FLORIDA – Operation Blessing visited Mrs. Claire Beauliere to remove debris, fallen trees, and waterlogged furniture from her Port Charlotte home after it was ravished by Hurricane Ian.
She said, “It’s so scary. Especially when you’re elderly, and they tell you to evacuate and do this and that, and you’ve got some limitations.”
The 77-year-old retired seamstress and Certified Nursing Assistant hails originally from Haiti, so she is no stranger to coastal weather.
But Hurricane Ian surprised her, causing wind damage to her roof and the windows of her master bedroom. She didn’t know how she would be able to pay for the damages. And that’s when Operation Blessing showed up.
“[There were] broken windows on the first floor and a lot of water inside. So I lost a lot of things like furniture and everything,” explained Claire.
God Blesses People Who Bless Others
Claire believes God answered her prayers when Operation Blessing showed up at her house ready to remove any debris and furniture damaged by the historic storm. She is seeing first-hand how God blesses people who bless others.
“Operation Blessing came inside with a lot of love. And they did really help me. The cleaning that they did—I would never be able to have it done otherwise,” she said.
Claire emphasized how grateful she is to Operation Blessing partners for enabling volunteers and staff members to come to her home in her time of need.
“It’s a big help, because these people are really on the job helping people like me,” she said.
KENYA – Picture your grandchildren coming to live with you. You just can’t wait to see their sweet, smiling faces. But when they arrive, you welcome them from the doorstep of a tiny mud hut your neighbors built for you in their spare time. That’s home. And it will be your house in Kenya for the foreseeable future. How would you feel about that? Would you be grateful?
Amazingly, Magdalina was— but as it turned out, God had bigger things in store for her. She had no idea that a new house in Kenya would be a blessing coming to her and her family. Magdalina lives in Miorre, Kenya. At 82 years young, she devotes herself to her five grandchildren— whose parents, sadly, had died—but they often had to stay with other family members because of the incredibly poor condition of Magdalina’s house.
Her Original House In Kenya Collapsed
You see, on one fateful day eight years ago, Magdalina’s house collapsed. Thankfully, kind neighbors went to work and built her a temporary one-room shack. She truly was grateful for the makeshift shelter. But for eight years, she and her grandkids piled into a single cramped room—about 100 square feet in size—and tried to live without adequate personal space, a water system, or proper ventilation.
Before long, however, heavy rains and storm winds damaged this “house,” too. Without warning, the mud walls began to crack. Magdalina lived in constant fear for her family’s safety. She recalled, “We were cold, and the rain would rain on us. There was a day I prayed for a house until I cried!”
Though she dreamed of doing more for her grandkids, she only earned a small income from a few farm animals, and it all went to providing their most basic needs like food and water. There was nothing left over for a house.
A Brand New Family Home In Kenya For Grandma
But hope was waiting around the corner, and it looked a lot like YOU. Seeing Magdalina’s need, generous Operation Blessing supporters stepped in and built her and her grandchildren a brand-new home—one where they can safely and comfortably be a family together.
Instead of cracked and crumbling dirt walls, there are now sturdy brick walls capped by a galvanized iron roof that will protect the family from the rain for a good long time. In place of the damp, suffocating single room, there is now a full home complete with new bedrooms, a living area, and a separate kitchen featuring a fuel-efficient wood stove.
A New Water System In Kenya For Her Home
When the house was done, however, the blessings still weren’t finished. Operation Blessing was also able to provide Magdalina with a hygiene-friendly latrine separate from the house and a rainwater harvesting system that lets her access water right outside the door.
Before the compassion of friends like you came to the rescue, this elderly woman used to carry heavy containers of water from a nearby river to provide for her family’s needs. But her new water system in Kenya features collection gutters, piping, and a filter for a new 3,000-liter water storage tank. Now, Magdalina and her grandchildren can easily get water from a faucet right at the bottom of the tank.
This generous help has blessed Magdalina and her family in ways they never could have imagined were possible. “I am so happy and consider it a blessing that people can come from far away to assist me and my family,” she shares. “I am grateful to everyone that has made it possible for me to get this house. May God richly bless you.”
With God’s grace and love from friends around the world, this family has a hope and a future.
FLORIDA- Hurricane Ian tore through southwest Florida, leaving life-altering devastation in its wake. As people return to the lives they left before the storm, it is clear that volunteers needed for Hurricane Ian Relief efforts will play a large role in helping people get back on their feet.
Michael Barrett evacuated from his home in Port Charlotte. When he returned, what he saw was shocking.
“You think about it for a second, and then you jump into action. You start trying to figure things out. What do I do first? What do I do next? Because devastation is all around us,” he said.
Operation Blessing is on the ground in Port Charlotte, Florida and working to help the community in its first steps towards recovery.
Anthony Lloyd, Operation Blessing’s Senior Director of U.S. Disaster Relief said, “They might have had trees fall in their yard. Some of them have had massive flooding.”
It’s only with the tremendous support of partners like you that Operation Blessing Disaster Relief teams were at the ready in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
“We cannot do what we do without the support of our volunteers and our partners,” said Anthony.
Hurricane Ian Volunteers Make a Difference
Paul Cross is one of Michael’s neighbors, and when he heard Operation Blessing’s call for volunteers, he was the first to show up.
He said, “I didn’t have a whole lot of damage. Once I cleaned up what was there, I was sort of looking for a way to volunteer to help people out. And somebody came by with a flyer for Operation Blessing. And I saw that was a perfect way to help other people out.”
So Paul joined volunteers doing debris removal and clearing items damaged by flood waters. But he can’t do it alone. Operation Blessing needs volunteers to help restore the lives of those impacted by this deadly natural disaster.
Michael sends his gratitude to partners and volunteers. “Operation Blessing, you guys are spiritually on time. We are so ready for you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
FLORIDA – Hurricane relief efforts are underway across Florida after the devastation of Hurricane Ian. Operation Blessing teams are on the ground partnering with local churches and humanitarian groups to reach residents in greatest need.
Operation Blessing went to Calvary Assembly of God in Port Charlotte, Florida to meet with Senior Pastor Daniel Kolenda. “I understand that the storm hovered over the area for several hours, which I think traumatized people. And so now the infrastructure’s been compromised. People are not able to get fuel and food and things like that, and there’s no electricity. I know there’s a lot of physical needs. Homes are damaged,” he said.
This Port Charlotte church has been serving their community since 1960. Pastor Daniel says the majority of his neighbors are retirees who can’t physically begin the road to recovery alone. He said, “I think what we need to do now, as a body of Christ, is focus on helping people.”
Operation Blessing and Calvary Assembly of God are teaming up to meet the needs of the people in the community.
“I got a call from Operation Blessing, and I thought, my goodness, this is a divine appointment, because you guys have the the resources and the expertise, and we have the need,” said Pastor Daniel. He continued, “We’re looking forward to these next few weeks when we can really make an impact on this community.”
Partnering for Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts
With the help of friends like you, our teams set up their base of operations at Calvary Assembly of God’s church facilities. Pastor Daniel said, “Well, Operation Blessing is going to come in here with supplies, and with tarps and people that will go out into the neighborhoods and actually put that on the people’s roofs for them.”
He continued, “If they’ve got nasty debris in the house that needs to be hauled out to the street, they’ll go in there and pull it out and put it on the street for them. Or let’s say they don’t necessarily have a problem at their house, but they need some supplies.”
Pastor Daniel strongly believes that with the support of the Operation Blessing family, we can greatly impact his community for the Lord. He said, “I would like to thank the Operation Blessing partners for the sowing that they’ve done, because you’ve sowed into good ground, and now there are people in need who are reaping the harvest of what you sowed.”
Operation Blessing has already begun volunteer relief work in the most devastated communities. To volunteer with Operation Blessing as a disaster relief worker in Florida, visit ob.org/volunteer.
FLORIDA – Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc on the Florida coast, devastating homes and businesses. After the hurricane, Florida resident Alexandria returned home to find complete devastation. Now Operation Blessing is there to help with Hurricane Ian recovery.
“There are trees and cars in the roadways. There’s a lot of debris and stuff everywhere. But when I actually drove to Fort Myers—that’s when it really sank deep,” Alexandria said. “There is about two and a half feet of water throughout my entire home, and it’s not livable anymore.”
Operation Blessing’s disaster relief efforts include partnering with local churches to distribute cleaning supplies, food, and water. These items are critical to people who now find themselves homeless or without power.
Providing Supplies to Help Recover after Hurricane Ian
“Receiving the bucket from Operation Blessing was just such a blessing! It took a huge weight off. The last thing I need to think about is cleaning supplies and trash bags and how I am going to get this stuff,” Alexandria said.
She continued, “The smell was rancid, because the ocean water had sat in there for days before I could even get to my place. So the masks were perfect. The gloves were perfect, because most of my belongings were wet that were like three feet underwater.”
As Alexandria went through the items our generous Operation Blessing partners provided, she was excited to use each product. “I could use every single thing in that bucket, and it was useful and needed and of good quality,” she said.
With the generous support of Operation Blessing partners, our disaster relief teams are committed to giving Florida families what they need right now, as they take their first steps toward recovery.
Alexandria said, “To all the partners and Operation Blessing, I just want to say thank you, genuinely, from the bottom of my heart. What you do matters! So I just thank you; you’re a blessing.”
PERU – Digna could feel it coming on—the telltale wave of fatigue, the shortness of breath—as she went about tending sheep and chasing her 2-year-old across the field for what seemed like the tenth time. For this young mother accustomed to physical labor and walking everywhere, these symptoms said one thing loud and clear: She was sick. And the nearest city was well over an hour’s walk from her town.
San Jeronimo de Ullagachi is a lovely place with kind people, but for most of Digna’s life it didn’t have a health center. If residents became ill, they dealt with it themselves or braved the long trek to the city of Puno—where they arrived exhausted. “Every time I was sick, I would walk for hours,” Digna said. “The health center was very far away. When I got there, I would feel worse.”
But a few years ago, the situation changed for the better. Operation Blessing had seen the need in Digna’s community, and compassionate friends like you helped fund the refurbishment of a local building, turning it into a fully equipped health center in Peru serving several communities in the area.
Facing Sickness With A Community Health Center In Peru
Now, Digna and others can receive quality care from competent health personnel right in their back yard. That means Digna and her little girl can face sickness without the overwhelming prospect of traveling for miles and further depleting their energy.
So when Digna wasn’t feeling well this time, she just paid a visit to San Jeronimo Health Center. “I had a fever, and my throat hurt,” she shared. “They told me I had bronchitis. I was sick for days.” But instead of being worried, Digna was thankful. “Now I don’t have to go to another district for help.”
Before the new center was built, seeking medical care would take Digna’s entire day. On this occasion, however, she was immediately diagnosed with acute bronchitis—and you helped provide the free medication for her treatment. She said, “When I went to the health center, I knew that I would be fine. The doctor was nice; he told me what was wrong and what I had to take to feel better.”
A couple of weeks later, Digna went back to the health center for a checkup and all was well. She offered her heartfelt appreciation: “Thank you, Operation Blessing! I don’t have to walk for hours anymore. If my Sofia gets sick, I can take her by walking a few steps. I feel better now and thank God for all of you, because this is a lot of help for everyone here in San Jeronimo.”
FLORIDA – Operation Blessing is in coastal Florida partnering with local churches and getting helpful supplies to Hurricane Ian victims. In a matter of hours, the hurricane turned these families’ lives upside down. They now need all the help they can get.
Pastor Greg and his wife have been the leaders of Destiny Church for about 15 years. They said Hurricane Ian was like nothing they’d ever experienced.
“The winds were unbelievably strong. We could see it coming, hear it coming. And the thing that makes this storm different is the storm surge. The waves came in some places, and it just overtook all of those homes. There was no time to get out when it started coming in,” Pastor Greg said.
For many in Florida, the impact of Hurricane Ian is going to be long-lasting. Many residents believe it’s going to take a long time to recover and rebuild. Right now, Pastor Greg and his church are in the recovery stages, helping families get salvageable belongings out of their homes.
Getting Helpful Supplies to Hurricane Ian Victims
Operation Blessing delivered pallets of water, cleaning supply buckets, and other essential items to help families on the long road to recovery. Pastor Greg said, “Operation Blessing were the first ones to respond. Behind me are semi-truckloads full of supplies that we’ve been steadily getting out to the people.”
In the buckets of cleaning supplies are trash bags, gloves, hand sanitizer, and more. Operation Blessing also delivered boxes of ready-made food items that don’t require cooking. This is beyond helpful for many residents still without power.
Thanks to the generosity of our Operation Blessing partners, local churches have what they need to minister to their communities.
Pastor Greg said, “We’re so grateful to everyone who supports Operation Blessing. And we thank all of those that are helping supply all these things because it’s really making a difference.”
FLORIDA – “Like a warzone.” This is how residents of Florida are describing the damage they face after Hurricane Ian barreled through in late September. The devastation is catastrophic. A reported 76 Floridians even lost their lives to the storm, and the death count only continues to rise. Survivors have just begun the long and arduous process of rebuilding the remnants of towns and homes now heavily damaged by wind and flooding.
Damage from Category 4 Hurricane Ian
For those who did not experience the destruction first-hand, it is hard to understand the scale of the damage. Damage from Category 4 Hurricane Ian includes flooded homes, buildings, schools, and roads. Scores of hurricane victims are now picking up the pieces and in need of help and hope.
“The cleanup here is just going to be enduring for months,” reports CBN’s Brody Carter. But Operation Blessing is poised to provide desperately-needed help to those affected by this historic disaster. U.S. Disaster Relief Deployment Manager David Wright shares, “We have food, pallets of water, tarps to help dry-in the homes, and construction trailers of equipment we can use to help go in and muck-and-gut the houses affected.”
By distributing disaster relief supplies, helping to rebuild, and providing hope to storm victims, Operation Blessing is committed to serving Florida communities in need.
FLORIDA – Our team is on the move in Florida. As soon as roads opened, the compassion of supporters like you got to work, making its way through the flooded streets with help and hope. Hurricane Ian survivors face long days ahead, but together with Operation Blessing, you can be there to walk them through it.
Connecting with Churches to Offer Hurricane Relief
Facing the devastation head-on, our disaster relief team has already delivered aid from our faithful partners to communities like Naples and Cape Coral. We’re handing out critical supplies like tarps for damaged roofs, generators to sustain those without power, and emergency food and water. Many more communities need the same help. Our teams are traveling across the devastated Florida coast assessing damage and preparing to deliver key supplies to the next communities in need.
The U.S. Disaster Relief Team is actively working with local churches who know the needs in their communities and who are motivated to offer hope to the hopeless. We visited Crosspoint Christian Church of Cape Coral, Florida. There, Lead Pastor Matt Swearingen told us their church was actively praying about how they could make a difference. Their prayers are getting answered as the Operation Blessing family equips them with the supplies their neighbors desperately need to experience God’s love in this difficult time.
Help in Their Hour of Need After Ian
As the team headed onward to hard-hit Ft. Myers, devastation was everywhere: semi-trucks flipped over, gas station canopies bent out of shape, and trees ripped from the ground. This community and others like it were traumatized by hours of sheltering in place during the storm, wondering if their families would make it through safely. And now, all they see around them is ruin. But with your help, they can also see a way forward.
Together, we can help lift the burdens of overwhelmed disaster victims. We can offer a glimpse of better days ahead. Will you give the gift of hope today?
POLAND – Many Ukrainian families are still fleeing the war and going to Poland. To help these refugee families, Magdalena Drag turned her ski resort in Poland into a shelter for Ukrainian families.
Magdalena said, “Doing this has taught me to be open to helping other people, because we never know when we could face a similar situation.”
Shelter For Ukrainian Families In Need
The shelter can house up to 70 people at one time. Magdalena says it’s always full as families rotate in and out while getting on their feet in the new country.
“Sometimes families come to us with nothing in their hands. Normally we buy food and other things to meet their basic needs,” explained Magdalena.
Operation Blessing supported the shelter by dropping off critical supplies and food. With the help of our partners, Magdalena can continue to offer shelter to families in need.
Magdalena thanks everyone who supports Operation Blessing.
