You Helped Restore Health to a Child in Honduras

HONDURAS – Five-year-old Josue loves to play soccer and dreams of becoming a police officer someday. But Josue was born with a hernia that only got larger and more painful as he grew. Your generosity would be the catalyst that would help restore health to this child.

This condition, where internal organs bulge through weakened muscle or tissue, can cause excruciating pain and complications if left untreated. Tragically, in impoverished nations like Honduras, children are too often forced to endure this debilitating issue without access to the medical care they desperately need.

medical care for a child in Honduras

His father told us, “Some days he was in constant pain. We took him to the E.R., but they said they couldn’t do anything because it was not an emergency.” And, unfortunately, the public hospital they had access to would only operate in an emergency situation.

Josue’s parents were desperate to help their son, especially when the pain medicine stopped working. His father said, “I felt a pain in my heart because I wanted to fix him or pay for surgery. But for us, it was impossible.”

And his mother added, “We will never be able to afford the cost of an operation, since we don’t have the money.” No matter how desperately these caring parents tried to help their son, the surgery remained out of reach for them.

The Generosity of Our Partners Helped Restore Health to Josue

Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of faithful partners like you, Operation Blessing was able to step in and provide Josue with life-changing hernia surgery at no cost to his family. After the successful procedure, he is happy all the time and able to run and play without pain. His family rejoiced and his father said, “I am very grateful to Operation Blessing. I hope that you can help many more families like ours.”

healed from a hernia

You are the reason families like Josue’s can access this critical care, restoring their health and quality of life. Through our life-changing surgeries program, you help bring healing to patients with heart defects, burn scars, tumors, cataracts, and many other dangerous and debilitating conditions. And you not only bless the patients, but you bless heartbroken families as well!

With your support, we can continue reaching more people and transforming lives. If you’d like to get more involved with our life-changing surgeries program, please visit ob.org/surgeries. There you can choose a specific patient to help and to follow along their journey

healing a child in Honduras

Thank You for Answering The Need for Clean Water

HONDURAS – In Yarguera, Honduras, the need for clean water was urgent. Families were suffering from waterborne illnesses, and children like Michel had no safe water to drink. The water scarcity negatively impacted every area of their lives.

using unsafe water

The people of Yarguera were struggling to survive without safe water. Unfortunately, they had no other options. On a daily basis, they had to consume the very water that was hurting them. But when you saw the need for clean water for children like Michel, you stepped in. You were the hands and feet that reached out to help this community. Thanks to you, the people of Yarguera, Honduras, now have a water system that will supply clean, drinkable water for generations to come.

unsafe water in Honduras

You Helped Provide Safe Water

Take a look at how your love has transformed this community. Your support has been the heartbeat of this life-changing project. Thanks to you, the struggle for clean water has come to an end. Now, members of the Yarguera community have access to abundant safe water right in their village.

Your generosity has also enabled the training of a local water committee to oversee the water system, ensuring its sustainability for years to come. Your support gave the village invaluable education on proper hygiene and water safety, ensuring they are equipped with vital knowledge to improve their health and well-being.

Thank you for bringing the transformative power of water to Yarguera for Michel and for generations to come. Imagine how different the lives of the people in Yarguera will be because you chose to act. You are changing lives for years to come!

Compassion Transforms a Village with a Rainwater Harvesting System in Indonesia

INDONESIA – It might seem like such a simple thing to those of us here in the States: making sure people have access to pure, fresh drinking water. But in the mountainous region of Indonesia, it has not been simple at all. Generation after generation watched its plentiful rainfall go to waste. They were an example of a village that needed a rainwater harvesting system in Indonesia.

For young Idealis in the small village of Botombawao, that meant carrying on as his forefathers had done: fetching water from unclean sources like the river.

dirty unsafe water in the small village of Botombawao

“My family directly bathes in the river, then we collect water from the river using cans that we bring home,” said Idealis’s mother, Tinaria. “We use this water for both drinking and for our livestock.”

That meant long treks for water to drink, bathe, and wash their clothes in—even when it was murky and unpleasant. But they had no other option. And for a young boy like Idealis, it’s all he has ever known. Until now.

water scarcity in Indonesia

The Impact of a Rainwater Harvesting System in Indonesia

Your generosity helped make it possible for Operation Blessing to offer 34 families and one church in Botombawao the wonder of a rainwater harvesting system. This simple yet innovative method captures, stores, filters, and treats rainwater, offering a beacon of hope for communities like the one where Idealis lives. This lets Idealis and other kids in the village spend their time studying and playing, instead of searching for unsafe water.

The community celebrated their new system with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Tinaria said, “Now that we’ve received help, my family and I are extremely grateful.” Thanks to special partners like you, Operation Blessing can make a huge difference for so many families in need.

Indonesia Clean Water

Defeating Hunger in Honduras

HONDURAS – The future looked bleak for Jorge and his family after an accident broke his leg. As a hardworking woodcutter, his family depended on him to provide for their daily needs. With his leg broken, they faced hunger. To make matters worse, Jorge couldn’t afford the surgery to repair his leg. For two months, he languished in a government hospital. But his story didn’t end in tragedy. The kindness of Operation Blessing donors and partners helped this hard-working father defeat the threat of hunger and overcome.

an injury leads to hunger for a woodcutter named Jorge

Dolores’ Struggle Against Food Insecurity

Before Operation Blessing stepped in, the family’s situation deteriorated rapidly. Jorge’s wife, Dolores, felt the strain right away. With their savings rapidly depleting, she attempted to start a small food business. Despite her best efforts, the family barely earned a dollar a day in profits. Their young daughter, Gabriela, painfully recalled the hunger they endured: “It seemed like we did not eat a lot. We only drank water.” Food security in places like Honduras is a stark reality for many families like Jorge’s, who don’t have effective strategies to defeat hunger.

Operation Blessing: A Beacon of Hope in Overcoming Hunger

When Operation Blessing learned of this family’s plight, we took swift action to address both the immediate and long-term needs. First, friends like you provided the surgery Jorge needed to repair his broken leg. While this tackled the root cause of the family’s financial crisis, Jorge’s family needed additional assistance to prevent them from facing this situation again.

Empowering Families to Defeat Food Scarcity

Defeating hunger long-term requires sustainable solutions. Operation Blessing provided Dolores with the tools she needed to build a thriving business. A stove, pans, packaging, and supplies for a plantain chip and snack venture paved the path for this family to climb out of food scarcity. Gabriela’s words, “Now we don’t have to go hungry,” underscore the incredible impact of this gift.

Long-Term Impact: From Food Scarcity to Sufficiency

Months after the Jorge’s accident, he was able to return to work with a fully healed leg. His family’s circumstances improved. In addition to his income from woodcutting, Delores now-successful business provided enough for their family’s needs. Their transformation provides a great example of how targeted aid can break the cycle of hunger and lead families towards self-sufficiency.

Your Generosity: The Cornerstone of Hope

The incredible impact of Operation Blessing’s work in Honduras was made possible by the generosity of our donors. Your contributions directly fund life-changing surgeries, provide essential business resources, and offer hope to families facing dire circumstances. You are the reason Jorge can walk again, Dolores can run a successful business, and Gabriela no longer goes to bed hungry.

Join Us in Defeating Hunger: Be Part of the Solution

Your support can transform more lives and help defeat hunger in places like Honduras and beyond. Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to overcoming food scarcity and bringing hope to families in need.

Will you join us in this crucial mission?

To make a difference today and help families like Jorge’s overcome hunger, partner with us! Together, we can create a world where no child goes to bed hungry and families have the opportunity to thrive.

hunger relief in Honduras

Born With Cleft Lip In Cambodia: A Journey of Peace

CAMBODIA – Little Dana’s parents were devastated when their son was born with cleft lip. Medical care in Cambodia was limited, and they did not know what to do for their precious little boy. Dana’s mother grappled with feelings of failure, and his father felt hopeless.

Dealing with cleft lip in Cambodia

The Emotional Toll of Being Born with Cleft Lip

Dana’s early years would be full of difficulties, and his parents longed for a better life for their son. His mother questioned what she might have done wrong during her pregnancy. Regular ultrasounds showed no abnormalities, so the entire family was shocked at Dana’s condition when he was born birth. His father was committed to caring for his son but felt lost about how to provide the necessary medical intervention.

A Turning Point For Dana’s Family

But their fortunes changed when they learned about Operation Blessing, an organization dedicated to helping families overcome challenges like cleft lip. Through the generosity of Operation Blessing and its supporters, Dana received free surgery to repair his cleft lip. The successful procedure not only corrected the physical aspect of his condition but also brought renewed hope and joy to his family.

charity helping children with cleft lip in Cambodia

A Family at Peace

Following surgery, Dana’s transformation began. Not just did his appearance change, but so did his overall health. He was able to begin gaining weight. And his parents finally felt a sense of peace. They were no longer tormented by the reality that they could not do anything for their son. Thank you for having a heart to help other families get the surgery their children need.

Ohio Tornado Survivors Find Hope

OHIO – After the storm, the air hung heavy with an uneasy stillness. The tornado had come and gone through Wapakoneta, Ohio, leaving behind shattered homes, twisted metal, and broken lives. But there, amid the despair that threatened to overwhelm hurting residents, a flicker of hope came to life. For survivors like Robert, a veteran and widower, that hope came in the form of caring strangers—Operation Blessing friends like you. Friends who cared enough to provide Ohio tornado relief to Americans in desperate need.

“I feel like it was a miracle. Because, had I been there, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now,” Robert said of his narrow escape. “I was lying on my bed, taking a nap, and something woke me up—made me feel like I should get out of my camper.”

Upon returning to the decimated campground he once called home, Robert encountered a surreal scene. “Campers thrown everywhere, debris everywhere, people’s personal belongings everywhere,” he recalled. But even in the face of such loss, Robert felt that there was purpose waiting for him on the other side of his painful circumstances. “I’ve been wondering for years what my purpose is. I believe God has a purpose for me, and that’s why I’m still here. I just believe He has a purpose for all of us.”

Ohio tornado recovery

Restoring Hope Through Ohio Tornado Relief

And it was your generosity that helped make it possible for Robert and other tornado survivors to find freedom from hopelessness. Operation Blessing’s disaster relief team swiftly deployed to Ohio, working tirelessly to help victims start again by providing Ohio tornado relief. Your gifts enabled the team to provide essentials like hot meals and also hotel rooms for those who lost homes. This freed survivors from worrying over their basic needs so they could start piecing their lives back together.

For Robert, the assistance was a godsend. “I’m very grateful to Operation Blessing for giving me a place to stay and bringing me hot meals every day, offering me any care that I need, including spiritual and mental support. It’s just been a wonderful blessing,” he shared.

“I could be sleeping in my car— instead I’m staying in a hotel room.”

He was beyond grateful. “I can’t be thankful enough for everything you guys have done, really, and I really appreciate it. Thank you. And I thank God for you.” Your compassion empowered tornado survivors to rise above their troubles, paving the way for healing and restoration.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing hope and freedom to hurting Ohioans when they needed it most. Your impact will be felt for years to come.

Recovery After Hurricane Beryl

TEXAS – Disaster relief efforts in Brazoria, Texas brought so much help to families on their road to recovery. Operation Blessing met residents Michael and his wife Cynthia, and they told us how much this help meant to them. While recovery after Hurricane Beryl has been challenging, our volunteers and donors continue to support the hurting through efforts like removing trees, limbs, and other debris scattered by the storm.

Cynthia said, “We don’t have insurance. We don’t have money to pay for tree cutting services. We were so concerned. What were we going to do?” Michael said, “My wife and I are both retired. She’s disabled, and I’m disabled now because I’ve just had major surgery. We were really worried about how we were going to pay for this.”

Hurricane Beryl volunteers in Brazoria Texas

Recovery After Hurricane Beryl Through Debris Cleanup

Through the generous support of our Operation Blessing partners, we were able to remove large downed trees and branches obstructing Michael’s yard. In addition to providing food, water, and supplies, debris cleanup is essential for recovery after Hurricane Beryl.

Michael said, “I was excited about opening the door. And there was Operation Blessing staring at me—a whole group of guys and girls ready to go to work here. That was fabulous!”

Operation Blessing partner and volunteer Clay said, “You know, it really reinforced my faith knowing the money I’m spending is going into the hands of hurting people. And that’s priceless.”

Cynthia said, “Donors that give to Operation Blessing, don’t stop giving—because these people work. They come and they do what needs to be done, and all in the name of Jesus.”

You can help families like Michael and Cynthia recover after Hurricane Beryl by partnering with Operation Blessing today.

Hurricane Beryl Cleanup Efforts

TEXAS – While the storm itself has come and gone, Hurricane Beryl cleanup efforts continue in Brazoria. Operation Blessing met Kymberly Bagwell and her family to offer help after the storm caused damage to her property. “We hadn’t really had a hurricane hit us the way it did. We heard some trees cracking and some noises outside.”

The morning after the storm, Kymberly checked out her property. “It took my breath away. I mean, it was devastating.” She continued, “The first thing I noticed was my chicken coop. It was leaning. It looked completely destroyed. Then I noticed the big tree in the back that completely covered the backyard and all the debris. There were tree limbs down everywhere.”

Now Kymberly was left to cleanup the debris by herself—a daunting and physically strenuous task for the young mother. With her husband working long hours and her time consumed by her children, Kymberly wasn’t sure how her family could start recovery. “I knew it was going to be a process to get everything back to normal, knowing that this was going to take so long to clean up.”

That’s when Operation Blessing stepped in.

massive damage from Hurricane Beryl

Volunteers Help With Hurricane Beryl Cleanup Efforts

Operation Blessing volunteers were there to help with Hurricane Beryl cleanup efforts. Kymberly shared, “I actually met with a gentleman who was telling me that they were offering help for people with their yard that was a disaster.” She was grateful, “All the guys in the blue that you see, they are in my yard helping me and cleaning my yard up.”

Thanks to the generous support of friends like you, Operation Blessing chopped and removed large trees and limbs from her property, making it safer for Kymberly’s family. “You know, my kids, I don’t have to worry about them getting in any of the trees and the limbs and all of that. I’m very thankful for anyone who chooses to donate with Operation Blessing. They are doing the work out of the kindness of their heart.”

You can help even more families like Kymberly’s by partnering with Operation Blessing.

Transforming Lives with Safe Well Water in Guatemala

GUATEMALA – In the heart of a Guatemalan village, Lourdes, a single mother, faced a daily battle for clean water. Her family’s reliance on a hand-dug, shallow well exposed them to water unfit for consumption. Tainted with minerals, it looked and smelled like rust, and it provided anything but safe well water. Despite the risks, Lourdes and her children had no choice but to consume this unsafe water, as well as collect contaminated rainwater.

contaminated shallow well

The Peril of Unclean Water

The dry season made their situation even worse, compelling a 30-minute trek to an alternative source. Unfortunately, this water had an odd taste that her three-year-old, Camila, didn’t like to drink. They would end up with stomach aches and illnesses that Lourdes could only treat with the simplest of remedies — lime water.

A Community’s Cry for Clean Water

The struggle for a basic human need in this community is a reflection of a larger issue faced by many regions in Guatemala. The quest for safe well water is not just about quenching thirst but securing a foundation for health and wellbeing.

family needs clean water in Guatemala

Operation Blessing: Providing Clean Water with a Safe Water Well

Enter Operation Blessing and friends like you, with a mission to not only provide relief but a sustainable solution. We drilled a deep well equipped with a pump capable of filling a 4,000-gallon tank, ensuring that purified water reaches Lourdes and over 80 families in her community.

testing water levels

The Gift of Health And Safe Well Water

Today, Lourdes no longer fears for her children’s health when they sip a glass of water. Thanks to support from friends like you, the gift of clean, purified water from the well has banished the fear of waterborne diseases and brought new hope to the entire village.

fresh water from the well

Lourdes Thanks You For Your Kindness

For families like Lourdes’, this change is not just life-improving — it’s life-saving. Your kindness has touched the lives of 80 families. Thank you for your faithful support.

safe water wells

Freedom From Worry Through Taiwan Earthquake Relief 

TAIWAN – When the ground started trembling, Grandma Mimi panicked. Earthquakes in Taiwan were not unusual, but this one was different. “The ground kept shaking and the children were crying.” She had to act quickly—to keep her family safe. Mimi gathered them all and fled their home in Hualien County, near the Taroko National Park. Outdoors where nothing could fall on them, they would be safer. 

Taiwan earthquake recovery

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake was the largest the nation had seen in 25 years. It damaged buildings and created landslides that trapped hikers in the national park. In an instant, the once-thriving community transformed from a tourist attraction into a ghost town. And local indigenous families—like Mimi’s—lost their only source of income. That is when you stepped in to provide Taiwan earthquake relief.

When Mimi and her family returned home, they saw that water tanks they relied on for their water supply, including their own, had toppled across the community. Mimi’s was damaged beyond repair. How would she be able to care for her extended family—more than 20 loved ones—without access to water?

broken water tank

“So many children to feed, and life is hard right now,” said Mimi. Many of her adult children lost their jobs when local hotels and restaurants closed for repair after the quake.

But Mimi’s family didn’t have to face this tragedy alone. Your compassion sent food and supplies to help them endure the difficult days ahead. After the earthquake, our team worked with local church partners to distribute more than 300 food bags to families in the Taroko community that were struggling to make ends meet. The extra supplies allowed locals to save their money for other needs, like repairs. Your willingness to provide Taiwan earthquake relief helped the survivors recover.

Taiwan earthquake relief donation

Even with the extra help, Mimi couldn’t afford to purchase a new water tank. Our team saw their need and began searching for new tanks, but they encountered a problem—local hardware stores didn’t have enough for the increased demand.

earthquake relief and support charity

Your Support Helped Earthquake Victims in Taiwan

Thanks to your generous support, we didn’t give up on Mimi and other families who had lost access to water. We kept searching and found the answer through another ministry partner in Taiwan. Together, we secured new tanks for these precious families.

The relief Mimi felt was evident on her face. The burden she had carried since that terrifying day lifted from her shoulders. Now she could take care of her loved ones—as she was always meant to do. Thank you for caring for these dear families during their time of greatest need.

helping Taiwan earthquake victims