VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (January 9, 2025) – A disaster relief team from Operation Blessing is headed West to help residents in California wildfire-affected communities. The destructive fires have so far killed 10 people and destroyed over 10,000 structures. More than 180,000 residents are under evacuation orders while roughly 5 fires are still raging in the greater Los Angeles area.
The team is led by Diego Traverso, director of International Disaster Relief, who most recently oversaw Operation Blessing’s ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in North Carolina. The team is expected to begin arriving in Los Angeles later today. Once on the ground, they will begin assessing the situation to determine the greatest needs, as well as meeting with emergency management officials and local partners to set up distribution points.
On the Ground Relief Efforts
The demand for help in California wildfire-affected communities is great. To meet the demand, boxes of items have already begun being unloaded to help those in greatest need. Residents will be given food, water, hygiene kits and solar lights to aid in bringing relief and a sense of normalcy to their lives amid the devastation.
Today, in partnership with World Vision, Operation Blessing dispatched a tractor-trailer truckload of emergency relief supplies from the organization’s Grand Prairie, TX warehouse. The truck is expected to arrive on Friday and a distribution has been planned for Saturday, January 11 to take place at 10am Pacific at the Cathedral Church Highland Park (6408 Ruby St, Los Angeles). In addition, longtime partner, the humanitarian organization Mercury One is also supporting Operation Blessing’s relief efforts.
Operation Blessing (OB) provides humanitarian services such as strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water and community development. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing has touched the lives of millions of people in more than 90 countries and every state.
In a world often marked by challenges, 2024 has stood as a beacon of hope, showcasing the transformative power of love in action around the world. This year, you have made an indelible impact by extending tangible help to communities in need across the globe. From providing clean water and medical care, to empowering entrepreneurs and responding to disasters, you have turned compassion into real, measurable change.
Transforming Lives Across the Globe
Clean Water Solutions in Mexico
One of the most essential gifts of life is clean water, and in 2024, Operation Blessing delivered over 190 clean water projects to communities worldwide. In Mexico, the installation of rainwater harvesting systems revolutionized daily life for families who no longer worry about their next sip of water. Through these efforts, children, parents, and entire communities have access to a reliable and safe water source, enabling them to focus on education and economic opportunities.
Small Business Empowerment in Indonesia
Budy in Indonesia experienced the transformative power of opportunity. With the support of Operation Blessing’s compassionate friends like you, he established a thriving small business, allowing him to feed his family and serve his community. Across the globe, similar vocational initiatives have empowered individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty and build sustainable futures.
Medical Care in Kenya and Other Communities in Need
With your help, Operation Blessing’s dedicated medical teams provided critical healthcare services to over 40,000 patients. From routine checkups to life-saving treatments, these efforts have enabled families to pursue healthier and brighter futures. In areas where healthcare access is limited, this support has truly been life-changing.
Love in Action in the United States
This year, Operation Blessing responded to 19 disasters across 17 states, delivering over 100 truckloads of relief supplies. But one of the most poignant examples of love in action was seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
Hurricane Helene: Rebuilding Hope in Asheville
When Hurricane Helene struck, the devastation left families in Asheville grappling with despair. Through your generosity, We were able to mobilize volunteers who worked tirelessly to restore homes, distribute critical supplies, and serve hot meals. Local families found hope in the kindness of strangers, and artists from Asheville’s River Arts District were given the resources to rebuild their livelihoods.
A highlight of these efforts was the establishment of a large warehouse serving as a safe space for artisans to restart their businesses. This initiative not only helped families recover but also set the stage for a thriving creative community in 2025 and beyond.
A Legacy of Love in Action around the World
Operation Blessing’s work in 2024 underscores a legacy of over 45 years of putting faith into action. This year alone, supporters have:
Served over 53,000 meals to hungry families.
Delivered disaster relief to 18 countries worldwide.
Provided over 200 surgeries for under served patients.
From the villages of Kenya to the heart of Asheville, Operation Blessing supporters like you have been the hands and feet of Jesus, offering help and hope to those who need it most. Together, we’ve proven that love in action can change the world.
As we look ahead to 2025, the call to make an even greater impact remains. Join us in continuing this mission of compassion and transformation. Together, we can bring hope to more communities and turn the vision of a better world into reality.
CHINA – A hole in the heart—those simple words carry the weight of a terrifying diagnosis for many children around the world. For Mingruis, a young boy from China, this condition was a death sentence. But through the grace of modern medicine, and the generosity of Operation Blessing donors like you, Mingruis’ heart was healed and his life saved.
The Struggle of a Family Facing the Impossible
Mingruis’ story began like so many others: with a diagnosis no parent wants to hear. Because he was born with a hole in his heart and narrow arteries, doctors predicted that as Mingruis grew older, his condition would worsen. His heart would become weaker, and eventually, he would run out of time. By the time he reached his 18th birthday, his chances of survival were grim.
His mother recalls the pain of watching her son suffer daily. Mingruis had a weak immune system, and he caught every cold that came his way. He was always exhausted, unable to eat much, and stopped growing as he should. He couldn’t even run or play like other children. “When I tried, my heart ached,” Mingruis said. “It was like a monster biting me.”
Even worse, Mingruis’ condition kept him isolated from the world around him. The local school would not accept him because of his heart condition. He stayed home alone with his action figure—his only companion. While other children went to school, laughed with friends, and played outside, Mingruis could only dream of those simple joys.
The Desperate Need for Heart Surgery in China
As Mingruis’ heart condition grew worse, his family feared they were losing him. Doctors told them that surgery was the only hope, but there was one major obstacle: money. Without the funds for heart surgery, Mingruis’ life could not be saved. In China, many families face similar struggles, unable to afford the high costs of medical care, especially for life-threatening conditions like a hole in the heart. Yet, hope arrived when a compassionate doctor introduced them to Operation Blessing and friends like you who could help.
The Miracle of Healing: How Operation Blessing Made the Impossible Possible
You stepped in and made a life-saving surgery possible for Mingruis. Thanks your love and generosity, Mingruis was able to receive the heart surgery in China that would change his life. Today, Mingruis is a completely different child. He is healthy, strong, and able to run, jump, and play just like other children his age. For the first time, he can attend school without fear of his heart failing him.
But You Really Healed Hearts for 3 People…
What makes this story so incredible is how you healed hearts for the entire family. His father said, “You also told us the story of Jesus. Now we know Jesus as the true GOD.”
“You also told us the story of Jesus. Now we know Jesus as the true GOD.”
Your Generosity Creates Miracles
Thanks to your support, his story is one of survival and hope. You are the reason that children like Mingruis can get the medical care they desperately need. You made this miracle happen!
Operation Blessing relies on partners like you to continue providing life-saving surgeries and medical treatments to children and families in need. Whether it’s providing heart surgery in China, life-saving medications, or access to medical care that would otherwise be out of reach, your support makes it possible.
NORTH CAROLINA – Western North Carolina is still feeling the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. With Christmas approaching, many families still battling homelessness faced the daunting prospect of a bleak holiday season. However, thanks to your generosity, a hundred families in the region were able to experience the joy of Christmas because you sent Christmas cheer to Asheville.
With your help, Operation Blessing, set up a special Christmas village to provide families with gifts, food, and fun activities. “This Christmas season, Operation Blessing is bringing joy to Western North Carolina,” said Haley, a representative from the organization. “We want to reflect on Christ’s love, and that he brings light to even difficult situations.”
The Christmas village was a merry sight, complete with decorated trees, crafts, games, and snacks for everyone. Parents were able to shop for gifts. You ensured that no child would be left without a present on Christmas morning.
“This is a big help to us this Christmas,” said one grateful parent, Christian. “Even to get a Christmas tree, plus all the presents and the jackets and the pajamas, it’s very, very nice.”
The impact of your work was evident on the faces of the children. “Whenever I see those kids’ faces,” said Ana, a volunteer, “it makes my heart full. It makes me realize I’m around the right people. Like, this is amazing. You see those little faces, it does everything.”
For many families, the Christmas village was a lifesaver. “It was a great blessing,” said another parent. “It was a miracle. We didn’t know how we were going to buy gifts for all the kids, and so it was an incredible, incredible blessing.”
You Can Make a Differencein Asheville and Beyond
The road to recovery for these Hurricane Helene survivors continues; but with your continued support, we can ensure they don’t walk it alone. Your generosity has already made a profound impact, bringing joy, hope, and Christmas to families during this difficult time.
Now, as we continue our efforts to support the homeless in North Carolina and work towards improving their temporary housing situation, your ongoing support remains crucial. You are the reason these families can see a glimmer of hope in these dark hours. Thank you again for sending Christmas cheer to Asheville. Your generosity today can bring light, hope, and tangible support to those who need it most in the aftermath of disasters like Hurricane Helene.
Overcoming rickets in Nigeria is no easy feat. Joan’s journey depicts the difficulties faced by many children who are in the midst of this battle.
Born with bowed legs, she experienced the cruel reality of being different. Walking became a challenge, and school felt like an insurmountable obstacle. She also faced bullying due to her condition. Her parents, despite their best efforts, could not afford the expensive surgery needed to correct her condition. Economic instability and massive government layoffs had left them, and so many others, financially desperate.
Operation Blessing: Turning Hope into Reality
In the most critical moment, Operation Blessing emerged as a lifeline. When her family had exhausted all options, the organization stepped in to provide life-changing surgery. Now Joan’s life has changed in amazing ways, and she can do things that seemed impossible before. She has straight, healthy legs. She moves without pain. With the gift of surgery, she has a new confidence and is free from the bullying which once tormented her.
Your Impact: Overcoming Rickets and Changing Lives
To our incredible partners and donors, you are the reason children like Joan can dream again. For Joan, overcoming rickets was only made possible by YOU! Your generosity transformed her despair into a new life of hope and promise.
A Special Partnership
By supporting Operation Blessing, you become part of a transformative mission. Together, we can bring help and hope to a hurting world.
NORTH CAROLINA– I can’t begin to describe the impact your love has meant to me and the people of western North Carolina following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. As an Operation Blessing staff member, I have seen the damage that storms can cause. But this tragedy was personal. This one hit my home. And so I was asked to tell the story of Helene from my unique perspective and to share how your compassion has made a huge difference.
When the alarm on my cell phone blared at 3 a.m., I panicked. “Flash flood warning. Evacuate to higher ground immediately.” I raced to the front door, unsure of what awaited outside. I could hear the roar of the river across the street from my home. The problem was … we couldn’t see it in the darkness.
My husband put on his boots and grabbed a flashlight. For the moment, our road was clear, and we were safe. We packed our car and waited—checking every hour until dawn, having no idea how badly our area would soon need your help.
When the track of Hurricane Helene shifted toward our region, I had been concerned but not worried. A low-pressure system had already saturated the ground and rivers prior to the storm. We had experienced heavy rains before and knew they would cause downed trees and power outages, but we never expected what would happen next.
By the morning, our river had overflowed its banks. It continued to rise until the storm passed. Then the water level held steady. Even though we lived in a designated flood zone, the river never reached our neighborhood.
We were lucky. But so many others were not, and they would desperately need your support.
The towns of Chimney Rock and Swannanoa were destroyed. Popular areas of Asheville, like the River Arts District and Biltmore Village, were under water. Homes and businesses crumbled into the swelling rivers. People were trapped behind mountain roads that had completely washed out. The death toll kept rising, eventually into the hundreds.
Massive Hurricane Damage from Helene
In the days that followed, even as you were sending help, residents across Appalachia struggled with no electricity, water, or any communications. They waited in long lines for hours to get a few gallons of gas or purchase food from the grocery store—that is, if they had cash. Cell towers had been damaged, and all card readers were down. I couldn’t even send a simple text to my family for several days to let them know I was safe. Helene left our strong mountain community vulnerable and traumatized.
“Many would have left town if they had the resources,” said my friend and coworker Hayley Henson, our national media liaison who lives in Asheville. “There are many low-income communities. They can’t leave. They don’t have access to cash. And the jobs that they had are gone.” Hayley couldn’t contact her loved ones for two days, but she stepped into action.
Thanks to you, our US Disaster Relief team was already in place to respond. Immediately, they shifted their focus from Florida to devastated areas of Georgia and North Carolina. For the first time, our international disaster relief team joined them for a combined effort. Together, and with your support, they offered hot meals, supplies, debris cleanup, and hope to our heartbroken communities.
When Hayley reported the stories, she struggled to hold back tears. “This is where we live. These are our neighbors. I moved here because it was a haven. But the town I loved is gone. And people just down the road have lost everything and are living in tents,” Hayley said.
“But the town I loved is gone. And people just down the road have lost everything and are living in tents.”
-Hayley Henson
As the situation unfolded, you made it possible for our team to utilize helicopters to make drops to remote areas, delivering vital supplies and much-needed water filtration systems. Operation Blessing also partnered with churches to provide an uplifting event to encourage people’s souls.
The Story of Helene: A Community Uniting to Help One Another
But for both Hayley and me, the biggest thing to come out of this tragedy was seeing our community, as well as friends like you from around the country, unite to help those who were hurting most.
Strangers cried together in parking lots. Neighbors checked in on each other. Churches set up relief centers to offer support in any way they could. In partnership with Operation Blessing, your love sent tangible aid and hope to people trapped in devastated neighborhoods who couldn’t get help. For them, you were truly a lifeline! “This was traumatic,” Hayley said. “But God is using these dark moments to invite us to call on Him.”
“This was traumatic,” Hayley said. “But God is using these dark moments to invite us to call on Him.”
-Hayley Henson
When I first arrived at our distribution point in east Asheville, a coworker hugged me. I couldn’t stop crying. You had sent them all this way to help my community. “It’s the least we can do,” he told me. “It’s the very least we can do.” And I knew he meant it.
As the story of Helene ran its course, I felt the heart of Operation Blessing that day in a whole new way. That’s the love you give through this ministry. Thank you for showing compassion during times of crisis.
CAMBODIA – As parents, you will do anything for your children. If they are sad, you’ll comfort them with hugs and love. If they’re in need, you’ll give them your last dollar. But what do you do when what they need is out of your reach to provide?
When Baby Dey was born with a severe cleft palate and lip, his parents were plagued with how they would get their son the medical attention he needed. Oral clefts are birth defects that make it difficult for children to eat and drink. Since these babies often struggle to take in the nutrients they need to thrive, they can be at risk of malnutrition and a weakened immune system.
Although Dey’s father worked hard, he knew his income wouldn’t be enough to care for his family and save for his son’s much-needed surgery. Dey’s health deteriorated as he battled frequent colds and weight loss.
The children in his community began to make fun of him, taunting him as “cleft lip boy.” His sister stood as his champion, defending him against anyone who spoke negatively of him, while his parents continued to hold onto hope that their little one would receive a miracle.
Thanks to you, their prayers were answered. Dey’s parents learned about Operation Blessing and found out that their son could not only receive oral cleft surgery, but that it would be free! And through the generosity of supporters like you, Dey received surgery as promised.
The surgery was a success. Dey gained weight, his health improved, and his family was filled with joy. His mother smiled as she said that now he looks like any other handsome boy.
Dey’s new beginning is a testament to the power of compassionate care and the importance of supporting life-changing surgeries. Your kindness helped give Dey’s family so much peace. Baby Dey can live a healthy life without derision due to the complications from an oral cleft. His sister does not have to worry about children bullying or picking on him. His parents know that their child is healed. And this profound impact is all because of you!
PERU – As the sun rose over the beautiful mountain vistas in Peru, Jhan Marco (age 9) gathered an armload of buckets and bottles. But he didn’t notice the stunning views that attract tourists to the Andes highlands every year. He didn’t visit the closest city of Puno, nearly two hours away, or take tours of Peru’s famous ancient ruins. Jhan Marco was on a mission. For him, daily live was dominated by the limitation of access to clean water.
With the containers in hand, he grabbed his bike and started on his journey. He rode down a dry, rocky path, alongside pastures where his family’s livestock grazed, to reach the river. Once there, he filled each bucket and bottle carefully. He couldn’t afford to lose a single precious drop. Then he loaded up his bicycle and headed back home again.
The mission took Jhan Marco over an hour each day, but he had no other choice. The only water available within Llinquipata, his village, was an open artesian well filled with bacteria. “The well water smells bad and has frogs,” Jhan Marco said. His family desperately needed water for drinking, cooking, and washing. So, every day, he made the long journey to the river—until friends like you intervened and brought the gift of joy.
Like Jhan Marco and his five siblings, their parents had lived in Llinquipata since birth. The daily struggle with clean water was one his family had known for generations. “We need water for living,” said Cirila, Jhan Marco’s mother. “Our animals, our cattle—they all suffer too, because they need water to drink.”
“We need water for living, our animals, our cattle—they all suffer too, because they need water to drink.”
-Cirila, Jhan Marco’s Mother
But the water Jhan Marco brought home from the river wasn’t clean. Even boiling it didn’t help. “At times, we’ve fallen ill,” Jhan Marco told us. “I didn’t feel like doing anything and had no energy. I was feeling bad, tired, and dizzy.”
As a mother, Cirila was desperate for a solution. The need for access to clean water is essential for her family to prosper. “Every one of my kids are very important for me. … I worry about their education and health,” she said. “We pray that God can hear us and let us one day have clean water for use and for drinking.”
God did hear her prayers and sent your love to the rescue! Together with the partnership of our faithful supporters, we were able to find an alternative water source for the residents of Llinquipata. Kindness from friends like you enabled us to build an above-ground tank to store the water and purify it through a chlorination process. The tank uses solar energy to pump fresh, clean water that then flows to every home and family in the community. And, thanks to your help, the residents of Llinquipata have bathrooms for the very first time. Now, they can wash their hands and practice good hygiene to stay healthy and free from waterborne illnesses.
Today, Jhan Marco no longer has to make the long daily trek to the river to collect water or fear getting sick from drinking it. Instead, he and the other children in his village can focus on their education and spend time with their families.
You have been a part of this incredible gift for Jhan Marco and his siblings. By providing them access to clean water you have given him hope for a different future. “I am very happy to have clean water! Thank you very much!”
ASIA – We’re so thankful that our generous partners like you love to give a hand up to hardworking people who are struggling. And one of the exciting ways you’ve gotten to do that in recent years is by training women to make traditional handcrafted items—including festive Christmas ornaments! In both Thailand and Indonesia, our artisans create beautiful handicrafts, that help them support their equally beautiful families. Thank you for making these inspiring outreaches possible!
“This project is great. It changes the lives of the women of our church. Mothers who care for young children at home earn a living. They are overjoyed. They have also received additional money as a result of this project. … Thank you, Operation Blessing!” –Methawee, age 26
“This project is great. It changes the lives of the women of our church. Mothers who care for young children at home earn a living. They are overjoyed.They have also received additional money as a result of this project. … Thank you, Operation Blessing!”
NIGERIA – As tensions filled the air in Nigeria, an Operation Blessing medical team embarked on a grueling 12-hour journey to the little village of Mbak Ekpe. Despite the potential dangers of nationwide protests against the government, they pressed on. They were driven by the support of friends like you and a mission to bring hope to a community in need by providing much needed medical care in Nigeria
When they arrived at Mbak Ekpe Primary School, team members received a warm welcome. The community leader beamed as he shared how thankful his villagers were to have this incredible help. This mission was about more than just medical care—it was about restoring hope.
Then it was time for the work to begin, but not before giving it to God. The team gathered for a morning devotional, seeking strength and guidance for the days ahead. Then they introduced the innovative BackpackEMR technology—specifically created to provide medical records for clinics in rural locales—that would improve local care by allowing physicians and volunteers to focus on what mattered most—caring for patients.
As the team welcomed patient after patient, it quickly became clear what a difference good technology could make, taking quality care to the next level. The registration unit efficiently checked in people via iPads, while nurses recorded vital signs and doctors made informed decisions based on comprehensive patient histories they could access for the first time digitally.
In a temporary surgical theatre, volunteer surgeons performed minor procedures with precision. The lab buzzed with activity as technicians conducted various tests, from malaria screenings to blood sugar tests.
One patient expressed her overwhelming gratitude. “Many of our people have been suffering from different kinds of diseases. So this week we are happy because … so many kinds of medicines were given to them.”
Specialized Medical Care in Nigeria to Fill Multiple Needs
Specialized units offered tailored care to many residents. The pharmacy unit ensured that patients left with medications if prescribed by a doctor. Optometrists checked for conditions like glaucoma and myopia, providing glasses and medication to those in need. And in the dental unit, relieved patients received much-needed extractions and cleanings.
Another beneficiary shared, “It’s not easy in these hard times for somebody to do something like this to help people, so I appreciate it. May God bless you in Jesus’ name.”
Yet your love didn’t stop with physical care. Our team partnered with local pastors who provided comfort through counseling and prayer, sharing good news of hope in Jesus Christ.
For four days, the team worked tirelessly, touching many lives. By the end of the mission, they had treated 378 patients, each one a testament to what your compassion can accomplish for a hurting world.
As the Operation Blessing team prepared to leave Mbak Ekpe, they were thankful as they recalled the joy on so many faces.
Your support made this possible. Through your generosity, you’ve not only provided essential medical care in Nigeria but also rekindled hope in a community. Thank you for being a part of initiatives like these.
