ARMENIA – Since February of this year, Operation Blessing and Orphan’s Promise have been working together to provide help for Armenian families as they struggled to survive in Nagorno-Karabakh. Lately, the conflict there has escalated, forcing thousands of families to leave their homes and belongings to flee to neighboring Armenia. There was no food in the stores or medical help for Armenian refugees within the borders of the republic they left behind, and the situation is desperate.
Providing Help for Armenian Refugees Facing Persecution
With the help of our Operation Blessing and Orphan’s Promise partners, we are on the ground helping refugee families by assisting them with vital supplies, including food and medicine. As refugees arrive over the border, we will provide them with food and hygiene supplies, then connect them to local church members for temporary shelter.
Together with partners like you, Operation Blessing is taking the chance to show God’s love to those who are hurting by offering relief for critical needs. Thank you so much for your support and partnership with Operation Blessing for Armenia. You can join the response and help families in crisis when you visit www.ob.org/crisis today.
TEXAS – On the fateful evening of June 21, 2023, destruction arrived in Matador, Texas. Seemingly out of nowhere, a merciless tornado tore through the close-knit community, leaving it in shambles. The terrifying twister claimed the lives of four precious souls and injured at least 15 others. In the aftermath tornado-stricken Texans needed relief from the damage.
Local resident Danika heard the surprising news of the tornado while visiting another town with a friend. She recounted her experience: “We blew off the warnings at first … then I called my husband, who was working, and he said, ‘I’m heading that way.’ Later he called me when he’d made it to the house and said, ‘Our house is gone.’ I was like, ‘What? You’re joking, right?’ He said, ‘No, it’s gone.’”
The residents of Matador were faced with the gut-wrenching sight of their homes reduced to rubble. Vehicles had been tossed about like toys, and power lines lay in a tangled mess between battered municipal buildings. The once-vibrant town had been plunged into darkness, devoid of electricity and basic resources. But there was a glimmer of hope. Help was on the way.
Fueled by the generosity of faithful partners like you, an Operation Blessing team rushed to the scene. With compassion and dedication, our supporters, volunteers, and staff worked together with local groups to bear the community’s burdens and provide critical support during this trying time.
Though help was at hand, the extent of the damage was still overwhelming for victims of this powerful twister. Danika had raised her family in the home she’d just lost. Struggling to find words to describe the devastation she witnessed, she said, “That was the bad part, seeing it in the daylight … I feel numb. It’s surreal, hard to comprehend.” She recalled the storm’s “complete and utter devastation—the roof was ripped off, and things were thrown around. My oldest daughter’s valedictorian medal ended up four blocks away.”
Operation Blessing wasted no time. With your support we immediately started setting up a base of operations in collaboration with the local First Baptist Church, forming a partnership to meet the most pressing needs of the community. This collective effort provided a much-needed lifeline for the residents, who now faced the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding their lives from scratch.
Helping Tornado-Stricken Texans
Thanks to you, Operation Blessing set up a mobile food truck to meet the most urgent needs of the tornado-stricken Texans in the community. Nourishment and other essential supplies were in high demand, and the team was quick to deliver. For people who couldn’t cook, you provided hot meals to give them strength to keep going. You also made it possible for emergency meal kits and cleaning supplies to be distributed to help in the days ahead.
“It’s just an outpouring of resources, love, and care,” said local EMT Doug. He expressed his gratitude to Operation Blessing and to you. “Just for being here and responding to the need of a community that for two to three days didn’t have food because of the electricity being off. It really is a blessing for the whole community.”
The journey to recovery might be long and difficult, but your compassion became a beacon of hope for the Matador community and helped begin the healing process. The people found solace in knowing that they were not alone in their struggle. Instead of their story ending with fear and despair, you helped rewrite their story with hope.
THAILAND – Climbing out of poverty often depends on getting a hand up from a caring individual. That’s the idea behind Operation Blessing’s microenterprise programs: supplying the training, tools, and opportunity people need to bridge the gulf between surviving and thriving—a move we couldn’t make without the compassionate support of friends like you.
Here’s how you helped 28-year-old Pitipath and his wife, Hunna, in northeastern Thailand. Their small beverage stall brings in less than $200 a month—barely enough for the family to survive on. Pitipath wanted more for himself, his wife, and their 9-year-old daughter.
He thought mushroom farming would provide additional income for his family—and they wouldn’t have to move to the city. But how could someone launch such an enterprise when they had no assets to speak of?
Blessing Families With The Mushroom Farm Training Program
Fortunately, a local pastor has been partnering with Operation Blessing and supporters like you to bless families from the community that need to develop more income. Seventeen people have already participated in the mushroom farm training program. Operation Blessing staff determined that Pitipath and Hunna, who were no strangers to agriculture, would be a good fit for the program.
At a professional mushroom farm in the area, experts taught participants the skills and techniques needed to run a successful mushroom-growing operation. Managing costs and expenses—the financial aspect of running such a business— was taught by the Operation Blessing team.
But knowledge alone isn’t enough. To help jump-start this dream, Operation Blessing and generous friends like you also provided the supplies needed to build Pitipath’s mushroom hut— bricks, nails, a watering hose, plus materials to protect growing mushrooms from the sun’s UV rays. Once the small farm was built and equipped, we provided 1,500 packs of mushroom spawn—comparable to seeds— to get it started.
Then, because you care, we were able to monitor the progress and serve as mentors for several months. In addition, Operation Blessing and the church team contacted merchants who would buy Pitipath’s nutritious produce directly, ensuring income opportunities for him.
Success at mushroom farming has meant all the difference to Pitipath and his family. “This project has greatly improved our living conditions, especially giving me and my wife hope to serve God and serve others,” Pitipath said. “When the income from the project starts to stabilize, we will give back to the church in order to continue to help others.”
In this way, you are enabling grateful families in Thailand to achieve financial independence and help pay it forward. That’s what we call rewriting a story with hope!
ARMENIA – Operation Blessing is responding to a refugee crisis in Armenia as tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians have fled their homes in neighboring Azerbaijan. The scale of the crisis is staggering. In less than one week, more than 50,000 people—including 17,000+ children—have fled.
They are leaving Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region within Azerbaijan’s borders where Armenians have lived and governed themselves for decades. This came after Azerbaijan attacked on September 19 and quickly took control of the region.
Because the Armenian population are considered outsiders, the majority-Christian group fears ethnic cleansing by largely anti-Christian occupying forces. Most of the 120,000 Armenians would rather leave all that they have behind than risk the treatment they may face if they remain. Tens of thousands began arriving in Armenia on Tuesday, September 26.
But these refugees have suffered for months, long before they arrived in Armenia. Azerbaijan had cut off the only road to Armenia, leading to shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. When Operation Blessing heard about the shortages of food months ago, we set to work sending food boxes into the country for the hurting residents. Thankfully, some food boxes finally made it through the blockade to Nagorno-Karabakh in June as the situation grew desperate.
When the 10-month blockade was recently lifted, those Armenians who could immediately fled the region. Panic-buying of fuel ensued as hundreds of cars and buses crammed with belongings packed the solitary mountain road. As refugees flood into Armenia, Operation Blessing is going to continue providing much-needed relief for the refugee crisis in Armenia.
Our sister organization, Orphan’s Promise, has been serving children and families in Armenia for over a decade, and they are well equipped to serve refugees through a network of local church partnerships. As refugees arrive over the border, we will provide them with food and hygiene supplies then connect them to church members for temporary shelter.
Together with partners like you, Operation Blessing is taking the chance to show God’s love to those who are hurting by offering relief for critical needs. Please join us in praying for those who are suffering and check back for response updates.
INDONESIA – The birth of a child is a moment etched deeply into a parent’s memory. For Rosta, a mother from Indonesia, this moment was marked by both joy and heartbreak. She had been blessed with a baby girl, but her daughter, Achava, was entering the world with a cleft lip and palate.
As the family grappled with emotional struggles and financial limitations, Achava’s need for cleft surgery in Indonesia was very clear. While it appeared to be a tragedy at first, her story quickly became one of hope and transformation through an answered prayer.
Emotional Struggles and Self-Blame for Cleft Lip and Palate
During her pregnancy, Rosta experienced extreme nausea. This occurred especially during the first trimester. Seeking relief, she turned to medication. However, after discovering Achava’s condition, Rosta couldn’t help but blame herself. The possible connection between her medication and the cleft lip and palate filled her with guilt.
Rosta felt as if her consumption of the medicine was the cause of Achava’s condition. This tormented Rosta as she saw her child struggle to eat and do things other children did very easily.
Rosta Prays to God
As a woman of faith, Rosta found solace in prayer during these trying times. She appealed to God, seeking understanding and help. In the depths of her heart, she questioned why such a challenge had befallen their family. The need for cleft surgery became a test of their faith and a plea for help—one that would be answered!
Financial Hardships
The challenges didn’t stop there. Rosta’s husband, Rudi, lost his job, casting a shadow of financial difficulty over their lives. The family’s already strained financial situation was further exacerbated by their inability to afford the necessary cleft surgery for Achava. Their hopes were now dimmed by the weight of economic hardship.
God Answers Prayer through Cleft Surgery in Indonesia
In the midst of their trials, a glimmer of hope appeared when Operation Blessing entered their lives. The encounter with this cleft surgery charity brought a ray of light to the family. Through Operation Blessing’s kindness, arrangements were made for Achava to receive the much-needed cleft lip surgery, an unforeseen gift that held the promise of transformation.
The Healing Journey from Cleft Lip and Palate
The surgery was a turning point in Achava’s life. Rosta’s joy was immeasurable as she saw her daughter’s smile post-surgery. The transformation was more than physical; it was a profound emotional healing that resonated with gratitude and hope. Achava’s journey toward healing had begun, and the path was illuminated by the compassion of those who cared.
The Power of Your Generosity as Operation Blessing Partners
Achava’s healing process was a testament to the power of generosity. Likewise, Operation Blessing’s partners played a pivotal role in changing her life. Their donations, fueled by kindness and empathy, facilitated the healing journey that Achava embarked upon. The impact of Operation Blessing’s donors was profound, a testament to the ripple effect of selfless giving.
Hope for the Future
Rudi’s heart echoed with a wish for continued support for families facing similar challenges. The transformative experience they had witnessed fueled his desire to see more lives changed through acts of kindness. He recognized that the role of donors was not just a financial contribution. It was also a catalyst for instilling hope and igniting change.
Gratitude for Cleft Surgery in Indonesia
In the midst of their journey, Rosta’s gratitude was boundless. She extended her heartfelt thanks to Operation Blessing and its donors. She was grateful for the profound impact they had made on her family’s life. As she looked back on their path from heartbreak to healing, Rosta’s message of hope was resounding, an inspiration for others facing their own trials.
Make The Difference for Children in Need of Cleft Surgery
In the end, Rosta’s story is a testament to the enduring power of hope, faith, and the kindness of strangers. Through the challenges of cleft lip and palate, the transformative impact of cleft surgery, and the unwavering support of Operation Blessing and its donors, Achava’s journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for families around the world and a call to action for the faithful. You have the opportunity to partner with Operation Blessing. You can make a tangible difference in the lives of children like Achava. Together, we can be instruments of change. We can extend a helping hand to those in need and foster a future filled with hope.
MOROCCO – Operation Blessing is visiting remote Moroccan villagers with assistance in hand for families who are suffering after a devastating earthquake destroyed their communities. The roads to these far-flung locations are very hard to travel, so help hadn’t reached these families yet—that is, until friends like you stepped in.
Transporting Supplies for Remote Moroccan Villagers
Our team assisted villages in one area that took several hours to reach with supplies from our base of operations. In order to even arrive there with aid, our staff had to get creative. We loaded up food, clean water, and other critical supplies on donkeys, because it’s the only way to reach them. Now, those basic necessities are making a tremendous difference in the daily lives of men, women, and children who have struggled since their homes were ruined.
Diego Traverso of Operation Blessing addressed some of the people who were suffering and shared the sentiments of all of our partners. He said, “We feel your pain. But we want to let you know that you are not alone. You are very important to us.”
Thanks to YOU
And this is all thanks to friends like you. Without the prayers and donations of compassionate humanitarians, we couldn’t reach people with compassion and support. You can make a difference in the lives of Morocco earthquake survivors by working together with us in the region. Your hands of compassion can show them God’s love. Visit www.ob.org/disaster-relief today to give towards the cause.
WEST VIRGINIA – Kayla was a struggling single mother forced to take care of her family without help. She was dedicated to her two wonderful children but had never expected to be raising them alone. Now that she had to be both caregiver and breadwinner, she was overwhelmed.
Unfortunately, Kayla’s plight is not unique. So many young American women find themselves in this difficult situation. Many times a struggling single mother is faced with challenges that no one should have to face. Supporting a family on one income makes even putting food on the table difficult. This can lead to food insecurity and hunger issues.
While a lack of income is a challenge, it’s also hard to find the time to be a parent. A single mother has to go to work to provide. But that means less time and energy to meet the critical emotional needs of her kids. This problem put Kayla in a hard position.
She was worried. Kayla wanted to make sure her kids always had enough to eat and that she could spend lots of time with them. But it felt like a puzzle with missing pieces.
Answering the Needs of a Struggling Single Mother
This is where friends like you come in! Kayla’s life took a turn for the better when people who cared about others came together to show her family something very special—God’s love—through the gift of groceries.
Your support of Operation Blessing helped make sure that Kayla could provide for her family. Imagine how happy and relieved Kayla must have felt when she saw her kitchen filled with delicious food, all thanks to people who cared. It made a big difference in her life, and it made her children smile too!
But Kayla’s story isn’t just about her. There are many families around the country who face tough times. They might not have enough food to eat, or they might need help when there’s a big disaster.
That’s why they need you! You can team up with Operation Blessing and help families like Kayla’s. Together, we can provide important things like food for hungry families, clean water for drinking, and assistance after natural disaster. You can be a part of this wonderful mission by partnering with us and visiting https://www.ob.org/donate/give-hope/ today.
When you give, you’re not just making a donation; you’re giving hope. You’re telling families like Kayla’s that they’re not alone and that there are kind hearts out there who care about them. There are no small gifts. When everyone joins together, we can touch many lives in amazing ways!
MOROCCO – A devastating earthquake has left many villages outside of Marrakesh, Morocco, in ruins. As with many large earthquakes, aftershocks are a serious threat. The fear of another tremor prevents Morocco earthquake survivors from returning to their homes.
This reality only heightens the need for aid for Morocco earthquake victims. Without safe access to their homes, the survivors can’t get food. And even those who have managed to find food have no access to a kitchen to prepare it. This makes your support of Operation Blessing that much more essential.
In these difficult circumstances, Operation Blessing has taken action to provide essential support. Families in affected areas now find themselves living in makeshift tents along the roadsides. Because of this desperate situation, Operation Blessing wasted no time in distributing critical supplies. Alongside much-needed food, solar lamps are being provided to address the absence of electricity, offering a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
Brendan O’Leary, a staff representative of Operation Blessing, expressed our gratitude for our generous donors. Their unwavering support enables us to serve as compassionate agents of love in Morocco, touching the hearts of those we assist. Each donation is a beacon of hope that brings us closer to rebuilding lives and communities.
Dedicated Earthquake Volunteers
As always, the sacrifice of caring volunteers helps bring hope and assistance to those in need. In Morocco, Layla and Zouhair stand out. These local earthquake survivors are intent on helping their neighbors through this difficult time. They shared, “We feel incredibly blessed and happy to contribute here. The survivors we meet are profoundly thankful, feeling truly blessed. It’s as if a tangible blessing is permeating this area, filling it with hope and healing.”
Zouhair is very grateful for your help. He expressed his appreciation for everyone contributing to this special operation. The aid provided, even in simple measures, brings a ray of hope. Water, food, and shelter mean so much to people who have lost everything. This assistance can create a major positive change in the lives of those who have endured so much.
Support Has Been Essential to Help Morocco Earthquake Survivors
You too can make a difference in the lives of Morocco earthquake survivors by joining hands with Operation Blessing. Visit www.ob.org/disaster-relief today to show your support. Your contribution will help bring comfort and healing to these resilient communities. Together, we can rebuild and restore, showing that even in the face of adversity, there is strength and unity.
MOROCCO – Operation Blessing is dedicated to sending help to hard to reach places in Morocco after the tragic earthquake in that country. We are pushing past dangerous areas and heavy machinery to bless those victims who need it most–all because you care!
Reaching Out in the Hard Places
Closer to the epicenter, you can see the full extent of the disaster, and this video catches a birds eye view for you. Thanks to you, we were able to make it to this remote village. We have been one of the few, and one of the first humanitarian organizations to reach many of these villages. And the people are so happy and grateful for your help!
With your support, we arrived with disaster relief supplies including food, water, and solar lamps to light the dark nights with no electricity. These supplies are so important to villagers sleeping outdoors because their homes have been decimated or left crumbling and too dangerous to return to.
In the video you also hear from Rasheed, who lost his brother in the quake. Rasheed is now volunteering to help the survivors through Operation Blessing, and he shows us around the ruins.
We can’t thank those of you who have already donated enough! You are making a huge difference in this tragic time, especially those in hard to reach places in Morocco. Please keep Moroccans in your prayers as they continue to cope with this tragedy and rebuild their lives. If you’d like to donate to help disaster victims at this time, please visit https://ob.org/obdisaster.
MOROCCO – “It was like a miracle when they came here,” said a Moroccan volunteer named Zouhair. “We are so blessed with Operation Blessing.” We want to offer a huge thanks to friends like you for sending Morocco earthquake aid during this dark time following the tragic and deadly disaster. But more help is still needed.
Thousands are dead and tens of thousands are without homes right now in Morocco. People are sleeping outdoors away from the dangerous crumbling buildings. Many of the survivors have lost loved ones. They desperately need help, comfort, encouragement and hope.
An Operation Blessing staff member shares his story and his heart for the hurting people in Morocco in the video. Because of you, Operation Blessing is on the ground in remote areas providing tangible relief for those affected in the form of Morocco earthquake aid. We gave them meals to eat and supply bags full of critical items like food, water, and solar lights. The solar lights will brighten the dark nights in areas without electricity.
Compassionate friends like you are also allowing volunteers like Zouhair to join Operation Blessing in responding to the devastating earthquake which has shaken his home country of Morocco.
Thank you for your heart for disaster victims. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. If you’d like to help, you can donate now at ob.org/obdisaster
