A FATHER'S LONG STRUGGLE
You brought clean water to a family in Guatemala
Every father wishes for his children to have enough—enough nourishing food to eat, clothes to keep them warm and, above all, plenty of clean water to drink. But for Adrian, raising three young sons, it wasn’t that simple.
Among the rugged Sierra Madrae highlands of eastern Guatemala, Adrian’s family lives in a small settlement called Caserio El Pinalito. For more than 30 years, the community had no clean water—until you intervened.
As a father, Adrian couldn’t afford to purchase enough water to meet their basic needs. Each bag of water cost $2.10—it held just two-and-a-half gallons. Although Adrian labored long and hard in the fields, his earnings never amounted to more than $8 a day.
Continued on page 4
from page 3
To get enough water for their family, Adrian and his sons— Milton (11), Lester (9), and Luding (6)—had to hike up a steep hill to a community hose two or three times a day, filling their jugs with water that they knew might make them ill. “One day when we got sick, my dad was very worried,” said Milton. “I saw him cry.”
My dream was that we could have CLEAN
WATER.
—Adrian
“My dream was that we could have clean water,” Adrian told us.
Then one day, Lester slipped—and slid downhill, hitting a tree and breaking his arm. Frightened, Adrian picked him up and took him to the nearest health center, a journey of two hours. “I’ve never been so scared in my life,” he told us.
For Adrian and his family, the prospect looked bleak—water was too expensive, dangerous, or difficult to reach.
Your kindness made the impossible, possible! Thanks to you, we built a rainwater harvesting project with a 4,000-gallon tank that would bring clean water to the entire community. The water goes through a
filtration and chlorination process so that every household can safely enjoy it.
For Adrian and his boys, that meant no more hazardous treks up the mountain. No more risk of getting sick from drinking contaminated water. Just the pleasure of turning on a tap outside their home—and having clean, clear water pour out. Water that meant they could cook, bathe, drink, and wash their clothes safely.
“We no longer have to go down to fetch water,” said this grateful father. “Now we just have to turn on the tap in our house.”
Thanks to caring friends like you, a father’s dream of creating a brighter future for his children has become reality for an entire community.
An Ark of Hope
Your kindness is surrounding the forgotten in Ukraine
In a quiet home in Berezhany, Ukraine, the scent of fresh-baked bread mingles with soft prayers whispered down the hall. Outside, the house may seem ordinary, but inside something extraordinary is happening. Here, you are helping the Tsyatska family create a refuge for elderly people who have nowhere else to turn—many of them twice displaced by war. Their journey began in Alchevsk in 2014, when violence forced them to flee for their lives. “Our friends … were simply shot,” Larisa recalled. “They were killed just for serving God and people.” They escaped with nothing, leaving behind a home that would later be destroyed.
The Tsyatskas rebuilt their lives near Kyiv, where they served and cared for their elderly neighbors. Then, years later, war came again in 2022. This time, they had far more to lose by leaving. “We looked at those in our care,” Larissa said. “They had no one except us. We couldn’t abandon them.”
So, while others packed belongings, the Tsyatskas filled cars with people—frail, hurting, and forgotten—and carried them to safety.
Today, their home in Berezhany shelters elderly survivors who have lost everything. With the food you provide, they are fed, cared for, and reminded they are not alone. These simple gifts sustain them and allow them to keep their dignity.
In a world where war tries to steal the future, you are helping create one filled with compassion and hope for these survivors of war.
As Scripture reminds us, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age. … O God, do not forsake me” (Psalm 71:9, 18). Through your kindness, He has not.
And your love doesn’t stop here. You also surrounded Iranian families fleeing conflict across the border and seeking refuge in neighboring Armenia. Recently, our partners on the ground delivered food boxes and hygiene kits to hurting people in Yerevan. Through our partners, you continued to meet urgent needs as they unfolded. Through you, hope is reaching those searching for safety.
PROMISE PORTRAITS OF
Hope is growing in Kenya—thanks to you!
Wow, what a difference you’ve made! Friends like you are changing lives and touching the hearts of children in Kenya. In a region where parents often struggle to feed their children and send them to school, your generosity is helping provide nourishing food, education, and safety for vulnerable children like Marion, Esther, and Christine through our child development programs. Thanks to you, these precious little ones now have the opportunity to build a brighter future in Kenya.
Meet Marion
Marion (11) is a fifth grader at Kileleoni School, supported by our Orphan’s Promise. She loves to learn math and play traditional Kenyan games like kabaddie and mablikan with her friends. “Without math, there is so much that you can’t do,” said Marion.
But for Marion, school isn’t just a place to learn—it’s a symbol of hope and transformation. Marion looks forward to using the skills she’s learning in school now to become a dentist and give back to her community in the future.
In addition to learning new things and playing with her friends, Marion enjoys receiving a healthy meal daily at school.
“My favorite meal is githeri (bean stew) because it is very nutritious.” Marion is thriving physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's all because someone like you shared their kindness. And you are helping so many other children just like Marion.
Meet Esther
When sweet Esther was only 3 years old, she didn’t have much structure in her life. An unstable home environment meant Esther’s sleep would often be interrupted in the middle of the night, leaving her exhausted the next day at school. When Esther began attending Heritage Leadership Academy in Nairobi, the teachers noticed she was frail and shy. She often tried to nap during lunch.
Thanks to friends like you and the support of Orphan’s Promise, Esther’s life began to change. Since she started attending our school, Esther has blossomed into a happy, responsible young girl who is full of life. She enjoys hands-on activities like drawing, painting, and coloring. Now almost 6 years old, Esther has even started to look out for her younger brother, who also began attending the school. She walks him to and from class, asking if he’s okay, like a big sister should.
Thank you for helping to change Esther’s life!
KENYA
Continued from page 9
Meet Christine
Your compassion also helped Christine (6) graduate from OBECDE Preschool in Loitoktok.
“I felt so happy wearing my gown!” Christine said. “I have been looking forward to this day, and now I am ready for grade one.” She and her classmates sang, danced, and recited poems for their loved ones, happily showcasing the confidence and creativity they’ve gained from school.
Your kindness didn't just give
Christine and other children in the Loitoktok community the opportunity to go to school. You also provided nutritious food and even shoes to give these students hope for a future full of opportunity. Today, the preschool stands as a pillar in the community for both its students and their families.
“I want to be a doctor, and today, I felt like I’m starting my journey,” said another preschool graduate named Gift.
This graduation day was the first of many milestones to come for children like Christine and Gift. Their eyes and hearts have been opened to a world of possibilities, thanks to the kindness of others.
We are so blessed to have friends like you who have a heart to serve. Your generosity is invaluable. Thank you for touching lives around the world!
A Legacy Gift Costs You Nothing Today
Yet its impact can echo into eternity.
More than 60 years ago, Pat Robertson, founder of Operation Blessing, answered God’s call with: “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
His Your
Because of your faithfulness, Operation Blessing has brought help and hope to the far corners of the globe. Lives have been transformed. Hearts have been touched through the love of Christ.
Through the Lasting Legacy Society, you can help ensure that lives continue to be blessed long into the future. You can make a lasting difference through: • •
• We’d love to connect you with opportunities to create a legacy gift.
A HEART TO help others
Friends like you gave Yuxuan lifesaving surgery—and a brighter future
bright little girl struggled just to keep up with
Yuxuan was born with serious heart disease. Although she had surgery as a baby, her heart never fully developed the way it should. As she grew older, her body struggled to get enough oxygen. When she tried to run or dance with other children, she quickly became out of breath and her lips
Yuxuan often suffered from high fevers and frequent illness. Doctors could treat Yuxuan’s symptoms, but the real problem—her heart—remained unchanged. Eventually, her parents were told she needed urgent surgery to survive. Her father and mother worked tirelessly and saved
everything they could. Still, the cost of surgery was far beyond what they could afford. Like many loving parents, they felt helpless and prayed someone would come to the rescue of their daughter.
Then, the kindness of friends like you made a way. Because of the generosity of our compassionate partners, doctors were able to repair Yuxuan’s heart. After surgery, her blood began flowing properly, and the little girl who once struggled to breathe began to
grow stronger every day.
Today, Yuxuan is full of energy and joy. “I can run. I can dance,” she said with a smile. “I can help other children now.”
Caring friends like you didn’t just save this child’s life— you gave Yuxuan the chance to grow up healthy and chase her dreams. And there are many more children like her who are still waiting for the same lifesaving help.
Thank you for making hope— and healing—possible.
“I CAN RUN. I CAN DANCE. I can help other children now.” –Yuxuan
YOU GAVE A World of Help
Families in Virginia now have access to quality food and peace of mind
Janet Parker had done everything right. She saved. She planned. She built a retirement fund. Then, her heat went out in the middle of winter. The meager government food assistance she received wasn’t enough to cover both repairs and food. The margin between making it and breaking proved dangerously thin.
“They give me $24 a month,” Janet said. “I went to the store. I bought salad fixings. That’s all I could get off $24. There’s no protein; no nothing.”
That’s when your love stepped in to fill the gap. A friend told her about First Baptist Church East End, one of our distribution partners. “I got in that line, and I drove on through,” Janet said. “They blessed me by filling my car with food. … I’ve got something to cook now.”
What she received felt like abundance compared to what she could afford alone. “I had actual meat,” she said. “You’ve got the bread, the meat, the canned goods, the veggies. They blessed me. And they continue to bless me.”
The abundance was so great that Janet shares with others in need—including Carol, a
friend who’s also struggling.
“I couldn’t keep it all because I’m one person,” Janet said. Your generosity didn’t just fill one car—it fed two households in need—along with so many others.
For Janet, the support was a reminder that she wasn’t alone.
“I’m very thankful. When I sit down to eat the food, I feel the love of God. … What may seem to be a little help for some is a world of help to others,”
Janet said. “It’s been a world of help to me.”
I’m very thankful. When I sit down to eat the food, I feel the love of God. –Janet “ ”
In a season when so many American families are struggling, you are helping create stability and dignity. Your love opens the door to a better tomorrow—by filling homes with fresh food and hearts with the power of God’s faithfulness for today and the future to come.
