Each day the widows of Kabul fear for the future of their families. In a society where men earn the primary source of income, Kabul's streets are filled with women persistently begging. One can not walk the streets without being approached by one of them. Through the eyes of OBI's relief worker, look into some of these women's lives...

While I was visiting a quilt project, a worker named Susan came up to me and all of a sudden began to cry. Tears were pouring like a child and I could not take it myself. She showed me her scarred hands from learning to sew quilts. She asked, “Sir, could you please give us some food items? My children did not have rice or beans for many months. With the little money I have I am not able to afford such items.”

My heart sank, as she shared her story...

Susan grew up in the beautiful historic city of Kabul, Afghanistan. She remembers the freedom of being able to go out with her friends and shop without being watched or followed. Clean water once ran through the Kabul River. The parks were filled with children and it was so pleasant to take a walk in the cool evening. Once the beautiful architecture and greenery of the Kings Palace was a center of attraction, but it now lies in shambles. Half of the city was destroyed by factional fighting. Parks are not lively. Women are scared to go out. "The beautiful city of Kabul is only memories,” Susan shared.

“We suffered very much. We lost our home and two brothers. Twice my husband, five children and I fled to Pakistan. We returned six years ago thinking the situation in Kabul was back to normal. To our dismay, it was not. We suffered much more. My husband could not find a job and without the help of friends we would not have made it. We could not depend on our friends for long as they were suffering too."

Susan continued, "To take care of the family, my husband joined one of the local warlords who promised to pay well in order to fight for power. I did not see him for six months and did not receive any money. When I could not take it any longer, I sent a message to the warlord through a neighbor to see the welfare of my husband. 'I am sorry, your husband was killed three months ago,' was the reply from my neighbor.

"I looked at my children and did not know what to do. I cried for days. The children were crying from hunger and at times I wanted to kill myself. After searching for help I found a job in making quilts. I was promised 50 cents a quilt and hurried home to try to finish as many as possible. Not knowing how to sew, I hurt my fingers badly. Even with pain, I was only able to do one in three days. Within two weeks I was able to complete two per day. With little money I was able to keep my children fed.”

More widows in the quilt project came to me and began to share and show their scared hands. I prayed for wisdom. I felt the Lord saying, “Feed them.”

On January 16, Operation Blessing distributed food items to 510 widows. As I came by the distribution area, there were 200 women already standing at the gate. It was difficult to control the crowd because others had heard of the distribution and came in hopes of also receiving assistance. I met four other women who were not on the list. Hearing their stories hurt my heart. One of the ladies and her children collected garbage and used plastic materials to support themselves.

There was another woman sobbing and pleading to not be turned away. She looked as though she had walked for miles to get to the distribution center. Tired and weary, her clothes were torn. I could not turn these women away. They were given food packages and they went home with a thankful heart.

As I reflected on the day's distribution, I would truly say the Lord was there. Hurting women had nowhere else to turn to, but Operation Blessing was there during this critical time in their lives.

Later that day I visited Susan. She was living with a friend. The area was filthy. I met Susan's young children. They were not going to school because they couldn’t afford books or clothing. She prepared rice Operation Blessing had given her in the morning. I sat with them and had a simple lunch. Over and over she said thank you.

Although I was happy they had something nutritional and tasty to eat, I went away discouraged because that would only last her for three months. I wish we could do much more. I asked Susan if there is anything she needed. She said the children do not have good clothing. I got some material for Susan and she was very pleased.

Please remember the widows like Susan who have received help from Operation Blessing. I hope I can return and help them more.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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