Here’s How Operation Blessing Helped LA Fire Survivor Restart Her Business

The wildfires that swept through Los Angeles left many families devastated, including Rasheeda Dove’s.

The firestorm forced her family to flee their home, with embers striking their car as they drove away.

“It was so scary. So many fires were going on all around us. The embers were hitting our car. It was morning, but it was really dark. It was like a movie set,” Rasheeda recalled.

When she returned, everything was gone.

The home she had known was reduced to rubble, along with her business—a handcrafted body care company specializing in shea butters, scrubs, soaps, and oils. The loss was overwhelming, but she found strength in her family and community support.

Thankfully, Operation Blessing stepped in to provide much-needed relief.

The organization supplied Rasheeda with tools and raw ingredients to help her relaunch her body care business and candle-making business. She now operates from home, bringing in revenue while working toward securing a new location after the LA fire.

“We thought we were just going to come back in the morning, and everything would be the same,” she said. “Then we went back, and that was devastating. Nothing was left. It was just rubbish.”

That is why the livelihood assistance she received from Operation Blessing was a huge help. Despite the hardship, Rasheeda remains focused on moving forward. She stays connected with former clients and receives encouragement from those eager to see her business thrive again.

Her parents, who lost their home as well during the LA fire, serve as a source of motivation.

“I tell them all the time how much I love them. Whenever they thank me, I remind them I’m just showing them the love they have given me,” Rasheeda said.

Operation Blessing’s support has been important in her recovery after the LA fire. With essential supplies and donor contributions, Rasheeda is rebuilding her business and looking toward the future with hope.

“To Operation Blessing and everyone who has worked with them, and to the donors who have supplied me with everything I needed—I just appreciate it. I’m thankful that I’ll be able to resume my livelihood.”

Though the journey has been difficult, Rasheeda and her family remain strong. “We can start all over, This only makes us stronger,” her father said.

Stories like Rasheeda’s, or any LA fire survivor, show the power of kindness and community support. You can be part of this life-changing work. Your donation or volunteer efforts to Operation Blessing can help families rebuild and regain hope after disasters.

Partner with us today and bring relief to those in need. Visit Operation Blessing’s website to learn more about the work we do!

3 Hopeless Situations, Turned into Stories of Hope

Every day, many people face struggles that seem impossible. Hopeless situations that seem too great to handle.

Whether it’s the loss of sight, an overwhelming medical condition, or a painful disability. But through the kindness of those willing to help, miracles happen, and lives are transformed.

Here are three inspiring stories of resilience, faith, and the power of compassion amid hopeless situations.

Life seemed to be closing in on 59-year-old Gilberto Jayme. His vision had begun to fade in 2022 due to cataracts in his left eye, making even the simplest tasks impossible.

Without access to check-ups, prescription glasses, or the ability to work, he struggled to survive alone in Las Piñas. His brother, Robert, tried to help—but with his own family to care for, resources were limited.

After years of uncertainty and prayer, hope finally arrived. A volunteer from Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, referred Gilberto to the Life-Changing Surgery program. It granted him the chance to undergo cataract surgery.

In an instant, his world became brighter. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity to see clearly. I am excited to have both my eyes treated,” he said.

While Gilberto was rediscovering the beauty of sight, another life was being touched by hope.

Nine-year-old Princess Kate Ramos, a child full of warmth and joy, battled immense challenges—Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), epilepsy, and an intellectual disability.

Though her parents worked hard to care for her, the cost of medications, check-ups, and a strict diet were more than they could bear. Doubt crept in, and they feared their prayers would go unanswered.

But through Operation Blessing’s Medical Assistance Program, help arrived just in time. Princess Kate received the medical care, essential medicines, and specialized nutrition she needed, restoring not only her health but also her family’s faith.

For Aname, the struggle was different but just as painful. Every step she took was met with unbearable agony, her swollen feet a constant source of distress.

“I had to crawl just to get to the toilet. I couldn’t walk, and it hurt so much. But I kept it to myself, what could I do?” she says.

She endured stares, mockery, and sleepless nights filled with pain. Crawling just to reach the bathroom became part of her daily routine. But through it all, she held onto one dream—to wear shoes without suffering.

That dream became a reality when Operation Blessing, in partnership with Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital, stepped in to provide the treatment she desperately needed.

Now, Aname walks with comfort and confidence, free from the pain that once defined her life.

These stories are reminders that no struggle is too great when compassion meets action. Gilberto now sees the world with fresh eyes, Princess Kate continues to light up lives with her joy, and Aname walks forward with renewed hope.

With every helping hand, miracles unfold, lives are changed forever, even amid hopeless situations.

Be part of someone’s breakthrough today! Call 09399215543 or 09189067753 to bring hope where it’s needed most. 

“They Came at a Time When We Needed Them Most”: L.A. Fire Survivors Grateful for Help from Operation Blessing

When disaster strikes, true character is revealed. This was evident in the case of Jose Velazquez, a local Altadena business owner who, despite losing everything in the L.A fire, refused to let despair take hold.

Instead, he helped his fellow Altadeneans—neighbors who also lost their homes and were suddenly displaced with nowhere to turn during the L.A. fire.

The devastation was staggering. Homes that stood for generations, passed down from parents to children, were reduced to ashes in mere minutes. Operation Blessing Chief Operating Officer Drew Friedrich witnessed the destruction firsthand.

“I’m standing here in the remains of a home that was burned in Altadena, California. It’s my first time here on the ground, and it’s really hard to even explain what this looks like. All around and all down this block, homes where families had built their legacies are now gone.”

L.A. Fire

Jose recalled the terrifying moment the fire overtook his neighborhood.

“Light was coming out already, and then it turned black in a matter of seconds. The wind started pushing south. And you just see a huge cloud of black smoke coming your way, with embers flying toward you.” It was a scene straight out of a nightmare—decades of hard work, wiped away in an instant.

Amid the ashes, hope emerged. Even as Jose grappled with the loss of his own livelihood during the L.A. fire, he knew others were suffering just as much, if not more.

“It’s a really hard thing knowing that all your neighbors and customers—everything they’ve built—their whole life got flipped upside down. We really tried our best to save our neighbor’s house, but they’re gone.”

Despite this heartbreak, Jose took action. He and his family set up a community pantry, providing basic relief items to those in need. Initially, it was meant to be a weekend effort—a small way to give back to the people who once supported his business.

But as the need grew, so did his commitment.

“We actually saw somebody else hosting a donation drive from their front yard and figured we could do the same. Especially because we already knew most of the community before the fires. It was supposed to be just a Saturday and Sunday thing, but it grew out of our control. Now, it’s an everyday thing.”

“They Came at a Time When We Needed Them Most”

Jose’s pantry became a lifeline, but resources began to dwindle. Donations slowed, and supplies ran low. Just as desperation loomed, Operation Blessing arrived.

“Operation Blessing stopped by, and I met a gentleman who drove by and asked if we needed food. At that moment, we were desperately in need—because all we had left was green beans,” Jose shared.

Within days, Operation Blessing delivered 20 to 40 boxes of essential supplies. It was a “God-sent” moment for the struggling community. “It was a blessing, honestly—hence the name, Operation Blessing. They came at a time when we needed them most.”

Now, more than a month and a half after the L.A fire, many have moved on, and donations have significantly decreased. Yet, Operation Blessing continues to stand with the community.

According to Jose, they are one of the few NGOs still providing steady support. From emergency medical kits to water, hygiene, and cleaning supplies, Operation Blessing remains a pillar of hope for those struggling to rebuild their lives.

Drew Friedrich expressed his deep admiration for Jose and the strength of the Altadena community.

“You look around and see all this ash, all this destruction, and there can be a sense of hopelessness. But then you meet people like Jose—people who, even in the face of their own loss, are giving everything they have left to help their neighbors. That’s why Operation Blessing is still here. We are standing with these heroes, locking arms with them to ensure they can continue making a difference.”

Helping People

For Jose, the mission is personal, “I just felt like the community fed us for a couple of years. They were very supportive when we had our business, and I felt like it was the right thing to do. My dad instilled this in me from a young age—you help people when you have the chance.”

As time passes, the danger is not just the physical aftermath of the fire, but the risk of being forgotten. These communities still need support, and heroes like Jose cannot do it alone.

Thanks to Operation Blessing and to faithful donors like you, who refuse to turn your backs, the people of Altadena are finding their way forward.

Hope is not lost. Through the efforts of everyday heroes and unwavering support from you in partnership with Operation Blessing, the communities who have been displaced by the L.A fire will rise again.

Partner with us now! 

READ ALSO: Operation Blessing Helps L.A. Fires Survivor Rise from the Ashes

Operation Blessing Helps L.A. Fires Survivor Rise from the Ashes

The moment Andy Calica saw his house in flames, his knees weakened. He has seen wildfires before, but never imagined that one day, his home would be burned to ashes. “There was a moment when I felt like I was going to pass out. Watching our house burn down, we had no time to grab anything—just our pajamas and slippers,” Andy said to the Operation Blessing team.

When the fire finally died down, Andy returned the next morning, hoping for a miracle.

But all that greeted him was devastation. The house they built, the memories they cherished, and the life savings he had carefully secured in a vault—all gone. Hundreds and thousands worth of hard work turned into nothing but ashes.

“Everything we worked for, everything we built—gone in the blink of an eye. Why did this happen? I am not a bad person,” Andy couldn’t help but ask God.

For years, Andy has been on the giving end, offering help to those in need. But now, for the first time, he found himself on the receiving end. It was a humbling experience that brought him to his knees in prayer. That was when he received an answer he never expected.

“The Lord’s message was so clear to me: ‘Andy, do you know why I allowed this to happen to you? It’s because I wanted you to understand how the people you help feel.’”

As tears filled his eyes, gratitude replaced despair as he received the kindness of Operation Blessing to his family. He never thought he would be in this position, yet here he was, overwhelmed by the generosity of people he did not know.

Through Operation Blessing, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, Andy and his family received emergency meal kits, hygiene supplies, clean water, and cleaning materials. More than the physical help, it was the outpouring of love and prayers that encouraged him.

“Thank you so much. Words are not enough to express my gratitude, but I trust that God will bless everyone who has helped and will continue to help,” he said.

Andy has learned a profound truth—nothing in this world is permanent. What is here today can be gone tomorrow. But in the face of loss, faith remains. And through the kindness of people like you, hope is never lost.

Partner with us to be an instrument of hope. Just as Andy once gave, and now receives, you too can be a blessing to those affected by L.A. fires. Your generosity can help families like his rebuild their lives.

Will you give today?

Every donation, big or small, brings hope to those who have lost everything. Join us in spreading hope and healing. Donate to Operation Blessing today. 

Extending Hope, Health, and Opportunities to Our Indigenous Kababayans in Zambales

No one should be denied access to healthcare simply because of where they live. Yet, for many of our indigenous kababayans in Castillejos, Zambales, basic medical services remain out of reach.

Struggling to make ends meet and living far from health facilities makes it so hard for them to get the care they need. Many families are forced to endure illnesses without proper treatment. While others travel long and difficult roads just to see a doctor.

Recognizing this urgent need, Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, traveled to Zambales. To bring healthcare straight to the community through our Mobile Medical Clinic.

The team offered free medical consultations, dental services, ECG tests, pharmacy support, and even reading glasses—ensuring that people received the care they needed without the burden of travel and expenses.

Our mission didn’t stop with healthcare in this area in Zambales.

Operation Blessing also extended support to hardworking parents of our Bless-A-Child beneficiaries.

These parents have faced immense challenges just to provide for their families. To help them build a sustainable livelihood in Zambales, they received additional supplies for their coin bank, souvenir crafts, and street food vending businesses.

With new opportunities like these, they can build a better future for their children.

The warm smiles and gratitude of the beneficiaries remind us why we do this work.

None of it would have been possible without the dedication of Operation Blessing volunteers and local church partners, whose compassion turned this mission into reality. Because of their efforts, hope was restored, and God’s love was made tangible to those in need.

There is still so much more we can do together. Will you stand with us?

Your support can help more families access healthcare, find livelihood opportunities, and break free from the cycle of poverty.

Visit this link or contact 0998-551-1990 or 0939-921-5543 to know how you can be a blessing!

Operation Blessing Brings Hope and Healing to Marinduque

In the heart of Marinduque, where access to medical care is scarce, Operation Blessing crossed the seas to extend a helping hand to those in need.

Through a partnership with Victory In Jesus Name Mission Ministry Inc., hundreds of residents received essential healthcare services. Much-needed relief reached communities with limited access to medical facilities.

Sosima, a 78-year-old resident of Brgy. Pinggan, Gasan, was one of the beneficiaries. With no nearby hospital, she and many others have endured their health struggles in silence.

But on Day 2 of Operation Blessing’s Medical Mission in Marinduque, everything changed.

“I’m so grateful for the thorough checkup. The doctor really took care of me! I received a prescription, a full consultation, and free medicines. Everything was provided!” Sosima shared with a grateful heart.

More families were reached during the fourth day. For 53-year-old Rodolfo Nagera Jr., a farmer, medical care was not a priority. With little income, check-ups and medicines were a luxury he could never afford—until that day when Operation Blessing visited their community.

With gratitude, he shared that this was the first time he received such care, and it was a blessing he never expected.

Hundreds of residents in his barangay also received free medical and dental services, much-needed medicines, and heartfelt prayers from our church partners. Beyond physical healing, we are bringing the love and hope of Jesus to those who need it most.

Each patient received a Bible from the Philippine Bible Society, along with hygiene kits—thanks to our generous donors!

Many of those we served were elderly residents who often struggle to access medical care due to cost and distance, but through your generosity, they received the treatment they desperately needed.

This mission was more than just medical aid—it was a beacon of hope. With every consultation, every medicine given, and every prayer lifted, we saw lives touched and transformed.

But there are still many more who need help.

Together, we can continue reaching communities with little to no access to healthcare. If you are moved to partner with us, click this link to give. May God bless your generous heart!

Operation Blessing Brings Urgent Relief to Flooded Palawan

Puerto Princesa City in Palawan was declared under a state of calamity on February 11 due to severe flooding—leaving thousands of families in desperate need of help.

Rising waters have also affected parts of Eastern Visayas, displacing communities and submerging entire barangays. Over 3,000 families and nearly 8,000 individuals with at least 10 barangays are heavily flooded.

A week later, many residents continue to suffer—homes have been destroyed, roads remain impassable, and families urgently require food, clean water, and medical assistance.

Thanks to your generosity, Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, in collaboration with our local partner, has provided relief to more than 500 families in Palawan. Relief items were distributed at Loreto Lanzanas Elementary School, San Miguel Barangay Hall, and San Jose Barangay Hall.

While the beneficiaries are grateful for the help you have extended, many families are still in need. Residents are struggling to rebuild their lives, and they require continued support.

Would you consider partnering with us today? Every contribution brings relief and hope to our kababayans, especially during these hard times.

By supporting our relief efforts, you can help deliver urgent aid to those affected. Call 8-737-0700 or click this link to partner with us today.

Your donation, no matter the amount, makes a meaningful and life-long impact!

The 700 Club Asia Live Inspires Hearts in Bulacan

CBN Asia brought the beloved program, The 700 Club Asia (TSCA) closer to its audience through TSCA Live event, at GCF Malolos, Bulacan, on February 5.

Hosted by Peter Kairuz, Icko Gonzalez, and Joselle Feliciano, the event featured a heartfelt ministry session—where hosts prayed for the audience, a time of uplifting praise and worship, and inspiring testimonials from different ministries of CBN Asia.

Among the highlights was the story of Joanna, an Operation Blessing scholar whose journey of resilience and redemption inspired many.

After her parents separated, Joanna struggled with bitterness and distrust, especially when her father abandoned them for another woman, leaving her and her mother to live with her grandmother. Determined to rise above her circumstances, she pursued her studies and later attended a youth camp, where she encountered God and found the strength to forgive her father.

With support from Operation Blessing’s Back-to-School program, she graduated cum laude in Christian Education. Now married and serving in her church, Joanna remains deeply grateful for the support that transformed her life.

In Bulacan, Operation Blessing continues to support six scholars, covering their monthly allowance, school uniforms, supplies, and review fees when needed. But many more students are still in need of help.

Continue to support TSCA Live, as this event encourages people to keep going and have faith in God, knowing that He is faithful and always ready to help in times of need. By bringing TSCA Live to different churches and places in the Philippines, we are personally proclaiming Christ and transforming lives,” said Rolando Alto IV, one of the producers of TSCA Live.

Join us in this mission! Partner with CBN Asia today and share God’s love and hope with our kababayans. Visit cbnasia.com/give.

Operation Blessing Brings Hope to PWDs in Kalinga with Free Wheelchairs

In a heartwarming display of community support, Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, delivered free wheelchairs to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kalinga, offering renewed hope and enhanced mobility to those in need.

After traveling for more than 10 hours, the team’s tiredness was quickly replaced with gladness upon witnessing the smiles of beneficiaries and their families.

One of them is 42-year-old Rubilyn, who knows the hardships of disability all too well. A widowed single mother and cancer survivor, she lost one of her legs due to the disease.

This made daily life exhausting and forced her to close her small business. With her daughter Roselle working hard as a college student while helping to support their family, life has been a daily struggle.

This is why receiving a new wheelchair was life-changing for Rubilyn.

“I am truly grateful to Operation Blessing and everyone who made this possible,” she shared. “I thank God also, who helps me overcome life challenges.”

With improved mobility, she can now go to church and manage daily tasks with much less difficulty. Apart from her new wheelchair, Rubilyn also received prayers and words of encouragement from the team.

The support of local churches and the Kalinga Local Government Unit (LGU) played a key role in making this possible. Their collaboration shows a strong commitment to improving the lives of PWDs, offering not just help, but also a reminder of God’s love and care.

You can be a part of this mission, too!

Support Operation Blessing in bringing hope and the gift of mobility to our kababayans. Visit cbnasia.com/give.

Feeling Abandoned and Alone?

“Why did they leave me?

This is the question Sofia (not her real name) longs to ask if she ever meets her biological parents.

At just three years old, she was found by a security guard, wandering alone near a mall entrance. Sadly, being abandoned at such a young age may have left her with trauma so deep that she has no memory of her past or her family.

She was referred to a children’s home and over the years, moved between government and non-governmental organization shelters. Throughout those years, Sofia deeply longed for a family of her own, just like her friends and classmates had.

“It means so much to me to have a family. This is my greatest wish,” Sofia shared.

Have you ever felt abandoned?

From this moment on, know that you are never truly alone. God is with you, and He will bring people into your life to show you that He sees you and hears you, just as He did for Sofia.

Sofia’s dream of having a family seemed unlikely to happen when the children’s home where she lived was unable to process adoption papers because they don’t have a license.

Yet, God being a good Father, made a way for her.

In 2019, Sofia was transferred to a children’s home supported by Operation Blessing through Orphan’s Promise. She received care and saw her dream starting to come true as her adoption application was processed.

“Through prayer and reading Bible verses like Jeremiah 29:11, which says that God has a purpose and a better plan for me, I held on to hope and did not give up,” Sofia said, her voice filled with hope.

After two years of waiting, Sofia was matched with an adoptive family from Michigan, USA. They are a Christian family who enjoys outdoor activities and spending quality time together—things that Sofia loves as well.

Now, Sofia’s greatest dream came true, all because she held onto hope and believed it would happen.

This is what a child-like faith looks like, a confident trust that God will provide not only what you need but also the deepest desires of your heart.

If you’ve been feeling alone and abandoned, remember Sofia’s story. Just as God was with Sofia and saw every detail of her journey, and fulfilled her dream, He can do the same for you.

Operation Blessing is working hand in hand with Orphan’s Promise to help children get out from dangerous situations and help them reach their full potential. You can join us in giving these children hope and a brighter future. Partner with us today!

Devotionals

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What It Takes To Believe in God

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3you with unfailing kindness.

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The Fearless Life | God’s Word Today

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3

img

What It Takes To Believe in God

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3you with unfailing kindness.

img

The Fearless Life | God’s Word Today

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3