THAILAND – Baan Pa Kia Nok village in Thailand has long been a loving and hardworking community. Although this remote mountain village has over 500 residents, sadly they did not have a reliable source of water. The nearest source was muddy and undrinkable in the rainy season.
Other times of year they could boil it to make it safe to drink, but there simply wasn’t enough for everyone. In addition, they suspected contaminants from at least one of the sources they used were making their people ill.
With most residents unable to afford bottled water, they often had to walk to other villages and beg for help. Seven-year-old Mobai said, “My mother had to pay in the morning and fetch water at noon. I got tired every time I went to get water because we had to travel a long distance.” These dear people just couldn’t seem to win.
Then friends like you brought compassion from across the globe. You came alongside them through Operation Blessing. Through your generosity, we were able to provide not only a reliable well, but also a treatment system, chlorination, training on the system, and even classes on hygiene and sanitation! The community is delighted and so grateful that people like you from far across the globe care enough to help.
PERU – There is no place quite like it: the Floating Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca—the highest navigable lake on earth. Tourists flock to the southern highlands of Peru to see this remarkable site and learn about its inhabitants.
Here, on the outskirts of the lakeside city of Puno, Elsa lives with her husband and their children on the charming and unique island of Ccapi Uros. The floating island they call home is actually made of reeds, one their people built themselves. Says Elsa’s husband, Eduardo: “We only fish and craft for a living. Here where we live, we have a lot of visitors who come to learn about our lifestyle.”
The area is both lovely and remote. And while this brings some advantages—like a thriving tourism industry that helps support families like Elsa’s—that remoteness carries a hefty price for low-income residents: limited access to good medical care. It takes about an hour and thirty minutes to reach the closest city, Puno, traveling by boat and car.
Elsa and Eduardo already had two daughters—Cintia (17) and Mirian (11)—when they realized Elsa was again pregnant. Normally, native women in this region can’t afford much in the way of prenatal care.
Prenatal Counseling Program in Peru
But several years ago, after Operation Blessing learned of this community’s need, that changed. We introduced programs to train local health volunteers, offered nutritious food for preschool children, and introduced a prenatal counseling program in Peru. In fact, that’s how we learned about Elsa and her family.
Now, thanks to caring friends like you, expectant moms are prepared to enjoy their pregnancy, give birth to healthy babies, and strengthen the all-important bond between mother and child. The Operation Blessing team also performs monthly home visits.
When Elsa realized she was pregnant again, little did she and her husband know how big a blessing it would be. An ultrasound, provided by the Operation Blessing team, revealed that she would be giving birth not just to one child, or even two—but to triplets!
“I did not expect these results, but I thank God that He wants to bless me with another baby,” said a jubilant Elsa when she learned the news. “I will be waiting for all of them!”
Your compassionate aid meant Operation Blessing could also help Elsa meet the special needs of having a multiple birth. We taught her how to have a safe pregnancy and delivery— and provided her with a newborn kit filled with essentials like diapers, wipes, clothes, socks, and baby soap.
The new mother was delighted with this support. “With my first pregnancies, I didn’t participate in this kind of workshop; we don’t have those kinds of things around here. But thanks to Operation Blessing, now I could participate in a very useful program like this.”
And there were some unexpected benefits. “Thanks to this workshop, I could see my babies’ gender,” Elsa said. “I am also happy because the doctor said they are healthy and in a good position for giving birth.” And so you helped this grateful mother bring three new children into the world: sons Yosep, Yosias, and Juan.
Thanks to the continued support of generous partners like you, this family in the Peruvian highlands received abundant blessings—along with the miracle of three new lives!
JAPAN – Following an earthquake in Japan, Operation Blessing Japan (OBJ), an international NGO, began emergency disaster relief activities on January 4th, following the 7.6 M earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture at 4:10 p.m. on January 1st, 2024.
Earthquake Damage in Ishikawa Prefecture
According to Ishikawa Prefecture, a total of 84 people (now 161) died in the prefecture as of 10 p.m. on January 4. In addition, many collapsed houses have been confirmed in Wajima City, Suzu City, and Noto Town, and the total extent of damage has not yet been confirmed.
Accepting Donations Following the Earthquake in Japan
In response to requests from the local community, on January 4, 2024, we began accepting donations for the “2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake” and began emergency relief activities. The same day, we loaded a 2-ton truck with water, rice porridge, blankets, sanitary supplies, emergency toilets, and other items provided by FUKUSHIMA Inochi no Mizu (NPO) of Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, and distributed the water and blankets to Uchinada Bible Church in Uchinada Town, Ishikawa Prefecture.
Earthquake Relief in Nanao City
On the 5th, we delivered foodstuffs for the elderly in a special nursing home in Nanao City in response to their request, including Japanese drink jelly and rice porridge. We also gave a generator in response to the shortage of diesel fuel and polyethylene tanks. The head of the facility commented, “For the first time in a long time, I could see the staff smiling and happy. We are very grateful for your help,” he commented.
Responding to Past Earthquakes in Japan
OBJ has been dispatched to disaster sites around Japan, including the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011), the Kumamoto Earthquake (2016), and the West Japan Torrential Rain Disaster (2018), to provide material support to isolated individuals and facilities, psychological care for children and the elderly, and operation of children’s spaces. We also share information with churches and local facilities, and focus on support activities to prevent the isolation of people who are vulnerable to disasters, such as the disabled, elderly, and welfare facility users who are unable to evacuate to shelters. We will use this knowledge and work together with our partner organizations and related institutions to support people living in the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake to be able to return to their daily lives.
As of 3:00 p.m. on January 3, 355 evacuation centers had opened in Ishikawa Prefecture, with a total of 33,000 people taking shelter. Food and supplies are in short supply in many areas, and there is an urgent need for continued material support and assistance with cold protection measures to prevent secondary disasters such as hypothermia.
If you would like to give a special gift to help victims of natural disaster and crisis at this time, please visit ob.org/disasterrelief
ISRAEL — Jovelle is alone now—because terrorists took her husband’s life. “He didn’t even see our son,” she said, weeping. “It was only 3 weeks before my due date.”
On October 7, Hamas militants invaded Israel near the Gaza strip, brutally murdering civilians without mercy. One of their victims was Jovelle’s husband, Paul. And she received the heart-wrenching news just before she was about to give birth to their son. But there is still hope for them and other trauma victims in Israel.
Offering Hope to Trauma Victims in Israel
“It’s been a long time since we dreamed of having a child—10 years,” shared Jovelle as she spoke with an Operation Blessing team member. The news of her husband’s passing was that much more devastating because they had hoped for so long to have a child together.
“At first, I didn’t believe it. I said that I wanted to see my husband—they only showed me pictures. He was unrecognizable,” she said, wiping away her tears. “I only identified him through his tattoo, which is my name.”
Paul’s body had been so severely burned they couldn’t even imagine having a funeral. Now, with him gone, Jovelle will try her best to raise their new son alone.
But she hasn’t been alone through this experience—because friends like you are there. Operation Blessing staff were close on hand to help Jovelle process her grief and turn her eyes toward hope.
Standing with War Survivors through Sadness and Joy
Our relief team and CBN Israel have been working together since the war began to help some of the nearly two million people who have fled the conflict zone in Israel. When war broke out suddenly all around them, families like Jovelle’s had no choice but to flee for their lives. They had no time to pack; they just had to go.
Today, our team is working with displaced people in the city of Eilat, four hours from Jerusalem. There, we’re providing families with shelter in local hotels along with food, clean water, and hygiene supplies. And for the traumatized souls who are willing, we’re providing psychosocial intervention.
Jovelle opened her heart to us, and we offered encouragement and a warm embrace. You also provided diapers, formula, milk, and other baby supplies to help her have a great start with her new baby. Our team was able to rejoice with her to see the new life God brought out of such darkness and pain. And we’re thankful to you for your part in it.
Thank you for caring for families affected by the war. You can support more families in crisis when you visit https://www.ob.org/mc/obcrisis/.
MOROCCO – Just as 14-year-old Oumaima’s family settled in for a good night’s rest, suddenly the shaking began. Cups and plates clacked, and items started leaping from their shelves. The crash of glass breaking mingled with muffled shouts as the walls and roof groaned. Panicked, Oumaima and the others fled for their lives. In the days to come, it would again be YOUR kindness that brought hope after an earthquake.
Thankfully, her family made it out safely. But they had nothing to go home to. “Our house was completely destroyed, and not just our house, but every house in the village,” Oumaima shared, vividly remembering that terrible night.
The village of Ait Said was one of many remote mountain villages in western Morocco that was completely destroyed by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake. The September event was the strongest to hit Morocco in more than a century, and its destruction reached even to some of the ancient parts of Marrakesh more than 40 miles away from the epicenter.
Worse than the structural damage is the reality that thousands of people were killed or hurt in the quake. Sadly, these rural communities rarely have much access to medical care as it is, so many people with earthquake injuries were in serious danger.
Thanks to your support, our international disaster relief staff began working to transport critical supplies to the mountains where the need was greatest, and it was there that we got the chance to help the injured. Operation Blessing gathered our volunteer doctors and nurses from around the world and formed skilled medical brigades.
Another pressing need was for food. The earthquake decimated stores and roads, and people had no way to quickly restock. So faithful Operation Blessing supporters sent food bags to bless families. When these grateful survivors opened the parcels full of staples like rice, tuna, lentils, and oil, it made their day.
OUMAIMA’S FAMILY SAID: “WE ARE VERY THANKFUL BECAUSE WITHOUT THIS GENEROSITY WE WOULD DIE OF HUNGER.”
As people’s hunger was eased, they began to have a brighter outlook on life and a better chance to survive and work toward restoration. But clean water and sanitation still presented significant obstacles, especially for people living in tents.
Our team of experts immediately set to work creating a solution by providing water filters to families so they could safely drink, cook, and bathe. Then we installed bathrooms with sinks for better hygiene—all thanks to you. Now, displaced Moroccans can wash their hands and live with dignity even in temporary shelters.
Hope After An Earthquake Through Compassion
The difference compassionate givers like you are making in Morocco is astounding. You’re helping bring joy to their world during a painful time. A resident named Mohammed shared his gratitude: “Thank you, guys, for helping us with food, water, tents, and clothes. People are coming from around the world to help us. Thank you so much for wanting to help us in our time of need.”
MEXICO – When 8-year-old Claudia was still a very small child, she would cry when she had to gather water with her family. Helping her parents carry water from the cisterns a half- mile away had been a chore for Claudia since she was just 5 years old—old enough to carry a quart. During the dry seasons, she took the long, dangerous journey two or three times every day. She often slipped and fell on the slick, steep path.
Sometimes, she even had to crawl up the hill. “It was a lot of weight on my body,” Claudia said. “My shoulders hurt a lot.” Her water often spilled out of the bottle she carried. Once, the bottle even broke! She did her best to plug the holes and carry the little water she had left back home.
Her parents understood that getting clean water in Chiapas was hard on Claudia, but the family had no choice. “Water is very important,” said her mother, Deyra. “It is for many things: to wash clothes, dishes, bathe, cook food … everything. Without water, we can do nothing.”’
The Need For Clean Water In Chiapas, Mexico
Access to clean water in Chiapas, Mexico had been a long-term problem for the families living in the remote community of El Mirado. Their only source was the cisterns that stored untreated water that frequently made the residents, especially children like Claudia, very sick. “I often had stomach aches and my little brother did too,” she told us. “We thought it was the water, but we didn’t know another way.”
Thankfully, friends like you had a solution. Our generous donors supplied a rainwater catchment system that would offer filtered water for the entire community.
In addition to the new water system, they also provided ecological dry toilets for every household, so residents would no longer have to use the fields behind their homes. Better sanitation would prevent the spread of disease, and so many had their health and dignity restored by the kindness of others.
Claudia was excited. She would no longer have to risk slipping and falling just to get water for her family. “Just like that, we can drink water!” she said. “And I haven’t been sick from my tummy!”
Her mother is relieved to have clean water in Chiapas. “Now we have safe water right at home. My youngest son never has to know what it is like to carry water.”
COSTA RICA – Welcome to Operation Blessing’s culinary journey around the world. We’re delighted to introduce you to the delectable “Cajetas de Pinito,” a beloved holiday treat from Costa Rica. This delightful recipe is part of our Christmas Around the World: Sweets & Treats booklet, where we celebrate the rich culinary traditions of diverse cultures.
Costa Rica is a land of lush rainforests, stunning coastlines—and great food. More importantly, Costa Rican cuisine features scrumptious desserts like Cajetas de Pinito. This dish is a shining example of the country’s culinary wonders. In this recipe video, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of making this delicious holiday sweet. Watch closely as we combine simple yet flavorful ingredients to create these mouthwatering treats.
A Costa Rican Christmas Treat
As you follow along, you’ll discover the unique blend of textures and tastes that make “Cajetas de Pinito” a cherished holiday tradition. From the sugary toppings to the amazing taste, every bite is a homage to the local tropical flavors. But this video is about more than just cooking; it’s about sharing the love and culture of Costa Rica with the world. Food has an incredible power to connect people, transcending borders and languages. Through this recipe, you’ll not only savor a delicious treat but also gain a deeper appreciation for the customs of this beautiful nation.
So, join us in the kitchen as we whip up a batch of “Cajetas de Pinito.” With Operation Blessing, every dish we create is a recipe for hope and kindness. Enjoy! Get your free Christmas Around the World: Sweets & Treats recipe booklet here: https://www.ob.org/mc/holidaysweets/
INDIA – Little Abhijeet’s life was off to a difficult start. At 4 years old, he had a massive cyst on his forehead. Even though it was benign, it caused a lot of problems. The massive cyst pressed against his left eye, pushing it closed and obstructing his vision. And when it swelled, his eye watered.
Suffering Through The Affliction
Like most young boys, Abhijeet loved to run and play, but his vision problems meant he often lost his balance and fell down. He couldn’t even walk properly. He needed constant supervision and assistance.
As you can imagine, Abhijeet’s parents worried about their only son. But the remote rural village in India where they lived didn’t offer many options. Plus, as farmers, they simply didn’t have any extra income to save toward the surgery he desperately needed. Abhijeet’s father already worked hard to pick up extra jobs to cover their most basic household expenses, leaving his wife, Gunita, at home to care for their boy. “We are very poor, and we are unable to manage the expenses required for surgery,” she told us. “We are afraid for him and his future.”
They took Abhijeet to a more modestly priced government hospital close to their village, but sadly, the facility was not equipped to do a surgery like this. He needed a private hospital. Gunita was crushed.
Removing The Massive Cyst
That’s when compassionate supporters like you stepped in to help. A group of Operation Blessing friends pooled their resources and provided the surgery to remove the massive cyst on Abhijeet’s forehead for this precious family—paid in full.
After his operation, Abhijeet could see clearly for the first time in his life. He could walk, run, and play with other children his age without difficulty. This little boy couldn’t contain his joy! You also brought joy to his suffering parents. “It was impossible for me to bear the cost as well as see my son suffer,” said Abhijeet’s father. “It brings me and my wife joy to see his face and see him smile.”
PERU – Marllory lives in the outskirts of Iquitos, known as the capital of the Peruvian Amazon. Surrounded by rainforest, this area in northeastern Peru is also known for its extreme poverty. In this difficult environment, Marllory has her work cut out for her. The 29-year-old single mother cares for her four sons: Daniel (10), Ezequiel (7), Sandro (4), and Mateo (1). Since their father abandoned them, Marllory has struggled alone.
Each day meant desperately trying to keep their heads above water. With such young children, Marllory has had limited options. For years, she’s been selling empanadas and other food items at a stand outside her home. She also does laundry for others whenever she can—anything to put food on the table.
“I have four sons,” she explained, “and I want to give them a good future. I would like them to turn into good, professional men. That’s why I must work every day to get the meals my children need.”
It hasn’t been easy. Due to a lack of supplies, she hasn’t been able to keep her business running. Some days, that means she can feed her sons only a single meal—two at most. Occasionally, she’s had to resort to borrowing from her neighbor to make sure her growing boys get the nutrition they need.
In addition, Marllory worried about the decrepit condition of their home. The walls were moldy and rotting, and the roof had holes in it. Whenever there was a heavy storm, her children would get scared. Not only was the house unsafe, but it had no bathroom inside. Without the financial resources to fix up her house, Marllory knew it would be impossible to get the necessary repairs made.
Improving Their Lives In Iquitos
Then, with your help, Operation Blessing came alongside this family in Iquitos to provide the support they needed. Thanks to generous donors like you, we were able to build a new house with two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room, a dining room, and even all the furnishings they needed!
But that’s not all your generosity made possible. Marllory also received supplies for her food and empanada business, which will assure her enough income to provide better nutrition for her children. Best of all, her new business is attached to her home so she can care for her children.
“I am very grateful to everyone,” Marllory said. “I thank God in the first place–and the Operation Blessing staff who considered me to be able to receive this great blessing and support.”
HAWAII – The people of Hawaii will forever remember August 8, 2023. In what’s being called one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history, flames overtook the island of Maui and almost completely destroyed the once-beautiful city of Lahaina. What remained was a long haul of recovery for residents in Hawaii to get back to some form of normalcy.
Although evacuation orders were given, storm winds drove the fire so far and so fast that people were trapped before they could escape. “Telephone poles were falling down left and right, and fires were getting started from all of the live wires hitting the ground,” recalled Alan, a wildfire survivor. He said that because of the strong winds, it all unfolded in minutes.
Alan tried to flee with his sons—including little 4-year-old Kaipo. But the road was gridlocked as fires burned within sight of their vehicle. Everyone wanted out.
“Fire was everywhere, burning everyone’s houses, making its way toward everyone and their vehicles as they tried to get away,” Alan said. Thankfully, he and his boys did survive the blaze, but their whole world had gone up in flames.
Helping Hawaiians In Need
Caring friends like you quickly reached out. Even as the inferno raged, members of Operation Blessing’s disaster relief team rushed to a neighboring island in Hawaii. From there they would offer help as soon as the fires died down.
Once the fires were contained, the extent of the devastation became clear. As they raced across over 3,200 acres of land, those destructive wildfires had taken more than 110 lives. It also destroyed 2,200 buildings—homes, businesses, medical facilities—in the process. When the ash settled, 11,000 people were homeless.
For many, one of the hardest things about losing their homes was losing their livelihoods, as well. Some people had manual labor jobs requiring tools that were ruined by the flames. As soon as we heard about this need, Operation Blessing supporters like you leapt into action to offer help. As it turned out, fishing and diving gear was critical for these island people. They still supplemented their families’ incomes via the water. And what a difference the tools and gear made for people like Alan!
“That chainsaw as well as the dive gear was … I don’t know what to say … you guys gave me something that I can use to provide for my ohana (family),” Alan shared. “To have stuff like that handed to us is like a dream come true. It’s hard to believe this is really happening.… 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.”
The fishing gear, along with some gas-powered grills you provided, ensured that disaster survivors had something to eat. But the next question was: Where would they live? Many stayed in tents provided by Operation Blessing. But they needed a more long-term solution as they worked to rebuild their homes and community.
Homes For Hawaiians Help Provide Hope
And once again, you heard their cries and provided support for the long haul in Hawaii. In partnership with King’s Cathedral Church and Family Life Center, we worked to provide temporary homes for displaced Hawaiians. These ready-to-assemble shelters are specially engineered to be set up in minutes and in all sorts of configurations. But they’re also designed to feel like a home.
The shelters will include private bathrooms and kitchens, hooked up to a fresh water system that Operation Blessing is working to install. Together, these homes will help form the ’Ohana Hope Village. Operation Blessing even helped transport these homes across America for the people of Maui.
Help For The Long Haul In Hawaii Is Happening Because Of YOU!
Because you cared, those who lost all they owned can have a safe, secure place to lay their heads and look forward to a brighter future. You’ve truly brought joy to their world. Thank you!
