With My Own Eyes » OBI Volunteer Blogs

Helping Irene victims in Stumpy Point

Operation Blessing — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:21:00 +0000

By Jenn Wakefield

STUMPY POINT, N.C. – When most people think of the Outer Banks, they think of vacation. Some think of amazing seafood, and others think of their second home for the summer. When I think of out The Outer Banks, I think of two weeks that changed my life and a small fishing village called Stumpy Point.

After Hurricane Irene struck North Carolina, I was honored to work with Operation Blessing in their disaster relief efforts. Operation Blessing is an international nonprofit organization that is based out of Virginia Beach where I live.

On the drive down to Stumpy Point, I thought to myself, “What a beautiful place! I want to vacation here sometime.”

When we arrived, I learned that Stumpy Point was a small community with one main street. The homes there were mostly destroyed from water damage. Some homes received up to four feet of water—it broke my heart to see the devastation.

But it was Operation Blessing to the rescue! The residents were so excited to see us; one lady approached me and started crying. She said, “I know you haven’t done anything yet, but when you see Operation Blessing, you feel instant hope. Everything is going to be okay.” I couldn’t help but tear up myself.

I thought I was there to help fix homes, maybe do some administrative work, even help serve food; I was terribly mistaken. I was there to listen. I listened to their stories, gave hugs, and built relationships that I am sure will last.

A group of students from Rockford, Ill. came for five days to assist Operation Blessing. When I met these students, I had been there for a week already. I told them to get ready, they were about to be changed in ways they couldn’t imagine.

The day they left, I knew I was right. Brooke was a leader of the Focus One group out of Rockford, and she was so touched by a family she had been working with that week that she had to see them one last time to say goodbye. It was joyful and emotional—they hugged as if they had known each other their entries lives.

Being God’s hands and listening ears, and showing His love, is more powerful than one might think. In a time of disaster, sometimes that is all we need. Someone to help, listen and love.

These two weeks have changed me forever.

Badwater for clean water

Operation Blessing — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:06:48 +0000

DEATH VALLEY – 5 days. 306 miles. 1 goal. Find out what’s driving Jason Lester, ESPY award winner and ultra endurance athlete, to run 306 grueling miles along the Badwater course through Death Valley to help raise $1 million for Operation Blessing’s clean water projects.

Read Jason’s blog:

This is a tough post to write. I don’t really know where to start. How does one stare into a coming trial, one that will test everything that they are and put that fear, trepidation, thrill, excitement, dread, anticipation, anxiety, nervousness, elation into words?

I am about to embark on the greatest challenge of my life. I have never faced anything as difficult as what lies in front of me now. All my life has led me to right here, right now.

Let me try to cast my vision.

I feel as if I am on the edge of a precipice. As I gaze down, I see before me a very long stretch of merciless desert just waiting to destroy me. That desert seems to sneer, to mock me and dare me to just try it. That desert, in spite of its savage beauty, is just waiting to tear me apart.

It is going to hurt, probably worse than I have ever hurt before. I will summit a new level of pain. It is going to be hellishly hot and I will struggle with a thirst that goes on for days. And that is exactly why I am doing what I am. You see, in the past year a series of events have brought the clean water crisis to my attention. I always knew, in a very abstract way, that there were a lot of people that did not have access to clean water but I had never really thought that out–thought about what it must be like to not have clean, safe water.

Honestly, I’m not sure any of us living in developed countries can really imagine what that would be like.

But try. Imagine holding your child in your arms as they die a terrible, horrendous death. Writhing from the grip of intense pain as their life is taken by a water-borne disease…and all the while they are parched and begging for a bit more of the very water that is killing them.

This is the way that thousands of people die everyday.

Every one of those lives is unique. Precious. This is a tragic loss that no words can fully convey. And I refuse to do nothing. This situation has broken my heart in such a profound way. I cannot, knowing what I know now, do nothing.

I can guess what you are thinking now. “What can you do, Jason? You’re a triathlete. You run, bike, swim. That is what you do.” I was thinking the same thing….and then it occurred for me:

If all I do is run, bike, swim, and talk about my sport…what good am I?

What Good am I?

If being an athlete is just for me, it is meaningless. I mean meaningless in the lament-drenched way that Solomon meant it. There is no way that that is what God has planned for me. I have long believed that I am blessed in order that I may be a blessing to others.

So here it is: This summer I will be running from Las Vegas, through Death Valley all the way to Mount Whitney–306 miles all to raise funds for the world’s best water charity, Operation Blessing. Operation Blessing has built more than 10,000 wells, saving the lives of more than 4 million people all over the world.

So, running 306 miles through Death Valley sounds insane, right?

No, what’s insane is not doing anything and everything that I can to bring relief to the millions of precious children, moms, dads…families that are suffering and dying.

Why 306 miles through Death Valley? Call it an act of solidarity or what you will. I want to feel the grip of pain, the unquenchable thirst that so many suffer everyday. Why run–and why run so long? It’s what I do. We all have God-given gifts and it is our responsibility to honor God by using our gifts to help others. My plan is to use the craziness of this epic run to call attention to the tragic loss of life caused by a lack of access to clean water—and at the same time get the word out that by partnering with Operation Blessing we can change this. We can save lives.

Though I will be running every step of the 306 miles, this is far from a solo effort.

Lisa Smith-Batchen is the only other person who has ever successfully completed the trek from Las Vegas to Mt. Whitney. And that amazing, wonderful, awe-inspiring lady has graciously agreed to be my crew chief for this run. And she’s not just my crew chief; she’s also coaching me as I train for this daunting endeavor.

The training for a 300 mile run through the desert is very different from the kind of training I am used to. As many of you know, last month I hosted and competed in EPIC5 Challenge which is an ultra endurance event consisting of 5 Iron-distance triathlons in 5 consecutivedays on 5 different Hawaiian islands. The training for an event like that is basically just a whole lot of swimming, running and cycling.

The training schedule and regimen Lisa has me on is very different. Though I will be building on the fitness level I had already attained prior to EPIC5, my current training will push, stretch and demand more of me than anything I’ve ever done before. The biggest part of the training is mental.

So much of the training will be focused on developing and strengthening the core attributes of an ultra-athlete. This desert run will require determination, strategy, flexibility, mental fortitude, stamina, endurance, perspective, courage and teamwork.

Teamwork. Now that brings me to my next point. As I stated above, this is far from a solo effort. In order to really make a difference here I need your help.

I need a team of people behind me–people who understand what I am doing and why I am doing it. People who care enough to get involved and help out in any way they can. I need your words of encouragement. I need your enthusiasm and willingness to tell others about what we are doing. I need your prayers. I need your financial backing, donations to Operation Blessing–because that is what this is all about, that is how lives will be saved.

Can you see it? Did I succeed in casting the vision for you–the vision I have for this project to do a great and wonderful Good? If so, I encourage you to leave a comment below or make a donation here to help support the cost of our project. Each donor will be recognized on our H2OPE website (unless specified to be kept anonymous).

Every Friday, from now till I leave for Death Valley to take on this massive challenge, I will be posting a blog entry about my training–all that I am going through as I prepare for this mad, wonderful journey. It will be raw and unpolished. I can’t promise anything other than honest soul-baring of all that I am going through, good and bad. Just thinking about the coming weeks of training and all that lies ahead seems to weary me.

But as I stated in the introduction of my book.” Running on Faith: The Principles, Passion, and Pursuit of a Winning Life “If you don’t stop, you can’t be stopped

And I will Never Stop. That, my friends, I promise you.

– Jason

Learn more or donate.

Watch: OBI and NASCAR driver team up to help Joplin

Operation Blessing — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:41:57 +0000

JOPLIN, Mo. – See how Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, partnered with Operation Blessing and the Home Depot to give one deserving family the surprise of a lifetime.

Watch Video

Being a blessing to others

Operation Blessing — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:35:55 +0000

About the blogger: Darold is part of a team of young adults from Rockford, Ill. who have joined OBI for a week-long trip to California to serve the homeless, hungry and impoverished.

CHINO, Calif. – What a day it was. After having breakfast as a group, we headed out to bag food items and clothing for those in need at Isaiah’s Rock in Chino.

We distributed food to people outside and carried heavy boxes of food to their cars. There was an elderly man named Ramon who was struggling with a big box of food. I quickly went to his aid and took the box out of his hands. When I asked him if he had an automobile, he replied no and that his house was several blocks away. I decided to walk with him to his house, carrying his box for him, despite his protests.

It was a difficult haul to his house as the box gradually became heavier over time. I don’t see how he would have made it without help. When we finally got to his house, we walked into the small living space Ramon called home and I set the box in his kitchen.

As I said goodbye, he told me that he looked forward to seeing me next week. I told him that we would be heading back to Illinois before then. I couldn’t help but notice how sad he looked after I told him that.

When I got back to Isaiah’s Rock I was fatigued. I got some water from a nearby cooler, and as I was taking a drink, someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind. I turned around and to my surprise, I saw Ramon. How did he get here so fast?

With a giant smile Ramon said that he was willing to help for the remainder of the day in any way he could. The day was already winding down, but I introduced him to the distribution manager and got Ramon set up to help volunteer another day.

I love moments like this. Just moments before, Ramon was being blessed by God through this food distribution. And now, in a few days, Ramon will be the one serving and blessing others.

Offering hope and help to people in need

Operation Blessing — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:54:21 +0000

About the blogger: Dan is part of a team of young adults from Rockford, Ill. who have joined OBI for a week-long trip to California to serve the homeless, hungry and impoverished.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – This morning came very early. We grouped together after breakfast to head out to Heart of Compassion food bank. We were given a tour of the warehouse and learned a bit of background information on the program they run.

View photos

Soon we formed a line to greet the community with handshakes, hugs and hellos as they arrived. This was best way we could welcome them with God’s love and create a comfortable atmosphere so they can feel at home.

Not much later, I noticed a woman who was crying. So I went over to her and began to talk to her. She looked at me and hugged me, and she said she had lost her father to a stroke last week and then on Monday her husband had a stroke. She didn’t know where to go or what to do to support her family financially or emotionally. She simply said, “I just need help.”

I think we take life for granted, and sometimes God uses moments like these in our lives to show us that. It is really humbling to know that these people have nothing, and just because we gave them food and a smile, they feel so blessed. It’s too bad that it takes moments like these to realize we need to focus on what we have, not what we don’t have. What an amazing day, I cannot wait until tomorrow!

The “beauty” of serving others

Operation Blessing — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:51:36 +0000

About the blogger: Darold is part of a team of young adults from Rockford, Ill. who have joined OBI for a week-long trip to California to serve the homeless, hungry and impoverished.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – After being woken up again by the rooster, it was off to breakfast to start another wonderful day. This time we went to Heart of Compassion food distribution center.

View photos

At the center we broke into groups and began distributing food to the many people in need. We loaded boxes of food into cars, sometimes shared by as many as three families. While I was helping load the automobiles lined up for food, I noticed another volunteer helping out. He had a huge smile on his face and seemed so excited to spend his time serving others.

A little later, I took a moment to chat with him. During the conversation, the gentleman told me that he almost hadn’t come. “I was planning on sleeping in and sitting at home, angry and frustrated,” he said. “But something told me that I had to be here today. I had to be here to help others in need. At that moment, I rushed to get here.”

Earlier, Pastor Eric, director of Heart of Compassion, challenged us to look to serve others this day. During the food distribution, we were servants to the poor and we all knew that this was exactly where we should be.

We aren’t perfect people. God doesn’t necessarily use the strongest or the richest. He uses regular people, like you and me. He uses insignificant people to do significant things in the lives of those in need.

But the beauty of it is that as we serve, we too are being served. As we show love to others, someone in turn shows love to us.

Roosters and eggplants: Helping the hungry in L.A.

Operation Blessing — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:33:12 +0000

About the blogger: Darold is part of a team of young adults from Rockford, Ill. who have joined OBI for a week-long trip to California to serve the homeless, hungry and impoverished.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – I woke up today to the most unusual sounds that you would never expect to hear in Los Angeles. At 5 a.m. I heard the crow of a rooster. I’ve been to Mississippi, Georgia and Arkansas and have never been woken up by a rooster until I came to Los Angeles!

View photos

The day, in a nutshell, was amazing. We got together at 8 a.m. and had breakfast. After a delightful meal, we headed over to Love Community Outreach Center and met with the director, George Rostro and his wife.

This place was incredible. When our van drove up, a line had already formed around the facility and down the block. We broke into groups and bagged food and supplies that were greatly needed by these hungry people.

Then we were off to distribute the food items we had packaged. I had the responsibility of handing a pair of eggplants to each family. Eggplants seemed to be everywhere!

Nearly 400 families came to us for food and who knows how many individuals are in each family. It was an incredible sight to see so many people coming to us for food and prayer.

Making an impact: University students serve the hungry

Operation Blessing — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:03:39 +0000

About the blogger: Dan is part of a team of more than 30 students from Regent University who have joined OBI for a week-long trip to California to serve the homeless, hungry and impoverished.

COVINA, Calif. – Moments before people began arriving at Fred Jordan Mission, our team formed two lines near the front entrance to greet the attendants with cheers and applause. We thought it would be an appropriate way to create a welcoming atmosphere—simply another way to “embrace” them as they walked through the doors to receive a fresh meal and other gifts. And although many seemed surprised by our actions, just as many walked by with smiles on their faces.

As the crowd filled the room, a woman walked past me with a huge smile. I greeted her saying, “Come on in! Thanks so much for coming!” She paused and asked, “Why are you guys giving us applause?” And without thinking twice I responded immediately by saying, “Because you deserve it!”

I later pondered over the words I had spoken to the woman. Did I really believe that was true? Or more importantly, why did I believe it to be true?

By the end of the day I had realized that what I said was true and that it was true simply because that woman, more than anything else, was precious to God. I was reminded that, regardless of status, title, background, or history, we are all God’s creations. And that alone was enough to deserve the respect and honor that we did our best to show to those who came to Fred Jordan Mission.

I believe the plight of poverty exists largely due to the fact that we fail to realize or be reminded of this important fact. We differentiate and distinguish ourselves from others to the point where we value (or devalue) one life more than another. This creates the perfect environment for injustice to rule.

But when we choose to live out God’s desire for us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves—through tangible acts of compassion like feeding the hungry or clothing the naked—we successfully create an atmosphere where we are all equal. We are humans in need of God and a place where we are all met with the sound of applause because hey, we’re worth it.

~Dan

Who’s hungry in America? Day 4

Atlanta Master’s Commission — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:12:04 +0000

CALIFORNIA – “The true test of the heart, though, is whether or not you will give when there is no reward.” ~Katie, Master’s Commission Atlanta

The team of students from Atlanta’s Master’s Commission spent their fourth ministry day working with Fred Jordan Mission and Metro Kidz. This is what they have to say about their last day of hunger relief outreach with Operation Blessing in California:

From Katie:

It is easy to give when you can immediately see the reward. It is also easy to give when you get a thank you and feel appreciated. The true test of the heart, though, is whether or not you will give when there is no reward, when there is no appreciation, when there is no smile. Will you give when you are sworn at, threatened and looked down upon?

This morning was one of those moments when my heart was tested. We worked with a place called the Fred Jordan Mission. Their focus is people on “Skid Row.” This is a place of drug sales, homelessness and prostitution. Needless to say, these people do not have the easiest of lives. In many aspects, their way of life is just so different than the people we served before.

Most of my time was spent in a small room filled with clothes for women and children. They cycled in groups of 10, each having 5 minutes to grab any 15 items they wanted. One of the most beautiful things, aside from the women receiving clothes for themselves and their children, is that it was really all about them.

It wasn’t about me or anyone else on our team and what great works we were doing. Rather, it was about the need and meeting that need, and it is making a difference whether or not we always see or feel it. I found I had a choice. When I was encountered with things I didn’t expect, I could either back away or step forward and love harder than before. To make an intense impact, an intense love is needed. I chose to step forward and still care and love, no matter what.

Later that day, we jumped in with Metro Kidz Ministry. I found a group of girls and asked them all their names and just started playing with them. One girl in particular caught my eye and by the end of the day she had captured my heart. Her name was Kailin, but she ended up with the nickname Giggle Box because of her constant giggling, laughing and smiling.

When we first started she was a little bit reserved about participating in the dances, but with a bit of interaction and play she was soon fully engaged, jumping, laughing and bringing smiles to everyone who looked at her. As we sat together and listened to the service, she would look over to both me and Allison and smile at us. It was such a beautiful smile, and her eyes radiated with such joy and happiness.

When we tried to stand she pulled both of us as close as possible and squeezed us as hard as she could, refusing to let us go. She wanted to go up front so we walked with her. We spent a moment together that will forever be etched in my heart. I was sad when it all ended. I didn’t want to leave this little girl who had just stolen my heart. It was so obvious that this little girl was full of love that it flowed out of her.

We were only there for a day, but Metro Kidz is out there on a regular basis loving on these kids and taking care of them. I know she is in good hands and I’m thankful for even getting to spend one day with her.

~Katie

From Chris:

Today was honestly a day of tears.

The last few days have been intense. However, up until today, we have mostly seen middle class families that were just going through hard times. But that wasn’t the case today. Today we got to see the hurt in LA. We went to “Skid Row,” and I saw things that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

My heart broke as I heard the stories of these people. Some were mentally unwell, some addicts, some down-and-out, and yet others that simply were never given a chance. I even saw a lady today whose only pair of shoes was a pair of snowboard boots.

It was heart wrenching. I was reminded of how fortunate my life has been. But most of all, it reminded me to have passion. The people who work with Metro Kidz and Fred Jordan Mission have a true love for this community and these people. And while my heart may be focused on other things, these ministries reminded me of what a heart can do when it’s focused on one cause.

~Chris

From Andy:

So today we worked at the Fred Jordan Mission. A few of us were given the chance to watch kids as their mothers went through the mission to get food and other items. I made a lot of new friends!

The kids were so fun, but the best part about working with them was seeing the smiles on their faces when we did the small things, like give them hugs or remember their names. It was really a blessing to work with them.

After we left the Fred Jordan Mission, we met up with Pastor Julian. This man truly has a heart for kids, especially within his community. The mission he works is called Metro Kidz. It was great just hanging out with these kids and really showing them love.

It is truly awesome to go out and just work in the community. I want to leave you with this challenge: go out into your own community and make a difference, whatever that may be.

~Andy

From Allison:

I was born a dreamer and as I grew, so did my dreams. But as I follow the purpose I am called to, I’ve lost sight of what it means to dream. Every idea I have seems like a waste and is quickly shoved aside. I think somewhere inside I just need someone to tell me that my dreams were still possible and worth chasing. Well, over the course of today, my dreams have been renewed and confirmed.

The conditions I saw people in today gave me hope that this little dream I have of spreading joy around the world with the passing of a bouncy ball and a smile could actually be possible. The people I saw today just wanted love and joy. That’s all. Sure they showed up for the food and the clothes, and even the church service, but really all of it is made possible because of someone’s love and joy. And it’s felt in every ministry at Fred Jordan Mission.

It’s really not that complicated, and I think I overcomplicate my love and joy and dreams so much that they become impossible. Same is true of Metro Kidz. The kids come to the park just to be loved on, to feel a change from the daily grind at a broken home. All I had to do was show up believing and expecting God to move and these kids fell in love with who we were. It wasn’t because we did anything special, we didn’t even have to exchange names; it was because we had a love and a joy that they have been hungry for.

I gave away about 10 bouncy balls to different kids. I saw smiles come out that hadn’t been cracked in a long time. I saw language barriers fall away, because the common language became joy. And once joy comes out, it makes dreaming a whole lot easier. My dreams were restored today by restoring the dreams of those around me.

~Allison

Who’s hungry in America? Day 3

Atlanta Master’s Commission — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:32:57 +0000

CALIFORNIA – “Who’s hungry in America? Just look into your neighbors eyes and you may find an answer worth the risk.” ~Allison, Master’s Commission Atlanta.

The team of students from Atlanta’s Master’s Commission spent their third ministry day working with The Rock Food Distribution. This is what they have to say so far about their week-long hunger relief outreach with Operation Blessing in California:

From Katie:

I honestly wasn’t expecting much out of today. We had just done a food distribution, how different could it be? I soon found out how wrong I was.

There is just something special and something that never seems to get old about handing out food to someone who needs it. With a single smile it was easy to see the difference being made in each person’s life. It made everything worth it. Luckily for me, I encountered far more than just one smile.

People came through with thankfulness written all over them. A little boy pointed at the bag of lettuce in my hand and jumped up and down in excitement as he asked his mom, “Is that ours? Do we get to have that?” She smiled as she told him that it indeed was theirs and they were getting to keep it.

There is such joy to be found in helping provide for people, whether it is by donating items or time. It is one of the most rewarding things. It scares me to think where some of these people would be without people like the Kings or places like The Rock.

Sometimes you never know how much of a difference you are making, but the difference is being made. I have found it such an honor to serve these people and give my time to them and for them. I am excited to see what the next few days will have in store and who will be helped.

~Katie

From Allison:

The other day I was confronted with the question “Who’s hungry in America?” What a silly question… the hungry are hungry! The poor. The needy. The less fortunate. At least that’s what we like to think and say most of the time. I have found over the past few days that it runs much deeper than what is seen by the eye, and it really doesn’t have a whole lot to do with food either.

The morning started early and cold, and at that moment, I was hungry. Not for food, but for something else… something I just can’t put my finger on. Later I stood in a line with nothing more than cups of noodles to put into the carts and bags of hungry people.

They too are hungry for something beyond just the food that fills the space. I have asked dozens of people who they are and what their stories are. But I find that no matter who they are or why they are there, they too silently scream of hunger for something more. I can even find the hunger in the eyes of my friends.

But why? We go to a school that’s jump starting the rest of our lives. Why would we look with hungry eyes too? I may not know the story of each person, but once I chose to look beyond the outward appearances of all these people, it became easy to find the thing we all hunger for—love.

I took a lot of risks that trained me for the tougher moments when I had the opportunity to love on people. Today I specifically found that people need others who are going to care about more than small talk and who will take the time to love them and hug them and use physical action to show their love.

It could have been really simple, and I could have let all the people just walk by with two cups of noodles. But I figure that if I was broken and hurting, and if I didn’t tell anyone about it, I would want someone to be bold enough to love me and have an impact on me.

Who’s hungry in America? Just look into your neighbors eyes and you may find an answer worth the risk.

~Allison

From Chris:

Expectation means everything. But what happens if you lose it? Can expectation just sneak off? Or maybe it’s just that we forget? My personal opinion is that we sometimes just forget. And today, I have to ashamedly say I forgot my expectation in our tent at the King’s house.

We went to a ministry called The Rock to do yet another food distribution. Notice even in that sentence I said “yet another”… It is ridiculous to think of how quickly things can get old and stale isn’t it?

We helped feed around 600 families at The Rock. And with every family that passed through the line, I was reminded of the miracles that these simple food distributions bring.

Expectation is a funny thing; if you want it there seems to be a never-ending supply. The question is whether or not we will decide to have it every day for the rest of our lives.

~Chris

To help the hungry, donate to Operation Blessing’s hunger relief fund.