KENYA – A Kenyan shopkeeper and mother named Naramat shares firsthand what it’s like living through a drought and sleeping hungry, as well as how she felt when you sent the answer to her prayers!
Continue reading “No Longer Sleeping Hungry in Kenya”Hot Meals for Tornado Survivors
WYNNE, ARKANSAS – Operation Blessing is on the ground in Wynne, Arkansas at Tabernacle Faith Church where we set up our operations after a deadly tornado ravaged the town. We’re at ground zero right now. And everywhere you look, you can see the devastation.
Pastor Marvin Norman of Tabernacle Church said, “The sirens were going off, and it lasted about a minute and a half. And then all of a sudden, it was just quiet. Some houses looked like somebody let a bomb off; it just exploded from the inside.”
He continued, “The need for food is so great. There is no power. So people have lost everything that was in their refrigerators, their deep freezers, and right now they’re just living off whatever they can get.”
Staff and Volunteers Providing Hot Meals for Tornado Survivors
This community’s electricity is still out. They’re still without water in most areas. And we’ve set up here to provide food to those who need it. It’s just been a blessing to see the smile on people’s faces who don’t have anything. A hot meal can mean the world to tornado survivors who are just struggling to do the next thing and face the next day after all they’ve lost.
Wynne resident Lisa Brown said, “It’s a blessing to get a hot meal because this is our first hot meal since the tornado. They gave us that food, water. The family appreciates everything that you guys are doing for us here.”
Without the support of friends like you, we couldn’t be out here on the ground. Your help enables us to be the hands and feet of Christ.
To keep up with our latest efforts in Mississippi, please visit https://www.ob.org/tag/tornado-relief/. To donate to disaster relief efforts, visit: https://www.ob.org/disasterrelief/
Reaching Out To Turkey Earthquake Survivors
TURKEY – A massive earthquake ripped through Turkey* overnight on February 6, 2023. This 7.8-magnitude quake and the many aftershocks that followed cost over 50,000 lives and decimated an area about 300 miles long. Following a heartbreaking natural disaster like this, our team rushes help to as many suffering men, women, and children as possible.
The Turkey earthquake survivors who have stayed in the affected areas have no homes, no food, and no jobs. All are dealing with trauma after losing loved ones and living through such a horrific event. Thankfully, YOU helped to put an Operation Blessing relief team on the ground immediately after the first quakes. Together, we are making a significant impact for the people of Turkey.
*Now officially spelled Türkiye
You Provided Heartbroken Turkey Earthquake Survivors With..
VITAL SUPPLIES
Thousands of earthquake survivors remain in places hard hit by the earthquakes, like the region of Hatay.
Some have no friends or family elsewhere, some don’t have the money to travel,
and others just can’t bear to leave their decimated homes.
They’re living in tent encampments and need just about everything—from food to clothing, medications, and even toys for their children.
With your support, we’ve given out thousands of food boxes, supply bags, and hot meals. We also offer comfort, encouragement, a warm hug, a helping hand, and a listening ear.
- Food Boxes
- Hot Meals
- Hot Drinks
- Bottled Water
- Hygiene Items
- Medications
- Blankets
- Tents
- Diapers
- Solar Lights
- Rechargeable Flashlights
Meet Salim
The earthquake story of Salim and his four children began like so many others. Shaking, terror, screams, being trapped in their house, and finally stumbling onto the streets filled with traumatized, homeless survivors. Salim said, “Operation Blessing provides us with three meals a day, clothes, sanitary conditions. … They are very kind and loving, and we are very grateful to them.” Meanwhile his 8-year-old son Ali is thankful for our workers who played with him, made balloon figures, and gave him a toy sword.
MOBILE MEDICAL CLINIC
One of the biggest needs in the destroyed region of Turkey is medical care. During the quake, hospitals were destroyed and many medical professionals died. Residents desperately needed help for injuries caused by the quakes. Often, those who escaped barefoot in the middle of the night had glass and debris embedded in their feet.
Beyond that, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma desperately needed their regular medications but had no access to them. Thanks to you, our expert team quickly set up a mobile medical clinic to treat hundreds of patients and supply medications.
Meet Nazir
Nazir’s hand was cut badly during the quake. He went several days without proper care before he found the Operation Blessing mobile clinic. He said, “We are very thankful to them because they did their work with high precision, humanity, and great focus. Everything was great. Both the doctors and nurses did an excellent job.”
Meet Canan
Expectant mother Canan came to our clinic understandably anxious about the well-being of her unborn child after the quake. She said, “I heard that there were doctors here, so I came to have my child checked, and you were very kind to me. I was able to see my child, and it is doing well.”
CLEAN WATER
Since much of the infrastructure in a large region of Turkey was destroyed by the quake, water was hard to come by, and water properly treated for safety was nearly impossible to find. You enabled us to send our clean water experts to Turkey. They used their experience to set up systems and technologies that could provide clean water on an ongoing basis.
In addition to distributing filters throughout camps, we also set up large systems that could produce hundreds of gallons of clean water a day.
Meet Ayesha
Ayesha was sleeping near her grandchild when the earthquake struck. She said, “It felt like Judgment Day had arrived, and everything was falling to the ground.” Fortunately, most of her family survived. They now all live in tents—but they were drinking water from an unsafe pump.
She’s so thankful that you provided water filters for them and many of their neighbors, along with food and other supplies—and she adores our Operation Blessing team on the ground.
“Even though we don’t speak the same language, they communicate with us through body language, and we are fully aware of their positive thoughts and actions. We are very pleased with them and love them.”
Prayers For Turkey
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. – Psalm 34:18
Times are hard, and the need is great. But one day at a time, people in Turkey are finding hope on the road to recovery because of you. Thank you so much for sending your love and compassion to them. You can see the difference you’ve made in each smiling face.
Because of your support, Operation Blessing plans to stay in the region for months to come, reaching out to assist those hurting souls still struggling to create a new sort of life.
Please keep Turkey Earthquake Survivors in your prayers:
- That God will grant them comfort, strength, hope, and encouragement.
- That their basic needs for food, water, shelter, and medical care will be met.
- That God will heal their hearts and emotional wounds.
- That those still suffering from physical injuries will recover.
- That they will begin to develop long-term plans to rebuild their lives.
- That God will provide them with homes, jobs, educations, and even churches once again.
- That God will give wisdom to charitable organizations and governments so they know the best ways to help and rebuild during this time.
- That the country will create safer homes and communities to protect their residents moving forward.
Times are hard, and the need is great. But one day at a time, people in Turkey are finding hope on the road to recovery because of you. Thank you so much for sending your love and compassion to them. You can see the difference you’ve made in each smiling face.
Because of your support, Operation Blessing plans to stay in the region for months to come, reaching out to Turkey earthquake survivors whose hurting souls still struggle to create a new sort of life.
Helping Hands in Mississippi
UNITED STATES – Dozens of tornadoes recently struck the United States across the South and Midwest, devastating homes and lives only days after an EF-4 barreled through Mississippi for 170 miles. An Operation Blessing disaster relief team is reaching out in these new areas while still offering helping hands in Mississippi.
Operation Blessing Volunteers Offering Helping Hands in Mississippi
In Mississippi, we met storm survivor Minnie. She said, “We went through storms, but nothing like this. It’s a lot to take in.” She continued, “We didn’t even have time to get down. It was just like—boom! And we all hit the floor right there in the hallway.”
Operation Blessing is sending relief items including water, emergency meal kits, and cleaning supplies. We’ve also set up our base of operations in Wren outside of Amory, MS and have volunteer teams working in struggling communities nearby offering hot meals, debris cleanup, chainsaw work, and roof tarping.
Minnie said, “Everybody in my house was okay, my husband and my daughter. We all were okay. But right now, we need help. You know, we need people to help us. First of all, we need prayers. We need each others prayers.”
She told us, “I just thank God for you because you didn’t have to do it. You could have been doing something else. But He sent you our way, and we thank you so very much for that.”
Generous friends like you are offering hope to Minnie and others who have suffered so much. You can be a part of all that God is doing to help those in need by standing with us today!
To donate to disaster relief efforts, visit: https://www.ob.org/disasterrelief/. To keep up with our latest efforts in Mississippi, please visit https://www.ob.org/tag/tornado-relief/.
Blessing Ukrainians: Body, Mind, And Spirit
Throughout the war you have been blessing Ukrainians. You have faithfully reached out to refugees and victims of Russian aggression. But the help you’ve sent has gone far beyond the physical. You have been blessing their bodies, their minds, and even their spirits.
Of course, their most pressing needs were for food, fuel, and safety. And you offered all of these, from warm meals and tents to rest in at the border to truckload after truckload of groceries, hygiene items, and other vital supplies sent deep into the war-torn country. As time went on, you helped outfit refugee shelters with necessities like appliances. Our generous partners even helped establish a bakery in the war zone and provided heating supplies as winter set in.
However, for refugee mothers trying to raise their children with some sense of normalcy far from home, perhaps it has been the emotional and spiritual support that has meant the most. One mom named Antonina, widowed with three children, explained the dire situation. “My children were very scared when all the terrible actions began, and especially when we heard the first rockets hit our city,” she said. “The fear was even from the slightest rustle, and it was terrible. They cried all the time. They were very worried, and they hardly slept.”
Blessing Ukrainians With Opportunities in Poland
After they fled horrific experiences in Ukraine, families like Antonina’s still had much adapting to do. Many refugee children left fathers, friends, and family behind. Once in Poland, they felt adrift in a new culture with a different language and needed opportunities to connect with other Ukrainians and be encouraged.
In order to provide long-term care to these refugees, Operation Blessing has partnered with shelters, churches, and Superbook to hold special events for the children. There, the kids can watch entertaining Bible-based videos in their own language side by side with other Ukrainians. They sing and dance and laugh and play. Often, they’re given gifts, and the families receive food supplies as well.
At one event, we met a mother named Svetlana who, like Antonina, also fled rocket attacks with her son. “There must be such activities—because children who have escaped from war are traumatized,” she said. “The war took away their childhood, happiness, faith in the future.Therefore, organizations that hold such events for them fill in these gaps we all have because of the war. During this event, we saw how happy the children were. They need such emotions!”
Through these outreaches, many children and parents are receiving spiritual nourishment as well. A father named Viktor, who made it out of Ukraine with his wife and three youngest children, truly appreciated the Bible stories in the Superbook programming.“The war is terrible, and many things are frightening, but we are believers. And the biggest and most important thing is when children can learn about the Word of God from a young age,” he said.“Therefore, it’s very valuable for us that our younger children were here and listened.”
Parent after parent shared with us how grateful they were to see their children having such a wonderful experience. Thank you so much for blessing Ukrainians and making these events possible! At the same time, we must remember this important message that Svetlana had for us about the war in Ukraine: “Although we really hope that it will stop as soon as possible, the reality is that help will be needed for another long hour.”
Let’s all determine to stay the course and continue blessing these dear people of Ukraine.
Disaster Relief Team in Hard-hit Arkansas
WYNNE, ARKANSAS – After as many as 52 tornadoes left a path of destruction across America’s midsection and east, killing dozens and leveling homes and businesses, Operation Blessing headed to hard-hit Arkansas to assess the damage.
In the devastated community of Wynne where 4 people died, Pastor Marvin Norman described driving his wife through what was left of their town.
The sheer destruction overwhelmed her. She said, “Turn around. Take me home; I can’t stand it. Take me home.”
It was an EF-3 tornado that tore through Wynne and the Arkansas capital of Little Rock, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
Misti Gardner and her family sought shelter in their basement when the tornado hit. They made it out safely afterwards, but their home was destroyed.
Misti said, “I was watching my husband; he was down on his knees praying, and I was listening to him pray. I was just saying ‘Lord, keep us safe.'”
Relief Team Assessing Damage in Wynne, Arkansas
President Joe Biden declared Arkansas a disaster area. In Wynne, Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised the recovery effort.
She said, “Obviously this is just an unbelievably tragic moment for our state, but what I’ve found amazing are the people stepping up not just from this community but across all of Arkansas.”
Operation Blessing assessment teams are on the ground evaluating damage to determine where best to offer relief. We’re also meeting with pastors to begin distributing and serving food, water, and other relief supplies to their communities.
Meanwhile, in Mississippi, which was devastated by last week’s tornadoes, Operation Blessing is continuing to deliver loads of food and water through local churches there.
To keep up with our latest efforts in Mississippi, please visit https://www.ob.org/tag/tornado-relief/. To donate to disaster relief efforts, visit: https://www.ob.org/disasterrelief/
Food and Water for Underserved Communities in Turkey
TURKEY – Friends like you are reaching across the world today to help suffering people. Operation Blessing is in Hatay, Turkey helping an underserved community that has struggled since recent devastating earthquakes.
The people our teams have spoken to said they have received hardly any help since the disaster. One resident said, “Before you came, we were all alone. We didn’t have anything—no water or food.”
Teams Give Food Staples to Underserved Communities in Hatay
With the underground pipe network destroyed by the quakes and many homes completely destroyed, water is scarce. If people can find water, it’s going to be contaminated. Knowing the need, one of the first things Operation Blessing did in Hatay was set up a water filtration system and a large set of tanks big enough to serve this entire community. They’ve been receiving clean water ever since for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
However, people are hungry, too. To help, Operation Blessing disaster relief teams are doing regular food distributions in underserved communities. Families with hungry children are receiving rice, beans, sugar, and other essentials to sustain them.
All of these supplies are coming from a warehouse where thousands of food boxes have gone out to the people that need it the most. Those being blessed by our teams are extremely appreciative for the help. And every bit of it is thanks to faithful supporters like you. People moved by compassion are the ones that change the world in disaster situations such as this.
One resident said, “We are so grateful for your help. Now we have good water and food to eat. Thank you.”
Thanks to the support of the Operation Blessing family, people here in Hatay are getting what they need right when they need it the most. Together, we are making a difference.
Stay tuned for more information about Operation Blessing’s Turkey response. To donate to disaster relief efforts, visit: https://www.ob.org/disasterrelief/
Standing with Wren, MS
WREN, MISSISSIPPI – “It’s amazing that Operation Blessing came along at a time when we thought we were still on our own,” said Sheryl Mays with Wren Fire Department. Operation Blessing is standing with the community of Wren, MS after a devastating tornado tore through on March 24. We’re making sure they get the help they need.
Mays also shared the painful reality of the disaster, “It’s not ended yet, and it’s not going to for awhile.” Homes are going to take a long time to rebuild, and people are going to be suffering in some measure until that happens.
Teams and Volunteers are Standing with Wren, MS
What’s worse in the near term, many people lost all of the food in their refrigerators and freezers due to the loss of power from the storm. “I see the food going,” said Amanda Brown, Wren Fire Chief. Food is one of the major needs for tornado victims in Mississippi.
But Operation Blessing is on the ground providing crucial food supplies thanks to your generous support. We’re partnering with local churches and the local fire department where we’ve set up our base of operations, and together with friends like you we’ll continue to provide critical support to those in need.
Because of you, truckloads of much-needed supplies are being delivered to the hard-hit areas like Wren. Volunteer teams are also beginning to get sent out to help local homeowners with work like cutting trees, tarping roofs, and removing debris.
Thank you for your prayers as the Operation Blessing U.S. Disaster Relief team continues to bring support to Mississippi tornado victims. Many are still grieving lost loved ones, and our team members need God’s grace to minister to those in need.
To keep up with our latest efforts in Mississippi, please visit https://www.ob.org/tag/tornado-relief/. . To donate to disaster relief efforts, visit: https://www.ob.org/disasterrelief/
Relief for Rolling Fork Mississippi
ROLLING FORK, MISSISSIPPI – Operation Blessing is on the ground in Rolling Fork, Mississippi bringing tangible relief for tornado victims. This is one of the hardest-hit areas after the recent storm, and they need help.
Houses and businesses were leveled all across the region by the EF-4 tornado’s destructive winds. Lives were lost, and loved ones are grieving. To have people come help at a time like this is a tremendous blessing to those who have lost so much. And the church is key in this time. Their local, trusted presence can help the work go so much farther and bless so many more people.
Teams Provide Critical Relief items for Rolling Fork
Our team is partnering with Pastor Shannon Crawford of Rising Star Church to distribute much-needed food, cleaning kits, and hygiene supplies to desperate families affected by the disaster. Though these things may seem small in the face of losing a home, they can mean the world to someone who is already overwhelmed and fears not having what they need.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this, it is devastating,” said Pastor Shannon. “…especially for our church and the people in the community.”
Our team met with one disaster victim and homeowner to discuss the storm. “I’m speechless. It’s a lot to take in,’ said Twonda Warfield, whose home was destroyed by the vicious tornado. “You know, people need a lot of help. We’re just lucky to be alive.”
Generous Operation Blessing partners are providing tangible relief for tornado victims in Mississippi. You can be part of the effort to change lives and give people hope for a better tomorrow.
To keep up with our latest efforts in Mississippi, please visit https://www.ob.org/tag/tornado-relief/. To donate to disaster relief efforts, visit: https://www.ob.org/disasterrelief/
Overcoming A Super Typhoon
PHILIPPINES – Josephine’s home lay in ruins. Just two days earlier, she and her family had evacuated in response to news of the coming super typhoon, hoping against hope that there would be a home when they returned. But when they went back, Josephine fell to her knees and wept. The house was there, but she could hardly recognize it. “The storm tore our whole roof off. Inside, years worth of property and appliances were destroyed,” she said. “Nothing was salvageable, and everything was washed out.”
Super Typhoon Rai utterly devastated parts of the Philippines. Torrential rains and heavy winds demolished homes and destroyed local businesses, displacing more than half a million people. Tens of thousands of residents were left homeless on Josephine’s island of Leyte alone. They had no option except to live in makeshift tents along the road. For families like Josephine’s— with no stable income—all hope seemed lost.
But thanks to friends like you, help came quickly to those in desperate need! Generous support from our donors made it possible for Operation Blessing to leap into action. Our staff partnered with local government to help survivors of the storm by providing critical relief items that included food, sleeping mats, and blankets.
And the Operation Blessing family didn’t stop there. Compassionate givers like you heard of the remaining needs of now-homeless families in southern Leyte and did something about it. Teams determined which communities had the worst damage and returned with much-needed roofing materials, stools, plywood, and sacks of cement. Now, families struggling to make ends meet could rebuild their homes with the free materials. Josephine was ecstatic. “I have no words. I’m just really happy that Operation Blessing is here, reaching out to island people like us.”
Recovering From Super Typhoon Rai
Josephine’s family weren’t the only ones whose lives were radically changed by the help. Many others were also given the resources to begin recovery because of the generosity of our partners.
Rosie and her husband, Rodrigo, were fellow typhoon victims. With a voice weak from stress and grief, 70-year-old Rosie shared her experience: “My husband and I were in Manila to visit our children at the time, and we did not expect to come back to the ugly sight of our ruined house after Typhoon Rai slammed into our hometown.”
What made matters worse for them was the fact that Rodrigo was already permanently injured. He’d lost his toes in an accident and was thus unable to get around easily to work and provide for his family’s needs.
His wife said, “He was impaired and unable to continue his work as a carpenter because of that. It’s really hard. I don’t know how and where to start on recovery.”
But faithful friends like you helped them! After receiving assistance, Rosie extended her gratitude to those who made this possible. “Thank you so much for these God-sent blessings. I am grateful and excited. I hope you will reach more people who are in need.”
