Cervical Cancer Screening Brings Hope To Haitian Women

HAITI – A positive test result on a cervical cancer screening could drive anyone into bouts of anxiety. But because YOU helped, Sinfanie’s brush with cervical cancer actually turned out to have a positive ending. Forty-year-old Sinfanie lives in one of the poorest areas in Haiti. She had never been screened for cervical cancer in Haiti. This type of service is just not available where she lives.

Women have to go to the city—a trip that’s too far and too costly—to have this important diagnostic test done at private facilities, which often includes expensive fees. For years, Sinfanie has been looking for more affordable options but found none.

Detecting Cervical Cancer In Haiti

So when she learned that Operation Blessing was in town to provide this test for free, she got really excited. She woke up early that morning and was one of the first in line at the center. We had trained a specialized team of three nurses and a gynecologist, and they came prepared for any test result.

Hand in hand with kind donors like you, Operation Blessing brought all the supplies needed for cancer screening and treatment, as well as to conduct cervical cancer prevention training and treat lesions before they could turn into cancer. The team welcomed Sinfanie and the other women with open arms. She was happy to have the screening done, and then she waited for the result.

Her test turned out positive for a precancerous condition. In fact, of the 94 tests done that day, 16 women were positive for a cancerous or a precancerous condition. But Operation Blessing knew how to properly deliver this news to Sinfanie and how to provide proper care to help stave off cervical cancer in Haiti. A trained gynecologist gently explained to Sinfanie that they had found evidence of an infection on her cervix. If left untreated, cancer could develop—and spread. Without this lifesaving test, Sinfanie wouldn’t have known that a silent killer might be growing inside of her.

Thanks to support from friends like you, Sinfanie and the others underwent treatment for their conditions. This included thermocoagulation, painkillers and antibiotics. Sinfanie also has an appointment for reevaluation in her area.

She is so relieved. “Without this opportunity, the disease could develop inside my body and this infection could even develop into full-fledged cancer,” she said. “You saved my life!” Together with you, we are conquering this hidden killer for women living in the poorest of nations. Thank you for caring enough to give.

Early detection is the best prevention!

In Haiti … every year, approximately 588 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer while about 75% of these die from their cancer.

Helping Ukrainians Find Their Way

UKRAINE – In wartime, life can turn upside down overnight. For struggling Ukrainian refugees like Svitlana and her family, it did. And for many families like hers, the rebuilding will take years. She recalls, “When the bombs hit our city, we spent the night in the basement. In the morning, our apartment was destroyed! It was completely gone.”

It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to walk up the basement stairs after a sleepless night only to discover your home is missing—and memories are all that remain. Before Russia invaded, Ukrainian citizens lived in peace. They were able to go to work without fearing for their lives or wondering if their children had a future. Svitlana gave people manicures; she helped women feel beautiful, providing for her children in the process—until that fateful day.

Struggling Ukrainian Refugees Get Support From Operation Blessing

Her family had no choice but to flee the area and find safe haven. At last, they did, at a shelter in Lviv where you helped to meet them with love, support and supplies for their daily needs. One of the primary struggles for families on the move is maintaining a sense of normalcy. Without routines, the smallest things can make people—especially children—feel insecure. That’s why Operation Blessing brought washers and dryers to the shelter to make simple, necessary tasks like washing clothes less of a burden.

Another way you showed your compassion was by bringing joy to the most vulnerable among Ukrainian refugees: the little ones. One of the most normal—and wonderful— things in the world is having a birthday party, but children like Svitlana’s 8-year-old daughter skipped their birthdays when they fled for their lives. So Operation Blessing helped them celebrate right where they were—with food, festivities, and special gifts for each child.

You also made it possible to provide Svitlana with the tools she needed to earn a living while trying to start again. Now, with a complete manicure set in hand, she’s already taking steps to build a new future one client at a time. Her words say it all: “I’m very grateful to Operation Blessing for getting me all the things I need to continue doing what I love. I’m very grateful to you.”

Famine in Horn of Africa

AFRICA – Throughout the Horn of Africa, people are starving. Due to a record-breaking drought, much of the population is facing crisis hunger levels. George Thomas of The 700 Club reports that in Somalia alone around 8 million people are suffering from life-threatening hunger, and that 1 in 3 children face chronic malnutrition due to famine in the Horn of Africa.

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The dire conditions in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are caused by a combination of the devastating drought, lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which devastated the African economy, and supply issues due to the war between Russia and Ukraine. The drought killed crops across the region, and livestock as well.

Alex Marianelli of the World Food Program said, “We’ve had four failed rains. The drought that we’re currently seeing in the Horn of Africa is the worst drought in over 40 years.” And on average, one person dies every 48 seconds from hunger in the area.

“Because of the drought, many water sources have dried up. Many wells have also dried up,” says Wafer Saeed Abdelatef, a UNICEF Representative.

With crops failing. The United Nations says some 22 million people are at risk of starvation, many of them farmers who only grow enough food to feed their own families.

“People will be forced to flee to look for food.” says Rein Paulsen, of the Food and Agricultural Organization. “People will have to try and find a way to survive. And obviously this entails very perilous journeys for people who are already marginalized.”

The Devastating Impact Of Famine in the Horn of Africa

In Somalia alone, around 8 million people, or half the population, are experiencing crisis hunger levels. One in three children face chronic malnutrition.

Ann Kasombo oversees CBN’s offices in Kenya. In partnership with Operation Blessing, they have been distributing food and other aid supplies to some of the hardest hit regions of her country.

“It’s been quite devastating in some communities…food is hard to come by because they are not able to grow their food.”

Operation Blessing, delivered critical food supplies to the northern part of Kenya, targeting some of the toughest areas in those villages as we helped so many families fight hunger and food insecurity.

Thank you to our friends who sent special gift to help Kenyans in need during this difficult time. Please consider helping even more people during times of natural disaster and crisis.

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You Can Give a Brighter Future to Families in Need

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PERU- Ruth is a single mother in Peru who works hard to provide for her family. One day, a terrible storm struck her makeshift home and tore off the roof. Her daughters were so afraid. They worried the rest of the house would collapse on them. After that, their living situation became a health hazard, and her daughters got sick from being exposed to the elements. They desperately needed a new home in Peru.

Even worse, the pandemic caused Ruth’s work to suffer. As she made fewer sales, there was hardly any money for food and definitely no money left for repairs to the home.

When Operation Blessing first came to Ruth’s community, they developed a chicken program to train families to begin poultry businesses. Ruth was chosen for the program, and got right to work. Now she has a steady income to provide for her family, and she even has a chance to save.

But, because of the generosity of friends like you, Operation Blessing didn’t stop there. With your help, we built Ruth and her family a new home in Peru, complete with kitchen, bathroom, and beds!

When you partner with Operation Blessing, you have a direct hand in offering a new hope and a future for families like Ruth’s. There are still so many more who need your love and support. We invite you to get involved today!

I Want to Bless the Hurting!

You Are Creating A Brighter Tomorrow

ASIA – Today, someone is hurting. It might be a child in Peru struggling with a deformity or a working mother in India whose vision is slowly fading. They might be hesitant to face the day, afraid of the challenges it might bring. But their uncertainty can change in a moment. And for hundreds of people this year, it has!

Through Operation Blessing’s Life-Changing Surgeries Program in Asia, partners like you have given hurting people the hope of a brighter tomorrow. In 20 countries around the world, we are empowering generous people like you to offer our life-changing surgeries to those in need.

From June 2021 to June 2022, you made it possible for us to complete 2,426 surgeries. Now the lame can walk! The vision-impaired can see! Those who were mocked can now live without fear of ridicule. Together, we have been the hands and feet of Jesus to the least of these. Each one is precious, and these are their stories.

Saving Baby Ruvina’s Life | INDIA

“If this is not dealt with, it will cost her her life.” No parent ever wants to hear those words about their child. But it was a reality Ruvina’s family had to face as the hospital surgeon shared his concerns for their baby if they chose not to pursue corrective surgery. Ruvina was only 3 months old, but every day increased her chances of dying because of the growing bulge on her back caused by a spinal defect.

Ruvina’s father, Kamal, was burdened with finding a way to help his daughter while providing for their family as a day. laborer. He and his wife feared they would have to deal with this problem alone—until faithful partners like you sent their love across the world through Operation Blessing!

When our team discovered Ruvina’s dangerous situation, we knew it couldn’t wait. We rushed her to surgery, and—by God’s grace—it was a tremendous success! Now Ruvina and her parents longer in danger. Her father’s words say it all: “I am very thankful to you for saving my daughter’s life. The surgery has changed her life completely!”

Giving Rizka the Freedom to Play | INDONESIA

Rizka loves to play. But play wasn’t easy. Her club foot often caused her to stumble and fall, and many times she missed out on the fun entirely. It hurt her parents to see her cry, but what could they do? Their little shop barely brings enough income to meet their basic needs in the hut they call home. And Rizka wasn’t their only child with medical struggles; her sister has mental health issues. With such huge challenges facing them as a family, Rizka’s parents needed help.

Thankfully, God answered their prayers through faithful friends like you. With your help, Operation Blessing’s Life-Changing Surgeries Program in Asia helped Rizka get the surgery she needed and provided special shoes to make sure her foot continues to heal properly in the days ahead. She has already experienced significant improvement and can play with a full heart. She said, “Praise the Lord—now I can run just like my friends!”

Helping Heng to Smile | CAMBODIA

He felt ashamed. Every time Heng went outside, his peers’ stares and whispers pierced his heart. And sometimes they weren’t whispers. To Heng, it seemed his cleft lip was ruining his life. Heng’s family tried to encourage him, but he felt helpless—until his pastor reached out to Operation Blessing. Because the family couldn’t afford corrective surgery, they needed friends like you to be their miracle, and you came through.

The surgeon was frank about the prognosis: at 11 years of age, Heng had a much greater chance of scarring. But his surgery went surprisingly well and his lips were completely transformed. Family members were overjoyed, and Heng was over the moon. Full of confidence, he has overcome his fears and was able to face the world with a smile. Because of Operation Blessing supporters, Heng is no longer ashamed.

Kindness Flows to Ukrainian Refugees

POLAND – Compassion is alive in Poland! Inspired by the generous heart of her late husband, Maria spends her own money sheltering Ukrainian victims fleeing the violence in their home country. When Russia invaded Ukraine, millions of men, women, and children watched in horror as the Ukraine crisis changed the course of their lives. One minute the citizens of Ukraine were living in peace. The next they found themselves in real danger as the country transformed into a war zone.

Ukrainian Citizens Flee to Poland

As the situation throughout Ukraine deteriorated, many women and children were forced to flee into nearby Poland. Their journeys were often dangerous as they had to navigate a war zone to leave their beloved country. Many now find themselves in a new, strange land. Their former lives are on hold. Their survival depends on the kindness of others to provide food, water, supplies, and, of course, shelter.

Sheltering Ukrainian Victims

Caring people like Maria were there to help Ukrainian refugees who needed a home. She opened her home and sheltered over 50 refugees on her own. These refugees could rest easy in a place of safety and respite. Maria’s kindness, however, put significant strain on her financially. She found herself providing food, utilities, and supplies for multiple families.

Eventually, her resources started to run out. And that’s when you stepped in! Because of the gifts of our generous partners, Operation Blessing brought supplies to Maria including food, cleaning products, and hygiene supplies.

When you partner with Operation Blessing, you also partner with beautiful people making a difference in the face of hardships.

Meet Nikki and Andy: Hunger Relief

Drug addiction can have a powerful hold on people. Nikki describes her experience with it as being “close to death.”

Before Andy met Nikki, he battled with drug use as well, and at one point he felt he had reached the end of his rope.

Hunger Relief During Rehabilitation

They eventually both found themselves at Faith Home, a rehabilitation ministry that partners with Operation Blessing. Thanks to friends like you, Nikki and Andy never had to worry about food insecurity or hunger relief during rehabilitation.

Operation Blessing provided healthy food and support so they could focus on recovery from the bondage of drug addiction. The gift of hunger relief during rehabilitation helped reduce strain that could have been detrimental to Nikki or Andy’s long-term health.

Because of your kindness, they were able to turn their lives around. While at Faith Home, these two found Jesus, freedom from addiction, and a new life with each other!

Now married with children, Nikki and Andy are employed full-time with a church, supporting their family and giving thanks to God for their health and future.

You can offer support and hope to families like Nikki and Andy’s by making a gift today at www.ob.org/give.

Back To School In Boca Del Rio Viejo

HONDURAS – A good education can be hard to come by, especially in developing nations and in island villages like Boca del Rio Viejo. Good citizens in this community were doing their best to teach the local children outdoors, because funds for a school were out of reach.

Students like 5-year-old Josselin had to endure long hours in the sweltering summer sun, trying to stay engaged while the heat pressed on their outdoor “classroom.” Add to that the remarkably short attention span of little ones and the lack of play spaces to break up the day, and you can imagine how difficult it was for the children to stay focused and remember what they’d learned.

A New School In Honduras

Thankfully, friends like you helped them with the finances needed to build a brand-new school—complete with a restroom and playground! Now, the kids can learn and play safely, and they couldn’t be happier with their new school in Honduras. When asked how she felt about her new school, Josselin said, “I am very happy. We have new notebooks for learning. Everything is new, and at recess we go outside and have fun playing games.”

Her mother was so grateful, saying, “The people that donated are such a blessing! They gave us a new school for our children, and we will soon have water in our homes.”

children at school playground in honduras

The new school in Honduras was built with every need of the community in mind. It’s elevated off the ground to protect it against flooding. It has designated spaces for various activities, including a teaching area and proper bathroom facilities. The new school also has plenty of room so that even more students can attend classes. And the playground outside has a slide, swings, and a lookout tower—with binoculars for the children to look through!

A Community Water System

Although many are excited about the new school, the village still faced other issues, especially in accessing clean water. But that won’t be a problem for long! Operation Blessing—because of friends like you and hardworking community members—has begun developing a community water system.

This community water system is complete with a powerful pump, miles of piping, and a chlorinated storage tank, this new system will provide clean water access to 117 homes, two schools, and one church. Soon, residents will no longer have to deal with the dangers of unsafe water. They’ll be free of waterborne illness and able to put into practice the hygiene and sanitation training they will receive from the Operation Blessing team.

Thanks to caring partners like you, the people of Boca del Rio Viejo can look ahead toward a whole new future with better educational facilities and an alternative to unsafe water!

“We lost clothes. We lost food. We lost a lot.”

KENTUCKY- Operation Blessing visited Chasity Mullins, a single mother of four, at the home she inherited from her grandmother in Jenkins, KY. The night of the Kentucky flood, her 11-year-old son woke her screaming that there was water all over the floor. She described it as a “muddy river” flowing through her house. Chasity immediately told her boys to find their shoes and get out of the house. While the two oldest boys were able to escape safely by themselves, Chasity had to carry her youngest over the rising Kentucky flood waters.

When the waters receded, she discovered she has no idea just how badly her home has been damaged. Chasity shared that she had already been struggling to make ends meet before the flood due to high inflation, and now in the aftermath of the flood, she doesn’t know how she will make it.

Like many affected by this historic flood, she’s overwhelmed by recovery plans. The night before Operation Blessing called, Chasity remembers lying in her bed fretting about how she was going to begin the necessary removal of debris remaining in her home after the Kentucky flood.

She believes God answered her prayers by sending Operation Blessing to her house. Operation Blessing has been on the ground in several damaged areas offering physical assistance, supplies, and encouragement.

With the help of our partners, Operation Blessing is committed to being there alongside families trying to get back on their feet. In the midst of all of the chaos, Chasity is trusting God, because she has seen Him at work!

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

HONDURAS – When COVID-19 hit, the world stopped. Government-imposed restrictions made life difficult for people everywhere— especially in impoverished nations. There, many must labor daily just to provide the bare minimum to feed their families. So losing work for even a short time means children going hungry. But you reached out to meet them in their need, providing help and hope through microenterprise assistance.

You Gave Women The Tools To Feed Their Families Through Microenterprise Assistance

For people like Carmen and the women she works with at a bakery co-op in Honduras, COVID drove them to the brink of bankruptcy. “The business was not working because of the effects of the pandemic,” Carmen explained.

Microenterprise assistance for entrepreneurs

As a single mother, Carmen must shoulder the burden of being her small family’s sole provider. At times, she was even forced to borrow food from her neighbors to feed her 8-year-old daughter, Dominic. But then Operation Blessing learned of their desperate situation.

Our teams realized one cause of Carmen and her co-workers’ struggles was a lack of equipment for their food production business. The ladies make and sell pinole (a tasty mixture of ground corn, peanuts, cinnamon, pepper, rice, and wheat), plantain chips, and cakes—all without proper tools.

Microenterprise Assistance Helps Local Entrepreneurs in Honduras

But then friends like you came to their rescue with microenterprise assistance and gave them a hand up to save their bakery. Carmen’s business is now able to thrive because you provided her women’s group with an electric mill to quickly and efficiently process the seeds and grains they previously had to grind by hand. They also now have what they need to make and slice baked goods, presenting them to the public with pride.

Your help gave their business a real boost, and all the ladies involved have been blessed! Carmen shared, “Thank you to the donors of Operation Blessing for what you have given us.” With hope for the future, she continued, “We are going to take advantage of everything you gave us to make our business grow even more.”

And, thanks to your compassion for these local entrepreneurs, Carmen’s daughter now has the stability she needs to thrive and pursue her dreams— and so do many others.