thank you 51

PHILIPPINES

THE PHILIPPINES

BLESSING by Land, Sea and Air in the Philippines

“I am in deep pain,” said Ermalyn, a typhoon victim in the Philippines. Not long ago, Super Typhoon Rai ravaged the Philippine islands. Tens of thousands of people were left homeless and deeply affected by the storm. The torrential rains and heavy winds flattened houses and destroyed local businesses. Ermalyn, her husband Milandro, and their children survived this nightmare storm only by fleeing to shelter on safer ground. “I feel helpless,” 16

Milandro said. “I earn from selling coconuts, but all the trees were wiped out. We lost our home. We don’t have food.” Their story echoes those of so many Filipinos affected by Typhoon Rai. But thanks to faithful partners like you, both here at home and in the Philippines, Operation Blessing reached out to

bless thousands of storm victims in desperate need. Your support made it possible for our team on the ground to jump into action. Operation Blessing staff partnered with the Philippine military and local governments to bring critical relief supplies to victims in various towns and cities. They traveled throughout the island Continued on page 18

Continued from page 17

provinces by land, sea and air to make this effort possible! “Thank you for the rice and canned goods,” said Ermalyn. “This is really a big help because my husband does not have work, and our children need food.” The chief of their village reported that this was the first assistance people in their area had received since the typhoon struck. In addition to providing these lifesaving supplies, Operation Blessing staff also encouraged victims through their kindness and prayers. Jennifer, another victim left homeless and living in a tent along the road, said, “I just want for my family to be more comfortable, especially during the cold nights.” She was so happy when she received food, sleeping mats, and

warm blankets to help them through this ordeal. As time passed, with your support we also sent longer-term relief, such as generators and clean water stations, to communities that were left with very limited access to electricity and drinking water. Because you care, we continued to stand by the people of the Philippines throughout their difficult times. Thank you for reaching out to bless disaster victims in dire need in the Philippines and around the globe. You have been a source of help and hope to so many.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR INCOME SECURITY IN AN UNCERTAIN ECONOMY? 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 personalized illustration showing your payment rate and benefits at 800-333-2373 by email at PlannedGiving@OB.org. 19

Because You Care! As national volunteer week approaches, we’d like to give a big shout-out and a huge thank you to all of our volunteers! Because you care, the hungry and hurting receive love, help and encouragement during their times of greatest need. If you aren’t currently involved, now’s your chance! In addition to disaster relief and food distribution, we also have opportunities for you to help from the comfort of your own home.

Visit: ob.org/volunteer

OB TRENDING! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Congratulations to the community of Río Blanco on the inauguration of their brand-new clean water system. We’d like to send a huge thank you to the Operation Blessing friends like you who made this amazing day possible!

DON’T MISS OUT ON A SINGLE EXCITING UPDATE

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OPERATIONBLESSING

TEXAS

No longer

ALONE

s a single mother, Christina does her best to provide for her three boys. “My family is the reason I keep going forward,” she explained. “They are the reason why I get up every day and work and do the best I can.” However, for most of her life, Christina has suffered with lupus, an autoimmune disease that makes it difficult for her to keep a job. Many times, she was left bedridden for months and simply did not have the strength to work. The bills would start to pile up and food would become scarce. “There are times that you don’t know what you’re going to do. You don’t know how to face your children when it’s dinnertime, or they’re hungry and you really don’t have anything,” Christina told Operation Blessing staff. “It almost feels like you’re drowning and you’re taking your children with you. You lose hope.” Thankfully, hope became real once more. Christina’s church, OpenDoor, is an Operation Blessing partner ministry. For decades, the organization has received truckloads of food and household necessities from Operation Blessing. When Christina found out about the food distribution, everything changed.

Thank you for supporting a single mom with lupus who's raising three kids “My mind was blown away. They give, and they give so freely. If you had a need and you were hurting and you were broken, as long as you showed up, they were there to bless you. And when I leave, I always feel empowered, and I feel refreshed, and I feel like I’m not alone. The food that you receive, the quality is great,” she said. “And you feel good as a parent getting to put that on the table for your kids.” Now, Christina is in the process of starting her own at-home business. She says she will always be thankful to those who were there for her when she needed it most. “For the partners of Operation Blessing, I would tell them thank you. They have no idea of all the tears that are shed that they have stopped.” Thank you for your heart to provide food for families struggling to make ends meet. The thoughtful hunger relief initiatives you make possible help fight food insecurity and bring real hope in times of uncertainty. 23

Let’s Bless Children Children Together!

Limitless potential resides in the heart of a child. Let’s work together to bless vulnerable children, their families, and their whole communities to help them build a brighter tomorrow.

ob.org/give operationblessing.org

977 Centerville Turnpike Virginia Beach, VA 23463

(800) 730-2537