Hope Answered: One Little Boy’s Prayer for Restored Sight

GUATEMALA – When he was born, little Gustavo brought joy to everyone around him, especially his mother and older siblings. His smile lit up the room and was contagious. But as he grew into a young boy, that smile faded. Gustavo’s entire world was blurred. He was in desperate need of restored sight. Bright sunlight hurt his eyes, and the 8-year-old often stumbled and fell. He needed constant help and supervision.

His mother, Claudia, was distraught. “He was not developing like other children. And I could not even afford to take him to the doctor to see what was wrong with his eyes.” As a single parent, she made only about six dollars a day selling tortillas—barely covering household expenses. She tried to save up money for an eye exam, but it was never enough.

As Gustavo started school, he struggled to do his homework and couldn’t manage even simple household tasks on his own. His eyes hurt so much, he often had to lie down. Desperate, Claudia borrowed $130 to take her son to the doctor, but the news was not good. Gustavo had cataracts on both eyes. His sight would continue to get worse unless he had surgery.

Surgery for Restored Sight

“I want him to be like other children,” said Claudia, but she was already deeply in debt. How could she afford the cost of surgery? “I started to eat only tortillas with my children.” If she could pay off her debt, she could borrow more in the hopes her son would have restored sight one day. As time went on, the task felt impossible without someone like you to help!

Gustavo held onto hope. He prayed, “God, will you please fix my eyes and help me to see clearly again.” God answered this little boy’s prayer—through friends like you!

Our generous donors covered the cost of two life-changing surgeries for Gustavo—one for each eye. These operations removed the cataracts and replaced them with intraocular lenses so he could see. Love from around the world brought Gustavo’s smile back. “Now I can do my homework because my eyes do not hurt,” he told us. “Thank God, I can see again.”

You provide hope and joy through our life-changing surgeries program. Your kindness is helping children and adults see, walk, run, and even smile again. Thank you for your compassion to bring healing to so many hurting people and restored sight to Gustavo.

Blessing Residents in Oaxaca After Hurricane Erick

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

MEXICO – Just days after Hurricane Erick made landfall in Oaxaca, Operation Blessing’s Disaster Relief team was on the ground. Their goal: to assess urgent needs and begin serving communities that had been overlooked by the headlines. “We’ve spent the last couple of days visiting communities, talking with churches and families,” shared one OB team member. “Some of these areas have been completely left out. They haven’t received any help.”

Our teams quickly discovered the extent of the destruction from Hurricane Erick. High winds and flooding left roofs torn away and homes exposed. Roughly 130 homes were severely damaged—and many families still have no means to repair them.

A Call to Action After Hurricane Erick: Restoring Roofs, Restoring Hope

It didn’t take long to see the greatest need: roofing materials. With homes battered and exposed to the elements, families are desperately seeking shelter from rain and sun. That’s why Operation Blessing is working swiftly to source and deliver materials to repair or replace damaged roofs after Hurricane Erick.

“Our call here is to assess the need and send out a call for action,” our team member said. “We’re preparing a proposal to bless them. But we need your help.”

Quiet Crisis, Urgent Need

This disaster didn’t reach the major news outlets, but that doesn’t mean the suffering is any less real. Entire communities—already struggling with poverty—have been pushed further into crisis. With no media attention, few outside resources have come to help. That’s where friends like you come in.

Thanks to your prayers and generosity, Operation Blessing is able to reach those who might otherwise be forgotten. We believe every family deserves dignity, safety, and the peace of knowing they’re not alone.

Love in Action: Helping after Hurricane Erick

Operation Blessing is committed to responding with compassion, care, and practical help. Our disaster relief programs provide more than just supplies—they offer hot meals, clean water, hygiene kits, and spiritual encouragement. And now, they’re bringing roofing materials to some of the hardest-hit families in Oaxaca.

We’re working hand in hand with local churches and leaders to ensure support goes directly to those who need it most. And we’re showing each family that they’re not alone—God sees them, and friends like you care.

Join the Effort to Rebuild

Operation Blessing continues to walk alongside survivors in Oaxaca and Guerrero, providing critical supplies, prayer support, and emergency aid. But we can’t do it without you.

Together, we can help these families find shelter, safety, and hope. Your gift today can deliver roofing materials to a family in need, help restore a damaged home, and remind someone they are not forgotten.

Let’s stand with Oaxaca after Hurricane Erick. Let’s rebuild—together.

Portraits of Promise for a Child in Nepal

NEPAL – If you were to visit the “roof of the world”—where the towering Himalayas straddle Nepal and neighboring countries—you’d see breathtaking, snow-capped peaks stretching endlessly into the sky.But for a young child in Nepal named Purnima, there was no time to enjoy the scenery. As the eldest daughter of alcoholic parents, living in an underdeveloped village, her world was much smaller—filled with responsibilities far beyond her years. The 7-year-old was all but raising her two younger siblings, worrying about where their next meal might come from—and wondering if she’d ever get the chance to focus on school like other kids.

Her parents worked as farm laborers, but their income was unpredictable. That meant food was scarce, healthcare was nonexistent, and school was never a priority. Instead of playing and learning, Purnima spent her days managing household chores, cooking, and caring for her siblings. School felt like a dream slipping further and further away.

But then, everything changed for a child in Nepal— thanks to friends like you.

A Child In Nepal Has Her Life Changed by Orphan’s Promise

When Purnima joined our Orphan’s Promise School of Life program, she received everything she needed to thrive: school supplies, uniforms, and even nutritious meals to help her grow strong. More than that, she found a place where she felt safe, supported, and valued. In this warm and caring environment, she discovered a love for learning, creativity, and teamwork.

“The supportive teachers have helped me discover new learning experiences,” Purnima said with a smile. And it shows—she’s thriving in her studies, loves arts and crafts, and enjoys playing team sports.

Our program coordinator has seen firsthand how your kindness is transforming young lives. “It is so exciting to see that, through the program, we can help a child excel in their education and learn to know the God who can change lives.”

Operation Blessing is excited to be back in Nepal, making a difference once again through the addition of this Orphan’s Promise outreach to children. There are many kinds of hunger in the world—hunger for food, for love, for a better future. Because of you, a child in Nepal has had her life changed for the better. Purnima’s hunger for education is being fulfilled and her dreams are within reach.

Thank you for being part of this incredible story of hope!

Less Treks for Water and More Time for Love

KENYA – We’ve all heard the saying, “So much to do, so little time.” For Mateine, a loving grandmother in Kenya, this phrase was all too true. Mateine’s time was consumed by the tedious treks for water she took almost daily to for her family.

“I must leave the house as early as 7:00 in the morning, and by the time I get back, it is almost noon,” said Mateine. “It takes me about two to three hours one way, and most times you find long queues at the water point, as so many people are out to fetch water.”

Seemingly Endless Treks for Water

Although the journey is long and damaging to her body, and the water supply is barely enough to make do, Mateine knows the consequences that follow if she doesn’t take the daily treks for water. Not only will they suffer from thirst; neither she nor her grandchildren will be able to bathe or have clean clothes, and they won’t have water for cooking.

A New Water Dispenser and Water Treatment System

While this was Mateine’s fate for many years, thanks to friends like you her life has changed! Your outpouring of generosity allowed Operation Blessing to install a water dispenser and a water treatment system in Mateine’s village. The best part is it’s only five minutes away! Your kindness goes beyond Mateine and her grandchildren—it touches the lives of an entire community.

water treatment and water dispenser systm in Kenya

A Convenient Water Kiosk

Thanks to the compassionate support of donors like you, Mateine can provide a better quality of life for her grandchildren. With the water kiosk being so close, her grandchildren can get water while Mateine makes them breakfast and helps them prepare for their day. The endless and exhausting cycle of daily treks for water has ended!

Your love is bringing this family closer together. Mateine is thankful that she can do more chores in the course of a day, but her gratitude goes far beyond a to-do list. What she is most thankful for is the quality time she gets to spend with her grandchildren. “Our water problems are now over!”

Thank you for sharing your goodwill with those in need.

Refreshing Water Solution in Mexico

MEXICO – Who are these radiant children, and why are they wearing such dazzling smiles? Meet Federico (9) and Diana (4), the youngest of the Pérez kids. Their older siblings used to trek long distances every few days to get water needed for drinking, bathing, and washing clothes—but now they have it stored safely nearby. Now they are benefiting from a refreshing water solution in Mexico. It’s a win-win story not only for this family, but for an entire village!

Living just outside the town of Jiquipilas, in the Mexican state of Chiapas, this family—like the others in their small community—suffered the uncertainty of water scarcity. They needed an efficient way to gather and store water, especially during dry periods. Their father, Joaquín, led multiple trips for water each week. But, as is all too often the case, the water wasn’t clean and caused health problems like stomachaches and headaches. Much as they wanted to, Frederico and Diana’s parents were unable to change this difficult situation for their children.

Water Solution in Mexico Helps Battle Water Scarcity

But thanks to your thoughtfulness, the families of this village now enjoy a very different reality. In response to the town’s need, friends like you made it possible for Operation Blessing to intervene. We met with the villagers and found a way to improve their communal water system by installing a water tank with chlorination—and ensuring that all of the homes would have full access to this vital resource. This water solution in Mexico would prove to be life changing, as the entire village did not suffer from the stress of water scarcity.

The health of the villagers also improved after participating in the water care workshops we provided. Joaquín said gratefully, “Our way of life has already changed, and we believe it will change even more because we are taking care of the water. …We feel thankful because we hadn’t received help from anyone, and Operation Blessing’s supporters provided that help.”

“Our way of life has already changed, and we believe it will change even more because we are taking care of the water. …We feel thankful because we hadn’t received help from anyone, and Operation Blessing’s supporters provided that help.”
-Joaquin

From Tent to New Home in Ukraine: A Family’s Miracle in Barkasovo

UKRAINE – In the small village in Ukraine, a family of eight huddled in a torn tent with no floor—just dirt, mud, and freezing winds. Marcos, a father battling illness, and Margarita, a devoted mother, struggled to keep their six children warm using a broken metal barrel for heat. Their home had collapsed due to heavy rain while they were away searching for work. With nowhere else to go, they were left vulnerable in the bitter cold. The idea that they could one day move from a dirty tent to a new home in Ukraine seemed unrealistic. Life for this poor family in Barkasovo was one of disappointment, lack, and misery.

This is the heartbreaking reality of poverty in Ukraine, where families like theirs endure impossible conditions just to survive. But through the compassion of kind partners like you, miracles can happen. Even in places where hope is nothing more than a hollow fantasy. Thanks to the generosity of donors supporting Orphan’s Promise and Operation Blessing, this family transitioned from a tent to a new home in Ukraine. What seemed like an impossible situation became a stunning testimony to God’s provision and YOUR kindness.

Their new home in Ukraine was more than just a roof over their heads—it was an answer to prayer, a gift of safety, dignity, and warmth. Margarita’s first desire was simple: “I just want to wash the floors and make it beautiful.” Marcos could only cry and thank God, overwhelmed by the love poured into their lives by people they had never met.

This story is just one example of how your support is helping a poor family in Ukraine—not with handouts, but with life-changing help that restores hope.

Be Part of the Miracle

You can be the reason another family gets the support they need. You can be the answer to someone’s prayer. As families suffer under the weight of war, poverty, and loss, your generosity provides the hope of a warm bed in a safe home!

👉 Join Orphan’s Promise and Operation Blessing in changing lives.
🙏 Pray for families facing hardship.
💗 Give to help lift another family from despair to joy.

Together, we’re building more than houses. We’re restoring faith, dignity, and the belief that miracles still happen—even in the coldest winters of life.

Hope in the Rubble for Earthquake Survivors in Myanmar

MYANMAR – When a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook the region along the Myanmar–Thailand border, it left a trail of destruction in communities already burdened by civil war, violent conflict, and displacement. In one underprivileged neighborhood, the quake also triggered a gas explosion that caused complete decimation. For earthquake survivors in Myanmar, life became even harder due to the destruction caused by the tremor. But in the aftermath of this heartbreaking disaster, something beautiful began to rise from the rubble—hope, powered by your compassion.

Your support allowed Operation Blessing’s Global Disaster Response Team to move quickly, joining our local team that’s been on the ground for over a decade to deliver emergency supplies to earthquake survivors in Myanmar. Families received food, clean water, hygiene kits, solar lamps, and medical care at a time when help felt desperately out of reach. You also made it possible for us to reach out to refugee communities in the surrounding area.

Bringing Hope to Earthquake Survivors in Myanmar

For many, like Naw, this was an answer to prayer. She is among the people who had already been displaced by the fighting. After losing her husband and escaping the violence, Naw now relies on her adult children for survival. “I’m very happy and feel truly blessed by God,” she said, after receiving food you provided through a local church. “This place doesn’t feel like home,” she shared, “but you made me feel cared for.”

Others, like a woman named Ma, are facing health battles on top of the heartbreak of displacement. “I have diabetes but can’t always access medicine,” she told us. “Still, I work when I can. If I don’t work, I don’t survive.” Yet even in her pain, she expressed deep gratitude that you sent medical care to her community. “I’m very thankful and very happy. Thank you so much.”

This is the power of your generosity—meeting people in their most difficult moments and bringing tangible relief and God’s love. As recovery for earthquake survivors in Myanmar continues, your kindness will keep making a difference, just as you are making a difference in Asheville after Hurricane Helene and in Los Angeles after the wildfires.

Thank you for standing with disaster survivors in their time of need. Because of you, they are not alone.

Orphaned by the Earthquake: You Help Rebuild Life after Myanmar

Here’s How You’re Helping Earthquake Survivors in Myanmar

Love Never Fails: Foster Parents in the Midst of War

UKRAINE – The war in Ukraine has taken nearly everything from Igor’s family—twice. First in 2014, when they were forced to flee their home in Alchevsk, and then again in 2022, when war erupted once more, chasing them from Sloviansk to the safety of the Ivano-Frankivsk region. But through all the heartache, one thing remained steadfast: their mission as foster parents to care for children who had nowhere else to turn.

When Operation Blessing first met foster parents, Igor and wife, Tamara, years ago, the couple had already built a reputation for their unwavering love and resilience in caring for foster children. But in the chaos of war, their needs grew urgent. With each displacement, they were forced to start over—new homes, new communities, and sometimes even new children who needed their care.

You Came to the Rescue

For the last two years, as the war raged on, you have been standing beside them with your support. Because of friends like you, Operation Blessing offered a lifeline in the form of food and supplies. Month after month, you supplied deliveries to Igor’s home—nutritious food, essential household items, and small treats that lit up the eyes of the children in their care. This support was more than sustenance; it was a reminder that these youngsters were not alone.

“The war has stolen so much from us,” said Tamara, her voice filled with both sorrow and gratitude. “But we could never abandon our calling. We will always open our home to children who need love, no matter how difficult our circumstances.”

Every child they took in had suffered unimaginable losses. Some had lost parents in bombings; others had been forced to flee. And yet, within the walls of Igor and Tamara’s home, they found warmth, safety, and the unshakable certainty that they are loved—in part because of you!

“Each package from Operation Blessing is a gift that helps us continue,” Tamara said. “The food lasts for weeks, ensuring that our children go to bed full and nourished. Your support has kept us going when we had no strength left.”

Despite the pain, despite the destruction, Igor’s family pressed on. Because of you their home has stood as a testament to the enduring power of love. Through every trial these foster parents faced, one truth remained: Love never fails.

A Cucumber Farm Brings Hope for the Hungry

THAILAND – Chatree was at a loss. In the wake of COVID-19, not only was he facing unemployment, but his wife, Mai, had been diagnosed with a serious blood condition. Along with her health, their family’s financial stability was in serious jeopardy. As time went on, with two children in school and medical bills mounting, this struggling couple felt their future was on shaky ground. When word of Operation Blessing’s agricultural support project reached them, they felt a glimmer of hope. “Since we have land of our own, we decided to start farming,” said Mai. Chatree had done his research: “I studied and believe that cucumber is the vegetable that will save our family.” Who knew that in time a cucumber farm would change their lives

Your generosity made their dreams possible! Chatree and Mai were selected for Operation Blessing’s microenterprise program. The investment funds you provided allowed them to transform their unused land into a thriving cucumber farm. The results were nothing short of miraculous! “An acre of cucumbers can produce more than 200 pounds in one day,” Chatree explained with pride. The couple sold directly to local households and connected with vendors, helping to stabilize the family’s resources. Now, their farm has expanded to include watermelon and corn, providing even more opportunity for financial growth and freedom.

The Blessing of a Cucumber Farm

“Without this project, I wouldn’t have had the investment money,” Chatree reflected. “I didn’t do this by my own strength; it’s God’s blessing that we have cucumbers to sell.” God showed up to also provide for Mai’s health. Through what the couple describes as divine intervention, they were spared huge medical expenses that could have devastated their family completely, and Mai made a complete recovery. Beyond financial independence, your support has enabled Chatree and Mai to give back to their community. They share their harvest with neighbors and give part of their income to their church. “This project has helped many Christians,” Chatree said gratefully. “Thank you for choosing our family, for bringing us to believe in God.”

And your support extends far beyond a cucumber farm in Thailand, helping to tackle hunger through many global initiatives. When a mother was gifted the funds and supplies to open a fruit stand in Peru, your kindness was there. In Guatemala, your love reached across the miles to provide the supplies and business training that brought a laying hens program and financial stability to families in need. Your compassionate giving has been crucial in developing farming initiatives in Kenya, food stalls in Thailand, and food boxes in Turkey. Every day, lives are being changed as faithful friends like you continue to create sustainable support in communities worldwide.

Meanwhile, within the United States, your support enables the distribution of truckloads of food to pantry partners—ensuring that American families receive nourishment and hungry children get the food they need during the summer months when they can’t eat at school. Because of you, families like Chatree and Mai’s are trading poverty for liberation. Your generous support transforms fear into freedom, hunger into hope, and shows the love of God to our neighbors the world over.

Overcoming Vision Problems: Restoring Sight and Dignity Through Cataract Surgery

HELP NOW

SOUTH AFRICA – In a small rural village, Nolindele once spent her days working hard—tending crops, collecting firewood, and managing her household. But all of that changed when, over just a few months, she went blind. First, her right eye lost sight, then her left. The change was devastating.

“I still have the strength to work,” she said. “But now I just sit. I depend on my family for everything.” For Nolindele, losing her vision meant more than losing her independence—it meant losing her sense of dignity. “I feel like a burden,” she shared. “Sometimes I thought it would have been better if I had just died than live like this.”

This heartbreaking reality is shared by countless people suffering from preventable blindness. But thanks to the generosity of Operation Blessing partners, stories like Nolindele’s are being transformed.

Overcoming Vision Problems Caused by Cataracts

Cataracts are a major cause of blindness and vision problems, yet they are treatable with a simple, low-cost surgery. Still, for many living in rural areas, accessing eye surgery is impossible without outside help. Eye surgery for people who can’t afford it is not just a medical intervention; it’s a chance to have life, hope, and dignity restored.

When Nolindele was also being treated for tuberculosis, medical staff referred her to a local eye care program supported by Operation Blessing. There, she was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. Her condition was reversible, but only through surgery she couldn’t afford.

Restoring Sight and a Future

Through the support of Operation Blessing donors, 67 people in her region received free cataract surgery. Nolindele was one of them. The day after surgery, she and other patients gathered to have their bandages removed. What followed was a flood of joyful tears and celebration.

“I have no words. I can see everything!” Nolindele exclaimed. “I never thought I’d see again. You gave me my life back.” Now, she’s able to cook again, walk without fear, tend her garden, and read her Bible. “I’m going back to church—with new eyes,” she smiled. “God answered my prayers.”

More Than Medicine: Restoring Dignity

Overcoming vision problems isn’t just about restoring physical sight. For people like Nolindele, it means reclaiming their purpose, confidence, and connection to the people they love. Cataract surgery brought her back into the rhythms of daily life and renewed her faith.

“My family is rejoicing with me,” she said. “We are all so happy.”

Thanks to generous partners like you, Operation Blessing continues to offer eye surgery for people who can’t afford it, bringing light back into lives clouded by darkness. These life-changing surgeries are a powerful example of how compassion in action can restore both sight and dignity.