June 2011

MEXICO CITY – In just three months, Karla went from trash to class—graduating class, that is.

Like so many other children in Mexico who drop out of school to work and support their families, Karla too became a statistic, joining the estimated 8 to 11 million children in Mexico who are under 15 and working.

Instead of learning history, maths and science behind a desk

at school, she spent her days sorting and recycling trash at the local dump and falling farther and farther behind in her education.

But then at age 17, she got the opportunity of a lifetime.

Karla was invited to participate in Operation Blessing’s skills training program which teaches at-risk teens marketable skills in courses such as electrical wiring, beauty, sewing and appliance repair.

For three months, Karla attended daily classes where she learned how to cut hair and work as a manicurist in the beauty industry. As part of the curriculum, she also attended character building and values classes, and received training on how to prepare her resume, assemble a portfolio of work and interview for jobs.

In her free – Continued on page 4

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The Perfect Fit – See pg. 3

From Recycling Trash to Graduating Class

After spending most of her school-age years working in a local dump, see how one teen finds a “beauty-filled” road to success

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June 2011 The Perfect Fit – See pg. 3

Bill Horan, OB Presidenta Message From The president

It’s hard not to get depressed by what we see in the media; headlines about what’s wrong with the world. It’s rare that we see anything about what’s right. A big-time TV producer once told me “good news is no news.” At Operation Blessing, we work behind the headlines, bringing light to dark places, making bad things good.

In this issue of Blessings, there are several examples of what I mean. Most headlines about Mexico tell of drug violence and mayhem, yet behind the scenes there are millions of God-loving people trying to raise their kids and make a better life. Our cover story tells about teens that learned a trade and now have a

chance for a better life. The looks on their faces at graduation tell more than words on a page.

Headlines about Israel are also usually discouraging. Our story tells of disabled adults working in a shop on the outskirts of Bethlehem, quietly creating beautiful mosaic art. I spoke with one, a watchmaker who had lost his job. He told me that the program gave him a way to support his family and a new lease on life.

Recently, U.S. headlines have been filled with stories of the destruction of historic tornadoes and floods. Our story tells of how OB is helping a man, terrified by storms since childhood, to rebuild his home and his life.

The sun shines down on all the earth but rarely starts a fire, yet a magnifying glass can focus the energy of sunlight and start a fire in a few seconds. I think of OB as a magnifying instrument that focuses energy, love and God’s grace into single points of mercy that ignite hope and turn bad news into good news.

“Miracle” In China OB China raises funds to help save a young mother’s life

Xiuwei’s son Taotao is enrolled in OB China’s Back to Sound project for deaf children, where he receives hearing and speech training.

Thanks to the compassionate response of donors, Xiuwei received the lifesaving treatment she needed.

Bill Horan talks with Charles whose Birmingham neighborhood was destroyed by a tornado. See story on pg. 4.

BEIJING – When Xiuwei arrived to Beijing with her husband to get help for their young son Taotao, she had no idea she would soon be in desperate need herself.

Taotao is deaf and for the past few months has been receiving hearing and speech training as part of OB China’s

Back to Sound project. But when Xiuwei woke up one

morning vomiting and suddenly fell unconscious, her husband Zhenting rushed her to the hospital where it became apparent that this was no ordinary illness. At only 29 years old, Xiuwei was diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction—a type of stroke.

Zhenting was told by doctors that his wife’s life was in danger; however the hospital required payment before they could continue her medical treatment.

Desperate for help, Zhenting called OB China. “My father died of cancer when I was 20 years old,

my son is a deaf child and now my wife’s life is in danger,” he said.

After meeting Zhenting at the hospital, the OB China team wrote a simple, heartfelt letter and posted it on their website. Soon, people began responding with donations, many even visiting Xiuwei and Zhenting in the hospital.

In all, OB China raised 28,400 yuan (more than $4,000 USD) for Xiuwei; just enough

for the cost of her treatment.“Our doctor had said that

Xiuwei would pass away or be completely paralyzed,” Zhenting said. “But as you can see, she

is recovering very well. The doctor said it is

a miracle. Thank you, OB China.”

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Ahmed, above, works on a mosaic. At left, a portrait of St. Joseph and Jesus is one of many beautiful mosaics created by Samer and his team.

WEST BANK, Israel – From his weathered face and calloused hands, you can tell that Ahmed is a man who is not afraid of hard work.

But not everyone sees him that way. Some see only his crutch and the stilted gait that comes from one leg being shorter than the other.

Though born with a physical disability, Ahmed was able to support himself for many years until a few years ago when he lost his job. Since then, he has found it nearly impossible to get hired again. And Ahmed isn’t alone in his struggle.

“Here it’s very difficult for disabled people to have the opportunity to work because of their situation,” said Samer, owner of Bethlehem Mosaics. “We give them that opportunity.”

That opportunity is creating beautiful mosaics at Samer’s shop on the outskirts of Bethlehem where employees like Ahmed help sand, cut and create hand-made mosaics—everything from simple crosses and jewelry boxes to masterful iconic depictions of saints and intricately designed coffee tables.

When Operation Blessing learned about Samer’s work and vision to help employ those with disabilities, it turned out to be a perfect fit.

OB Israel provided all the tools and equipment necessary to get the business started and is also

helping find distribution outlets to sell the pieces. Eventually the goal is to also help Samer open a storefront next to the workshop.

But the biggest blessing is seeing the impact it has in the lives of people like Ahmed who desire to be independent and provide for their families.

“They told me, ‘You’ll get a good salary and you will support your family,’ ” Ahmed said. “And this is my aim,” he added with a smile.

The perfect FitA new livelihood mosaic project in Israel helps the disabled earn a living

My Name Is…BlessingOrphaned as a young girl and spending her days selling food on the dusty streets of Nigeria, Blessing’s life hardly lived up to her name. But then a social worker brought her to Operation Blessing and thanks to friends like you, she began to receive the care and support she needed, including the opportunity to go to school. Today Blessing is a bright and beautiful young girl and hopes to become a doctor someday. Her success story is yet another beautiful “blessing” that your partnership helps make possible.

“Thank you for helping me go to school!” she says.

Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25? The message is clear. God want us to maximise what He’s given us so we can do even more for His Kingdom and glory.

As a Monthly Partner, you can make an even greater impact and help save lives ! For every £1 you give Operation Blessing can deliver £10 worth of relief for children and families in need. Get started today by calling our dedicated donation number 0845 6003303 or email us directly at donate@operationblessing.org.uk to request a standing order form.

Live Your Faith - Change Your World

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– Continued from page 1

PRATT CITY, Ala. – For 20 minutes, Charles was living his worst nightmare.

At 6 p.m. on April 27, he called his wife with an urgent warning.

“You need to get the kids downstairs,” he said. “You need to get down there right now because the storm is coming.”

But the storm was already there. No sooner had he given the warning did Charles hear a terrifying reply.

“I heard the glass in the back den start to break. Everybody started yelling…screaming…and then the phone died,” he recalled as he choked back the tears.

“For the next 20 minutes, I didn’t know what happened. It’s like your worst nightmare. I thought they were gone.”

Fortunately, the devastating string of tornadoes that swept through Alabama and were responsible for more than 300 deaths had spared his wife and four children.

His home, however, was severely damaged. Downed trees had a damaged his roof and siding, his bedroom ceiling had caved in, windows were blown out, and heavy rains had left significant water damage.

But all that, Charles pointed out, was replaceable. His family was not. And that’s something Charles knows all too well.

On April 4, 1977, when Charles was just five years old, an F5 tornado passed through

this same area, claiming the lives of 22 people. One of those victims was his mother.

“Whenever it rains, storms really bad, I always get a little nervous about it – just from that memory,” Charles said as he wiped tears from his eyes.

Despite the painful memories, Charles remains optimistic as he and his neighbors work to pick up the pieces. And they’re getting some help from Operation Blessing—who arrived with a crew of staff and volunteers and a convoy of construction equipment, including a 20-ton crane, loader, and dump truck to help residents with debris and cleanup.

“A lot of people came out to help out. I never imagined that so many people would just show up, and be willing to give their time to just help us out. Guys like you…you really are a blessing to us,” Charles said.

Tornado victim: “It was the worst 20 minutes of my life”A father of four describes the terrifying moments of the tornado that devastated his Birmingham, Alabama neighborhood

From Recycling Trash to Graduating Classtime, Karla also began attending the church that is the host site for the classes, and is now involved in their street drama ministry.

“The program helped me spiritually, mentally and socially,” Karla said. “I have changed a lot of things I was doing before. The character manual has helped me grow a lot.”

But perhaps the best part for these students is the sense of accomplishment that comes when they don their caps and gowns for a formal graduation ceremony and receive their certificate of completion.

For Karla, the successful journey from the trash dump to the beauty salon has inspired her to begin her studies again, and she is planning to take a test to officially graduate from middle school so she can be eligible to attend high school.

She’s also eager to share her new skills with other teens in similar situations. “I think if I could teach this to other people, it would be so cool,” she said.

Currently there are four training locations throughout Mexico City with more than 75 teens participating.

Work crews help residents remove debris.

“The program helped me

spiritually, mentally and socially.”

~Karla

“I never imagined that so many people would just show up and be willing to give their time to just help us out,” Charles said.

Karla paints an acrylic nail during her beauty school training courses.

Copyright © 2010 by Operation Blessing UK, PO Box 700, Hereford, HR1 9EW. For more information, call 0845 6003303 or visit our website www.operationblessing.org.uk