June 2024 Blessings Magazine

When Food Is Scarce and Times Are Tough, You Give Hope to the Hungry!

Happenings

Catch up with the goings-on at Operation Blessing!

A Father’s Battle

You lifted a family from poverty and hunger to financial freedom

Refreshing Water Solution in Mexico

Water tank transforms a community, thanks to you

GUATEMALA: Your generosity provided a new water well system for the people of Edén Nueva Vida, who no longer have to drink dirty water.

KENYA: Thanks to the kindness of friends like you, Regina had a painful gland in her neck removed in a life-changing surgery.

PERU:

Miriam is thankful for the love you have shown her in providing the supplies she needed to set up her own business, selling fish in Nueve Jerusalem.

UNITED STATES: Back in March, a team our of faithful volunteers bundled up and came out to help clean up debris left behind by tornadoes in Wapakoneta, Ohio.

TAIWAN: Because of your support, Operation Blessing was able to respond after a deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Taiwan, causing widespread damage and killing at least nine people.

PHILIPPINES: Your compassion helped provide wheelchairs for 77 struggling people on the island of Camiguin who can’t walk on their own, including Ronilo and Rodel.

A Father’s Battle

You lifted a father and his family from poverty and hunger to financial freedom

You have been the blessing and breakthrough I so much needed and hoped for.

“

–Wycliffe

As dawn flooded the outskirts of Nairobi, Wycliffe emerged from his home tired but determined. This loving father was on a mission—a mission to shield his children from a life spent in poverty. But with every temporary job he took, Wycliffe’s hope to provide for his family faded.

Wycliffe and his wife, Linda, reached out for loans and relied on the kindness of a local shop for just enough food to keep the family from starving, promising to make small payments whenever they were able.

As he was unable to pay the necessary school fees, Wycliffe’s children, Ryan (10) and Precious (6), remained at home with their mom and the baby while he looked for work each day. “It hurt me deeply to see other kids in school while mine stayed home,” Wycliffe said. “At times, I struggled to explain to them why they couldn’t stay in school consistently.”

Sometimes even prayer felt hollow— drowned out by the needs of his hungry children. Little did Wycliffe know that support was coming.

Thanks to friends like you, the tide was about to turn in his favor. You became the answer to this father’s prayers and extended

a helping hand that would alter the course of this family’s life forever.

Because of your kindness, Wycliffe was given a food cart complete with charcoal, sausages, eggs, and even packing paper— everything he would need to start his own business. Your gift of a microenterprise empowered him to lift his family out of destitute poverty.

Wycliffe’s food cart proved a remarkable success, allowing him to not only provide daily meals for his little ones but also to pay back every debt owed. Your compassionate support also gave him the ability to cover the cost for his children’s return to school—where they can once again learn, play, and grow.

“I have been able to create a ripple effect of opportunities,” Wycliffe shared, brimming with optimism. “We bless the people from whom we get the charcoal, the eggs and sausages we sell, the sauces and tomato onion salad we use.”

In fact, business is so good that Wycliffe plans to expand! Excited for what the future holds, Wycliffe said, “I am hoping to get another food cart soon and

be able to have another stand at a different location. … My wife can have one of her own … and we can make double the profits to grow our family together.”

Now, as a new dawn breaks over Nairobi, Wycliffe stands tall as a provider, protector, and of course, proud papa. His battle against poverty, which once seemed lonely, silent, and endless, is being won, all thanks to your dedicated support.

“Just the name ‘Blessing’ in Operation Blessing is exactly what that was for me,” Wycliffe said gratefully. “You have been the blessing and breakthrough I so much needed and hoped for.”

His business is going so well that Wycliffe hopes to expand!

Happy

Father’s Day

We salute all the fathers around the world who work hard to protect and support their families. And we’re so thankful that when they face tough times, you step in to help them provide. You have also been a father to the fatherless and a blessing in times of trouble to so many.

God bless you, and have a wonderful Father’s Day!

Refreshing A Refreshing WATER

SOLUTION IN MEXICO

Who are these radiant children, and why are they wearing such dazzling smiles?

Meet Federico (9) and Diana (4), the youngest of the Pérez kids. Their older siblings used to trek long distances every few days to get water needed for drinking, bathing, and washing clothes—but now they have it stored safely nearby. It’s a win-win story not only for this family, but for an entire village!

Living just outside the town of Jiquipilas, in the Mexican state of Chiapas, this family—like the others in their small community—suffered the uncertainty of water scarcity. They needed an efficient way to

Water tank transforms a community, thanks to you

Refreshing

gather and store water, especially during dry periods. Their father, Joaquín, led multiple trips for water each week. But, as is all too often the case, the water wasn’t clean and caused health problems like stomachaches and headaches. Much as they wanted to, Frederico and Diana’s parents were unable to change this difficult situation for their children.

But thanks to your thoughtfulness, the families of this village now enjoy a very different reality. In response to the town’s need, friends like you made it possible for Operation Blessing to intervene. We met with the villagers

and found a way to improve their communal water system by installing a water tank with chlorination—and ensuring that all of the homes would have full access to this vital resource. The health of the villagers also improved after participating in the water care workshops we provided.

Joaquín said gratefully,“Our way of life has already changed, and we believe it will change even more because we are taking care of the water. ...We feel thankful because we hadn’t received help from anyone, and Operation Blessing’s supporters provided that help.”

When Food Is Scarce and Times Are Tough, You Give Hope to the Hungry!

Imagine for a moment the life of a child in a faraway village—we’ll call her Sarah. She might be in Peru, or Thailand, or even somewhere in Africa, but the story will be much the same. Sarah loves art, playing soccer with her friends, and helping around the house. But something always weighs heavily at the back of Sarah’s mind: food. Her loving parents try so hard, but they struggle to make ends meet. The cycle of generational poverty has robbed them of opportunities that might have allowed them to get ahead. Too often, there simply isn’t enough food for their family of six, and her mother and father skip meals. They think she doesn’t notice, but Sarah sees everything. And while she realizes that some of her friends enjoy hearty dinners with nutritious meats and vegetables, too many days she and her siblings survive on a rationed portion of rice or beans.

Life for young Silvia in Peru was very similar to Sarah's in our story— until you came along.

Today, Sarah’s stomach growls loudly as she walks to school. It will be hard to pay attention in class. And as much as she loves to play, she knows she’ll probably be too tired and hungry to enjoy recess. Hopefully one of her parents can find some work today. Otherwise, there won’t be much to eat for dinner. Again. home, her mother greets her with a warm smile, but the worry in her eyes tells Sarah everything she needs to know. She’ll pray extra hard tonight. Surely tomorrow will be a better day. It just has to be.

Sarah’s story is one that’s familiar around the world—even here in the United States. Children like Sarah might not technically be starving, food insecure.” Food is hard to come by for their families, whether because of job loss, inflation, sickness, conflict, natural disaster, or just heartbreaking generational poverty.

In some cases these children might not actually feel hungry, but they lack vital nutrients and a reliable source of food. They are malnourished, unable to thrive in school, anxious about food, and they easily fall prey to illness. That’s why we’re so thankful that you are hunger in America and around the globe every day. When food is scarce and times are tough, you step in and offer hope to the hungry. Through food distributions, agricultural programs, small business opportunities, skills training, and educational initiatives, you make sure that kids like Sarah, as well as adults and the elderly, have the they need not only to survive—but to thrive.

The USDA reports that 12.8% of households in America are food insecure to some degree—and estimates that over 700,000 children in the U.S. have experienced significant food insecurity.

These Are the Faces of Hunger

According to the World Health Organization, over 122 million MORE people around the world faced hunger in 2023 than in 2019, bringing the total to about 735 million!

But you are helping reverse that statistic.

RAQUEL | MEXICO

After Hurricane Otis hit Mexico, demolishing homes and businesses, Raquel and her husband struggled to feed their children. Thank goodness, you made a way for this family. Not only did generous friends like you provide them with food, you also gave them supplies and tools for Raquel to restart her business selling corn and plantains.

SAMMY AND OLIVIA | USA

Sammy and Olivia’s lives were turned upside down when Sammy needed emergency heart surgery and had to take time off to recover. Even though Olivia worked extra hours, they began to drown financially and didn’t know what to do for food. Then you provided abundant groceries for them through a food pantry in their area.

TABITA | NIGERIA

Life is hard in the region of Gombi, Nigeria. Tabita’s family often made do with only corn, beans, and rice. She worried that they wouldn’t have enough to eat. Then, you sent an agriculture project to her area. Now Tabita reports that she’s had a bountiful harvest, her children are eating well, and that the profits from her small farm have helped to pay for the children’s school fees.

EUGENY | UKRAINE

For 79-year-old Eugeny, the conflict in Ukraine started in 2014. When the war hit full force in 2022, he faced daily explosions and survived without heat, electricity, and gas. Then one night his bedside candle started a fire, which he barely survived. Now he lives at a home for the elderly and infirm in Ukraine, where you help provide him with three hearty homemade meals a day.

JU JU | THAILAND

As in many developing nations, hunger and food scarcity have increased in Thailand since the pandemic. The situation has only gotten worse as many refugees fleeing Myanmar have settled in their country. But we’re glad to report that you are reaching out to kids like Ju Ju. You even provided a special celebration that included a hot meal, a food distribution, gifts, and fun Superbook activities.

Like most children, Alfa loved to play with her younger siblings, Umara and Ibrahim. Yet for these three children, the world was growing darker. Cataracts were stealing their vision and blurring their futures. But you gave them hope when they needed it most.

By the time Alfa was 10 years old, she was nearly blind and needed constant assistance—even to walk. School frustrated her. “I had a hard time studying, especially writing,” she said. “I was not able to write properly and keep a straight line.” To make matters worse, Umara and Ibrahim also struggled to see.

A FUTURE IN SIGHT

You brightened the lives of three children in India

BEFORE

The three siblings in India all suffered from debilitating cataracts.

THANKS TO YOU

They all received the surgery they needed.

AFTER

They happily see the world in focus.

Alfa’s parents took them to a nearby hospital, but the answer was devastating: All the children needed surgery. “We come from a very poor family background,” their mother, Afreen, cried as she shared with us. “There was no way we could afford even one surgery, let alone three. So, we just came back home.”

As soon as they returned home, they were able to see clearly enough to play with each other without assistance.

Today, Alfa happily sees a world that’s in focus. “I love playing outside. I’m doing well in my school, and I can do all my my homework on my own.” Her confidence is growing, and her future looks promising.

“I can see joy in my children,” Afreen said. The worry and burden she carried for so long is now relieved, thanks to your love and support. “I want to thank everyone who helped us.”

Tajuddin, Alfa’s father, worked hard so that Afreen could stay home to help the children with their many unique needs. “I felt completely helpless,” he told us. “I worked all day in the fields and came home to see my children struggling. I could not sleep peacefully at night.”

Then you shined a light into their darkness and provided cataract surgery for all three children. Their lives were immediately transformed.

Your compassion gave this precious family hope and a new beginning. They can now see a future that is clear and bright.

Your Compassion Rekindled Hope

You stood with those who lost everything to wildfires

Raging wildfires spare nothing in their path, leaving behind a trail of ashes, debris, and shattered dreams.

In Texas, the flames consumed over a million acres, while in Chile, entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble. And on the island of Maui, the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history claimed over 100 lives and left thousands homeless.

Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming devastation, a flicker of hope remained, fueled by the unwavering compassion of friends like you.

IN TEXAS,

you enabled the Operation Blessing team to respond swiftly to the wildfires ravaging the panhandle near Amarillo. County Commissioner Chris Prock shared the gravity of the situation: “We lost several hundred structures to the fire. It went through some of our neighborhoods.” Your generosity provided emergency necessities, hygiene supplies, and cleanup materials to all in need, including first responders battling the deadly flames.

Shannon, a local rancher, recounted the harrowing experience, “I turned off the highway to come in here, and there was fire raging on both sides of me. We lost around 5,000 acres. ... It was just a helpless feeling.” Commissioner Prock expressed his gratitude: “Having organizations like Operation Blessing show up—a global organization—and say, ‘Hey, what can we do for your community? We’re here for you. How can we meet that need?’ It’s just a huge blessing to us.”

ACROSS THE OCEAN IN CHILE

—In the weeks just before the Texas disaster, families like Daisy’s similarly found themselves grappling with the aftermath of devastating wildfires. “The fires started near us, and in less than an hour we had to evacuate with only the backpacks we packed the day before,” Daisy recounted.

Continued on page 20

The catastrophic fire in Maui caused historic devastation.

Through your support, Operation Blessing joined forces with local and international partners to provide assistance— including food, water, and help rebuilding homes. “Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the help—what they’re doing for us and many other people,” Daisy expressed. “We’re no longer starting from scratch.”

IN HAWAII, the catastrophic wildfires traumatized survivors like Alan and his young son Kaipo. “Fire was everywhere, burning everyone’s houses, making its way toward everyone and their vehicles as they tried to get away,” Alan recalled. But your generosity provided emergency supplies, fishing gear, and even help developing the Ohana Hope Community—a temporary housing solution for hundreds of displaced Hawaiians.

Alan shared his immense gratitude. “To have stuff like that handed to us is like a dream come true. Big mahalos (thanks) to you all. Thank you, guys, for taking the time and opportunity for helping those in need. You guys are truly a blessing.”

Through your generosity, Operation Blessing has been able to bring comfort and aid to those in need. From providing essential supplies to rebuilding homes, your support has been a lifeline for families struggling to regain their footing. Out of the ashes, hope has risen, fueled by your willingness to stand with the suffering.

Thank you for showing God’s love in the darkest of times. Your compassion has truly made a difference in the lives of those who have lost so much.

Benefits

Gifting all, or a portion, of your

IRA’s Required

Minimum Distribution (RMD) can reduce your tax bill while supporting the poor and hurting.

Taking Your RMD

• You pay income tax on your distribution

• Might push you into a higher tax bracket

• Your tax dollars go to Uncle Sam

Gifting Your RMD

• You pay no income tax on your gift

• Qualified Charitable Distribution counts toward RMD

• You can designate your gift any way you want

For more information on how you can take advantage of gifting your RMD and blessing those in desperate need, please contact us at:

Call: 800-333-2373 Email: PlannedGiving@OB.org Visit: ob.org/plannedgiving

Your love encouraged them and gave hope.

The Greatest Love of All

Thank you for showing God’s love to Americans facing hunger during hard times

to love and to be loved. They understand that love is patient, kind, and not boastful. They know what it means to cherish and support one another through thick and thin.

But, in their time of need, Ben and Brenda experienced one of the greatest examples of love. The kind that is shown by friends like you, who selflessly extend a helping hand. Your generosity became a beacon of hope in their darkest times.

Brenda’s health had been on the decline for a number of years when she was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure and needed a transplant. This devastating news put a huge strain on the couple emotionally and financially. Then, just when it seemed the darkness might overtake them, the

Brenda and Ben mourned her diagnosis.

support of compassionate partners like you became a bright ray that pierced that darkness, giving them hope that everything would be okay.

“Operation Blessing and the food was one of the first signs of hope,” said Ben. “Seeing that we were able to load up our car full of food and put all that food on the table and look at it—the manifestation of God’s blessing.”

The food Ben and Brenda received was of high quality and met Brenda’s strict dietary restrictions and also alleviated the strain on their wallets.

“Operation Blessing was there for us when we needed it,” said Ben. “We needed a sign of hope. Operation Blessing gave us that. It gave us that in a

time in our lives that we needed to see a little light in the darkness.”

As their circumstances began to turn around, Brenda was blessed to receive a healthy new kidney after only 10 months, despite the average wait often being five years long.

“It’s overwhelming sometimes because I think back to where I came from or where Brenda came from, and it’s an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I wake up with in the morning,” Ben shared. “It almost seemed surreal at times. … The sun is out, the day is good. She’s able to walk and move around. She has her independence back. It’s a heart of gratitude that I have.”

Ben and Brenda are grateful for the outpouring of support from Operation Blessing and our community of friends like you who continue to share such amazing love.