Gifts That Keep On Giving Help to a Struggling Mom

UNITED STATES – One of the most beautiful things about helping Operation Blessing is how the very people you help then turn around and bless others, creating exponential impact in the world. Your support lets us partner with organizations like Freedom Church and its food distribution program—a partnership that connects your gifts to the people who need them most, including the struggling mom who is trying to feed her family during tough times.

Pastor Fred of Freedom Church couldn’t agree more. “The weekly distribution was supposed to last for two or three months—now it’s continued for four years,” he said. “It’s been an amazing relationship. Over the last four years, we reached over 5,000 families.”Families like Wilma’s in Virginia. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, her husband and one son were stuck overseas. Then Wilma lost her part-time job working as a nanny, but she still had two sons at home to care for. As a struggling mom, she faced the daunting challenge of providing for her family with no income. “So not having an income—that was rough,” she said.

Food for Wilma and Her Sons

Fortunately, Wilma learned about the Freedom Church food pantry near her, where we regularly deliver the food your compassionate generosity helps provide.

Receiving food from Freedom Church and Operation Blessing was a lifesaver for a mom trying to feed her sons. For a struggling mom like Wilma, this support meant the difference between hunger and hope “I was overwhelmed,” Wilma said. “It was an outlet for people to come and get help for food … and that’s huge.” And she couldn’t get over the quality. She said it was top of the line. “It was great.”

Wilma is incredibly grateful for your support. “I thank Operation Blessing and Freedom Church for everything that was provided for us during those times.”

Giving Back

What eventually came out of this blessing was a tremendous desire to give back. Wilma became a crucial part of Freedom Church’s food ministry. “I came here to help,” she said. “Then God opened up the door. I was able to bless somebody, and then God blessed me in double portions.”

Pastor Fred agreed. Partnering with Operation Blessing allowed Freedom Church to reach the lost and hurting. “We’re making a difference together. … I’m saying to the donors that … every dollar contributed goes way, way beyond. It probably impacts 50 times more in our community.”

Like ever-widening ripples on a pond, what you give keeps blessing others. Thank you for your kindness!

By Blessing Mothers, You Bless Families!

WORLDWIDE – Many mothers across the globe carry a heavy burden, but not just for themselves. Every day, they worry about their children—growing up without access to adequate medical care, clean water, or nutritious food. Yet thanks to friends like you, many of those precious women have been set free. They can now provide for their families and give their children a brighter future, because you have changed their lives by blessing mothers in need.

Long Journey to Health in Kenya

“I was afraid.” For months, Anna had battled severe chest pains. But the quiet, remote village of Suguta in Kenya had no medical clinic. Her children needed her. So despite the agony, she pushed herself forward. Then her youngest child, Neyesu, got sick with a fever. Anna felt helpless. “Seeing my child sick made my heart heavy.”

When Anna heard about a mobile medical clinic you sent to her region, she knew it was her chance to find help. “I told myself, I must go, even if it means walking for a long distance,” she said.By the time Anna arrived at the clinic with Neyesu, they were weak and tired from the long journey. But Anna held on to hope.

Thanks to you, both mother and child were treated with compassion and care. “The doctors welcomed us with smiles and listened carefully to our problems,” Anna recalled. They left with the medications they both needed so that they could recover. Through your support, you are blessing mothers like Anna who would otherwise face impossible decisions alone. For the first time in months, Anna felt relief. “They saved my child and me,” she told us. “My child is laughing and playing again, and that brings me so much joy.”

Providing for a Family of Five in Peru

Naivy sold food near her home on the outskirts of Iquitos, Peru, to provide for her three children—Milenka (15), Franco Paulo (13), and Hammed (2). But even combined with her husband’s income, they barely earned enough to buy food for two people, let alone five. They had nothing left over to cover other expenses. Then your compassion and support brought a poultry program to Franco’s school. When our team learned about his family’s unstable income and Naivy’s struggle to put food on the table, they knew she would be a great candidate for our animal husbandry opportunity.

“My son brought me the news when he returned from school,” Naivy said. “That excited me a lot … the help I was going to receive was great news.” Raising chickens would provide Naivy’s family not only with additional food but also give her a stable income stream so she could better provide for her family.

Overflowing Blessings in Cambodia

And, for mothers like Kheun and Ouch in the dry, remote village of Kampong Touk in Cambodia, water was a constant battle until you intervened. They had to walk more than a mile to dirty ponds in the forest that surrounded their community. The water was muddy and full of insects, but it was all they had for drinking, cooking, and washing dishes. Ouch was often so busy working in the fields that she had to walk through the forest late in the evening. She said, “If I did not fetch the water for only one day, I did not have water to use and serve my family.”Their problems didn’t stop there. Ouch told us that even after boiling the water, it often made their children sick. And during the dry season, what little water these families had simply disappeared.

Then you changed everything for these hard-working mothers. Your kindness provided a new well in their village and training on proper handwashing and hygiene practices. For Kheun and Ouch, it was a long-awaited dream come true! “We have enough clean water to use nearby our home—even in the dry or rainy season,” said Kheun. “Small kids could collect the water by themselves; it is safe and easy to draw out the water from the well.” Ouch added, “Everyone smiles because of having clean water nearby their home … we are so blessed to have it.” Thank you for raining blessings on these precious mothers around the world. Your love has given them hope for a brighter future—not just for themselves, but for their children too, by blessing mothers with the tools they need to thrive.

A Gift of Hope for a Struggling Family

UNITED STATES – Life can be overwhelming for those facing hardship, but thanks to friends like you, hope is never out of reach for a struggling family in need. Your generosity is making a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling to put food on the table—offering the promise of a better tomorrow.

For Enjolique, a single mother doing everything she can to care for her son, Angel, each day is a challenge. Angel suffers from frequent seizures, and between medical care, daycare, and rising rent costs, Enjolique finds herself stretched beyond her means. But thanks to your kindness and our community partners, she has access to nutritious food that helps sustain her household.

A Lifeline for a Struggling Family

“I was very grateful to receive this because I’ve been struggling,” Enjolique shared. “My son has seizures, and it’s hard. But when I come across help like this, I’m so grateful.”

Your support also empowers compassionate people like DJ and her husband, who dedicate their time to serving their community. With food from our community partners, they prepare home-cooked meals and deliver groceries to families struggling to make ends meet.

“There’s a family of 14 in the area, and we bring them groceries. They’re so grateful,” DJ said. “With your help and the help of other generous people, we’re able to serve them. It really makes a difference.”

Because of friends like YOU, struggling families and individuals are receiving the nourishment they need—both physically and emotionally. From Enjolique’s small struggling family to DJ’s outreach, your generosity is changing lives. Thank you for being the hands and feet of compassion. Your kindness is a blessing that echoes far beyond what you can see—bringing hope, relief, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow

From Breathless Struggle to Boundless Joy

CHINA – Xingchen began his life with challenges few could imagine. Diagnosed with congenital heart disease at just 6 months old, he had a childhood marked by frequent surgeries, limited physical activity, and constant threats to his health. His childhood was plagued by a breathless struggle of despair, with no hope of a brighter future. Despite working hard as a migrant laborer, the boy’s father earned barely enough to cover basic family expenses, leaving the cost of Xingchen’s critical surgery far out of reach.

With his oxygen levels dangerously low, young Xingchen was left with a breathless struggle after walking only a few steps. Purple lips and nails were painful physical reminders to his parents and underscored the severity of their son’s condition.

“My son can’t have surgery because I don’t have money, and as a parent, I feel deeply guilty,” his father, Tianxiang, said. “He is in danger of dying at any time because it cannot be operated on. His disease is like a mine, and I don’t know when it will explode.”

But this was not the end of Xingchen’s story. Thanks to the incredible support of friends like you, it was only the beginning! Because of your compassion, Xingchen underwent life-changing surgery last year. The transformation was immediate and profound. His oxygen levels rose from a dangerously low 80 percent to 95 percent, and the simple joy of walking and running became a regular part of his life.

“Now, he can walk a kilometer with me in the evenings,” his father said. “Sometimes he even runs.”

The boy’s physical weakness meant he hadn’t been able to participate in play with his classmates, leaving him alone and depressed. But thanks to your kindness, Xingchen no longer feels left out. “My body will be normal from now on,” he said. “Just like my classmates’.” Your support helped bring a young child the confidence he had learned to live without!

Xingchen now hopes to become a scientist—a dream discovered through your kindness. As he tells his father, “I will study hard!” His renewed health has not only restored his physical abilities but also offers a future filled with hope, promise, and potential. A future where he has traded a breathless struggle to a life where he could live up to his potential.

Most important of all, the surgery not only saved Xingchen’s life but also introduced his family to the Gospel. During a hospital visit, Operation Blessing staff shared the message of salvation, and both Xingchen and his father prayed to accept Jesus into their lives.

Xingchen leaned on his newfound faith during recovery, often praying for strength and healing.

“I prayed to Jesus to heal me and take away my fear,” he told us. Now, he confidently calls himself “a lamb of Jesus” and is eager to share his story of transformation and faith.

For Xingchen’s family, the surgery and support friends like you extended was far more than just medical intervention—it was a promise of a better, more caring world. “Your help was like water in the desert,” his father said. “We’ve told our children that we were helped, and we must help others in turn.”

Thank you for being a part of Xingchen’s life-changing surgery. Because of you the days of a breathless struggle are over and his future is very bright.

Help for Residents and First Responders in California

CALIFORNIA – The relentless roar of flames spoke of a battle raging across the California hills. With smoke billowing into the sky, a menacing gray shroud choked the air and cast a dreadful shadow over a decimated landscape. In its wake, residents and first responders in California saw the decimation of their community. The devastating Los Angeles fires caused more than 25 deaths and destroyed over 40,000 acres.

Within those acres were schools, businesses, community centers, and homes—all of which lay in ruin—accompanied by memories of a time that now feels all too distant. For the Sanchez family, this particularly rang true.

“At 3:30 in the morning, we got an alert,” Jennifer said. “We thought it was just an order to evacuate and that we would come back. We didn’t know that we were going to come back to nothing.” Arriving home to absolute devastation took a toll not only on Jennifer, but on her children, as well. “I’m going to miss my toys and our room,” her young daughter said.

Because of your aid, Operation Blessing was on the ground amid the fires distributing hot meals, hygiene kits, baby formula, and even cookware to alleviate the urgent needs of those who had lost everything. With your help, our relief team was able to give Jennifer and her family critical supplies to help support them during this difficult time. “You guys offered your hand,” continued Jennifer, “to be able to support us and give us the guidance that we needed. … It was a blessing.”

Help for First Responders in California

But your help didn’t end there. At Fire Station 81 in Los Angeles, a critical hub in the firefighting effort, heroes faced a different sort of challenge. For first responders in California, you showed how much you care. Exhausted from the unprecedented fires, these first responders needed some encouragement and support.

When we asked them how we could help, they mentioned a need for more tools. “Some of the basic tools just to work on stuff around the station, on the rigs themselves,” said Fire Chief Maker Pashabezyan.

Because of your help, our relief teams gave the station the equipment they needed to support the first responders. To top things off, empowered by your generosity, volunteers became beacons of compassion and arrived ready to put together first responder care kits—to let firefighters know that they were not alone in their fight. Packages contained essential supplies, such as solar lamps, hygiene kits, and snacks like protein drinks and bars.

“We typically are the ones doing the supporting,” Chief Pashabezyan said, “so it’s nice to have somebody appreciate us like Operation Blessing.” The care packages were more than just supplies; they were a tangible expression of empathy, a message that resonated deeply with the firefighters.

While the fires may have scorched the Californian landscape, they couldn’t extinguish your generosity. Your compassion has brought hope and healing not just to families in California but also to the first responders, who worked tirelessly to put out the fires. Thank you for being there in this time of need!

Orphaned by the Earthquake: You Help Rebuild Life after Myanmar

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

When a deadly earthquake struck Myanmar, it left behind devastation, loss—and children like Khine Zar Win, orphaned and facing a future forever changed. But thanks to compassionate friends like you, Operation Blessing is there to bring help and hope.

A Life Shattered by Loss

“I was playing with other kids under the house,” Khine remembered. “When the earthquake started, we ran outside to the field. People were shouting, ‘Run… Run…!’”

At first, she thought her parents were safe. But as news came in and phone lines reconnected, the truth was revealed.

“I heard a concrete wall fall down, but later I found out that the building where my mom and dad worked was destroyed,” she said. “They told us that both my parents were in the building and they passed away. I cried and cried a lot.”

At just 14 years old, Khine — orphaned by the earthquake — was suddenly thrust into the role of caregiver for her two little sisters aged 7 and eighteen months. “I had to drop out of school to take care of them,” she explained. “I want them to continue their education… but I worry that if I don’t have enough money, they won’t have food to eat.”

Friends Like You Are Helping

In the face of unimaginable hardship, Khine shared a dream that continues to shine bright: “I want to become an engineer. I want to build houses that are strong and safe—ones that won’t collapse during earthquakes.”

Khine and her siblings are now staying with her grandparents. Thanks to your support, Operation Blessing was able to deliver emergency supplies and resources to Khine’s family. “These items support our family and our small shop,” she said. “When we sell them, we earn money. When we eat the snacks, we feel satisfied.”

Your generosity is not only meeting urgent physical needs—it’s also giving children like Khine the courage to dream again after immense tragedy.

The Road Ahead

Although the road to recovery will be long, Operation Blessing is committed to walking alongside children and families impacted by the Myanmar earthquake. Together, we are looking for more ways to help Khine specifically support her family.

“I really wish my parents were not in that building,” Khine said quietly. “That’s what I always wished for.” But now, with your continued prayers and support, she has something new: a reason to hope.

Thank you for being part of this mission of love and compassion.

We Love Our Volunteers!

A message from Operation Blessing COO, Drew Friedrich to our volunteers:

What an incredible privilege it is to speak to you today—a group of people who have given so much in service of others. As dedicated volunteers, you’ve given your time showing up early, staying late, whenever and wherever we needed you to help us bring help and hope to those who are hurting. Not because you had to, but because something in you said, “Yes I can help.”

You’ve offered your time and talents, your skills, your strength, your creativity and used them to bring relief and comfort, help and hope to some of the hardest situations people will ever face. You’ve also given of your hearts pouring out kindness compassion and care with no expectation of anything in return.

The true impact of that kind of service is so hard to measure. Not because it’s so small, but because it’s so profound. You may never know all the names or face. You may never hear the full stories. But I can assure you, thousands of lives have been changed because of you.

Dedicated Volunteers Helping People in Crisis

People who were overwhelmed by disaster found steady hands and warm meals families in crisis received help they didn’t know was coming. Prayers of desperation were answered because of you.

In Galatians 6:9 we’re reminded, “Let us not grow weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” You didn’t give up; you kept going. And because of that, the harvest, the impact is real.

A year ago I spoke to you about Matthew 5:16 which says, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father who’s in heaven.” I asked you to join us on the journey to continue serving with us, to continue standing with us, and to invite your friends and loved ones to come with you in shining a light to a hurting world.

And that’s exactly what you’ve done. As dedicated volunteers, you’ve let your light shine in the most practical, meaningful ways. And in doing so, you’ve reminded people that they are not forgotten and that there’s still good in this world and a father who loves them.

“As dedicated volunteers, you’ve let your light shine in the most practical, meaningful ways. And in doing so, you’ve reminded people that they are not forgotten and that there’s still good in this world and a father who loves them.”
-Drew Friedrich

So thank you, thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your sacrifice. And thank you for demonstrating to the world what it means to love thy neighbor. We could not do what we do without you, and we are so grateful. God bless you!

Discover How You Blessed a Family in Peru

PERU – There was nothing special about María’s house in San José de Iquitos that would draw attention to it. Like its neighbors, the crumbling wooden structure sat on tall stilts to protect it from the floodwaters of the Amazon River during the rainy season. An odd patchwork of faded fabrics and plastic hung in place to block the wind and rain from entering and doing further damage, but it barely did its job. The home was not a safe place to live. Through your generosity, you blessed a family in Peru by giving them a chance at a better life.

At 19, María already had her hands full. The oldest of five siblings, she had taken on the responsibility of caring for them after their mother died and their father left. “We have no support from anyone except ourselves. My siblings are my family, and family should never be abandoned,” she said. Her only option was to take over her mother’s business of selling medicinal plants at a local market.

Every day, she got up early to sell a range of plants, barks, and resins. María worked hard, but it wasn’t enough to provide three meals a day for her siblings. “I wish I could save from my business,” she said, “but I can’t because everything I earn goes to cover our food.”

The Blessing of a New Home

When Operation Blessing heard about this young family, you generously made it possible for us to reach out to help in a number of critical ways. First, you blessed a family in Peru by providing them a new, safe, and fully equipped home with sturdy furniture and bright colors.

Then, you helped give María vital equipment and supplies for her medicinal plants business—a wooden table, shelving, plastic bottles, raffia rope, and much more—all to make her business more efficient and effective.

Through your support, we also provided the family with information about good hygiene, disease prevention, and the importance of drinking only safe water. They were delighted to receive necessary hygiene supplies like toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand soap, and rubbing alcohol.

You blessed a family in Peru with hope and security, and María couldn’t have been more appreciative. “We are very grateful for the help with our home and everything that God gave us. I thank Operation Blessing and the donors who supported us,” she said. “We used to get wet inside the house—but now we have this beautiful and safe home.”

Thanks for helping keep this sweet family together—and for offering them the promise of a better tomorrow.

Portraits of Promise for Vulnerable Children Worldwide

Meet Brian | Kenya

KENYA – Brian is a sweet young boy who should have had a world of possibilities open to him. But instead, he lived with his four siblings in the Madurai slums on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. Extreme poverty forced Brian into the streets, where he collected scrap metal to sell so he could buy a little food to eat. Vulnerable children worldwide, like Brian, often face such harsh realities. Without intervention, his future looked bleak—a life of drugs, gangs, and ongoing poverty.

Brian’s mother did her best as a single parent, but she had no consistent income. Being orphaned herself, she simply didn’t know how to care for her little ones. Sometimes, their landlord locked them out because she couldn’t afford to pay $20 for rent.

Can you imagine how desperate she must have felt to watch her children searching for scrap metal in the street—in hopes of buying something to eat?

Grabbing a Lifeline of Hope

Children like Brian can’t choose where they’re born. They have few opportunities to create better lives for themselves. Most continue to live a life of hardship, passing it down to the next generation. That is, unless someone like you intervenes.

Thankfully, Brian’s story didn’t end there. His loving mother reached out for help and found it. She took Brian to Our Home, a children’s home with Orphan’s Promise. Once there, Brian received nutritious meals, counseling, and a stable, caring living environment. He also began attending school there.

Today, thanks to the ongoing care and support of friends like you, Brian is able to read and write. He loves school and wants to attend every day. Now that he feels safe, he can dream of a better future—and get the support he needs to make those dreams come true!

Meet Esmily | Kenya

KENYA – Vulnerable children worldwide, including Esmily, need such lifelines. Five-year-old Esmily also joined Our Home after being rescued from extreme poverty that could have left her both orphaned and homeless. Once she became part of a stable environment that had proper food and caregivers who loved and supported her, she blossomed.

Esmily works hard on her studies at our school and is growing into an intelligent, confident child. A quick learner, she has begun helping around the house and completes her tasks independently. She began attending church and now loves reading the Bible, attending prayer meetings, and singing on the children’s church praise and worship team.

Your love is enabling this precious child to thrive— personally, academically, and spiritually. Her caregivers believe that Esmily has great potential for success that will give her a brighter future.

Meet Franzi | Guatemala

GUATEMALA – Franzi’s life changed when he met Orphan’s Promise in 2019. Franzi was just 6 years old when his father abandoned them, leaving his family in extreme poverty. They lived in a tiny house with no electricity. His mother made just $2 a day working in the fields and could only feed her children potatoes with salt and water. Many nights, Franzi slept with the animals because there was no room inside.

From a young age, Franzi began helping his mother by selling whatever they could manage— ice cream, jams, vegetables, and fruit—after school to earn a little extra money. By age 10, he began traveling further from home to sell their wares, but he yearned for more. He wanted to become a doctor or an engineer, but that would require more schooling.

Then compassionate people like you intervened through Orphan’s Promise and helped Franzi complete school and even get a college degree. Today, he works as a project manager for World Vision. “My life has changed radically,” he told us. “I now inspire other young people in my community.” He dreams of furthering his education and one day getting his master’s degree.

A New Partnership to Help Vulnerable Children

For 20 years, Orphan’s Promise has helped vulnerable children worldwide, like Brian, Esmily, and Franzi, thrive in more than 70 countries around the world through improved nutrition, discipleship, and education. This month, they are officially joining hands with Operation Blessing, becoming a part of our organization—and our family!

With more than 143 million orphaned and at-risk children globally, the need is great. We believe that together, we can help even more children and families— and make a deeper impact in communities through hunger relief, medical care, clean water, and even disaster relief.

Please join us in welcoming Orphan’s Promise to the Operation Blessing family.

A Well of Promise: Bringing Clean Water to Baan Nong Khae

THAILAND – For the families of Baan Nong Khae, Thailand, every dry season meant desperation. As shallow wells ran dry and rainwater disappeared, parents faced impossible choices—spend scarce income on costly water or ration what little they had. Children fell sick, and daily life revolved around the struggle for a basic human necessity: clean water. That is what generations of these villagers endured—until friends like you brought clean water to Baan Nong Khae.

Through your compassionate giving, Operation Blessing was able to drill a deep, 64-meter well and install a water treatment system that provides safe, clean water to all 255 residents of Baan Nong Khae. For the first time, clean water to Baan Nong Khae means families no longer fear shortages. Children can drink without the risk of illness. Mothers can cook and clean without worrying about contamination. The future is full of hope, all because of the love and generosity of people like you.

The Impact of Clean Water

For young Wiphada, a 9-year-old student, the difference is life-changing. “We are glad to have this project. The water is clear and odorless. Having access to clean drinking water helps us stay healthy. Thank you for providing our community with good quality water.”

Beyond ensuring a reliable supply of clean water, the project also empowered the community with essential knowledge and training. A dedicated water committee was established, with five trained members responsible for maintaining the well. Additionally, Operation Blessing staff trained residents on proper handwashing, safe water storage, and ways to keep their village and water sources clean.

At the well’s dedication, the community gathered with the church to celebrate and give thanks. As they stood before the fresh, flowing water, a local pastor shared the words of Jesus: “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:14). Indeed, this well is more than just a physical blessing—it is a promise of a better tomorrow, and together we brought it to them in Jesus’ name.

This gift of clean water to Baan Nong Khae is transforming lives, and it wouldn’t be possible without the kindness of friends like you. Thank you for being a part of this life-changing work.