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

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.

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!

Gifts that Keep on Giving

Dora in Kenya received gifts that keep giving

KENYA – Like the bright morning sun’s rays at dawn, Dora’s smile is bright and warm, her handshake firm, her hug motherly and reassuring. It’s hard to tell all that Dora has been through in her life, but she’s also received many priceless gifts.

As a mother of seven, Dora has single-handedly done everything possible to provide for her family. She has no education, so finding a job has been a challenge. And without land to farm, her family’s fortune depended solely on her ability to find casual work, which was hard for an aging woman with few skills.

“I did not have the opportunity to go to school because during our times girls were not allowed to go to school. Girls stayed home to help their mothers and to learn to become wives. Because sooner than later, they would be married off,” Dora said.

Whenever she went out to search for work and found none, she dreaded the look of despair she would find on her children’s faces. “There is nothing more saddening than returning home to your hungry children empty handed. It broke my heart, but what could I do? I only prayed to God and waited,” Dora said.

Not only did Dora not have enough food or money to take care of her family, they had no water in her village. Whenever she wasn’t out looking for work, she trekked many miles through dangerous terrain full of wild animals for water. What she managed to carry back was hardly enough for her family and their few goats to drink.

“I do not wish my children to go through the problems I have been in life, so I am always praying to God to help me take all my children to school. It’s not easy, but I have faith, and now Operation Blessing is here!”

Because of your generous gifts, today Dora and her family have a lot to be thankful for. Her bright infectious smile tells of the miracles they’ve experienced.

Several years back, your faithfulness allowed Operation Blessing to build a school in her remote village of Sompet right next to her home. This made it possible for her younger children to attend preschool, where they learned for free, got a snack, and ate a healthy meal each day.

You also sent abundant clean water right to her village through a new well. “It’s incredible that just a few years ago, we would go for days without bathing. Our goats would go without water. But now, we can drink clean water, wash and bathe as many times as we want! God is great!” She laughed as she shared her story.

But you didn’t stop the gifts there. Operation Blessing provided Dora with a plot of land to farm as well as seeds and supplies, so she could grow crops to sustain her family. She’s also part of our poultry project, which generates both food and income. Now her family has plenty to eat and doesn’t have to worry about going hungry.

You’ve given Dora the best gifts of all, the gifts that keeps on giving—the opportunity to advance in life through hard work! Dora said, “I can’t thank God enough. I can’t thank Operation Blessing enough for everything you have done for my family. I don’t know what I would have done without your help and kindness. May God truly bless you!”

*Field Report by OB Kenya Media Manager, Tim Wainaina

Relief for Kenyan Landslide Victims

Landslide following Cyclone Idai in southern Africa.

KENYA – Although you might not have heard much about it in the news, the Pokot area of Kenya has faced severe devastation in recent days.

Floods and Landslides Strike Pokot

Floods and landslides have killed over 50 people, including children who were swept away from their families. Crops and livestock have been destroyed. And thousands have been displaced by the torrents of water and mud.

Many Kenyan landslide and flood victims have been forced into campgrounds to survive. Meanwhile, aid organizations have had a difficult time getting supplies to this hard to reach area.

You Sent Disaster Relief

Thankfully, because of your support, we moved quickly to the scene. Operation Blessing was able to work with contacts in the area and get the much-needed items to the victims. You sent blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and clean water sources.

Our teams began by distributing disaster relief supplies to those who had lost their homes completely. Thanks to you, we then passed out more supplies to those unable to return to homes in vulnerable locations. You helped approximately 1,800 people.

Simon lost his home, his wife, and his three children, but he found the strength to smile when he received his gifts of aid. Naomi lost a child, a brother, home, crops, and livestock. Yet she still found time to help as a volunteer to distribute the supplies.

Please keep the Kenyan landslide and flood victims in your thoughts and prayers. And consider giving a special gift today.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Responding to the Albania Earthquake

Destruction from the Albania earthquake.

ALBANIA – Recently a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the northwest region of Albania, killing at least 51 people and leaving hundreds of others injured.

People are sleeping outside, as even those with homes are afraid to go indoors due to aftershocks. In addition, the hundreds of aftershocks have complicated the rescue efforts. People in the area are in dire need of help.

Churches have moved into the area with food, blankets, and other supplies. One pastor said, “Everybody here has suffered some measure of material damage.”

And thanks to your support, Operation Blessing is responding with disaster relief to the Albania earthquake. We are currently planning and preparing our response to this devastating crisis. Check back for more details as they become available.

Please consider giving a special gift to disaster victims at this time at ob.org/give/disaster

Sending Help in their Darkest Hours

SYRIA – Thanks to you, Operation Blessing is able to rush relief to disaster and crisis situations. Whether the emergency results from natural causes, or man-made turmoil, you are sending help to victims in their darkest hours along with love and support.

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 turmoil. 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.

Operation Blessing’s Diego Travero explained, “Operation Blessing has been here since 2014. We originally came here because of ISIS attacking the minorities. We provided food, shelter, solar lamps and the most needed help thanks to you. And again they need our help. They need our prayers.”

Philippine Earthquake Relief

PHILIPPINES: The past days had been difficult for the people of the Philippines. Three consecutive earthquakes shook their nation destroying homes, business establishments, infrastructures and farms.

Damage and crumbled buildings from the earthquake in the Philippines.

Tremors Rock the Philippines

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.

Operation Blessing Friends Send Help

Operation Blessing Disaster Response team rushed in to help following the Philippine Earthquake. Thanks to your faithful support, we’ve distributing close to 1000 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.

Thank you for your ongoing support that enables us to respond quickly in disaster situations like the Philippine Earthquake. If you would like to give a special gift to disaster victims at this time, please visit ob.org/give/disaster-relief

Ready to Love and Serve in Any Disaster

Operation Blessing chef Lonnie Dushane ready to love and serve in disaster.

UNITED STATES – Thanks to you, Operation Blessing teams are ready to love and serve wherever and whenever we’re needed most. Today, we’d like to give you a behind the scenes peek at how that works.

Meet Lonnie Dushane, Operation Blessing’s new production chef. Lonnie is responsible for running our mobile kitchens during times of disaster. His work helps provide up to 3,000 meals a day at a disaster scene!

Lonnie has a background in both the restaurant business and military logistics. He’s also part of a close-knit family, including his wife Judy of 56 years and two sons. He owned and ran a restaurant with one son for seven years, which led to him supplying food to disaster zones. He also writes, speaks, and volunteers his time with drug addicts, the homeless, and abuse victims. Lonnie says, “I’m just an ordinary old man, but God opens the doors and I walk through them.”

Operation Blessing first ran into Lonnie following Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach, Fla., when Lonnie had taken a food truck to the disaster site. Lonnie turned out to be a kindred spirit, and soon joined the OB team as a production chef. He manages our three mobile kitchens, which he keeps up to date with the most efficient equipment. And he stocks them full of supplies, including lots of spices to keep the meals tasty.

Today, Lonnie, the mobile kitchens and OB stay on the alert and ready to serve whenever needed. Lonnie says that while people often look for some huge monumental purpose in life, “My purpose is just to love everyone the best that I can.”

It’s why Lonnie, and so many like him—including compassionate partners like you—are a part of Operation Blessing.