Extreme Home Makeover – Operation Blessing Style!

This family of three who had been struck by two hurricanes just received an extreme home makeover from Operation Blessing and The Home Depot.

NORTH CAROLINA – Divya, Terry, and their twelve-year-old son Lucas lived through the heartache of seeing their home in Lumberton, NC, destroyed not once, but twice by hurricane flooding. But thanks to The Home Depot Foundation and Operation Blessing supporters like you, their tragedy is turning to triumph through an extreme home makeover they never imagined.

Divya grew up in Lumberton, and she received her grandmother’s house when she passed away. That place was very special to her and always takes her back to her childhood. She said simply, “It’s home.” So when Hurricane Matthew struck in 2016, the family decided to repair their home and stay put.

They felt certain that Matthew had been a once in a hundred years’ storm. They worked hard to get their home back into shape. Meanwhile, Divya continued working at her small salon in town, and Terry as a corrections officer.

Divya was left this home in Lumberton, North Carolina, by her grandmother.

When Hurricane Florence headed their way this year, they thought their house would be fine. Still, they heeded the warnings to get to higher ground just to make sure they didn’t get trapped. And they took all the precautions they could to protect their house.

It wasn’t until after the worst of the storm, when a nearby river crested later that week, that tragedy struck for a second time. Divya experienced the heartache of seeing her home destroyed with contaminated water and mold once again. She said, “For lack of a better word, it’s a disaster…. I was kind of numb. You don’t want it to be true.”

Facing the flooding with no flood insurance for the second time proved truly challenging for the family. But they managed to maintain their faith. In the midst of it all Divya quoted Romans 8:28. “’All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.’ So that’s where I’m finding peace.”

Divya greeting the Operation Blessing disaster relief volunteers who helped with her flood damaged home.

As Operation Blessing disaster relief volunteers showed up on the scene to help remove flooring, sheet rock, and damaged items from the home, matters began to look up for the family. At the time, Divya said, “Thank you to those who give…. I’m grateful and my heart is leaping. I have some hope now.”

Little did they suspect the relief they received at that time was just the beginning of the blessings in store! On November 27th the couple had a chance to attend The Tonight Show. But they had no idea the surprise waiting for them.

An Operation Blessing disaster relief volunteer helping with Divya's flooded home.

Jimmy Fallon asked them to stand and share a little about their story. Then, to their shock, he announced that The Home Depot Foundation and Operation Blessing would be completely restoring their home. Divya cried as he explained they would receive a new roof, insulation, furnace, flooring, appliances, landscaping, furniture, and more! Then their son Lucas surprised them to join in for a big hug. Check out the heartwarming video.

Once the full extent of the damage to their home was discovered, it was determined that the family would need to move into another, safer home in their town that Operation Blessing and The Home Depot would help fix up. Then Home Depot and Operation Blessing volunteers renovated and refurnished it. This week, the extreme home makeover — known in OB circles as an Extreme Blessing — will be revealed.

UPDATE:

You Sent Relief After Historic Floods in Nebraska

After floods in Nebraska, Linda and her husband, Ralph, stand in front of a pile of flood-soaked belongings.

NEBRASKA – When historic flooding inundated much of the Midwest earlier this year, the destruction was beyond what many residents had ever experienced. “In 20 years I’ve never had [water] get up into the cabin,” said Jack, a long time resident of the area. “But the floods just came through and did a lot of damage to a lot of houses around here.”

Linda, another long-time resident, echoed Jack’s sentiment. “Even as a child I can’t remember Fremont being surrounded by water like it was,” she said. “Now everything is destroyed.”

For flood victims like these, the task of cleaning up and rebuilding can be incredibly overwhelming. But, thanks to faithful Operation Blessing friends like you, Nebraskans like Jack and Linda did not have to face these challenging times alone.

As soon as the waters began to recede, Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief team arrived on the scene. They set up headquarters at Good Shepherd Church in Fremont, Neb., and the call for volunteers went out.

It wasn’t long before teams of blue-shirted Operation Blessing volunteers were arriving at homes like Jack’s and Linda’s. They tackled the laborious work of tearing up ruined floors, cutting out soaked drywall and insulation, and hauling off water-logged furniture and appliances. Volunteers also helped grieving families sort through and recover treasured memories and possessions.

Flood victims were thankful for the help. “We are so appreciative to Operation Blessing for coming and helping us,” Jack said. Linda shared a similar sentiment. “We can’t say enough thank-yous for you guys to come and help us out like this.”

Thanks to your generous support, and the selflessness of all the Operation Blessing volunteers, flood victims in some of the hardest hit areas of Nebraska have received help, relief and hope during a very hard and painful time. Thank you for your kindness and compassion that is touching lives in Nebraska and around the world!

Venezuela Humanitarian Crisis

COLOMBIA – The country of Venezuela is facing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. As seen in the news headlines, Venezuelan families urgently need food, electricity, medical care, and other vital supplies. People are hungry, suffering and even dying. They are truly victims of an unimaginable man-made catastrophe in their country. But thanks to you, Operation Blessing is on the ground in Colombia responding to the desperate cries for help coming out of the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

Refugees Flee Crisis

At the Colombian border, floods of refugees are making the dangerous illegal crossing due to the crisis in Venezuela. As one of the Venezuelan refugees, six-year-old Joel, put it, “There was no food there.” These families are traversing rivers and facing violent government gangs and drug cartels as they flee the desperate situation. But they’re willing to do anything to save their children and their own lives.

A young man named Javier fleeing Venezuela said, “Before people when people migrated, they prepared…. But now people are so desperate, they just grab the first thing they have and come.” He watched families fleeing without even proper clothing. And he believes the Venezuela crisis will continue to get much, much worse.

Operation Blessing Provides Humanitarian Aid

Upon Operation Blessing’s arrival at the Colombian border, our team quickly identified refugees, including families with small kids, traveling long distances on the edge of highways at night in search of relief. Our team immediately began handing out solar lights to help keep these travelers safe. They also noticed urgent unmet needs for medical care, clean water, and hygiene supplies.

Because of your support, a full OB disaster relief team deployed for the Colombian border. Working with refugee stations that organizations like YWAM Colombia had already set up along the way, Operation Blessing medical teams quickly got to work caring for these Venezuelans in great need.

Relief for Exhausted Venezuelan Refugees

Many of the refugees suffered from skin disorders, leg pain, and back pain after their long journey. Operation Blessing staff attended to the sore and injured feet of those who had walked so far to safety. Others needed attention for serious health conditions and were thankful to find medical care.

During this time, thanks to OB friends like you, the team continued distributing solar lights. They brought joy to the downtrodden children with Superbook programs. And they tackled providing clean water solutions to the shelters and refugee camps, starting with a busy outpost near the border.

Providing Water, Food, and Medical Relief

Once basic care was established, you also provided a party with entertainment and hamburgers—a rare treat for these refugees—to encourage and uplift them. And you set up a priceless baby feeding station for the youngest and most vulnerable children who have been lacking proper nourishment for far too long.

You are making a true difference in the midst of this horrific Venezuela crisis. You are giving hope to the desperate and putting smiles on the faces of children in need. Please consider giving a special gift for Venezuelan refugees today. Thank you!

Clean Water for Venezuelan Refugee Shelter

PAMPLONA, COLOMBIA – For the thousands of families fleeing Venezuela, access to clean water is scarce. Even in the shelters many struggle with dehydration or sickness from drinking unclean water. Thanks to our generous partners, Operation Blessing was able to install a water purification system at Marta’s shelter to aid in hydration and healing for suffering children. To see how you can bless crisis victims like these, visit ob.org/crisis.

Learn more about the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

You Helped Them Find New Life in a New Land

Wisam's children dressed in uniforms for school - part of their new life in a new land.

JORDAN – It seems like a lifetime ago, but once upon a time Wisam had a good job in Mosul, Iraq, that allowed him to support his wife, Anwar, and their eight children. The family lived in a Christian community and enjoyed a good life together. Then, ISIS came.

Persecuted Christians in Iraq

The attack was brutal. Tragically, ISIS killed one of Wisam and Anwar’s daughters. Wisam was handcuffed and taken away from his family.

The ISIS attackers imprisoned Wisam in an underground borehole without food for over 72 hours. Thankfully, U.S. Army forces rescued Wisam, and he was reunited with his wife and children. Shortly thereafter, the whole family escaped to neighboring Jordan.

Refugees in Jordan

Unfortunately, their problems did not end when they left Iraq. In Jordan, the family is classified as visitors, and not refugees, by the United Nations. As visitors, they cannot receive benefits or protections from UN programs, and their only option was to move into a rented one-bedroom apartment in Amman. To make matters worse, visitors are not legally allowed to work in Jordan, which left Wisam with no way to support his family. With no money coming in, the children couldn’t go to school.

Things were looking bleak for this Christian refugee family who had already endured so much. “To be honest, I had nothing to feed my children,” Wisam said. That’s when Operation Blessing supporters like you became an answer to prayer for Wisam and his family.

You Sent Humanitarian Aid

Since 2015, Operation Blessing has been working with church leaders in Jordan to bring hope and relief to persecuted Christians and refugees from Iraq. Father Khalil, one of these church leaders, met Wisam and Anwar and connected them with OBI.

Through Operation Blessing supporters, the family received food supplies, winter clothes, a gas heater, and more! Not only that, OBI provided for the school-aged children to attend a local Operation Blessing-supported Christian school, including tuition, transportation, uniforms, school supplies, and even school lunches. “I was happy that my kids are now able to receive an education with your support,” said Wisam, who now helps at the school as a maintenance worker.

Now, after months of tragedy, turmoil, and persecution, Wisam, Anwar, and their children are settling into their new home. It may be small, but thanks to friends like you, it’s got everything they need.

Catastrophe in Southern Africa – Cyclone Idai

Cyclone Idai slamming into southern Africa.

ZIMBABWE – Recently, catastrophic Cyclone Idai hit southern Africa as one of the worst disasters to ever strike that area.

The cyclone first rolled into Mozambique on March 4th, and continued it’s path of devastation over Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, lasting weeks. Winds exceeded 100mph, and at some points floods reached as high as 18 feet. The death toll has currently reached over 750, with many still missing or in need of rescue. Officials suspect that millions have been affected by Cyclone Idai.

Thanks to you, Operation Blessing is responding to a hard hit area of Zimbabwe where the needs are great. Over 20,000 homes have been destroyed. Meanwhile, bridges have been swept away, and mudslides cover access roads. In this area many residents survived on rooftops. And they fear water-borne illness might breakout.

The government of Zimbabwe is heading up rescue missions and food distributions, but they still need so much help! In response to a request, Operation Blessing is sending a team to provide disaster relief such as solar lights, aquatabs, and safe water filtration systems to clean the water. And we’re prepared to provide assistance in other areas such as food, hygiene items, and medical care as the needs become clear. Check back for updates on our disaster response to Zimbabwe.

Please keep the people of southern Africa in your prayers. You can give a special gift to disaster victims in need today.

Relief for Venezuelan Refugees

Venezuelan refugees walk on a highway in the dark with solar lamps from Operation Blessing.

COLOMBIA – Due to an overwhelming humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, citizens are fleeing the border to Colombia in search of food, relief, and a chance at a better life. These refugees risk dangers like government gangs and drug cartels at illegal crossings because they simply must find a way to save themselves and their starving children. They are truly victims of an unimaginable situation in their country. And Operation Blessing partners are responding to their desperate cries for help.

After an advanced disaster relief team assessed the situation and passed out solar lights to protect refugees who travel long distances along highways at night in search of relief, a full team headed for the Colombian border. Working with relief stations that respectable organizations, like YWAM Colombia, had already set up along the way, Operation Blessing medical teams quickly set to work caring for these Venezuelans in great need.

Medical Care for Refugees in Need

Many suffered from skin disorders, leg pain, and back pain after their long journey. Others needed care for serious health conditions, and were thankful to find medical care.

During this time, thanks to you, the team kept distributing the priceless solar lights. They encouraged and brought joy to the downtrodden children with Superbook programs. And they also continued planning to bring the best clean water solutions to Venezuelan refugees in shelters and refugee camps, starting with a clean water station at the YWAM outpost near the border.

Your help is making a true difference in the midst of this horrific humanitarian crisis. You are giving hope to the desperate and putting smiles on the faces of children in need. Please consider giving a special gift for crisis victims during this urgent time.

Learn more about the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

World Water Day and Every Day

WORLDWIDE – We join with the international community in celebrating World Water Day on March 22nd.

Because of you, every day is a water day at Operation Blessing, where we strive to provide clean water solutions for those in need around the world. We approach each unique situation with a fresh eye to provide the best solution possible, whether in the deserts of Judea, the mountains of Haiti, remote villages in Latin America, or areas recovering from natural disasters.

Give Water – Give Life

John 4:10-15 ESV

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.”

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Battling the Venezuela Humanitarian Crisis

CUCUTA, Colombia – The country of Venezuela is facing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. As we’ve seen in the news headlines, Venezuelan families desperately need food, electricity, medical care, and other vital supplies. People are hungry, suffering, and even dying. But thanks to you, Operation Blessing is on the ground poised to help.

An Operation Blessing disaster relief team is on the ground in Colombia at the Venezuelan border assessing the situation and determining the best way Operation Blessing can help. At the border, floods of refugees are making the dangerous crossing into the country due to the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

Map of border between Venezuela and Colombia These families are traversing rivers and risk violence as they flee the desperate situation. But they’re willing to do anything to save their lives and their children.

Relief Efforts for Venezuelan Refugees

Venezuelan refugees crossing the border.

There are desperate needs as the number of families fleeing rises. Operation Blessing is positioned to provide medical care, hygiene items, clean water solutions, and more. Already, the distribution of solar lamps has helped bring light to this dark situation.

Please consider making a special gift to help victims of humanitarian crisis and disaster today. Your support will help Operation Blessing respond to the crisis in Venezuela and other critical humanitarian and disaster emergencies around the world.

Learn more about the Venezuela humanitarian crisis.

Deploying to Alabama Tornadoes – Press Release

Victims of the Alabama tornadoes stand in front of their damaged home in need of disaster relief.

Operation Blessing Deploys U.S. Disaster Relief Team To Lee County, Alabama, For Tornado Relief Efforts

-Volunteers Needed Beginning Friday at 1pm-
-Residents Whose Homes Were Damaged Can Request Free Volunteer Help-

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (March 7, 2019) – The global humanitarian organization, Operation Blessing International, has deployed a team of disaster relief experts and a convoy of equipment to Lee County, Alabama, to assist with relief efforts following a string of deadly tornadoes.

Team leaders from Operation Blessing’s Virginia Beach headquarters arrived in Alabama on Tuesday to assess damages and meet with local emergency management officials in order to determine the areas of greatest need.

The convoy of equipment departed from Virginia Beach early this morning and includes a construction trailer loaded with tools and emergency supplies, a box truck full of relief supplies, and a skid steer for heavy debris removal.

Today, Operation Blessing will set up a base of operations at Golden Acres Baptist Church (3405 South Railroad Street, Phenix City) and will begin coordinating day volunteers beginning tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm.

VOLUNTEER INFO: WANT TO HELP?
Operation Blessing will be accepting disaster relief volunteers daily, except for Sundays. Volunteers should meet at the Operation Blessing base of operations at Golden Acres Baptist Church (3405 South Railroad Street, Phenix City). Please arrive by 8:15am (except for Friday, March 8). Day volunteers do not need to register in advance. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, dress appropriately for work in the field (long pants and hard soled shoes or work boots) and also provide their own transportation to and from the work site. For any questions about volunteering, please call OB’s national volunteer coordinator: 800-677-7974.

RESIDENTS NEEDING HELP:
Residents are invited come in person to fill out a work request for FREE volunteer help at Golden Acres Baptist Church (3405 South Railroad Street, Phenix City) daily (except for Sundays) from 9:30AM – 4:30PM. All residents must fill out a work order form and sign a release form in person, allowing volunteer teams access to your property. Volunteers will not be able to do work without a form SIGNED BY THE HOMEOWNER. Priority is given based on need (elderly, sick, disabled, etc) and is based on volunteer availability. Volunteer services offered include general debris removal, help finding and sorting salvageable belongings, chainsaw work and installing tarps on damaged roofs. For more information on how to apply for help: 757.284-9183

For more information on Operation Blessing International, please visit www.ob.org

ABOUT OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL:

Operation Blessing International (OBI) provides humanitarian services such as strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water and community development in 39 countries in the last year. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing International has touched the lives of more than 321 million people in more than 105 countries and 50 states.

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Contact:
Chris Roslan
Roslan & Campion Public Relations
(917) 538-5629

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Your support is critical in helping families struck by disaster. 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.