What would you do if someone said a container holding 30,400 pounds of wheat was being shipped your way? As the outreach center leader in Romania, Liviu Neagoe welcomed the challenge of this unique gift coming from Operation Blessing's Virginia headquarters. He was already used to receiving a container of humanitarian assistance once a month. Find out how the wheat is helping Romania's poor today!

Every Monday through Friday five Operation Blessing sponsored soup kitchens feed Timisoara's hungry elderly men and women. Guests in desperate situations include the grandmother trying to care for her two-year-old granddaughter on only $24 a month. Let's not forget the man in his late fifties who lost his job and now is homeless. His wife and children found space in a shelter. He works temporary jobs by day and looks for a different place to sleep each night. These three precious people are a few of those who depend on the nutritious hot meal every day. It helps them want to go on living.

In December, 100 soup kitchen guests began to enjoy freshly made bread, rolls, cakes and donuts. It was because the shipment of wheat had arrived! The first few bags of flour had been ground. In addition to baking bread for the soup kitchen every day, meals are delivered to twenty people unable to leave their homes. Fresh bread is also given to several orphanages and very poor families.

When visiting Romania's outreach center in December, OBI representatives saw the first batch of grain being ground into flour. Then they were able to taste the results. More importantly, they saw the gratefulness of the people. "Many were in tears when telling us how thankful they were for the soup kitchen," commented Jodie Nelson, director of outreach. Jodie was thinking of a woman who had shared that her children had rejected her. This lady was alone until coming to one of the soup kitchen locations. She now has friends and a support system. It's common for guests to check on each other when someone doesn't make it for the meal.

"This project's heart includes demonstrating God's abounding love to a generation who lived most of their lives under an oppressive communist regime," shares Jodie. "It also teaches Romania's young generation the value of true charity. Many are understanding the new concept of volunteering and doing it for the first time!" Volunteers include a young girl who was so moved by working in the soup kitchen last summer during Bless-A-Child's job program, she now works there regularly with her mother. They are two of the approximately ten volunteers, one cook and one cook's assistant who are the backbone of the project!

Volunteerism can be contagious! In a continent west of Romania, Sandra and her six children are volunteers at Acts of Kindness, Inc. This Alabama ministry is a part of Operation Blessing's food distribution network. It also played a special part in the lives of Sandra's family. Christmas was coming and they had recently moved to Andalusia from Colorado. Medical bills had pilled up as Sandra's ten-year-old daughter was going through cancer treatments. Acts of Kindness, Inc. gave them food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, blankets and some clothing. Deeply grateful, Sandra wanted to give something back to them. She and her children began volunteering during a December food distribution. They helped over 2,000 people representing 544 families receive food.

Take a moment to think how many grateful people there would be if everyone did their part in helping the hungry around them. You can do it today! Your gift of $25 can provide 175 meals for mal-nourished children around the world.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every day, the fleet of Hunger Strike Force trucks are on the road, delivering nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most. Consider making an online donation today.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2010 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.