Rushing In The Oxygen
A single act of defiance symbolized the beginning of a new Iraq. After years under the iron fist of a brutal dictatorship, the people of this country have a chance to determine their own destiny.
But there is another, ongoing struggle within this nationit is a fight for the lives of the children.
Listen to the heart cry of this desperate father.
"I am hopeless, hopeless and frustrated because of the instability of the situation and because of no chance for work," he says. "I dont know what they can do for us. We need food and medicine for the children."
Then there is this brave mother who is keeping a promise to her fallen friend.
"His mother died a year ago," she explains, "and now I am taking care of the baby. I have to be his mother."
Finally, there are the lost battles just because distance to the hospital hindered timely treatment.
An Iraqi doctor fails to revive an infant. The mother cries uncontrollably in her distress. Says the doctor, "I always have a broken heart. I always suffer like this mother of this patient. I am crying without tears."
Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope. Operation Blessing has stepped into this desperate situation with one of many planned ways to help.
"We are delivering, on behalf of Operation Blessing, 100 cylinders of medical-grade oxygen here to the general hospital, the main general hospital in Basra, and we hope to refill those bottles on a regular basis," says Ron Oates, director of Operation Blessing International.
"Children now in this season, changing from winter to summer, they have asthmatic problems and acute respiratory infections," says Iraqi doctor Jash Mushabi. "They are in need of oxygen for a long period of time."
Mark, of Rescue Net International, sees this as an incredible opportunity to show the love of Jesus.
"We have a doorway wherein we can go, and we can literally, physically, lay hands on these people and serve them, so that then we can reach out to them in their spiritual need," he says.
Adds an Iraqi doctor, "We are very grateful to you and to your organization and to donors who provided us with the oxygen."
Operation Blessing will continue to be there with more medical and humanitarian aid, helping the Iraqi people rebuild their lives at this crucial turning point in their history.
"I hope this will help in saving the life of lovely children," says the Iraqi doctor.
Outreaches like this are made possible only with your help. Thanks to you, the children of Basra are receiving the care they desperately need. And it doesn't stop there. Your faithful gifts are helping share the tangible love of Jesus to people all around the world, through feeding programs, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and much more. If you are not a partner with CBN, please join today.
