A Glimpse of Hope for Abaco Islands

Hurricane Dorian victims at Marsh Harbor in the Abaco Islands.

BAHAMAS – Thanks to the support of faithful donors like you, Operation Blessing responded as soon as possible to help Hurricane Dorian victims in the Bahamas. Our team faced many travel obstacles following this tragedy that devastated the Bahamas and threw the country into chaos. But they persisted in their goal to reach the Abaco Islands with desperately needed aid.

They managed to secure two small boats and loaded them with supplies. After a twelve hour trip on the open sea, they reached the decimated area of Marsh Harbor. The monster category five hurricane had stalled in this area, battering them relentlessly for two days.

Previously, over 17,000 residents called the Abaco Islands home. It’s estimated that the storm destroyed 70% of the buildings. It also took out all infrastructure such as water systems and electricity. The official death toll currently stands in the 40s. However, officials expect it to rise dramatically as the search goes on.

OB’s Director of International Disaster Relief, Diego Traverso, said, “We’ll have diseases coming on because there’s trash all over the place, dead animals, even dead bodies all over the place.” Most relief efforts at this point have focused on evacuating thousands of victims, especially those with critical injuries, from the islands. And many still wait to be evacuated.

Traverso called those remaining “the poorest of the poor.” Some might have to stay on the islands because they have no contacts in other parts of the Bahamas or the U.S. These have gathered in a few large groups to find help and shelter.

Once there, Operation Blessing staff worked tirelessly. Our doctor saw patients and provided first aid and medication to traumatized Bahamians. Our safe water team set up our first solar powered desalination system to give precious clean water to the gathered crowds.

And we handed out hundreds of solar lights to give a glimpse of hope during this dark time. Young children actually danced and played with their lights, finding simple joy in the fact that some relief had made it to them.

We will continue moving in more aid and providing assistance however we can. Traverso said, “We need your help. The Bahamas need your prayers.” At this time, we’re also beginning our outreach to the hard hit areas of North Carolina.

See all the latest on our Hurricane Dorian disaster relief efforts, including touching photos and videos. And please give a special disaster relief gift at this time!

Serving Dorian’s Victims in the Bahamas

https://youtu.be/WtJY21870TI

BAHAMAS – Operation Blessing is helping the Bahamas following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. Thousands of residents have been displaced, as homes, business, and entire communities were destroyed. Your generous support makes it possible for Operation Blessing to travel to smaller islands like Abaco where residents are in desperate need of critical resources as they wait to evacuate. To learn more about how you can help those affected by Hurricane Dorian, visit ob.org/disaterrelief.

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.

Poised in Charleston For Dorian Victims

https://youtu.be/ObYgDB6cYzA

CHARLESTON, UNITED STATES – Operation Blessing stands ready to serve the residents of Charleston, South Carolina, who were affected by Hurricane Dorian. Men, women, and children across coastal South Carolina have been left without power and in need of supplies as they recover from the storm. Your generous support is providing these critical resources for families in need. To learn how you can bless those affected by disaster, visit ob.org/disasterrelief.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Helping Persecuted Brothers and Sisters in the Middle East

Persecuted Christians are thankful for help from Operation Blessing friends.

JORDAN – Bubbly and cheerful young Maryam doesn’t even remember the nightmare her family endured in Iraq when she was just a baby. For her, the days are spent playing with friends at her safe, Christian school in Jordan. But her persecuted Christian family has faced—and still faces—many difficult challenges after suffering for their faith.

A Terrifying Escape From ISIS Terror

When ISIS took over their city of Mosul, Maryam’s parents, along with many other Christians, were sent an eviction notice. Be gone in six hours or be killed. The family had to flee their lovely home, their community, and their employment to escape sure death. As they desperately rushed out of the city, the car they had hired was in accident. It rolled over five times and injured Maryam’s mother. Shortly after, ISIS destroyed their house and much of their Christian city.

For the next several years, Maryam’s father, Sameer, moved between Jordan and Iraq in search of any income. Her mother, Nour, found employment cleaning the American Embassy. And her father ended up working as a driver for the U.S. Army. After establishing such close associations with the U.S., they knew they could never return home again.

Persecuted Christians in Crisis

The persecuted Christian family now resides in Jordan. They live safely in that progressive nation, but still suffer at the same time. Similar to so many who fled ISIS, they haven’t been granted citizenship. But they don’t have true refugee status either. They’re stuck in limbo, hoping to find a new country they can truly call home.

Sameer said, “The biggest problem is that I’m not allowed to work, and everything here is very expensive.” Like most men, he just wants to provide a decent home and living for his wife and daughter.

But thanks to Operation Blessing supporters like you, and our partnership with a Jordanian partner called Messenger of Peace, Maryam’s persecuted family is getting the help they need during this transitional time. They received a heater to better face the cold Jordanian winters, several months’ worth of food, and a Christian education for Maryam.

Persecuted Christians in the Middle East Get Crisis Relief

She now attends a school where she gets nutritious meals every day along with her lessons. Maryam said, “I have a lot of friends… I like to eat with them, study with them, and play with them…especially hide and seek.”

So many Christian refugee families have escaped persecution and are now receiving hope, encouragement and assistance through Operation Blessing friends and partners in Jordan. In addition to food and schooling, they get medical care and free lessons for adults in English, sewing and computers. These new skills will hopefully help them once they find a permanent homeland.

Maryam, Nour and Sameer are still waiting to find their final home in a new country. But in the meantime, partners like you have made a huge difference in their lives. Sameer said, “I’m very happy there are Christian people thinking about helping the Christian Iraqi refugees… I’m very thankful for these people doing things for Jesus.”

Young Maryam also thanked those helping them and praying for them. She summed up her thoughts by folding her hands into a heart and saying, “I love you.”

Staged and Ready for Hurricane Dorian

https://youtu.be/uD7WtF7wI4Y

WALTERBORO, UNITED STATES – Operation Blessing is pre-staged in Walterboro, South Carolina, as the East Coast prepares for Hurricane Dorian. Local churches and emergency response programs have been contacted in case of landfall. As the hurricane approaches, Operation Blessing, alongside our generous donors, continues to pray and prepare to help potential hurricane victims facing Hurricane Dorian in South Carolina. To learn how you can get involved, go to ob.org/obdisaster.

Bracing For Hurricane Dorian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyd11PooFSY&feature=youtu.be

UPDATE: 9/1/2019

Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief Team has been monitoring Hurricane Dorian very closely. This monster storm has been upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane threatening the southern East Coast of the U.S. Coastal residents are bracing for powerful winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, and storm surge. Several of our southern states have declared a state of emergency.

Our advanced team has already deployed with truckloads of food, supplies, equipment, and a shower trailer. They will continue communicating with various local and state emergency officials, church partners, and threatened communities as we prepare for the potential impacts of the storm.

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8/30/2019

UNITED STATES – Hurricane Dorian is racing towards the coast of Florida and is projected to make landfall as a powerful category 4 storm. Because of our generous partners, Operation Blessing stands ready to respond to victims in need once the storm has passed. Our convoy of relief vehicles and supplies is in route to the area. They will be pre-staging just out of harm’s way, poised to respond the moment the storm has passed. Help disaster victims today by going to ob.org/OBDisaster.

Preparing for Hurricane Dorian

UPDATE 9/6/2019

In the Bahamas, we’re continuing to reach deeper into the effected areas with aid. And Operation Blessing stands ready to serve the residents of the Carolinas who were also affected by Hurricane Dorian. Men, women, and children across coastal regions have been left without power and in need of supplies as they recover from the storm. Your generous support is providing these critical resources for families in need. For all the latest, visit our Hurricane Dorian page.

UPDATE 9/5/2019

The Operation Blessing disaster relief team is helping those affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. The storm struck the Bahamas as a Category 5, devastating local communities. Thanks to your support, Operation Blessing is staged to provide critical resources to Bahamian men, women, and children. You are providing aqua tabs and water chlorinators to those who are in desperate need of clean water. And more relief will soon be on its way.

We are also pre-staged in several locations and ready to help on the East Coast of the U.S.

UPDATE: 9/4/2019

Dorian has turned north, skirting the coasts of Florida and Georgia while putting North and South Carolina squarely in its crosshairs. Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief Team is moving equipment to pre-staged in the Carolinas, to prepare for Dorian’s impact.

In the Bahamas, Operation Blessing teams will soon arrive with emergency relief for the beleaguered survivors. Keep checking here for the latest updates on Operation Blessing’s response to Hurricane Dorian.

UPDATE: 9/2/2019

Hurricane Dorian has caused catastrophic damage in the Bahamas. Operation Blessing’s International Disaster Relief team will soon deploy to the area, bringing emergency relief like medicine, water filters, and solar lights. After the initial assessment team arrives, OB will send in doctors to tend to the sick.

Stateside, OB’s U.S. Disaster Relief Team has pre-staged in South Carolina, ready to respond wherever Dorian makes landfall.

UPDATE: 9/1/2019

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8/30/2019
Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief Team has been monitoring Hurricane Dorian very closely. It’s projected to make landfall as a Category 4 Hurricane on the Florida coast on Monday, September 2 or Tuesday, September 3. Florida is bracing for powerful winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, and storm surge. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency.

Operation Blessing’s advanced team is heading to Ocala, FL with truckloads of food, supplies, equipment, and a shower trailer. They will continue communicating with local and state emergency officials, church partners, and members of the community as we prepare for the potential impacts of the storm. Members of our U.S. Disaster Relief Team will be pre-staging equipment from our Ocala warehouse ahead of landfall.

OB’s Blake Mueller said, “Our overall mission is to end human suffering down there in the disaster related area. And how we do that is by setting distribution centers that have non-perishable items along with hygiene products and cleaning supplies to hand out to the community. Not only that, but we offer free, hot meals to the community.”

If you are in the projected path of the Hurricane Dorian, we encourage you to be vigilant as you monitor the potential impact.

Please join us as we pray for those who have already been affected by the storm, and for those who are in its path.

Stay tuned for updates and potential volunteer opportunities as we see Dorian’s impact unfold. And please consider giving a special gift to our disaster relief fund at this time.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You Gave New Life to Human Trafficking Victims

THAILAND – Let’s take a trip to the Mekong region of Thailand where you offer new life. In this river basin area full of forests, wetlands, and rare wildlife, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a rich tapestry of tribes, cultures and languages as well.

You’ll also notice that as the modern world collided with ancient tribes in this beautiful region, problems developed. When Mekong became more urbanized, poverty levels rose in the villages. Today, young women often leave their homes in search of work. But without being fluent in the Thai language—and in many cases not having legal citizenship papers—these girls become targets for human traffickers.

Young Women at Risk for Abuse and Human Trafficking

But as you continue to explore this region, you’ll see a bright spot in the troubling situation. Through Operation Blessing’s partnership with New Life Center Foundation, YOU make a huge difference in the lives of trafficked, exploited and vulnerable young women in Thailand. Thanks to your support, the center provides a home, medical care, counseling, advocacy and skills training to help the girls start a brand new life. The center also conducts anti-trafficking campaigns and holds classes in vocational skills. This helps protect other village girls from ever falling prey to human traffickers in the first place.

Laina* arrived at New Life after being sexually abused and giving birth to a child at the tender age of 11. When she arrived, she felt worthless. She said, “I felt irreparable, like a piece of glass that had been shattered.”

Anti-Trafficking Initiatives

But thanks to the care and support you provided through Operation Blessing and New Life, Laina has come a long way over the past two years. She’s experienced restoration through counseling and therapeutic activities. She’s learning to read, write, sew and bake. Laina now says, “I’m finding clarity and relief about what happened, and about my own feelings. I’m learning new, healthy ways to think and gaining confidence in my own value.”

That’s the difference you’ve made in the lives of Laina and so many other girls like her. Thank you for partnering with Operation Blessing to support such vital and life-changing programs around the world.

*Name changed to protect victim’s identity

Still Sending Help and Hope to Hurricane Michael Victims

OB friends are still sending help and hope to this Hurricane Michael victim in Florida.

FLORIDA – Ten months after Hurricane Michael struck the Florida panhandle, Mexico Beach is still a shadow of its former self. As you drive down the deserted streets of the once-sought-after resort town, empty lot after empty lot remind you that, less than a year ago, the category 5 storm came ashore and relentlessly swept away homes along the coast.

Many families are still struggling in the aftermath of this destructive storm. But thanks to your support, Operation Blessing volunteers have returned to the area and recently began work on the Peterson’s house in Mexico Beach.

Tragedy in Mexico Beach, Florida

The Peterson’s lived just a few blocks from the gulf. They would have stayed for the hurricane. But thankfully, their grandson begged them to evacuate, and they agreed.

They returned a few days later with a generator and supplies to a scene of total devastation. The house stunk like an outhouse. The roof had collapsed, and their possessions were destroyed. Marie said, “Everyone was walking around in a daze, like, who do you help first.”

In many ways, the following months have been a continuation of that nightmare. With heavy hearts, they dragged all their ruined belongings to a dumpster. They eventually stripped the house to get rid of the mold that set in from all the water damage. Although they’ve enjoyed visits with their grandchildren, much of their time has been spent without heat, air conditioning, walls, flooring and furniture.

The couple’s insurance company helped them replace the roof and siding of their home, but the inside has been gutted down to the studs for the last ten months. Marie said, “These are just material things, but it’s the stress of having to cope with it.”

In addition to the other tragedies they’ve faced, Marie suffers with Parkinson’s disease, and Herman has dealt with heat stroke while attempting repairs. After so many long months, they were running out of hope of ever having their house back to normal.

Operation Blessing Makes a Difference for Hurricane Victims

Then they had a “chance” encounter with an Operation Blessing employee at an unrelated service project after a tornado in Alabama. They shared their story, and we knew that because of support from Operation Blessing friends like you, we could make a huge difference for this family. Marie said she believes, “The Lord put us all there together.”

Marie wept and still seemed incredibly overwhelmed as we arrived at her home. OB volunteers are now busy installing new drywall, ceilings, insulation, and flooring to get the Petersons back into a real home. Marie said, “I’ll have walls. I’ll be able to look up and see a ceiling. I won’t be sweeping concrete! I want to tell you how grateful I am for your sacrifice and service!”

Thank you for making this and other ongoing disaster relief possible in Mexico Beach, around the U.S., and across the globe! Please give a special gift to help disaster victims today.

In Memory of John Chappell

John Wade Chappell passed away peacefully on July 25, 2019 in his home in Norfolk, VA at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Mussat Chappell; daughter, Victoria Chappell Harvey and her husband, David Harvey III; brother, Donald Ellsworth Chappell; his wife, Wendy Weiler Chappell; and their daughter, Caroline Chappell Hazarian.

John was born in Norfolk, VA on February 22, 1939 and grew up in Chesapeake, VA where he graduated from Oscar Smith High School in 1957. He earned a B.S. from The University of Virginia in 1961. After graduating, John joined the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Captain.

John began his career in New York at The Chase Manhattan Bank. After leaving Chase, he advanced his career at Bache, Halsey, Stuart, and Co.; Cross & Brown Co.; Christian Broadcasting Network; Paine Webber; and Morgan Stanley. He specialized in investment banking focusing on real estate. For the past 13 years John was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Wellington Shields and Co., LLC.

John was passionate about helping others and accomplished this through The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem and Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. He was instrumental in forming The Committee to Save St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City in the late 1970s.

John gave back to the community he loved by serving as a Commissioner for the Transportation Safety Commission and South Norfolk Revitalization Commission for the City of Chesapeake. He also served as Transportation Chairman for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

John was a member of the St. George’s Society of New York, the South Norfolk Ruritan Club, the Atlantic Masonic Lodge #2 AF&AM, and the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club.

A private family burial will take place at Rosewood Memorial Park. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Norfolk, VA on August 26, 2019 at 2 p.m. where John has been a long-time and devoted member. In lieu of flowers an account has been formed with Operation Blessing’s Living Water Program in John’s honor to help those without access to clean water.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

As a memorial to John, you can help bless men, women, and children with the priceless gift of clean water, a gift that has the power to change lives. Click here to make an online donation in honor of John’s life today. Thank you for your compassion to bless the hurting.