True Religion: Taking Care of Widows & Orphans
1980: The Soviet Unions invades Afghanistan.
1988: The Soviet army withdraws from Afghanistan in defeat.
1990 to 2001: Tribal factions war with one another.
2001: American bombardment begins.
After 20 years of endless fighting, Afghanistan is left blighted and barren.
"Half of the city of Kabul is destroyed," says Operation Blessing's Kumar Periasamy. "I went down the streets and looked at all the destruction. The people are so used to it."
Besides the bombed out buildings, the streets of Kabul silently speak of the human suffering the nation has tolerated. In the marketplaces, at the bazaars, wherever you look there are thousands and thousands of widows and orphans. Afghanistan is a nation of grieving wives and fatherless children.
"These widows have to basically support a family of 6 or 7. They don't have a trade, and they don't have job. So they are literally out in the streets begging for money."
Kumar is Operation Blessing's point man in Afghanistan. He has more than 15 years of experience working with refugees, from the Kurds in Northern Iraq, to the Tajiks in Tajikistan. He is well known among the Afghan refugees. He has worked with them on Pakistan's border since the mid-1980s.
While in Kabul this past month, Kumar spearheaded Operation Blessing's outreach to Afghan widows. The needs are great and the suffering is widespread. 
"My name is Saditka," says one woman. "The Taliban put my husband in jail, and I do not know if he is dead or alive. I have no one to help my five children and me.
That is until Operation Blessing supplied Saditka and hundreds of other widows with 50-pound bags of wheat, flour and rice. This food can last for weeks. Not only does it feed the body, these gifts of life ease the emotional and physical stress of their day to day existence.
Saditka expressed her deep gratitude to Kumar and Operation Blessing in a most meaningful way. With what she was given, she offered some back. She cooked a meal and shared it with the team. 
"Going there to see these people, where we are able to help them, and to see the way they bless us, is so encouraging. I mean they raise their hands to the heavens and say thank you so much."
Under the Taliban regime children suffered the most, especially the girls. They were unable to go to school, to learn a trade -- and so many of them are fatherless. But there are winds of change and Operation Blessing found a way to help at this school in Kabul.
"Now I am very happy all the girls are coming to school," he declares.
To start them on their new adventure in learning Operation Blessing purchased these much needed crayons, books, pencils, notebooks, and textbooks. In an American classroom these items are common, in Afghanistan they are a luxury. 
"I spent the afternoon at Atlantic Shores Christian School, explaining this very fact to a classroom of American students," Lisa Ryan explains. "Their hearts were touched and so they sat down and wrote love letters to children they had never met."
"Dear little girl, I hope you get to go to school soon. I have been praying for you. I hope that comforts you.
: For God so loved the World he sent his only Son..."Marcus: "Blessed are those who mourn for you will be comforted. Matthew 5!"
Thechildren in Kabul were delighted to receive the expressions of love from theirAmerican friends, as well as the school supplies. It's difficult to imagine,but many of these children had never before owned crayons!"My name is Esebolah, and I'm very happy to receive the cards from the children in the United States. I've also written back to express my happiness."
Much more help is needed and more help is on the way! In the coming weeks, Kumar and his Operation Blessing team will be returning to the Afghan refugees.
"At this present time I am the point man. I'm hoping more will join me."
Outreaches like this are made possible only with your help. Your faithful gifts are helping to feed and cloth children here and abroad, are providing medical care to those in desperate need, and are helping share the tangible love of Jesus to people all around the world. Please join with us in reaching the lost and hurting by becoming a 700 Club member today.
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