March 2022 Blessings - You Bring Times of Refreshing to Their Souls! by Operation Blessing

blessings OPERATION BLESSING

MARCH 2022

Stories of how YOU help the hurting around the world.

YOU BRING TIMES OF REFRESHING TO THEIR SOULS!

AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET AHEAD PAG E 8

CELEBRATING WORLD WATER DAY PA G E 1 0

HOPE ARRIVES ON THE SCENE PA G E 2 0

Happenings

4 6

Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!

You Gave the Gift of New Sight in Indonesia Solihati received the life-changing surgery she needed

An Opportunity to Get Ahead

8 2

Cosmetology training in Honduras gives women fresh hope

Inside this issue

You Bring Times of Refreshing to Their Souls

A community in Peru gets a fresh start thanks to friends like you

Celebrating World Water Day

Thank you for changing the world with clean water!

Burden Lifted and Hope Restored

You gave an abundance of food to an elderly widow in need

Hope Arrives on the Scene

You blessed struggling Kentucky tornado victims

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

OPERATION BLESSING

HAPPENINGS UKRAINE: Natalya can now care for her husband, disabled sons, and 10-yearold nephew, thanks to a lifechanging cataract surgery.

INDONESIA: Following a volcano eruption in Indonesia, friends like you sent medical care to help victims during this dark time.

COSTA RICA: Young children receive the eyeglasses they need to see well, thanks to you.

PERU: Schoolchildren hold a march to commemorate all they’ve learned to protect themselves from abuse through our “Yo Digo No!” (“I Say No!") program.

KENYA: You sent vital food supplies to hungry villagers who have been suffering through a drought in Kenya.

PHILIPPINES: Operation Blessing partners sent critical disaster relief supplies after a massive typhoon struck the Philippines.

INDONESIA

or seven years, Solihati suffered with a cataract in her right eye that made it hard for the 13-year-old to see the world around her clearly. As time passed, she was only able to recognize light and small movements with that eye. Because of her appearance, Solihati was mocked by the people around her. The unhappy child would cry every night because of her “white eye” and because people said she was cursed. Solihati lives with her parents and siblings in a poor area of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. With her poor vision, she would need

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G A V E

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New Sight in Indonesia

surgery to remove the cataract and regain her sight, but her parents work by finding items to sell from the city dump— earning very little money. They were unable to afford the cost of the surgery needed to restore Solihati’s vision. As the family had no means to help young Solihati, Operation Blessing partners stepped in to bring hope when it was needed most. Through the use of a crowdfunding campaign as part of Operation Blessing’s Life-Changing Surgeries program, over 20 friends like you answered the heartfelt prayer of this young girl. In less than two weeks, donors raised the $2,009 needed for Solihati to have this healing procedure. Because of friends like you, doctors successfully completed the surgery to remove the cataract from Solihati’s right eye, and she is now on her way to growing healthy and strong! For more than 40 years, your love shown through Operation Blessing has touched countless lives in the U.S. and around the world. You make it possible to share the love of God with the poor and hurting. Thank you for the kindness and compassion you’ve shown to people like Solihati and her family!

An Opportunity

TO GET AHEAD

ne of the best gifts that any of us can ever give to people who are poor and struggling is the chance to get ahead in life through their own hard work. For many, a simple opportunity by way of education, training, or owning a small business can set them on a better path for the rest of their lives—and even bless generations to come.

Women like Olga in Honduras especially need a chance to get ahead. For many here, their educations end in the sixth grade. Lack of resources, education and skills leave these women vulnerable to poverty, exploitation, violence, gang recruitment, and abuse. However, Operation Blessing friends like you are sending amazing opportunities through cosmetology training, which is

COSMETOLOGY TRAINING IN HONDURAS GIVES WOMEN FRESH HOPE

HONDURAS

helping Honduran teens and adult women break out of these cycles of poverty and violence. The program, titled Canela y Miel (“Cinnamon and Honey”), brings to mind a promised land full of provision and abundance. For many of these women, it offers just that. Olga and the other students at Canela y Miel received training in various facets of hair styling, makeup application, skin care, and more. They also had the opportunity to take workshops to help them thrive in their new careers, such as business management, financial management, and professionalism. Following their initial training, the students were placed in internships to refine and improve their skills. Through the program they gained ample experience, confidence, and demonstrable expertise. Some will find ongoing employment through their internships, while others will open small shops in their homes. They also have the option of working part-time, allowing them to pay for continued educational opportunities. Recently, Olga’s class graduated into their promising new futures, and another group of women took their place. We’re so happy for Olga, her classmates, and all they’ve accomplished! We look forward to hearing many wonderful reports. We’re grateful for friends like you who are making this sort of amazing difference around the world through partnership with Operation Blessing.

Thank You for Changing the World with Clean Water!

World W • • • • • • • • •

Preventing waterborne illness Improving hygiene and sanitation Increasing health and vitality Saving time and energy Producing nutritious food Supporting education and learning Uplifting communities Offering dignity Boosting earning potential for struggling parents

This month we celebrate

World Water Day!

Let’s work together to continue making the dream of clean water a reality for those in need. 10

Water Day

PERU

Refreshing Clean Water Brings

HOPE+HA F

or a mother named Evangelina from the small community of Pistuni in Peru, living with little or no access to clean water was a constant struggle. Home to fewer than 100 people, Pistuni lies over three hours away from the nearest city. Many residents make a living here by raising and selling cattle. Water is vital to residents’ basic survival and to their continued livelihoods. They need it for drinking, for their livestock, for hygiene, and for washing dishes. However, Pistuni’s remote location means families here have limited access to clean water. For residents like Evangelina and her family, the nearly four-hour journey to gather and bring back the water from distant mountain springs for their everyday needs was a hard one, often ending in disappointment. “Here we have no water. We have to fetch water. A donkey carries it. And sometimes the donkey Continued on drags page 14 the

APPINESS

containers and then they break, and we run out of water,” Evangelina explained to Operation Blessing staff. “We have lived this way for so many years.” During certain months, rainwater accumulates and forms a pool closer to home, which also provides a water source for the villagers. But this water is exposed to the elements and pollution for long periods, which presents a potential risk for Evangelina and her family. Continued on page 14

“ It's dirty and smells. The color's like cocoa.” ` ~ Nely 13

Continued from page 13

Her 7-year-old daughter, Nely, described the water. “It’s dirty and smells. The color’s like cocoa.” Sadly, the possible health complications from consuming the poorquality water became all too real when Nely became sick with a stomach infection—a common occurrence in Pistuni. “I had to take her ... carrying her on my back,” Evangelina recalled the day she sought treatment for her daughter. “I was very worried and thought that maybe my daughter would die.” Making matters worse, residents also had no access to proper bathrooms, which made waste management another issue that put the villagers’ health at risk. But thanks to the generosity of Operation Blessing donors, who worked together through a crowd-funding endeavor, help was on the way. More than 90 people donated to bring clean water to this struggling community! Our team soon arrived with a project that would benefit all the families of Pistuni, including Evangelina’s. Because of the kindness of friends like you, a new community water system was built that included bathrooms. Using a series of pipes, the staff worked to connect the community with a water source nearly two miles away. The water is gathered in a reservoir, where it is treated and chlorinated. Through this system, safe and clean drinking water reaches the 17 homes in Pistuni. Additionally, Pistuni residents participated in workshops on the maintenance of the sanitation and water systems, and 14

they learned the importance of handwashing and personal hygiene. Now, families have been educated on how to take care of themselves and their new systems. Thank you for providing water to this struggling

community. Now that they’re refreshed with a sustainable source of clean water, Evangelina and the entire village have a new sense of joy. “Now I’m happy, happy, happy because I have water! I’m no longer sad.”

BURDEN LIFTED AND HOPE RESTORED

L YOU GAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF FOOD TO AN ELDERLY WIDOW IN NEED 16

ois, an elderly widow in Michigan, has experienced much heartache in her life. Nearly a decade ago, she suffered an unspeakable tragedy when her adult son, David, passed away from cancer. Two weeks later, she also lost her husband, Orville, to a heart condition after 49 years of marriage. Despite her losses, Lois

MICHIGAN

chooses to stay as optimistic as possible. Still, living on her own, sometimes her finances are tight. Over the years she has had several jobs, including work at a factory and at a retail store, but now she survives on a small, fixed income. “There

are a lot of things I don’t buy because I just can’t afford to get them,” she said. But thanks to you and to Operation Blessing distribution partner Buist Community Assistance Center (CAC), she is able to put food on the table Continued on page 18

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HEART TO BLESS THE HURTING IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE FOOD THEY NEED TO KEEP GOING IN TIMES OF STRUGGLE.

Continued from page 17

every day. “It helps a lot because there are times when I open the refrigerator and I go, ‘Oh, there’s nothing there!’” Lois is so thankful to be able to fill up her pantry with items you help provide. “I use a lot of soup, so I like that. And cereal, because I run out of cereal.” She shared with Operation Blessing staff that her finances can get especially tight toward the end of the month, but the support she receives from Operation Blessing and Buist CAC helps make up the difference until she receives her next check. Without the assistance you send, Lois is not sure how she would survive. “I don’t know what I would do. Sometimes things come up that you don’t expect, and I come over here and they help me out. I’m just thankful that you’re here to help everybody. It’s a blessing that if you’re down and out, you’ve got people that can help you.” Thank you for your heart to bless the hurting in the U.S. and around the world with the food they need to keep going in times of struggle. Friends like you make it possible to share the love of God by being the hands and feet of Jesus to those most in need. 18

Give Hope THAT WILL LAST LONG INTO THE

FUTURE! FUTURE!

A simple and easy way to leave a legacy—so you can make a lasting impact on your world after you pass on to glory—is to name Operation Blessing as a beneficiary of an asset you own. Many assets permit you to name beneficiaries by simply completing a Beneficiary Designation form, including:

Bank accounts IRAs and other retirement accounts Brokerage accounts Life insurance Donor Advised Funds To learn more about Beneficiary Designations, please contact us. ob.org/plannedgiving | plannedgiving@ob.org | 800-333-2373 19

KENTUCKY

Hope arrives ON THE SCENE

The tornadoes in the Midwest wreaked a trail of devastation.

YOU BLESSED STRUGGLING KENTUCKY TORNADO VICTIMS IN THEIR TIME OF DESPERATE NEED

fter a series of tornadoes ripped through southwest Kentucky and surrounding areas in the midwestern United States, residents were left devastated. With many homes toppled, businesses destroyed, and a lack of electricity, help was needed—and fast. Because of the faithful support of friends like you, Operation Blessing quickly sprang into action and, within days of the deadly storms, sent an initial shipment of disaster relief kits, water, trash bags, food, and other supplies to bring quick relief to the victims. As efforts continued, Operation Blessing’s disaster relief team looked for underserved communities and learned about the needs in Logan County, Kentucky, where at least 150 homes had been damaged. Many residents there lacked the resources to obtain the supplies required to start the long process of recovery. That’s when the kindness, compassion, and swift response of Operation Blessing donors brought much-needed relief. Operation Blessing connected with the local fire chief, Cheryl Allen, who spoke warmly of the community. “These aren’t just our neighbors. They are our friends. Our firefighters know each of the people affected. We want to do whatever we can to help them out.” When asked about specific needs, Chief Allen mentioned supplies like trash bags and heavy tarps. And when asked about needs like generators, she immediately replied, “Oh, definitely! And heaters. We have people living in little travel trailers—some Continued on page 22 21

Continued from page 21

don’t have power or heat. I know of at least two or three people right now that would be helped by a generator. All the other supplies would be great and will help with the cleanup, but generators will help them stay warm.” Within just days of speaking with Chief Allen, help arrived. An Operation Blessing truckload of supplies was delivered to a warehouse in Russellville, Kentucky, set up by the Logan County Fire Department to receive and distribute resources to the community. These supplies included a small load of generators, heaters, extension cords, and trash bags sourced locally through The Home Depot. The firefighters made quick work of offloading the items before they were called out to assist a resident. Seeing the critical relief supplies arrive put a smile on Chief Allen’s face as she said, “Thank you.” Then she grabbed a heater and a generator and said, “I know just who this is going to, and he really needs it. His place was destroyed and he’s staying in a little RV that gets so cold at night.” As the situation continued to unfold, we realized that victims also desperately needed sheds to store their belongings while their homes were rebuilt or repaired. And again, you reached out to meet that cry for help. Operation Blessing staff is also prepared to offer more longterm assistance as the work of rebuilding continues. Thank you for your heart to bless disaster victims in their dark hours. Because of you, Operation Blessing is able to respond in times of crisis with critical relief supplies and aid to bring hope and encouragement. May God bless you for your kindness!

You provided generators, sheds, cleanup supplies, and much more. 22

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR

TORNADO

SEASON?

Learn the warning signs

Have an emergency plan

including a green sky, large hail, dark low-lying clouds, rotating funnel-shaped cloud, flying debris, and a sound like a freight train.

with your family and loved ones, and consider the safest place in your home to take shelter during a tornado warning.

Keep an emergency kit including water, nonperishable food, medications, infant supplies, pet supplies, copies of important documents, insurance information, and key telephone numbers.

Prepare fresh batteries for flashlights, electrical lanterns, and a battery-operated radio or TV to receive weather and emergency information.

In a home with a basement or storm cellar, anchor yourself there, away from windows. If you have no basement or cellar, find the inmost room or hallway of your house on the bottom floor, preferably one without windows, and stay close to the ground. Cover yourself with a mattress, blanket, or sleeping bag. In a high-rise building, choose a center hallway if there’s no time to get to the bottom floor. Get under something sturdy if possible. When driving or in a mobile home, try to get to a sturdy shelter. If you are unable to reach a shelter, leave your car and find a low-lying area—or park, keep your seatbelt on, and cover your head. If caught outdoors, lie down in a low-lying area or crouch near a sturdy building and cover your head with your arms. Volunteer now to help victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, floods, and other natural disasters in the U.S.

ob.org/volunteer

Clean Water MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE! You can give clean water, food, medical care, and other vital necessities to people in desperate need around the world.

ob.org/give operationblessing.org

(800) 730-2537