You’ve Been There in Their Toughest Times

WORLDWIDE – Another year is wrapping up. And yet again, YOU have faithfully responded to disasters in 2020 all around the world.

Last winter you stepped up when floods hit Africa and tornadoes pummeled Tennessee. When the Philippines faced both an earthquake and a volcano, you sent much needed food, water, and dust masks.

Then came possibly the biggest natural disaster in a hundred years, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe. Because of your compassionate support, we were able to quickly switch directions as we responded to this new crisis, by far the most noteworthy of the disasters in 2020. You provided vital personal protective equipment, masks, and disinfectant products. These reached to the US and around the world, especially providing protection for medical workers and first responders who urgently needed them. Our capacity to create chlorine—thanks to our clean water initiatives—supplied vast quantities for stopping the spread of the virus.

Coronavirus Shutdowns And Hunger Relief

As soon as coronavirus shutdowns began, the biggest need suddenly became food. You quickly responded with emergency food and hygiene supplies throughout Asia, South America, and Africa. You also provided increased grocery distribution, brining hunger relief to families in the US. In addition, you gave invaluable handwashing stations to those in vulnerable areas. And in the meantime, you also sent help to flood victims in Michigan.

One Of The Worst Hurricane Seasons in History

By late summer, as the virus raged on, hurricane season was in full swing. The 2020 hurricane season proved to be one of the of worst in recorded history. When Hurricanes Laura, Sally, and Delta pummeled the Gulf Coast, you sent recovery assistance. This included water, food, and much-needed ice. Our volunteers reached out to tarp roofs and clean debris. When we discovered an entire hospital was struggling without water, thanks to you, we installed a reverse osmosis machine to provide clean water to keep them running during this critical time. You also sent help to fire victims in Ukraine, typhoon victims in the Philippines, and flood victims in Cambodia.

Natural disasters may be a constant in our ever-changing world. But together with compassionate friends like you, we can all be there for victims in need, shining a light in the darkness.

Mindfulness at Christmastime

How often do we go through life on auto-pilot? Racing from one demand to the next? Christmastime can be the worst of all. As we add to our normal schedules, shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, visiting, perhaps parties and kids performances….whew! It’s tiring just to think about! But mindfulness is the important practice of stopping and really thinking consciously about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. And mindfulness at Christmastime is especially important.

having peace at your Christmas celebration

Being Mindful about the Holidays

Is Christmas really about all the gifts, wrapping, and outward trappings? Of course not. Is it about outspending your neighbor? I certainly hope that isn’t the case.

Christmas is about Christ come to earth as a gift of love. It’s about loving others as well. Those gifts…are to show appreciation and how much we care about the people in our lives. And we can do that from the heart without spending extensive time and resources.

Christmas is about the joy, hope, and peace that come through Christ. And if we let ourselves be robbed of these precious commodities, Christmas quickly loses its value and becomes nothing but a source of stress.

Take Time for Mindfulness

So take time to slow down and think this Christmas season. Enjoy an advent devotional to prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus. You can download our free version here. Meditate on the Christmas story. Imagine yourself in the place of a favorite character in that exquisite account of God coming to earth as a babe in a manger. Really listen to the words of those Christmas carols playing everywhere.

Put your focus on that love, joy, hope and peace. Give thought to blessing others, but don’t get overcome with the busyness. Enjoy your loved ones as much as you can.

Give Mindfully this Christmas

And as part of your mindfulness at Christmastime don’t forget to bless others. Yes, it’s true. It’s more blessed to give than to receive. But perhaps the biggest blessing comes from giving to the poor and hurting, not just to your friends and family who have everything they need. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

This Christmas remember to give the best gift of all, the gift of love and encouragement to someone who truly needs it. By partnering with Operation Blessing you can give to those who need it most around the world through clean water, hunger relief, medical care, and disaster relief. Give a special Christmas gift here. Choose a specific gift from our Giving Catalog here. Or donate and receive our Christmas Around the World tradition and recipe book here.

We wish you all a joyful—and mindful—Christmas.

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You Gave Them Clean Water – And Clean Water Means Life

Hands under clean water that means life.

WORLDWIDE – Enjoy these thank you messages that YOU made possible by providing clean water to vulnerable people all around the world. Clean water means life for many people who do not have access to it around the globe.

Your generosity makes providing clean water solutions and access to fresh water possible for men, women, and children who would otherwise suffer due to the inability to access safe water when they need it. Here are some of the comments from people who have benefited from your giving. These individuals in Peru, India, Ghana, Thailand, and Nigeria are just a handful of the people who appreciate your understanding that clean water means life for their children and families.

Thanking You for Clean Water

“Water is life and it is needed for everything…We are so happy and content for having this. I am grateful to God and Operation Blessing for helping us because I think no one else would have remembered about us as you guys did!” – Nazario, Peru

“We were tired from fetching water from the hand pump that is too far from us. We wasted a lot of our time, and because of that we also wasted our work and wages. We were praying for the provision of water for long time. Thank you and may God bless you.” Asha, India

“I wish to thank you for this wonderful gesture. On behalf of the elders and people of Sinawono, we thank you….We had many problems because we shared our water with goats, sheep, and camels. This brought many health challenges to our people. This water is new life for our village.” – Sonaah, Ghana

“We have struggled with no water before. After the project arrived, there is enough water to use conveniently every day. We don’t have to worry anymore. Thank you for seeing our suffering and supporting our village.” – Nattanicha, Thailand

“This water is a dream come true. We never expected such a good thing would come this easy. Having this water in our community gives me great joy. My children suffered and sometimes I had to keep them home from school… Now, the days of suffering are over.” – Naomi, Nigeria

How To Cook Costa Rican Christmas Tamales

COSTA RICA – Merry Christmas from Costa Rica! Today, we’re showing you how to make authentic Costa Rican Christmas Tamales. The recipe may look complicated, but don’t be afraid! Ligia will show you all of the techniques needed to perfect this delicious Costa Rican Christmas dish. These Christmas tamales are stuffed with pork, rice, and other delicious ingredients. Wrap them up in plantain leaves, and leave to boil for 3o minutes. If you can’t find plantain leaves, dampened corn husks work as well. Give these tasty Costa Rican Christmas Tamales a try and let us know what you think! And for more delicious holiday recipes from around the world, visit ob.org/holidayrecipes. Merry Christmas!

Ingredients

8 cups Tamal mix
2 cups cold water
Cooked rice
1 stick margarine
2-3 lbs. seasoned pork shoulder
1 ball of string
Plantain leaves
Carrots & bell peppers
1 cube chicken bouillon
4-6 cups chicken broth

Preparation

Base Mixture or Tamal Mixture

Add Tamal mix to large stockpot
Add water. Begin to mix
Add broth, margarine, and chicken bouillon
Mix together
Heat on stove until boiling
Chop up carrots and peppers
Cook pork fully
And prepare cooked rice with spice to taste
Now prepare Plantain leaves

Plantain Leaves

You can use store bought plantain leaves if you want. Corn husks can work as well.

Heat leaves to make them pliable
Cut into 8 inch squares
Place 2 leaves on top of each other
Now it is time to fill the tamales

Filling Tamales

Add ½ cup of the Tamal mixture base to the plantain squares
Add some pre-cooked pork
Add a few carrots and peppers
Add cooked rice
Fold plantain squares
Cut string into 14” pieces
Now wrap up tamales in both directions
Cover with water and boil for 30 minutes
Enjoy

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How To Cook Kenyan Christmas Githeri

KENYA – Merry Christmas from Kenya! Follow along with Grace as she shows you how to cook this traditional Kenyan Christmas dish. Kenyan Christmas Githeri is a simple dish, but don’t let that fool you! This delicious Kenyan staple will be loved by adults and kids alike. Made with boiled corn, beans, and other vegetables, Githeri is a great healthy addition to any Christmas table. Clean up is a breeze, since everything is cooked in one pot. As the delicious smell of onion, garlic, and curry fills your kitchen, consider joining with Operation Blessing as we strive to put food into the hands of the hungry around the world. Visit ob.org/hunger to learn how you can get involved. And for more delicious holiday recipes from around the world, visit ob.org/holidayrecipes. Merry Christmas!

Ingredients

½ Can diced tomatoes
3 Chopped bell peppers
2 Diced potatoes
2 Cloves minced garlic
1 Chopped onion
1 Cup frozen corn
1 Can of kidney beans
½ Teaspoon curry powder
1 Teaspoon smoked paprika
1 Tablespoon of oil
1 Cup of water

Preparation For Kenyan Christmas Githeri

Mix corn and beans in a large bowl
Rinse, drain, and set aside for later
Heat oil over medium heat
Add onions and cook until soft
Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds
Add tomatoes and cook until soft
Add potatoes and cook until done
Stir in corn and beans from earlier
Add paprika
Add curry powder
Stir well to prevent burning
Add 1 cup of water
Stir and let cook for 15 minutes
Add the bell peppers last
Cook for 2 more minutes
Enjoy

Food For A Single Mother In Need

Jen is a single mother in need. Her two sons have always been her number one priority in life. They enjoy spending time together as a family. Several years ago, Jen opened her own property management company. She instantly saw success, bringing in profit for her family. But years later, one of Jen’s major investors backed out. She was forced to close down her business.

Jen was devastated. She all of a sudden found herself unemployed, as she tried to manage her mounting pile of bills. She often had to choose between the electricity bill and feeding her family. Jen was feeling completely overwhelmed.

But, thanks to generous partners like you, Operation Blessing partner Warehouse of Hope in Georgia was able to provide Jen with help in her most desperate hour! Your kindness provided the food for this single mother in need, lining the shelves at Warehouse of Hope. Canned goods, boxed food, and fresh fruits and vegetables were a godsend to Jen. She was able to stock her pantry on a regular basis, providing healthy and nutritious meals for her sons. Jen’s family was so impacted that they eventually began serving at the ministry, blessing other families in need.

Thank you for your heart to see mothers like Jen cared for! She is now working a new job in finance, motivated by your kindness when she needed it the most. Your love makes all the difference as you work to break the cycle of suffering and provide help for those in need.

How to Make Mexican Christmas Apple Salad

MEXICO – Merry Christmas from Mexico! Follow along with Albina to learn how to make this delicious Mexican Christmas Apple Salad. A combination of apples, raisins, celery, and nuts goes into making this healthy Mexican Christmas dish. But what makes it especially tasty is the cream that goes in at the end! Kids and adults alike will love this festive side dish. All of the ingredients are listed at the beginning of the video. And if you want to learn about even more traditional Christmas recipes, you are in luck! Operation Blessing has gathered delicious holiday recipes from all over the world. Go to ob.org/holidayrecipes to get your copy of Christmas Around the World!

Mexican Christmas Apple Salad Ingredients

7 Apples
2 Cups Of Cream
1 Can Of Pineapple
2/3 Cup Of Pecans
1 Celery Stalk
2/3 Cup Of Raisins
1 Can Condensed Milk

Steps For Preparing Ingredients To Christmas Apple Salad

Cut Up Apples
Chop Pecans
Thinly Slice Celery
Add To A Large Bowl
Add Pineapple
Add 1/2 Cup Of Juice
Add The Raisins
Pour In The Condensed Milk
Pour In The Cream
Mix The Ingredients Together
ENJOY!

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Full Bellies & Grateful Hearts for Struggling Americans

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you have continued to be there for struggling Americans who have been hit hard by the economic crisis it’s caused. Many of our nationwide network of food distribution partners have reported a huge increase in demand for groceries.

In Elizabeth City, North Carolina New Calvary Missionary Baptist Church has partnered with Operation Blessing for four years. Together, we help struggling Americans in their local area who face hunger and food insecurity. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the church has been distributing groceries from Operation Blessing to their community every week. Dr. Caision, the church’s pastor, said, “People are out of work. They have children [to feed]. The first day that we started doing this because of the virus, someone came and was in tears because she didn’t know what she was going to do.”

Grateful for Help in North Carolina

Valerie’s is just one of the many families who have been blessed by your support of Operation Blessing and New Calvary. Valerie used to volunteer with one of OB’s hunger relief ministries. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, she and her husband have struggled to put food on the table for their own two children, Nivayah (6) and Dakota (5). After getting groceries from New Calvary, Valerie said, “I feel grateful. It’s been really great to know that I don’t have to stress about my kids eating right now.”

To make sure that struggling Americans receiving food are kept safe from the virus, New Calvary has implemented “drive-through” distributions. In addition, volunteers use gloves and masks to minimize the chances of spreading the coronavirus.

Food for Those Struggling in America

In times like these, your light shines especially bright. Families in need are blessed and fed through Operation Blessing and our partner ministries like New Calvary Missionary Baptist Church across the country. “Don’t stop giving,” Dr. Caision implores. “Please don’t stop giving, because it’s definitely needed!”

Feeding A Single Mother’s Family in Texas

BURLESON, TX – Chastity is a single mother living with her two children in Burleson, Texas. The little family loves spending time together, especially outdoors. Before the pandemic, the daunting task of feeding this single mother’s family in Texas was not something she had to worry about on a daily basis. But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Chastity’s life turned upside down. Unfortunately the economic struggles of the pandemic would quickly impact this single mother’s family in Texas. “I lost half of my pay,” Chastity told OB staff. “Half of my income for a couple of months! It was very hard trying to make my car payment and trying to keep everything paid by myself.” Bills were piling up, and Chastity began to struggle to feed her kids. As a single mother, she didn’t know where to turn.

But you gave Chastity the help she needed! When Chastity heard about Operation Blessing partner Open Door Church, she knew she had found support. Through your generosity, Open Door Church provided Chastity with a trunk full of groceries. Chastity was overcome when she saw the gift you gave her. “They loaded my car up completely full!” She exclaimed through tears. “I want to thank everyone who gave to Operation Blessing.”

Because of you, Chastity and her children went home knowing they were supported by generous friends all across the country. You can help more families in need by clicking here and coming alongside Operation Blessing. Thank you for supporting us as we bring hunger relief to families at home and around the world!

Fires in Ukraine – Hope for the Hopeless

UKRAINE – After months without rain, the people of Eastern Ukraine weren’t surprised when forest fires broke out. However, these fires in Ukraine proved particularly dangerous due to strong winds that pushed the blaze into residential areas, destroying homes, killing pets, and sadly, killing several people as well.

Thanks to you, our Operation Blessing team responded, bringing disaster relief, hope, and encouragement. However, what we saw on our recent trip there, several weeks after the initial fire, shocked us to the core.

A Picture of Hopelessness after Fire in Ukraine

In the midst of chilly rain, the owners of destroyed homes continued searching through the rubble with hands covered in ash and tears in their eyes. At this point, they’d lost hope of receiving help from their government. We were frightened to realize that a cold winter is on its way, and these people still have nowhere to live.

Elderly widow Kateryna turned away from us in tears when we brought help to her burnt house. Her documents, her phone, and every single thing she owned had been destroyed, except for the clothes she was wearing on the day of fire. She truly appreciated the disaster relief supplies you sent to her. “I never knew that there is so much kindness in our world!” she said. “Thanks for this delicious and fresh meal.”

Tatiana is a young mother of two whose house burned down to the ground. Her family is staying in a shelter and struggling to survive. “Any grocery help is a great support for us,” she said. “We thank Operation Blessings for their concern and help!”

Another victim you sent help to was 40-year-old Ruslan, a father of two children. “This fire took away everything that we had saved,” he said. “Now we have nothing, we have to start everything from scratch. But we are not giving up. After all, we are alive and we are surrounded by such caring people like you. We need to believe that we will cope with this disaster. Thank you for your kind words and support.”

And those are just a few stories of how you’ve sent hope and encouragement to weary victims of fires in Ukraine. Thank you so much for your continued support as we seek to help them rebuild their lives.