Holly Drake -

The following articles were authored by holly

Food for a hurting family

By Holly Drake on June 14, 2013

When Terry was diagnosed with kidney failure, he knew he would have to leave his job as a truck driver—leaving his family struggling to keep food on the table.

LOGANVILLE, Ga. – When Terry was diagnosed with kidney failure he expected to face some pretty big challenges—but hunger was not one of them.

After being told he would have to go on dialysis until a transplant could be found, Terry could no longer keep up his schedule as a full-time truck driver.

But without a steady income, Terry and his wife, Gail, struggled to make ends meet for their family. So Terry turned to an Operation Blessing-supported food pantry for help. Continue reading Food for a hurting family

This entry is filed under Hunger Relief, North America and tagged Georgia, Hunger, Hunger Relief, Hunger Strike Force, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, Terry, United States, USA.

Saved from the streets

By Holly Drake on May 29, 2013

Manuel was only 12 years old when he escaped his abusive father only to end up on the streets.

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Manuel was only 12 years old when he escaped his abusive father only to end up on the streets of one of the most dangerous cities in Honduras—San Pedro Sula.

There, he searched dumpsters for food, cleaned windshields for money, slept on sidewalks and eventually turned to drugs to escape the pain and constant hunger. Continue reading Saved from the streets

This entry is filed under Honduras, Latin America, Orphan care and tagged Children, Honduras, Latin America, Manuel, Microenterprise, Mision Rescate, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, Orphan Care, San Pedro Sula, Street Kids.

Healing Waylee

By Holly Drake on May 14, 2013

Two-year-old Waylee had suffered from an umbilical hernia since birth, but thanks to help from Operation Blessing partners, she'll have a healthier future.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – At two years old, most children are sleeping through the night, talking, and playing happily with others. But not little Waylee.

The two-year-old has suffered from an umbilical hernia since birth—a condition that has kept her from sleeping well at night and prevented her from playing actively with her siblings. Continue reading Healing Waylee

This entry is filed under Caribbean, Haiti, Medical relief, Orphan care and tagged Caribbean, Haiti, Medical Aid, OBI, Operation Blessing, Waylee.

The hunger balance

By Holly Drake on May 7, 2013

NEWPORT, Pa. – Alivia knows about good investments, spending and saving, and balancing checkbooks. For years the single mom of three had made a good living working at a local bank, while also volunteering her extra time at a local food pantry to help those less fortunate.

But she was not prepared for the deficit of health and hunger that would soon strike her and her family. Continue reading The hunger balance

This entry is filed under Hunger Relief, North America and tagged Alivia, Hunger, Hunger Relief, Hunger Strike Force, Newport, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, Pennsylvania.

Growing a small business

By Holly Drake on April 30, 2013

A young widow, Houera was struggling just to keep her seven children fed and sheltered.

NAIMEY, Niger – A young widow, Houera was struggling just to keep her seven children fed and sheltered.

“We really suffered when my husband died,” she said. “I had no work; we had a problem with food.”

Thankfully, a “big” business plan was about to change her family’s life. Continue reading Growing a small business

This entry is filed under Africa, Microenterprise, Niger and tagged Africa, Animal Fattening, Houera, Microenterprise, Naimey, Niger, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, Small Business. | 1 Comment

Tortillas for Glendy

By Holly Drake on April 27, 2013

When her husband died, Glendy became a single mom to three children.

SAN MARCOS, Guatemala – Glendy’s husband made her a promise—one that unfortunately he was not able to keep.

He promised to buy her a corn mill so she would be able to earn an income preparing tortillas at home while taking care of their three little girls.

But a few days later an earthquake struck their region of Guatemala—Glendy’s husband was killed and their home reduced to rubble. Continue reading Tortillas for Glendy

This entry is filed under Community Development, Guatemala, Latin America, Microenterprise and tagged Community Development, Glendy, Guatemala, Latin America, Microenterprise, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, San Marcos, Small Business.

Sowing seeds and reaping hope

By Holly Drake on April 9, 2013

"With these seeds you restore hope for our village," said Fati.

MOLI, Niger – It’s hard to imagine suddenly losing everything you own—especially when your livelihood and survival depends on it.

When floodwaters hit the village of Moli in Niger, families lost everything: their home, cattle, and crops.

To reach the village of Moli with aid, relief workers boarded wooden boats and crossed what appeared to be a muddy river—a valley flooded by the recent heavy rains. Continue reading Sowing seeds and reaping hope

This entry is filed under Africa, Community Development, Community farms, Disaster, Disaster Relief, Hunger Relief, Niger and tagged Africa, clean water, Community Development, Community Farms, Disaster, Disaster Relief, Disaster Victims, Farming, Hunger, Hunger Relief, Moli, Niger, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, Seeds.

Bullied and abused: Aura’s story

By Holly Drake on March 20, 2013

Aura received the corrective surgery she needed.

ALTA VERAPAZ, Guatemala – For the last five years, Aura has endured teasing, bullying and hurtful words from her classmates—all because she was born with a lip malformation.

“I ran into my house; I jumped on the bed and cried until my mother came to me,” Aura said. “I told her I never wanted to go outside. She hugged me and said, ‘I am here to defend [you], God will help us’.” Continue reading Bullied and abused: Aura’s story

This entry is filed under Guatemala, Latin America, Medical relief and tagged Alta Verapaz, Aura, Guatemala, Latin America, Medical Aid, Medical Care, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, Surgery, Surgical Sponsorship.

Medical clinic aids young father after 20-foot fall

By Holly Drake on March 6, 2013

Alcides was brought to an Operation Blessing medical clinic after suffering severe injuries.

EL SALVADOR – To provide for his family, Alcides, a father of 2 young boys, was working odd jobs at a farm near his home in El Salvador.

One day while he was trimming branches high up in a tree, a limb crashed down on him—knocking him more than 20 feet to the ground and severely injuring him. Continue reading Medical clinic aids young father after 20-foot fall

This entry is filed under El Salvador, Latin America, Medical relief and tagged Alcides, El Salvador, Latin America, Medical, Medical Aid, medical clinic, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International.

Feeding a small army

By Holly Drake on February 27, 2013

Becca and her children were facing hunger.

PENNSYLVANIA – When George suddenly lost his sales job due to the economy, it was a shock to his family. And with three young children to feed, it wasn’t long before he and his wife Becca found themselves unable to pay their bills and put food on the table.

Thankfully, George and Becca turned to an Operation Blessing-supported food pantry near their home for help with groceries and other household items. The food supplies were enough to ensure that their children wouldn’t go hungry. Continue reading Feeding a small army

This entry is filed under Hunger Relief, North America and tagged Food Distribution, Food Pantry, Hunger, Hunger Relief, Hunger Strike Force, North America, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, USA.

Under attack: 12-year-old Koumba survives rebel fight

By Holly Drake on February 25, 2013

Koumba survived a rebel fight in Mali.
MALI – Twelve-year-old Koumba was asleep in her bed when her home came under attack. Ammunition tore through the walls of their home and shrapnel pierced her skin.

The attack devastated their home, and took the life of her young brother. Continue reading Under attack: 12-year-old Koumba survives rebel fight

This entry is filed under Africa, Disaster Relief, Hunger Relief, Mali and tagged Africa, Disaster, Disaster Assistance, Disaster Relief, Hunger Relief, Mali, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International.

Called to Love: A home for Linda

By Holly Drake on February 14, 2013

Linda wandered the streets alone and hungry.

HONDURAS – Linda dreamed of going to school, learning to write her name, even doing homework—but more than that, she just wanted to be loved.

As a young girl Linda worked on a farm in the mountains of Honduras, enduring years of physical abuse until finally rescued by her grandfather. But he died shortly after, and Linda was left to fend for herself.

She wandered the streets, living alone—vulnerable and hungry. Continue reading Called to Love: A home for Linda

This entry is filed under Honduras, Latin America, Orphan care and tagged Honduras, Latin America, OBI, Operation Blessing, Operation Blessing International, Orphan Care.

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