Calling an Abandoned Bathroom Home

CBN.com - MEXICO - Seventeen-year-old Karla is as happy as she has ever been in her life. It’s hard to imagine that just one year ago, she was living on the streets.

“My life in the streets was very painful. The most terrible part was going hungry and being cold,” Karla says.

Karla’s addicted mother had abandoned her years before. Gang members, addicts and dealers became her family.

“One day, I found a ham sandwich in a garbage can. I was so embarrassed to eat it in front of the others; so I went to an abandoned bathroom and I ate it there,” she says. “I started sleeping there. That bathroom became my home.”

By age 16, Karla felt she had reached the end. So she accepted an invitation to a church. There she heard the Gospel and began to change. But, she really needed a skill to make a living. That’s where Operation Blessing offered to help.

One of the Operation Blessing volunteers recalls, “We enrolled her in a creative design class teaching her to do manicures and pedicures. Karla graduated at the top of her class! Karla’s mom actually came to graduation.”

“My mom said to me that she was very proud of me, and that I was like an angel to the family,” Karla beams.

Operation Blessing then gave Karla everything she needed to start a small salon business doing nails.

Her clients loved her creative designs so much that word soon began to spread. Soon she had more business than she could handle.

“I am so grateful to Operation Blessing and everyone who has helped me,” she says. “Because of them I have hope for the future! Thank you.”

You might not know the first thing about nail salons, but as a CBN partner, you do make a difference in the lives of hurting people throughout the world. If you are not a partner, please join today. Your gifts make it possible to provide a tangible future to those in desperate need, bring medical services to the sick, help feed and clothe children here at home and overseas, and broadcast a message of hope around the world. Become a CBN partner today!