From Dry Stones To Flowing Water

HONDURAS – At the tender age of 8, Jesús is far too familiar with the struggle for clean drinking water. Jesús and his three brothers live with their grandmother in the remote community of La Cuchilla, Honduras. Sometimes they have access to small, dirty community wells, but when the pools dry up the nearby river is their only other option.

The river lies some distance away, and young Jesús takes it upon himself to make the long trek there to save his grandmother the burden. “Carrying water has been very difficult. I told my brothers, ‘Let’s help Grandma and get water from the river.’” But river water doesn’t solve their problems. In fact, it often makes them worse. The contaminated water can make people get sick from drinking it—including Jesús’ little brother.

difficulty getting clean water in honduras

“People who get sick because they drink that water get a fever and diarrhea,” he explained. “It hurt me to see my little brother so sick.”Then, in the heat of the summer, the unthinkable happens: The river dries up as well. “It made us want to cry, because we ran out of water for several days,” Jesús said. But help was on the way.

“People who get sick because they drink that water get a fever and diarrhea,” he explained. “It hurt me to see my little brother so sick.”
-Jesús’

Thanks to friends like you and our local partners, Operation Blessing constructed a new community water system. We revitalized an existing well, installed a water pump and chlorinator, and built a storage tank and distribution network of pipes. This method now brings clean drinking water to 145 homes, two schools, and three churches! An excited Jesús said, “Now that we have water, we are not thirsty!”

building a safe water system in honduras

His grandmother also expressed her thanks to those who made this project possible. “Now we have water near us. My grandchildren can bathe. I can wash their clothes. I thank the Lord that we no longer are suffering. We are so grateful for the project.”Because of our compassionate partners, Jesús and the rest of his community will have consistent access to clean water right from their homes. Additionally, hygiene and sanitation training will help them remain healthier—enabling children to attend school more regularly and parents to earn a living.

The gift of clean water truly transformed this community—from dry stones to flowing waters

Blessing Ukrainians — Both Young And Old

POLAND – During times of war, often the oldest and youngest suffer most. But you have been a bright source of joy for Ukrainians of all ages. Not only have you sent semi-truckloads of vital supplies into the war-torn country, you’ve also been blessing Ukrainian refugees, both at the border and within countries like Poland. As able-bodied men have stayed to defend their homeland, most of the refugees are women, children, and the elderly. In turn, you have sent help to some of the youngest and oldest Ukrainians in need.

World War II Survivor Flees a Second Time

You blessed Rada, an 88-year- old woman from Kharkiv, who lived through a similar tragedy long ago. Her disabled son, Dmitro, told us, “At the age of 7 she ran away from the offensive of the Nazi army.” Then recently, she found herself under attack again—this time by the Russians.

Dmitro shared with us his hesitation to leave Kharkiv, despite the heavy attack, as Rada had been bedridden. But after a month of constant shelling, the danger grew even more intense and they had to get away

“I put her on my shoulders,” said the 64-year-old Dmitro. “I have sore legs, but I had to do it. … I carried her and somehow dragged her to the car.” And the family fled the city for the border.

As they entered safety in Poland, thanks to you they found compassionate Operation Blessing staff waiting for them. “A very huge thank you to Operation Blessing,” Dmitro said. “They welcome people, give very tasty food, keep us warm, and also have a wonderful attitude toward us.”

From there we brought them to a safe place to sleep for the night. The family planned to head to Germany to stay with relatives for the time being.

A Joyous Interlude for Children After Their Nightmare Journey

With your help, we have served countless women and children, including pregnant mothers and infants. Near the border, we set up spaces for mothers and children to eat, rest and recuperate.

One mother named Elena had two children with her, Ksenia and Timur. She told us the story of their nightmare journey. “The road from Kherson to Nikolaev usually takes 40 minutes, but it took us 12 hours to get there because the drivers tried to find ways and roads where it’s not too dangerous.”

Nonetheless, she said, “What we saw on our way was horrible. Burned cars, and a lot of people dead along the road.”

In these photos, the joy you see on the children’s faces—after days or even weeks of bombing and dangerous travel—says it all. They were so incredibly thankful to find safety and friends. Their nightmare had ended, and although much remained uncertain, you refreshed them and gave them new hope, blessing Ukrainian refugees of all ages.

When asked if she enjoyed our rest area, a little girl named Alena said, “Yes, firstly because I now have a friend here, and secondly, the tent is big. Everything is free— hot chocolate, fries. It is super!”

As we saw families off on buses toward the next step of their journeys, while much is still uncertain, their hearts were filled with your love and care. They knew you were on their side—and that hope for a brighter future remained alive even in this dark time.

“Everything Is free–hot chocolate, fries. It is super!”
— Alena, Ukrainian child

blessing ukrainian refugees and their children

Feeding Fort Worth Texas

FORT WORTH – Sometimes it’s hard to remember that hungry people might live right down the street from us. But with everything going on in the world right now, it may come as less and less of a surprise that people are facing food insecurity in Fort Worth Texas.

Hunger is actually on the rise in America. However, thanks to you and our Hunger Strike Force fleet of semi-trucks, food is reaching hungry Americans during this difficult season of inflation and supply chain challenges. With your support, our dedicated fleet of tractor trailers delivers loads of vital food to our distribution partners throughout the U.S., including Life Unlimited Food Ministry in Fort Worth, Texas.

Battling Food Insecurity In Fort Worth Texas

This partner ministry has been serving a low-income area of the city for decades. And according to the director, Linda Wright, Operation Blessing has been providing them with resources for almost as long. The weekly outreach distributes food and household supplies to struggling people in their community.

Linda said, “We give them a very good quality of food. And through that food, Operation Blessing is blessing others. They are the feet and hands of Jesus working through our ministry.” Even during the height of the pandemic, Linda knew that Operation Blessing would be there. “We never missed a beat. We never shut down one time— because we continuously had help from Operation Blessing.”

Thanks to your support, the elderly, the unemployed, the sick, the disabled, the homeless, single parents, and those known as the “underemployed” in this locale can always turn to Operation Blessing and Life Unlimited to get them through tough times.

Thomas suffers from heart failure and COPD, but he’s so thankful for the food that you help provide for him. He said, “It blesses me to have food so I can feed my family. Thank you. I’m praying to God that they keep doing what they’re doing.”

Meanwhile, Michelle is a widow who jokes that she has too many grandchildren to count. She’s had a hard time making ends meet since her husband passed away five years ago. But she knows that, thanks to help from you, she can get what she needs for herself and her visiting grandkids. She feels like God really provides for her through this ministry. “They’ve been a godsend for the last four years. Operation Blessing has helped me with food to put on my table,” she said. “And it’s a lot of food!”

That’s the sort of blessing that your generosity and compassion is providing. Linda, the director, just couldn’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. She also had this message for you: “Continue giving to Operation Blessing, because it is a good cause—good ground to sow into.”

Aiding Displaced Ukraine Mothers and Children

Since the war, so many displaced Ukraine mothers and children are struggling with determining their next steps. The Russian invasion has disrupted every facet of life for these families. Many now find themselves in a new country, not knowing anyone or speaking the language.

To make matters worse, the war has called many men to stay behind and fight. Someone has to stay to defend their homes, but the cost is high. Without the input or support of husbands and fathers, displaced mothers and children are left alone to navigate the unknown.

Helping Displaced Ukraine Mothers And Children

But thanks to the generous gifts of faithful partners, Operation Blessing is able to meet these families in their need and offer assistance and encouragement. From greeting weary mothers and children entering Poland to delivering essential items, Operation Blessing is bringing comfort to people in desperate need.

We deliver food, hygiene products, and other crucial supplies to shelters and centers for displaced families. These items are critical in this difficult time and often hard to come by.

Your support for Ukraine mothers and children makes this help possible! Generous friends like you can give real hope to the hopeless. Make your gift today! And please pray for the suffering in Ukraine.

You Are Winning The Battle With Hunger For A Father In Peru

PERU – Carving wood is a passion of Wilson’s. Growing up along a river in Peru, he has memories of seeing his uncles craft a variety of items from balsa wood. Wilson continued the family trade and learned to make canoes and boats for a living. Now a husband and a father in Peru to five children, Wilson says his goal is to provide well for his family.

He began making handicrafts out of balsa wood to sell to local shops. Sadly, his carving skills were limited. He didn’t know how to paint, so he delivered his products plain and unadorned. The low price he earned was barely enough to feed his family.

“Providing for a family of seven is very hard,” Wilson told Operation Blessing staff. “I haven’t done any studies, and I’m not a professional, but carving these animals out of balsa wood allows me to help my family. There were days when it wasn’t enough to eat, but even so, I try to work in other things. When they call me to help build a boat, I go. I will do anything so my family can be okay.”

Training Helps A Father Provide For His Family

Then Wilson learned that, because of your kindness, Operation Blessing was in the area, holding wood carving workshops. Topics included painting and finishing, various carving techniques, and even balsa wood reforestation. Wilson started going to the classes to improve his craftsmanship. 

“I didn’t know how to use paint before, but now I know! I give my products a better finishing detail. With this, I can increase my selling price and earn more for my family,” Wilson exclaimed. “Nobody else has ever come here to teach us anything. Operation Blessing came to us and taught us something we never knew we could learn.” 

microenterprise-peru-wood-carving-business

In addition to skills training, you helped provide Wilson with the materials he needed to expand his balsa wood carving business. This gift included supplies of wood, paint, carving materials, and other items.

With his new skills and tools, Wilson is able to improve the quality of his products, increase his profits, and better provide for his family. Gloria, Wilson’s wife, is very grateful for the help you sent through Operation Blessing.

She shared, “With these materials, you are helping my husband and our family. With this, my husband can start again. This is a blessing from God—thank you so much!”

A Grateful Father Can Now Provide For His Family

Thank you for blessing families in need around the world including this grateful father in Peru. Your generosity makes it possible to equip struggling families with the training and skills needed to earn more income and consistently provide food for their loved ones. May God bless you for your kindness and compassion!

Nobody else has ever come here to teach us anything. Operation Blessing came to us and taught us something we never knew we could learn. – Wilson

$45 Can Feed a Family in Kenya For A Month!

Would you give $45 to feed a family of 5 in Kenya for an entire month? Right now, a devastating drought is wreaking havoc across Kenya. Millions of families are suffering from lack of rainwater, which kills crops and livestock alike. Without farming as a source of income, families are starving. Both children and adults are going to bed with empty bellies for days at a time. The dry, cracked earth is a constant reminder that the hunger isn’t leaving anytime soon.

Help Now!

Young Rebecca said, “There are days we have slept hungry. My mother would go out to beg amongst the neighbors, but no one had any food left to spare, so she would come back empty-handed.”

Countless mothers are desperately trying to provide for their children, but the sheer scarcity of food makes this impossible. Seeing their children go hungry is devastating for these mothers. Kadzo said, “It makes me very sad seeing my children like that. I cry so much when I see them going hungry.”

Help Feed A Family In Kenya

But you have the power to make a difference! For just $45, you can send a delivery of food to Kenya that will feed a family of 5 for an entire month. Operation Blessing teams are on the ground distributing these food packages right now. But our inventory of these live-giving resources is running low. Will you give $45 to feed a family in Kenya for a month?

To help rush emergency food to drought-stricken Kenya, visit ob.org/drought.

Ukraine Refugees Praying for Peace

UKRAINE – Before the war, Valentyna lived a happy life in Ukraine. She was employed as a caregiver, and her granddaughters attended the local school every day.

When the war started, their lives changed overnight. The peaceful community they lived in quickly deteriorated into ruins. Daily life was constantly interrupted by the threat of violence. Like many others, Valentyna and her family took shelter from the bombings as best they could, but life was lonely and terrifying.

That wasn’t the end of their story, however. Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, Operation Blessing was able to connect Valentyna with a local church partner with whom she could find shelter.

Staying with the church has been a tremendous blessing. Through these faithful church members, friends like you help provide refugee families with warm food and hygiene supplies. Now they are in the company of other Ukraine refugees praying for peace in the world.

More than that, families are able to find hope when they are surrounded by a sense of community. They can fellowship safely after the long ordeal of fleeing their native country.

Please continue to pray for Valentyna and all Ukrainian families who are impacted by the war. Thank you for joining the countless Ukraine refugees praying for peace in the world.

To help change their lives by offering your support, make your gift today for crisis victims.

Meet Gisella: COVID Outreach and Small Business

covid outreach and small business support

PERU – Before COVID, Gisella supported her family by creating and selling products in a tourist town in Peru. But when the pandemic struck, international travel disappeared. As tourism came to a halt, there were suddenly no visitors to purchase Gisella’s products. As a result, her business suffered severely. Like so many other hardworking single mothers crushed by the pandemic, Gisella struggled to provide for her family.

To add to the tremendous difficulties she faced, a storm tore the roof off of her home. All her belongings—including her crafting materials—were damaged. Now her ability to earn a livelihood was completely gone.

COVID Outreach and Small Business Support

Thanks to the generous gifts of friends like you, Operation Blessing was able to reach out to communities impacted by the pandemic, including Gisella’s. You provided COVID outreach and small business support. You ensured Gisella had new supplies and business training to jumpstart her business even stronger than before.

You also showed your love and support when Operation Blessing built Gisella’s family a new home! Now, Gisella has what she needs to continue to provide for her family. To make your gift of support for families like Gisella’s today, visit ob.org/give.

Clean Water And Hope In Kenya

KENYA – For years, residents in the village of Gongo, like young Ashley and Anna, lived without access to a clean water source. The lack of this precious resource made life especially difficult.

Villagers did what they could to survive. Many had to either drink water from dirty wells or walk over three miles to fetch river water. Sadly, both water sources were untreated and contaminated. Walking to the dirty river often left little time for other daily tasks and even caused children to miss school. The struggling Gongo community needed help—and fast. Thankfully, partners like you sent hope.

A Clean Water Source For A Kenya Village

When Operation Blessing learned of the suffering in Gongo Village, we took action. Our team visited the area to understand residents’ needs and put a plan of action in place to help provide a clean water source in Kenya. Because of the compassion of friends like you, we were able to drill a new well that would provide fresh water for the entire community.

Village members excited about the project put in hard work by digging trenches for the necessary piping. The new system provides safe water—filtered and treated for bacteria and other contaminants—for villagers to drink.

Additionally, our supporters provided two hand- washing stations along with sanitation and hygiene training to help keep the community healthy and thriving.

In honor of this new blessing, an inauguration ceremony was held in the community, where more than 200 people gathered to celebrate. They gave thanks for the water project as the only one of its kind in the area.

Thank you for your heart to bring increased health and happiness to communities like Gongo. You are making a huge difference around the world for kids like Ashley and Anna. God bless you.

Ukraine Refugees Carried on Wings of Joy

HELP NOW!

UKRAINE – It might be hard to imagine a source of joy for Ukraine refugees in the midst of war and tragedy. But you make it possible!

Marina is one of millions of people displaced by the recent conflict in Ukraine. Like so many, she and her husband have had to face the heart-rending choice of leaving their beloved country behind to protect their children.

However, this Christian family is committed to reaching out in compassion to their fellow Ukrainians during their darkest hours. And they carried that passion to Poland. Generous partners like you made it possible for them to both feed their children and give food to hungry refugees they met along the way.

PROVIDING JOY

Operation Blessing and our partner organizations are uniquely positioned to distribute vital food and aid to fleeing Ukrainians. We also continue sending truckloads of aid to those who remain in the war torn country. Your love greeted refugees like Marina at the border with warm food, essential supplies, and a place to lay their heads. You have provided true joy for Ukraine refugees during this difficult time.

You have offered critical support to families like Marina’s for months now, and with your help, we can continue to extend a lifeline to them.

We are asking our faithful supporters to continue reaching out with kindness and compassion to Ukrainian refugees so they can find what they need the very most at this traumatic time—hope.

Their needs will last long after the war is over as people begin rebuilding their lives either inside or outside of their homeland. It means the world to Ukrainians to see that there are people out there committed to helping them for the long run. Will you extend a helping hand to them today? And please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.