When Disaster Strikes, Operation Blessing is Ready!

Operation Blessing’s Disaster Relief Team moves with the precision of a well honed military operation.

“We live disaster relief every single day and have done that for almost two years now,” says their leader, Jody Herrington, Director, OB U.S. Disaster Relief. 

Ever since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, Jody Herrington and her 30 member team have become a welcome fixture in the Louisiana Coast. They’ve also drawn national attention.

“Our Disaster Relief Director, Jody Herrington, actually wrote a manual on how to set up a facility, how to house volunteers, how to train them and keep them all safe, and how to effectively work in a disaster area,” says Bill Horan, President of Operation Blessing International.  “FEMA was very interested in that manual.”

“From the White House to FEMA to the Department of Homeland Security, they know who Operation Blessing is now,” adds Herrington.

The magnitude of the Katrina catastrophe in August of 2005 called for an unprecedented response. Within hours, Operation Blessing trucks were on the scene.

“I was praying and saying, ‘OB will show up when no one else will’,” says one Katrina survivor. 

The numbers tell an amazing story of God’s provision and Operation Blessing’s determination.  In two years since Katrina slammed ashore, Operation Blessing has helped two million people in the Gulf Coast region. 

“We’ve fed more than 980,000 people – almost a million meals.  Our medical clinics and our pharmacies have met a tremendous need in this area.  We’ve been able to distribute 63,000 prescriptions and medications absolutely free,” says Herrington.  

Operation Blessing has completed eight community projects and rebuilt 1,400 homes.
Norm and his family were the grateful recipients of one of these homes.

“Operation Blessing, they did [so much] for this parish,” says Norm.  “You realize that there are some good Christian people out there that don’t just say I love you, and I care, they really put their muscle behind the hustle and put their money where their mouth is.”

“You asked me how I got back in my house so quick? Jesus and all His friends did it!”

“We have grown in personnel.  We have grown in resources,” says Herrington.  “We have four mobile kitchens.  We have shower trailers that can go out and be mobilized with our crews.  We have two cranes that we use, and we have a bobcat and loaders that we can use to clear roadways and pull trees off of homes.” 

And the team has a new state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center.

“Whatever kind of disaster may occur in the United States, the Mobile Command Center will be on the road within hours,” says Horan.  “We can set this up as a hot spot and provide Internet access for about a 1,500 foot radius.  We’ve got all sorts of emergency equipment.”

“We are getting on the phone with other disaster relief agencies, and are able to strengthen our efforts and help more people by working together,” adds Herrington.

That’s what Operation Blessing Disaster Relief is all about.

“When I see that big truck,” says one survivor, “it’s like putting legs on my prayers.  They were there and I thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Operation Blessing is a servant that never sleeps,” says Horan.  “We have passionate, dedicated people all over the world doing this work.”

And what keeps those teams going?  For Jody Herrington, it’s the pictures on her office wall.

”Many times I look at those pictures and it gives me strength,” says Herrington.  “I remember the tears when we gave the home away to the pastor who had been sleeping on the floor of his church.  I think about the elderly sisters, Jackie and Beverly.  Jackie is mentally ill.  Beverly is legally blind and the caregiver.  They had no one to help them.”   

“And the last one, that’s most fresh in my memory.  We worked on St. Mary’s School, and we were able to bless them. I’ll never forget when Dr. Robertson and all of us rounded the corner with all those girls. To see them jump up and down with so much excitement, it was just a fabulous moment that I’ll remember forever.”

But for now, there’s more work to be done.  When the skies darken and another storm takes deadly aim, the Operation Blessing Disaster Relief Team will be ready.  

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