COVID-19 Virus Creates Food Shortages

UNITED STATES – The Coronavirus outbreak is placing burdens of hunger in the homes of many Americans. Operation Blessing and our partners remain dedicated to getting food into the hands of the people who need it most. Visit ob.org.

You Gave Clean Water and Fresh Food to a Boy in Need

Carlos received safe water and hunger relief in Mexico.

MEXICO – Not far from Guadalajara lies Lake Chapala, the largest freshwater lake in Mexico. Surrounded by mountains and green hills, the lake’s beauty attracts tourists, vacationers and retirees from nearby cities and around the world. Along the lakeshore, numerous towns and villages rely on the lake for fish and for water.

Polluted Water From Lake Chapala And The Need For Clean Water Solutions

But Lake Chapala’s scenic views hide a deadly secret—heavy metals. Flowing down the Lerma River from numerous industrial operations, the heavy metals, along with other toxic substances, empty into the lake, making its polluted water unsafe to drink and its fish unsafe to eat.

For the poor living in communities along the lake, the water’s toxicity has had devastating consequences, especially for children and the need for new clean water solutions has never been more critical. OB staff receive many reports of birth defects, kidney disease, and stymied mental development among residents. But there are other issues here too. Malnutrition and lack of healthy food create constant problems for adults and children alike. One of the roots of chronic malnutrition is the polluted lake water, which makes growing safe food difficult in the area.

Your Support Helps Provide Clean Water Solutions

With all they faced, the poor villages on the lake needed help. That’s when YOU sent Operation Blessing. Thanks to your support, teams from OB Mexico began working to provide clean water solutions and improve nutrition along the lake. These efforts brought Operation Blessing staff to the El Chalpicote elementary school where we met seven-year-old Carlos.

Clean Water Solution From A Rainwater Catchment System

Carlos is a rambunctious and fun-loving little boy, who enjoys chasing his friends around the school during recess. He, like the other children at the school, lives close to Lake Chapala and has had limited access to healthy food and clean water. Thanks to the kind and compassionate support of Operation Blessing friends like you, OB Mexico staff installed a rainwater catchment system at El Chalpicote, so that Carlos and his friends can have clean water to drink.

Not only that, OB partners built an organic garden at Carlos’ school. You provided nutrition and gardening classes so that Carlos and his classmates can learn how to grow nutritious food and eat a well-balanced diet. At first Carlos seemed a bit wary of vegetables, instead preferring potato chips as his snack of choice. However, after getting to participate in the classes and in planting the veggies, Carlos became excited to try them all. When harvest time came, Carlos was the first to try the lettuce, and he loved it!

It’s only because of the faithful and generous support of Operation Blessing partners like you that we can bring life-changing clean water and hunger relief to people like Carlos. Thank you for showing God’s love to the poor in Mexico, the U.S., and around the globe!

Back on Track after the Nashville Tornado

Patrice gets help from Operation Blessing in Nashville tornado relief effort.

TENNESSEE – Years ago, Patrice received the amazing blessing of a Habitat for Humanity home. She, along with her three daughters and first grandchild, settled into the community, built strong ties, and many loving memories in that home. More recently, she enjoyed caring for her great-grandchildren in the same house. But a violent tornado nearly took it all away.

Patrice didn’t hear any sirens that night. Then she heard a sound like explosions. The house started shaking and windows shattered. Once she realized what was happening, she felt as if God told her to move and take shelter in a safer area of the house, where she rode out the storm. After the tornado passed, it took her awhile to push past the debris blocking her front door. “When I stepped out here,” she said, “I was just dumbstruck.”

Unlike some of the homes nearby, Patrice’s house still stood, but the tornado had taken part of the roof and left the interior and yard in shambles. Patrice explained that because she’s disabled, she had no idea how to get her home back in order.

When the Operation Blessing team arrived, she felt incredibly relieved. They quickly got to work clearing debris, tarping her roof, covering her windows, and helping her sort through the rubble in her home, finding some cherished items along the way. “I’m just very blessed by everyone who came out from Operation Blessing…because I didn’t have a clue,” she said.

Nashville Tornado Recovery Efforts…Thanks To You

Thanks to you, OB workers and hundreds of volunteers provided disaster recovery to the people of the Nashville area. You also sent over 30,000 pounds of groceries to local food pantries, and made it possible to deliver pillows, sheets, blankets and towels donated by Ikea to those in need after the tornado.

Patrice said, “You just don’t know how much I appreciate you guys being here, being so supportive. God sent an angel, and then sent all the rest of the angels—you guys.” She now feels back on track to move forward with her life. And to all of you who made this possible, she said, “I love you!”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

During times of crisis and disaster victims desperately need your help. Click here to make an online donation today. Your gift can make a huge difference. Thank you for your compassion to bless the hurting.

You Can Give Justa a Miracle

“Can the Lord not hear my cry?” Justa asks through tears. Justa and the members of the remote community of Pistuni, Peru need your help. For years, these people have walked for hours each day to reach their only source of water: a muddy hole in the ground. The contaminated water causes severe illness among the families, but they have no choice. But YOU can be the miracle these people desperately need. By partnering with Operation Blessing, you can give Justa a state-of-the-art water purification system. Go to ob.org/waterday to learn more.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Your support is critical to providing relief for the hungry, water for the thirsty, medical care for the sick, disaster relief for those in crisis, and so much more. Click here to make an online donation today and let your gift make a significant impact in the lives of those who urgently need it.

Operation Blessing Gearing Up in Nashville

NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES – A devastating EF-4 tornado has ripped through Nashville and surrounding areas. Operation Blessing is bringing emergency relief and sending out volunteer teams to help victims clean up and recover. Thanks to your support, we are on the ground in Nashville, making contacts with local authorities and bringing in trucks full of disaster relief supplies. Please continue to pray for the victims as we do all we can to bring relief. Help disaster victims at: ob.org/obdisaster.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Nashville Tornado Recovery – Deadly Storm Rips Through Tennessee

Disaster Relief Donation For Damage from Nashville tornado.

TENNESSEE, USA – The deadly EF-4 Nashville tornado ripped through eastern Tennessee early Tuesday with 175 mile per hour winds, leaving behind total devastation. At least 24 people lost their lives.

High winds destroyed dozens of buildings and homes, including large structures in the downtown part of Nashville. While the greatest impact of the Tennessee tornado damage hit Nashville, a number of areas were also affected: Davidson, Putnam, Wilson and Benton. Putnam County reported the largest number of casualties in early estimates.

Nashville Tornado Recovery

Operation Blessing is on the ground to provide disaster relief to victims of the Tennessee tornado. Nashville tornado victims and those in the surrounding areas will receive disaster aid in the form of food, water, and recovery assistance. Operation Blessing will be providing disaster recovery supplies and volunteer mobilization in the coming days.

OB is often one of the first humanitarian organizations on the ground following natural disasters in the U.S. and around the world. To help with tornado assistance and disaster relief around the globe please visit: ob.org/obdisaster

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Ready to Serve After Nashville Tornado

NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES – Nashville and its surrounding areas are reeling after a devastating EF-4 tornado swept through town on March 3. Buildings are flattened, cars are buried in debris, the power is out until further notice, and tragically 24 lives have been lost. However, Operation Blessing is on the ground, assessing the situation and preparing to spring into action. The victims of the Nashville tornado are in desperate need. Go to ob.org/obdisaster to send emergency relief to disaster victims.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Operation Blessing Responding to Nashville Tornado

Operation Blessing is sending a response team to Nashville, Tennessee following the devastating tornadoes on March 3. Follow along as we provide disaster relief to Nashville and surrounding areas. Go to ob.org/obdisaster to learn how you can send relief to the victims of the tornadoes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Sending Love in Their Darkest Hours

WORLDWIDE – Thanks to you, Operation Blessing is able to rush relief to people in disaster and crisis situations. Whether the emergency results from natural causes, or man made turmoil, you reach out to victims in their darkest hours with love and support. Over the last several months we’ve been very busy helping victims of Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Imelda recover from disaster related damage. And here are some of the other crises you’ve responded to recently, by sending love both through immediate aid and long-term assistance.

SYRIAN AND KURDISH REFUGEES – Sending Love through Disaster Relief in the Midst of Turmoil

When Turkish forces invaded Syria, Syrian families fled the conflict area with little beyond the clothes on their backs. Many poured over the border into the Kurdistan region of Iraq, while others remained trapped in Syria.
One aid worker said, “If you talk to people here…you will feel their sadness, their suffering. They’ve lost hope.”

Christians, Kurds, Yazidis and Muslims alike all left the area, looking for a safe place to take refuge from the disaster related damage. Immediately, you sent aid via our Kurdish partners, the Barzani Charity foundation. You provided food, water, blankets, shelter, hygiene kits and more to the weary refugees on both sides of the border. Together with Barzani, we shipped convoys full of supplies to those in need.

Even after the official cease fire, the area remained dangerous and conflict-ridden. The Turks seemed intent on an ethnic cleansing. Before long hundreds of thousands were reported to have left the region in search of peace. And you continued sending love and relief their way.

PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKE RELIEF – Immediate Disaster Aid for the Hurting

Starting in late October, multiple earthquakes shook their nation destroying homes, business establishments, infrastructures and farms. The Cotabato area was first hit by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, followed by several aftershocks leaving 22 dead, 424 injured and 4,800 families traumatized and displaced by the natural disaster.

An Operation Blessing team rushed in to help following the earthquake. Thanks to your faithful support, we’ve distributed close to 1,000 relief packs to affected families. They’ve received tents, blankets, food, hygiene kits, and medicines. In addition, you are supplying victims with clean water, medical care, trauma counseling, and vital encouragement.

The OB team has even been providing fun activities for the children, to keep them occupied and lift their spirits during this painful time.

MEXICO BEACH, FLORIDA – Sending Love through Long-term hurricane relief

Ten months after Hurricane Michael struck Florida, Mexico Beach was still a shadow of its former self. Many families still struggled in the aftermath of this destructive storm. But thanks to your support, Operation Blessing volunteers returned to help those who hadn’t yet recovered, including Marie and Herman in Mexico Beach.

The couple lived just a few blocks from the gulf. They drove home several days after the hurricane to a scene of total devastation. The house stunk of stagnant water. The roof had collapsed, and their possessions were destroyed. The couple’s insurance company helped them replace the roof, but the inside remained gutted down to the studs for 10 months. Between Marie’s Parkinson’s disease and Herman’s heart and respiratory issues, they were running out of hope of ever having their house inhabitable again.

Then you sent OB to help! Marie wept and still seemed incredibly overwhelmed as we arrived at her home. OB volunteers quickly installed new drywall, ceilings, insulation, and flooring to get the Petersons back into a real home. “I want to tell you how grateful I am for your sacrifice and service!” Marie said.

Thank you for sending your love to those in need during their darkest hours of natural disaster and crisis all around the world.

Reaching Out to Many Tribes, Tongues, and Nations

WORLDWIDE – One of the great things about partnering with Operation Blessing, is that you have a chance to reach out to so many different tribes, tongues, and nations. By sending humanitarian aid around the world, you show people from various backgrounds how much God loves and cares about them.

In each region, our programs are tailored to the specific needs and cultures of the people who reside there. We stay hard at work on your behalf in over 30 countries. So we wanted to give you a quick peek into what that looks like.

And behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb – Revelation 7:9 NKJV

Africa – Africa is full of many tribes and languages. You’ve transformed entire Maasai villages in Kenya. You offer life-changing surgeries throughout Burundi and Tanzania. With health training, agriculture and poultry projects, schools and nutrition programs, and strategic partnerships to assist vulnerable families, you create lasting change. During times of famine, drought and cyclones you’ve been there too, sending food, clean water and more.

Asia – To many people groups throughout Asia, you provide important care like life-changing surgeries, mobile medical clinics, and water wells for remote communities. You offer skills training to help people break out of poverty and abusive situations. Through partnerships, you help rescue women from human trafficking in nations like Thailand and India. And provide them with vital after care. During the infamous earthquakes and tsunamis of that region, you quickly send disaster relief.

Middle East – In the Middle East, you bless Jews, Christians, Arabs, Kurds, and Yazidi’s alike. Elderly Holocaust survivors receive support and medical care. Refugees get emergency aid as they flee the terrors of ISIS and foreign invasions. In the Judean Desert, you provide clean water solutions and emergency food supplies to Bedouin tribes. And you send relief to persecuted Christians throughout the Middle East and beyond.

Caribbean – In the poor country of Haiti, you offer support to several communities. This includes medical care, dental care, clean water, and schools for the children. You also provide enriching programs like chess, art, soccer, and martial arts. Older children have a chance to continue their educations thanks to scholarships and housing. When storms such as this year’s Hurricane Dorian hit the Caribbean, your love and support is there for islanders in their hard times.

Latin America – Whether to the mountains of Guatemala or the jungles of the Amazon, you send vital aid to the nations of Latin Americans. Community Health Volunteer training, medical and dental brigades, school nutrition programs, and clean water initiatives all provide better health. Microenterprise opportunities, educational support, housing, and agricultural programs offer opportunities to break out of poverty. And during volcanoes, floods, and earthquakes, you’re there making sure victims have essential disaster relief.

United States – Here at home in the U.S., there are still many needs to be met. Hunger in America is a real issue. The sick, elderly, disabled, unemployed, and working poor often need supplemental food. Because of you, our Hunger Strike Force delivers semi-truck after semi-truck full of groceries to our distribution partners every month. During times of disaster, you send immediate food, water, and hygiene supplies to reeling communities. In addition, both our donors and our volunteers provide help restoring the homes of disaster victims.

Thank you for sending God’s love to those in need, both around the corner and across the globe!