VIRGINIA – Retired and living on a fixed income, Winifred knows just how difficult it can be making ends meet in today’s economy. Having worked many years for a Virginia-based shipyard, she thought retirement would offer her a chance to rest after years of hard work. But instead, Winifred has been struggling to even buy food due to rising inflation. Thanks to your generous support, she doesn’t have to weather the storm and fight inflation alone.
Because of faithful donors like you, Winifred was able to turn to Netcasters Kitchen, a food distribution partner of Operation Blessing. There, Winifred is able to receive food without paying the high grocery store prices.“It makes a difference, makes a great difference,” Winifred said. “I don’t have to worry about going to the store to get this or get that. Basically, they give you everything that you need. Fresh food and canned food and pastries … all that good stuff.”
Winifred is not only able to benefit physically, but she also receives spiritual support with every visit to Netcasters Kitchen. “It’s great. They start to pray for you. And, you know, some of us don’t get prayer unless we come through this line… I feel God’s love all the time. I know He loves all of us.”
Your Generosity Has Helped People Cope with Rising Inflation
Through the uncommon kindness of donors like you and the efforts of Netcasters Kitchen, Winifred can keep food on the table without straining her tight budget.
“You learn how to maintain. That’s what you got to do,” Winifred explained. “When you get this stuff at the food bank, and you see the price of the stuff in the store, you’re like, ‘Thank you, Jesus,’ because you don’t have to pay the high price to get the healthy meals.”
Your support continues to offer hope and positively impact lives across the United States. Thank you for embodying the love of God through the essential gift of food and helping seniors like Winifred fight inflation.
MEXICO – Huddling under the kitchen table, Yaretzy and her husband clung to their 3-year-old son and shielded the tiny newborn baby in their arms as the wind from Hurricane Otis pounded their home in Acapulco, Mexico. Over and over the young mother cried, pleading for the winds to stop, but the unexpected Category 5 hurricane was relentless. It tore through their roof and ceiling, leaving the terrified family drenched—and even toppling over their refrigerator.
Just two days before the storm hit, Yaretzy and her husband had welcomed their second baby boy, Dylan, into the family. As he had been born several weeks early, they were overjoyed, unaware that trouble was brewing in the Pacific.
The young family was prepared for a tropical storm like other storms they had encountered—never dreaming this one would grow into a monster that would turn at the last minute to rip their home and lives apart. “We had never experienced anything like this,” Yaretzy told us. She even feared it would kill her baby. “The wind was very strong. We were screaming for it to stop.”
When the storm was finally over, their trouble was just beginning. The destruction that Otis left behind overwhelmed Yaretzy. She cried most of the day, wishing it was all just a nightmare. But it wasn’t. Everything the young couple owned was gone.
For three days, they wore wet clothes and searched for food, water, and something dry to sleep on. All they had for little Dylan was a plastic box for him to rest in.
You Provided Shelter After Hurricane Otis Through Supplies and Comfort
Then you reached out and surrounded Yaretzy and her family with love and compassion. Your generosity provided them with clean bottled water, food, an air mattress, pillows, hygiene items, and the supplies she needed to take care of her children—even toys for 3-year-old Diego and a crib for baby Dylan.
Yaretzy couldn’t contain her tears—this time, tears of joy. “I didn’t imagine they were things for the baby,” she cried. “Before, I put him in a little box that is plastic, but I don’t put him there anymore. Now, I put him in the crib.” And young Diego was overjoyed with the toys you sent him. “I saw Diego happy, and I hadn’t seen him like that.”
For the first time since the storm, Yaretzy and her family were able to sleep through the night. “I feel blessed, more than anything,” she told us with a smile on her face. And she has you to thank!
With your support, we were also able to provide hot meals, water purification systems, and medical care to many other families who were hurting after Hurricane Otis. Your kindness is giving them hope and shining God’s love in the middle of a terrible disaster. Thank you for being a shelter from Hurricane Otis!
CHILE – The recent wildfire has left thousands of homes in ashes. Many families are in desperate need of critical items like food and water. In response, Operation Blessing and Vina Puerto Church have started relief efforts to address Chile wildfire victims’ most pressing needs.
Opening a Soup Kitchen: Nourishment for Wildfire Victims
Partnerships with friends like you have given birth to a soup kitchen in the heart of the disaster zone. This kitchen serves as a hub for sending hot, nutritious meals to the various communities ravaged by the wildfires. Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers and the essential kitchen equipment and supplies provided through your compassion, daily meals are reaching those who have suffered immense loss.
In addition to the providing of food, Operation Blessing is collaborating with Sibaros, a local brand that has dedicated its resources to producing clean, purified water. This water is canned and handed out freely to those affected by the fires. This effort is not only a testament to community spirit but also to the power of partnership in times of need, as Sibaros forgoes profit to prioritize humanitarian aid.
Your Support Has Made THE Difference
The work being done in Chile is only made possible by YOU! Your endless generosity and loving kindness are allowing us to help people who are in dire circumstances. You are giving supplies to families who are homeless. Imagine how comforting a fresh, hot meal is to someone who has lost everything. Please continue to support our efforts and help heartbroken but grateful disaster survivors. Visit www.ob.org/disaster-relief and continue to bless the wildfire victims in Chile!
UNITED STATES – Disaster volunteers are the hands and feet of Operation Blessing. In 2023, friends like you allowed us to respond to multiple disasters across the United States. You gave your time and effort in so many ways. From preparing meal kits before disasters to going when and where disasters strike, you helped others facing unfortunate circumstances and tragedy. Not only did you help them with provisions, but you also gave them hope. Many saw the love of Christ through YOU!
Without YOU…There Is No Operation Blessing
You ARE Operation Blessing! We cannot stress enough how vital you are to hurting people throughout the United States. You gave in so many ways, including:
Preparing hygiene kits
Cleaning and preparing homes for repair
Serving hot meals
Packing grocery bags
Praying with disaster victims
The Difference a Prayer Can Make
You didn’t just help people with physical needs, you did so much more! YOU prayed with and encouraged people whose lives had been turned upside down. You gave them hope. You let them know they are not alone.
Meet Some of Our Dedicated Disaster Volunteers…
Crystal Moore
Judi Browning
“With GOD – you give…and you get”
“HE lives in our heart, and we just want to show Jesus’ love everywhere we go”
Imagine The Impact You Could Have
Being a disaster volunteer is just a beginning. There are so many ways you can volunteer your time and energy. You can go to disaster sites and pack meals; you can donate your time online, helping us to get the word out as a digital volunteer; and, of course, you can be a prayer warrior for the hurting.
As volunteers, you can be the hands and feet of Christ, honoring us with your passion to help us serve others. Join our family and change lives! Find out more at https://www.ob.org/disaster-relief/volunteer/
WORLDWIDE – There’s no way to deny it—the world has been in a lot of trouble lately. The end of 2023 was a uniquely challenging season at Operation Blessing, with disasters and crises taking place on what felt like a weekly basis. Regardless, YOU were always there to help during this season of disaster!
From August to December, our disaster relief teams deployed to Hawaii, Florida, Morocco, Armenia, Israel, and Mexico while we’ve also continued our work in Ukraine and Poland.
But thanks to you, this has also been an unprecedented time of hope. You have taken this opportunity to shine a light into some of the darkest situations we as a human race can face. Only through the faithful support of you and so many caring souls like you have we been able to keep up the pace, responding to multiple disasters around the word, often simultaneously.
For that, you have our sincerest and humblest thanks!
The deadly fires on the island of Maui in Hawaii caught the world off guard. Driven by high winds, these fires decimated a large area around Lahaina—taking 100 lives and leaving an estimated 11,000 people homeless. With support from friends like you, Operation Blessing quickly reached out with a shipment of vital disaster relief supplies. We also worked with partner organizations to help create a temporary housing community for displaced residents.
Dusten and his family were among the wildfire survivors we had the pleasure of meeting and helping. They lost everything in the fire, only having time to grab their documents and a bag of clothes as they fled the terrifying flames. He said, “Everything else is just ashes.”
They were especially touched by the fishing and diving supplies friends like you gave them. These would help Dusten provide for his kids again and would also give them a priceless sense of normalcy and help restore their island culture.
As we were still responding in Maui, Category 3 Hurricane Idalia struck the area of Homosassa in Florida. While not as deadly, it packed a powerful punch and left a path of destruction in its wake. Because of generous donors like you, we were able to send another disaster relief team there to provide water, food and cleaning supplies, and assistance for residents as they began recovering their property and their lives.
In one week, more than 50,000 ethnic Armenians were forced to flee Azerbaijan for their safety after their area was attacked by anti-Christian occupying forces. Even before this attack, they had been cut off from food supplies for months, and Operation Blessing had been sending resources to them. Once they reached Armenia as refugees, they needed tremendous support. Along with our sister ministry, Orphan’s Promise, we provided food and supplies while helping them find temporary shelter and hope for the future.
WAR IN ISRAEL
After a brutal terrorist attack on October 7, war broke out between Israel and Hamas. Many residents living near the Gaza border fled for safety, leaving their homes, jobs, and possessions behind. Operation Blessing got to work with our partner ministry on the ground, CBN Israel, to provide shelter, hot meals, food, hygiene items, trauma counseling, and even safe spaces for children to continue school and have opportunities to play.
Eight-year-old Alka was one of the many children blessed by partners like you. She was given a place to stay, warm meals, and the chance to enjoy games, sports, and toys that made her feel a little more at home during this turbulent time.
“It sounds like a vacation, but it isn’t. They just want to go back home, and the kids are having a rough time,” said her father, who is also volunteering with Operation Blessing. But seeing his daughter laughing and playing brought him great joy. “It’s amazing, and it’s really helping the community … thank you.”
Help Providedin Israel
Hotel Accommodations | Safe Play Spaces | Hygiene Supplies | Food Packets | Hot Meals Educational Supplies | Trauma Counseling
Although Mexicans along the coast had been warned a hurricane was coming, Otis shifted direction and strengthened unexpectedly to a massive Category 5 storm. Families were taken completely off guard as the deadly hurricane slammed into the Acapulco region. In the aftermath, many victims needed medical care and essential supplies in order to survive.
Rosa recently became a single mother to five kids—with her sixth still on the way! Facing the hurricane alone with them was terrifying, as the storm tore the roof right off their house. After sleeping on wet mattresses, the children had coughs and fevers. But friends like you reached out to them with much-needed medical care, food, and supplies. Rosa even received a free ultrasound and was reassured that her baby was doing fine. She is incredibly grateful for your love and compassion.
Help Providedin Acapulco
Medical Care | Medications | Solar Lamps | Hot Meals | Food | Clean Water | Children’s Activities | Baby Supplies | Toys | Home Recovery Assistance
MOROCCO
When a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Morocco, taking nearly 3,000 lives, people needed help—and fast. With support from faithful friends like you, Operation Blessing swiftly took action. Most of the hardest-hit areas were difficult-to-reach mountain villages. We used jeeps and even donkeys to make sure we got lifesaving supplies to those who needed it most!
Over the following weeks, we also provided medical care, hygienic bathrooms, water filtration systems, furniture and supplies to restart schools, and other essential items to help Moroccans rebuild their lives.
Rebuilding lives after a season of disaster can take years. Not only do survivors face physical destruction of homes and possessions, they often suffer tremendous grief and trauma as well. We’re so thankful that you reach out and wrap your arms of love around them in these difficult times. And we’re doubly thankful that you’ve chosen to partner with us and allow us to physically reach out to them with practical help, encouragement, comfort, and hope.
Please keep all of these disaster victims in your prayers as they continue to build a new future after a season of disaster.
Times are challenging, and the need is great. But one day at a time, people in the U.S. and around the world are finding hope on the road to recovery because of you. Thank you so much for sending your love and compassion to them.
If you haven’t already done so, we hope that you will please consider getting involved with Operation Blessing on an ongoing basis, reaching out to poor and hurting people as a dedicated member of our community of Blessing Builders.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. –Psalm 23:4
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. –Psalm 147:3
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. –Isaiah 41:10
ALABAMA – A severe tornado tore through the community of Cottonwood, AL, and an Operation Blessing disaster relief team deployed immediately to aid residents like Florence.
She shared her experience in the storm, saying, “The morning of the tornado, it was a horrible scare, because the sky had turned colors I had never witnessed before, and it was a sudden experience. A lot of damage was done to the property. One particular tree which fell on the side of my home actually fell over my bedroom.” She continued, “Sometimes in a case like this, you feel, ‘Wow, what? What do I do? How do I get that done?’”
Tornado Disaster Relief Makes an Impact
Florence’s daughter lives nearby and had already received help on her home. She told her mother about Operation Blessing. Florence told us, “I hadn’t heard of this organization prior to my daughter coming over and telling me. She saw the damage. She was with me for hours trying to just say, ‘Oh, mom, it is going to be all right. I trust Operation Blessing.'” The tornado disaster relief provided by Operation Blessing made a critical difference.
Backed by the generous support of our Operation Blessing partners, the team got to work right away on Florence’s property using much-needed heavy equipment to remove the fallen trees and debris from her home. Florence was elated. “I experienced kindness and people were actually eager to do the work. ‘What do you need? How can I help you?’ I feel comfortable that the work is superior. Once I look at and see that the huge amount of damage that’s been done, all I can do is say thank you.”
Your Generosity Touches Lives Through Operation Blessing
The critical aid given to residents like Florence is only possible with the ongoing generosity of your gifts. Your support quickly allows families to begin the journey to recovery. Florence shared with us the immense impact friends like you had on her life. “I will tell the donors how tremendously blessed I am because of the help from Operation Blessing and all of the service that they provided. Your donation is a gift from God. It is a gift from the heavens.”
She went on to share this encouragement. “Maybe some people have a gift. They don’t know how to share it. But we have something such as Operation Blessing already established and ready to receive donors, helpers, workers, food, clothes, whatever it is that they do to service the public. Step right up. They’re right there.” You can help even more families like Florence and her daughter when you partner with Operation Blessing at https://www.ob.org/disaster-relief/ today!
ISRAEL – Operation Blessing and CBN Israel provided aid to those affected by the ongoing war. In fact, you reached out to some of the most vulnerable in Israel during this war, including those at the Jewish Institute for the Blind.
Oren of the Institute told us, “We decided that we are going to open our place. And we were going to host blind people and their families from all over the country who feel frightened. Because lonely, blind people don’t know where to go when there is an alarm, or where shelter is. And they have to be very fast.”
Relief for Blind Victims of War in Israel
Partnering with a caterer, Operation Blessing prepared hot meals for those fleeing war who are blind and visually impaired. Operation Blessing’s Gigi Endaya said, “We are here today in the kitchen of Yad Hashmona, and we are helping to make and prepare vegetables for cooking. The menu for today is baked vegetables, and we will cook and prepare them later so that we can distribute them to the internally displaced people here in this area and in the areas nearby.”
Thanks to the help of our generous Operation Blessing partners, the teams also helped prepare packed meals and personally delivered them to those staying at the shelter. There are dozens of families and individuals who have been staying at the shelter for over two months.
Sagi, who lives very close to Gaza shared his family’s experiences of the war. According to him, Hamas entered the building where they live. “My neighbors in our building were not able to leave for several days. My mother’s cousin who was a police officer was killed. Friends of our family were also killed.” Right now, they rely on the assistance of the Jewish Institute for the Blind for their daily meals and other needs.
Operation Blessing Offers Crisis Relief In Israel
Since the government provides breakfast and dinner, CBN Israel and Operation Blessing joined forces to supply lunch not only to the shelter, but also to other places where internally displaced families now reside. Additionally, Operation Blessing has prepared food boxes and hygiene products for both Israelis and foreign migrant workers.
Oren shared his gratitude, “It’s warmed our heart. We thank all the Christian world who support Israel, all the good people who support all over the world.”
The broad reach of Operation Blessing’s impact is only possible when friends like you continue to support families during crisis. Your kindness helps bring hope to some of Israel’s most vulnerable populations. You can reach more families in crisis when you visit https://www.ob.org/mc/obcrisis/
UKRAINE – As those of us in America brace for cold winter storms, take a moment to imagine life for those in Ukraine. They face an incredibly cold winter—in the midst of a war. Fuel and heat are hard to find. But they’re so grateful for friends like you who are sending them warmth during this time of turmoil. We partnered with a group called Japan Platform to make sure Ukrainian war survivors have fuel briquettes to get them through the winter. Among the recipients was 48-year-old Irina from the town of Hostre, who shared her story with us.
“I never thought I would descend into such a beggarly existence or the impossibility of keeping warm. Before the war in 2014, everything was fine. I worked as the head of security at a private firm, and my husband was always busy with work. There were no needs, only joy in life and bright plans for a clear future.”
“However, the 2014 war disrupted our peace, and the rocket invasion in 2022 took away all our work, peaceful skies, safety, and confidence in tomorrow. I lost my job, and my husband struggles with only odd jobs. As a result, we have a budget of only $200 a month for the two of us. This is insufficient to survive with current prices for products, medicines, and utilities.”
Help for Ukrainian War Survivors
“We are critically short of funds to buy fuel. Last winter, we managed to survive only because evacuated neighbors left us their firewood. But not this year. However, the Lord did not abandon us and cared for us through compassionate people of Japan who provided funds and Operation Blessing delivering the solid fuel to our town located very close to the war zone. Your briquettes are a true rescue from the cold grip of death!”
“I want to say ‘thank you’ not only from my family but from every resident of our forgotten town, Hostre. Here, there are elderly people, disabled individuals, and those with nowhere to evacuate. Your help is incredibly valuable to us! A big thank you,” Irina said.
You also shared the warmth of your love with Vladimir, Tetyana, and so many others. Meanwhile you’ve provided food and supplies both to war victims in Ukraine and refugees in Poland. Thank for supporting hurting people in Ukraine and around the world!
ALABAMA – Operation Blessing is on the ground in storm-stricken Cottonwood, providing tornado relief in Alabama. The generosity of Operation Blessing partners has made it possible to provide relief to families affected by the recent tornado. The twister that struck Cottonwood was one of many that tore through the Southeast in early January.
In a matter of minutes, multiple tornadoes caused immeasurable damage throughout the region. Now residents in small towns like Cottonwood are left to pick up the pieces. But they are not alone! Your kindness makes it possible for Operation Blessing to provide tornado relief in Alabama.
Alabama Tornado Survivor – Lottie Williams
Cottonwood resident Lottie Williams shared her story with us. “I heard the sirens go off, but I was still in bed, and when things started to hit my house, I was afraid. I jumped out of bed and looked out the window. And I see that my shed is down, and a tree fell on my truck. And I really got upset, but all I could do was turn to Jesus.” Operation Blessing met Lottie and several other families after the storm to offer much-needed water bottles, cleaning materials, and emergency food kits.
With the generosity of our Operation Blessing supporters, the disaster relief team helped Lottie clear away debris and damaged structures from her home. Lottie said, “Well, Operation Blessing, they are here to help us. They’re cleaning up, and they’re doing a wonderful job.”
While helping Lottie salvage her belongings, the team uncovered one of her treasures completely unharmed. “My Bible was found in my shed,” she said. “One of the Operation Blessing men found my Bible, and I thank him for it. And I knew everything was going to be okay because Jesus will see us through.”
She also shared her gratitude. “Well, I think Operation Blessing is a good group of people from the bottom of my heart. And I just thank you all for being here to help me and others. Thank you.”
Your faithful support is touching lives! Your dedication to help survivors of tornadoes in places like Alabama is giving hope to people who have lost so much. Learn more about what a difference partnership with Operation Blessing makes at www.ob.org/disaster-relief or www.ob.org/volunteer today!
ALABAMA – In early January, winter storm systems spawned intense tornadoes, ravaging communities across the southeastern United States. The Operation Blessing disaster relief team immediately deployed to initiate an Alabama tornado response and bring aid to families in desperate need.
Helping in Hard-Hit Cottonwood
Because of our compassionate supporters like you, we were able to leap into action as soon as word of the storms hit. Within a day, help was on the way. Operation Blessing trucks have already delivered food, water, and clean up supplies to hard hit areas, first in Florida and then in Alabama. And our full convoy, including our mobile kitchen for making hot meals, is on the ground near Cottonwood, Alabama now.
When we arrived in Cottonwood, the small town had been utterly devastated. If you haven’t seen it, you’ll definitely want to watch the above video to see both the extent of the devastation and the power of love to make a difference.
Rev. Dewayne Watson shared with us, “Many homes were lost, businesses, a lot of the commercial buildings, such as fire station banks, some parts of the school, etc., were devastated by the storm.”
The reverend continued, “When a person has lost everything, they really don’t know where to turn, who to ask for help. They don’t have the funds or the means to recoup or recover or even sustain during this time of loss. And I feel that groups like Operation Blessing are sent from God to be the part that those unfortunate people can’t be.”
With the generous help of compassionate supporters, a semi-truck with several pallets of bottled water, nonperishable foods, and buckets with cleaning supplies rolled into Cottonwood to help sustain hurting families in this time of great loss.
We are also coordinating, overseeing, and supplying tools for volunteer efforts. Thanks to friends like you, our team is helping residents clean up debris, remove fallen trees, tarp roofs, and assist in any way we can to get them through these devastating times.
Your Gifts Can Help Disaster Victims!
Would you please reach out and give a special gift to help disaster victims in this dark moment? You can be a light in that darkness, providing the love, support, and encouragement they need. Find out how when you visit www.ob.org/disaster-relief or www.ob.org/volunteer today!
