American Children's Healing Words Delivered To Afghan Students
(1-23-02)For the first time in six years, brightly colored crayons, notebooks, and other school supplies covered the desks of Hope School. Filled to capacity, 350 Afghan boys and girls attending grades one through eight had finally began receiving the knowledge they had been craving. Find out what OBI and children across America did to help in their learning process...
Children across America have written and drawn notes of encouragement to child strangers in a land most of them will not ever visit. Participating schools and organizations include the second grade class of Brooklyn, New York's Precious Blood Catholic School and Richmond, Virginia's Victory Christian Academy. Earlier this month, Operation Blessing's relief worker had the opportunity to give 350 of these notes as well as school supplies to the Afghan students of Hope School. Here is his report...
Samira is eighteen years old. She has six younger brothers and sisters. Her mother is sick, and her father makes very little through odd jobs. They have lived through the Russian invasion, the factional fighting and the Taliban rule. Samira desires to be a doctor, and wants to have a good education. Before the Taliban came to power, she was doing well in school. Her teachers thought very highly of her. Samira’s hopes were crushed during the Taliban rule. Girls were not allowed to go to school. Women were not allowed to go to work. However, Samira continued to secretly study until her father feared for her life and destroyed the books. During the Taliban rule Samira filled her days by doing house chores and taking care of her siblings. Thankfully, things changed when the Taliban was defeated by the US forces.
Recently the nearby private Hope School announced open registration for 350 boys and girls, grades one though eight. Samira was the first one at the gate. The principal asked her, “What is the age of your daughter you wished to register?”
Samira replied, “I have no daughter but I wish to register myself for the classes.” After a lengthy discussion the principal agreed to let Samira join the other eight year olds in the third grade. Samira was not embarrassed for being with the eight year olds but was excited to attend school.
Operation Blessing helped the students of Hope School by giving notebooks, pens, sharpeners, erasers, ruler and various sports equipment to the excited students in a special ceremony. In unison, the children thanked Operation Blessing for remembering them. My heart was filled with joy to see boys and girls attending school together for the first time after six years of Taliban rule.
In addition to the school supplies, special cards from American children like those from Precious Blood Catholic School were passed out to the students. Some stared at the cards and said, “These cards look beautiful. Can I have them?”
“Yes, you may have them,” I said. Blank cards were also given to them so they could respond to their new American friends. Some were shy and others did not know what to write. The children borrowed different color crayons from each other and drew colorful pictures.
One of them said, “I am so glad to receive the card from someone from America. Thank you very much for remembering me.”
“We started the school during the Taliban regime," commented the school's principle. "I requested that girls be allowed to attend my school, but they refused. Today, there are smiling faces of girls in my school. Our children are our future of Afghanistan.
"We would like to thank your committee for remembering us in giving school supplies for our children. This means a lot to us. Please do not stop here; the children do not have uniforms, winter jackets and proper shoes. If you could help us in this also we would be very thankful. Once again in behalf of Hope School thank you.”
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New York, Not Forgotten During Christmas
(1-08-02)During the Thanksgiving and Christmas 2001 season, Operation Blessing partners like you helped provide hot meals, food baskets, coats and toys to more than 500,000 people in the U.S. and overseas! See how your support brought healing to the hurting hearts at Ground Zero and beyond.
Her name is Sara. She’s ten and lives in Queens, New York. Like many children starting the new school year, the countdown to Christmas vacation began just after Labor Day. Sara was no different and wrote out her wish list with her parents. After the toys and music, she asked for a new winter coat. Her dad smiled said he would see what could be done. Several days after Sara’s list was complete, her dad headed for work at the Windows On The World restaurant in the World Trade Center. He never came home on September 11, 2001.
After burying their beloved father and husband, Sara and her mother Elizabeth sought in vain for assistance. It wasn’t until a couple of months later they found Operation Blessing’s New York outreach center. Terry, an OBI caseworker relates, “As a New Yorker watching all the funds being raised, I was surprised to hear that this legitimate victim, a widow, received no help at all from anyone when we discovered her. Even up until today, just days before Christmas, the assistance she has received has been nothing to minimal at best.”
Terry listened, cared, cried and prayed with Elizabeth. After sending a booklet on grief, it was determined the best way to assist the family’s need was to pay one month’s mortgage. OBI also helped one of Sara’s Christmas wishes come true. OBI sent a gift card enabling her purchase a new coat! Elizabeth shares, “Thank you Operation Blessing for caring for us. Your love is a sign that God is watching over us.”
This year in the Metro New York area, three thousand holiday tables including Elizabeth and Sara’s were missing loved ones who were victims of 9-11. More than eighty thousand households faced one of the saddest holidays ever as one or more members lost their jobs in conjunction with the destruction of the World Trade Center. Countless more were dealing with devastating emotional trauma as they faced the holidays with multiple losses, the threat of additional terrorism and the lack of spiritual direction.
Lead by Jim Esposito, OBI’s New York outreach center coordinated and supported numerous holiday activities during Christmas season 2001. He reports, “This was our most significant Christmas outreach ever, not only because of the moment in history where God has given us the privilege to serve but because Operation Blessing has provided an outstanding holiday for so many hurting families.”
Located just a few blocks from Ground Zero, Operation Blessing’s office is across the street from the firehouse that acted as the command center for FDNY operations during the first several weeks of the rescue efforts. As part of the First Battalion, they were severely impacted at the tragic loss of 25 firefighters from their Battalion alone.
On December 16, at the Wall Street Regent Hotel, with over 1000 guests in attendance, OBI was able to provide wonderful Christmas gifts for 490 kids…including those that lost their heroic fathers on 9-11. Celebration planner and firefighter Steve Olsen said, “None of us are home. We are working our regular tours plus extra tours to help out other firehouses that are lacking people… just keep us in your prayers and your thoughts that’s all we would ask.” In fact, our Metro New York OBI office is doing just that as they are empowering local ministries to “Adopt A Firehouse” throughout the area, well into the New Year.
Meanwhile in Midtown, the Lamb’s Church, supported in part by OBI was able to open a “Free Store”. Guests in need “shopped” for holiday gifts. Over 10,000 vouchers were handed out through city agencies serving the victims and those “everyday people” most severely affected.
OBI also sponsored various holiday parties in New York’s community centers and ministries. Children and their families were treated to food and presents. According to Arlene DelRio of Abounding Grace, “It’s so wonderful to see these kids smile again. We couldn't have done it without Operation Blessing!”
Partners and friends, thank you for your support of a very successful Holiday of Hope 2001!
Thanksgiving Boxes of Love for New York's Inner City
(12-4-01) September 11th's terrorist attacks not only destroyed lives but many New Yorkers working in entry-level and low income positions now find themselves unemployed. In efforts to help, Operation Blessing's partnering ministry Here's Life Inner City doubled their annual Thanksgiving "Boxes of Love" program, providing food for 96,000 people living in New York's inner city.Thanksgiving began early for many in New York's inner city. The weekend before the holiday, grateful mothers, fathers, grandparents, and individuals living in Brooklyn, Jersey City, and the Metropolitan area came away from their doors carrying a heavy "Box of Love". Caring volunteers representing 300 local churches distributed 16,000 packages!
Each "Box of Love" can feed a family of six, ensuring plenty of good food was had by all on Thanksgiving. Approximately 1,000 volunteers had helped fill each "Box of Love" with items including a turkey or ham, cans of corn, green beans, and yams, stuffing, rice, potatoes, and pie. Non food gifts included Josh McDowell's More Than A Carpenter and a copy of the Jesus film.
"The miracle of Christmas has only begun in New York, thanks to Operation Blessing," comments Rev. Jim Esposito, OBI's New York center leader. "The 'Boxes of Love' project has launched our biggest outreach year ever!"
To make its 14th annual "Boxes of Love" program the best yet, Here's Life Inner City partnered with Operation Blessing, Campus Crusade for Christ International, Food for the Hungry, Josh McDowell Ministry, Mariner's Church, World Relief and World Vision.
Here's Life Inner City is an urban ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Beginning eighteen years ago in New York City, it has grown to reach the poor in 15 other US cities. HLIC equips inner city churches in transforming their neighborhoods through programs including food distribution, after-school programs, as well as providing resources for the homeless and job training for adults.
Since September 11th's tragic events, hundreds of thousands of jobs have been cut all across the country. A recent US Department of Agriculture report estimates 31 million Americans including 12 million children do not know where their next meal will come from! There is more opportunity now than ever to share the joy with those who need it!
Please help OBI continue in assisting our partnering ministries during this holiday season!
America's Children Are Healing & Helping
Remember third grade? I dreaded Mrs. Bordeaux's old fashioned school when our class got in trouble. In September, Ms. Chellew's small third grade class in New Jersey had bigger worries. They were trying to figure out a way to help New York's rescue workers...Children. They are our future and without them we have no future. Since September 11th children from all nationalities and religions have experienced fear and then positively reacted by bravely asking what they could do. Such is the case of Ms. Chellew's third grade class.
"My class has been quite concerned about the people in New York and they began a penny drive in school as their way of helping," wrote this dedicated teacher. "This group of students prays daily for the country and President Bush and our soldiers so this is a real way they can participate in the healing process."
Upon hearing WZZD of OBI's continued efforts in New York on her local radio station, she suggested they send their pennies to us. Here's their letter...
Dear Operation Blessing,
Our class had a penny drive called Pennies for Patriots. We raised $404.00.
Thank you for all the work you are doing in New York. Please use our money to help the rescue workers. We are praying very hard for you. God Bless You. God Bless the U.S.A.Third Grade Glass, Lambs Road Academy
Sewell, NJThe Lord Works Righteousness and Justice for all the oppressed. - Psalm 103:6
As children like these minister to adults, OBI continues to assist New York's children in this time of transition. "The children are the voiceless victims of the tragic events of 9-11," comments OBI's representative Rev. Jim Espositio. "We call on all our supporters to pray for the children everywhere. At Operation Blessing, we will put action to those prayers and touch as many hurting hearts as we can with the healing love of God in the days ahead."
Thousands of children are now learning to live without a parent or other loved one. Many others having seen the World Trade Center towers collapse, are having nightmares. This is one of the reasons it was so important a Manhattan based after school program called Generation X-cell continue after its' founder and primary donor left his job as a corporate attorney to coordinate relief efforts for the Ground Zero Clergy Taskforce. Operation Blessing provided a grant to stabilize the program. Founder Jeremy Del Rio shares, "We're looking forward to working with Operation Blessing on a long term basis." One of the many single mothers with numerous children was grateful also. She didn't have any other safe place for her four children while working.
After September 11th, another children's program called Dance for Joy was shut out of their rented building space near the World Trade Center. Having to move to Brooklyn, they lost business, and were having to prepare to make drastic cut backs in their outreach efforts. OBI was able to provide enough funding for them to regroup and rebuild. "May the Lord continue to bless you richly as you continue to bring help and relief to those affected by this horrible tragedy," wrote the studio's Angie Potter.
Much is to be done for America's children! This Thanksgiving, as in year's past, OBI is helping Here's Life Inner City Box of Love program with a financial grant and supplies from the Hunger Strike Force. They are tripling their production to 30,000 boxes. This will help families, many who have suffered financially and physically inclusive of workplace and residence by this tragedy, enjoy a blessed meal with dignity and joy.
Heed the President's call to all Americans, "to serve by bettering our communities and thereby, defy and defeat the terrorists" by helping Operation Blessing aid the innocent!
Striving To Meet New York's Physical & Emotional Needs
(10/25/01) Strategically located on Manhattan's Canal Street, Nino's Italian Restaurant treats hundreds of dedicated police and fire fighters to hot Texas barbecue...yep, you read that right, now for the rest of the story...Led by OBI's New York representative Rev. Jim Esposito, regional manager Kreg Vaughne' made his way through Manhattan last Thursday. The city's smell reminded him of various developing countries he has visited, but unlike previous trips to New York City, "you'd be hard pressed to find evidence of its stereotypical hard core personality."
Jim and Kreg reached the heart of the relief teams stomping grounds, Nino's Italian Restaurant. Tens of thousands of people's notes of support, school children's banners, as well as pictures of victims can be seen tacked up both inside and outside. After September eleventh's tragic events, Nino stopped serving Italian cuisine to the public and began serving hungry police and firefighters 24-hours a day, seven days a week at no charge!
A couple of weeks ago, OBI's partner Rhema Ranch Ministries, who over a month ago traveled from Texas and began serving rescue teams, moved their barbecue grill from its original place and set up adjacent to Nino's. Police and fire fighters where then able to pick up a meal straight from the barbecue grill on their way to a shift or stop into Nino's for the same generous fare. Approximately 3,000 meals are still being served each day! OBI has granted Nino's financial support as well as placing one refrigerated Hunger Strike Force trailer outside to store additional donated food. Another HSF trailer is being used as storage space for nonfood items such as blankets right down at Ground Zero.
As humanitarian organizations have come and gone since September 11th, OBI continues to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way. "We've had a long term presence in New York both in humanitarian aid and ministry," Kreg commented. "There's a desperate need for Americans to help long term in the rebuilding of New York City; both physical rebuilding as well as emotional."
With liaison Jim Esposito on their side, the Ground Zero Clergy Task Force hosted a 3-day seminar last week for Christian relief workers, clergy and counselors. A team of pastors and counselors from Virginia Beach, Virginia's Kempsville Presbyterian Church taught approximately 350 attendees in the areas of grief, recovery and ministry counseling during four different sessions.
"There was sense of humble harmonious resolve at the meeting," Kreg shared. "They offered themselves to one another, ensuring that they were there for the long haul."
"OBI continues to shine for the glory of God. Its national leadership has been incredibly supportive throughout this crisis," expressed Jim.
Thank you OBI partners for continuing to helps us assist in fulfilling the needs in New York. The job is not done. Please give generously today...
OBI Gives Rescue Teams Needed Coveralls and Respirators
(10/12/01) One month has passed since terrorists attacked American soil. One month without loved ones by our side. One month spent searching through tons of rubble, hoping and praying. One month standing together. OBI, its partners and center leaders continue to act as liaisons between victims' families, rescue workers and assisting organizations.Piles of debris still burn one month after the World Trade Center towers collapsed. Clothed with coveralls and respirator face masks, rescue teams are able to breathe in the midst of strong fumes penetrating the air. After each shift their contaminated coveralls are thrown into the incinerator. A couple of weeks ago OBI heard of the need of coveralls and respirators. Our procurement team went to work!
Soon after September 11th, 22 different locations of a major uniform supply company offered more than 30,000 pairs of coveralls to OBI's Pam Erickson. She said, "yes!" The corporate management staff and some employees of one location dedicated a weekend to pulling off company logos off a returned order of 10,000 pieces and sewed on American flags. When the first load arrived at Ground Zero on a Hunger Strike Force tractor-trailer, "the coveralls literally went from the truck right on to the men [rescue workers]," commented OBI's New York center leader Rev. Jim Esposito.
On the 1-month anniversary of the World Trade Center terrorist attack, Jim and OBI's Director of Disaster and Medical Relief Dick Kohl were able to deliver 500 donated respirator masks into the hands of the rescue workers down at Ground Zero. Dick relayed, "The devastation is beyond imagination even after being shown via television over and over since that day. One might be moved to ask, 'Are they serious?' My identification and passes were checked no less than three times before we were allowed into Ground Zero. As the truck delivering the respirators rolled to a stop, we were immediately approached by workers who began to unload this much needed cargo. I was immediately reminded how fragile life is when I first saw the still huge pile of twisted and blackened material. When we left the area, I was again reminded of the gravity of the situation when our vehicle had to have a decontamination wash down before departing."
In addition to distributing upcoming shipments of coveralls, OBI's partner Rhema Ranch Ministry's Texas barbecue is now closer to Ground Zero and still serving meals to rescue teams!
"Since this all started, I have witnessed more 'God-connections' than ever before," Jim said. "Operation Blessing has always been about connecting resources to needs and this is exactly what is happening at Ground Zero and through out this devastated city. Thank you OBI partners for making so many miracles possible this past month!"
Please continue to pray for OBI, the unified Christian response, and the victim's families
Feeding New York Relief Teams
Officially Ground Zero has been sanctioned off as a military crime scene. CNN recently reported New York's Mayor Giuliani as saying it might take up to a year to safely remove the estimated one million tons of twisted debris still at the disaster site. So far more than 135,000 tons have been cleared by New York police, New York fire fighters, police and firefighters from across the country, as well as rescue and steel workers, EMS, and other dedicated volunteers. Many of these individuals have been coming to Rhema Ranch Ministry's Texas barbecue, located at the Jacob Javits center -- Ground Zero's volunteer coordination and duty assignment command center.With a desire to help the rescue effort in some way, Rhema Ranch's director Rusty Fleming and 30 people hitched up his cooker, and filled trucks with ribs, steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, fresh corn, beans, and pork chops. Giving back to the "community" would be important to these volunteers. They were former substance abusers which were helped by Rhema Ranch Ministry.
People That Care director and OBI's Dallas outreach center leader Bruce Phillips heard of Fleming's plan, and in order to get Rhema Ranch into the right place in New York acted as liaison between them and the New York Christian Resource Center director and OBI's New York outreach center leader Jim Esposito. Soon Rhema Ranch, OBI, and People That Care were bringing good food to relief workers.
On Friday, September 21st, Rhema volunteers began working twelve hour shifts. They sometimes serve more than 3,500 meals each day! "This Texas BBQ is a smile from God during a very sad time - - how they got here, what they're doing and the impact they're making. They're so popular that other feeding station inside the Jacob Javits center closed down because so many of the volunteer rescue workers are heading to 'Texas' for their meals ," said Jim Esposito.
While in New York to make sure everything was running smoothly, Bruce had many one-on-one conversations with grateful relief workers. One NYPD officer came up and shared, "I know you've probably heard this many times, but I just wanted to say thank you for coming to help."
"We are showing the love of God in a time that is needed," relayed Bruce.
Hickory chips will be burned for at least ten more days down at the Jacob Javits center. Thank you, OBI partners for your continued support of the humanitarian effort in New York and Washington, DC!
OBI's Response To America In Crisis
In less than an hour after September 11th's terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, DC, Operation Blessing International's (OBI) Disaster Response Team was coordinating a plan for disaster aid through its Outreach Centers in both cities.Center leaders in both New York City and Washington, DC are working with a vast network of churches, organizations, and individuals in meeting the various needs of the victims as well as relief teams.
Visit here each week for the latest OBI news as well as how you can continue to help!
New York Update...(09/26/01) -- Working 18-hour days since disaster struck the World Trade Center, OBI center leader Rev. Jim Esposito remains determined to help as many relief teams as possible in a variety of ways. Donations from OBI friendly corporations and individuals like you continue to come in and be distributed to those giving of themselves at the disaster site.
News Flash -- On September 19th, OBI reported working with 16 fire fighters from Oak Ridge, TN who traveled to New York City with a load of donations and an American flag lovingly crocheted by a 90-year-old woman. Rescue workers began using the items from the truck immediately, the Oakridge fire fighters got to work for a few hours at "Ground Zero", and the hand-made flag now proudly hangs on the New York police command center wall in the midst of the rubble!
Listen to OBI center leader Rev. Jim Esposito's interview on Mission Network News.
Washington, DC Update...
(09/26/01) -- As OBI's center leader in Washington, DC, Rev. Rachel Ewell has been working with the Arlington police and fire departments in providing food to approximately 500 families. Many police and fire personnel are neglecting their paying jobs in order to assist at the Pentagon, thus their families need support in the form of food. In addition, Rachel has also been able to provide clean clothing to relief workers.
New York Rescue Teams Mark 10 Days
(9/20/01) Located up in Utica, New York, Compassion Coalition had just become a Hunger Strike Force (HSF) partnering organization before more than 5,000 individuals were declared missing in New York. Not even having received the first donated truckload from HSF, Director Dave Nicolette called OBI's offices and wanted to give several pallets worth of bottled water and paper products towards the relief effort! Last weekend while picking up another load of donated product, HSF picked up this humble gift and delivered it to OBI's Chesapeake, Virginia warehouse to add to the items of the next relief truck heading to New York.
Meanwhile, in the midst of "Ground Zero", Pastors Ricky and Jeremy DelRio of Abounding Grace Ministries as well as Pastor Marc Rivera of Primitiva Church have been busy leading in the mobilization and coordination of clergy activities. These include pastoral counseling, performing last rites and guiding other ministries wanting to serve. The DelRio father and son team has worked with OBI for years on various projects.
This past Sunday evening, a Memorial Service sponsored by the Ground Zero Task Force brought in over 1200 area church members and community members to unite, reflect, worship and pray. Operation Blessing director, Rev. Jim Esposito, was on hand praying for the community members and standing in solidarity with over 100 clergy on behalf of OBI.
The rescue teams "are tired but determined, and realistic but very hopeful. They have unity of purpose," commented Jim. He continued, "The biggest need at "Ground Zero" is love, prayer, and the faith of God's people to support them."
Currently, OBI is working with the Ground Zero command center which is operating out of Primitiva Church and mobilizing in all areas! Thank you OBI partners for allowing us to unite people as well as organizations together and give hope in this very difficult and draining time for our nation!
Your continued prayer for all of the relief efforts as well as generous gifts are needed desperately.
OBI Assists Tennessee Fire Fighters In New York Relief
(09/19/01) -- Tennessee's Oakridge Firefighters Local 1346 IAFE wanted to help New York rescue teams in any way possible! Recommended by TEMA (Tennessee Emergency Management Association) to contact Operation Blessing, firefighter Andy Sheets volunteered to lead an amazing relief drive provided OBI could help in getting the items properly distributed.Andy was given permission to park a 48' truck between a Wal-Mart and a Kmart store last weekend. There he passed out flyers with the Salvation Army's official disaster item list to customers headed into shop. Soon caring individuals donated new items including dust masks, eye solution, sports bars, snacks, water, toiletries, flashlights, and hard hats. The relief supplies were sorted, boxed, labeled, and shrink-wrapped in order for unloading and distribution to be easier once in New York.
Word of this relief drive quickly spread around town and one 90-year-old lady lovingly gave a hand-made 4'x5' crocheted American flag to Andy. With tears in her eyes she asked him to, "let them (rescue workers) know I care."
A caravan consisting of an Oakridge police escort, the relief truck driven by Andy, and 16 firefighters in a van headed out early Tuesday morning towards New York. Pulling into Bordentown, New Jersey late that evening, the humble but determined caravan met up with OBI's Steve O'Grady.
OBI's representatives Jim Esposito and Steve O'Grady are arranging for the Oakridge truck to be unloaded in the proper areas. Afterwards, with a few tools, and hard work ethic, the goal is to get Andy and his Oakridge firefighters relieving exhausted rescue teams in Ground Zero. When they are off duty, they will be housed at OBI's partner ministry NYSUM.
Your continued prayer for all of the relief efforts as well as generous gifts are needed desperately.
Reporting From Ground Zero, New York
(9/18/01) -- In the past week, Rev. Esposito has tirelessly led OBI's disaster relief campaign in New York. Smell the burnt air, walk carefully through the layers of ash, and take a look at Ground Zero with him...Less than 48 hours after the destruction of the World Trade Center, the Body of Christ was mobilized. Operation Blessing immediately dispatched a Hunger Strike Force truck but upon arriving at a dispatch site where told the Mayor had shut down the area. Every organization was already overwhelmed with relief supplies.
Rev. Peter DeArruda of the New York School of Urban Ministry made an excellent connection, yet there was a security restriction. In my heart I knew this truck would represent the prayers of God’s people breaking through into the area. We had to get in. The members and workers at Iglesia Primitiva (Primitive Church) were there from the beginning just blocks away. They didn’t need to clear security, they never closed their doors! Lead by Pastor Marc Rivera, an effective operation began as this church emptied its pantries to feed residents who were without water or electrical power. Supplies were running low. The blankets, water, beverages, medical/hygiene kits and energy bars were on the truck in Queens and needed to reach the city fast. Detectives and officers of the New York Police Department heard the need, made the appropriate inspections, registered the workers involved and had the restriction lifted. With a full police escort, their sirens blaring, the convoy of police cars, the Hunger Strike Force 45-foot tractor-trailer, and “Disaster Relief” vans from the New York School of Urban Ministry carrying the volunteers made its way to the heart of the disaster in very heavy city traffic. When the hundreds of pedestrians who were by then gathering on the sidewalks realized we were a relief mission racing to “Ground Zero,” they began to cheer and applaud.
Rev. Rod Hulla, pastor of the Coney Island Gospel Assembly, was also an employee at a World Trade Center company but was going in late that dreadful day and missed the explosion. He took a team from their Men’s Ministry with the convoy. This church receives these trucks all the time so these men had some expertise. With Primitive’s most efficient operation and some students volunteers, the truck was off loaded in record time.
When Pastor Ricky DelRio from Abounding Grace Ministries arrived on the scene he felt that we needed to get to the rescue workers “now.” So the team prayed in the church, were instructed and re-grouped to the site and by the grace of God - we got in.
Wearing masks and gloves, we approached the site but most of us were immediately evacuated when a nearby building began to shake. Pastor Hulla looked in shear disbelief at the pile of rubble that once was his office building. Many clergy were connecting with the growing team, looking at our unrecognizable city, and began to unite and move to action. A Candlelight Prayer Vigil was planned for the community the Sunday night after the disaster.
Living Word Church, where the New York Christian Resource Center (OBI center) office is located, is just blocks away from the Twin Towers. Without water or electricity, it was closed off to all visitors. Pastors Tommy Nichols and Benny Hurtado began to mobilize the church through phone and e-mail. Sunday services were soon scheduled to be held in Pastor Michael Faulkner’s Central Baptist Church where the church could re-group and plan a strategy. Dr. David Turk and Dean Lyndell O’Hara-Twerell were mobilizing the faculty and students of Nyack College’s Manhattan campus and started an Internet campaign so students could identify “I’m Okay” to the staff.
Inching his way closer and closer to the disaster site each day, Rev. David Van Fleet of Street Life Ministries fed up to 1,000 rescue workers a day with homemade soup, drinks, bread and the Gospel. He states, “There’s tons of prayer going on. These are tough men with rough jobs but they are very receptive to the spiritual support we are giving them.”
Like the other ministers involved, 20-hour workdays for a week were the “norm.” As Campus Crusade for Christ was sending a crisis management team to aid in the efforts, their local Here’s Life Inner City office under the direction of Mark Taft was already on the job coordinating prayer stations and contacting churches to identify needs and resources. Additional warehouse space for the tons of pounds their procurement manager Allen Sabo expected from all over the country would have to be secured as well.
World Vision and Concerts of Prayer immediately mobilized a meeting and are bringing together various groups to interface and develop a long-term strategy. Times Square Church became a point of contact for ministries seeking to get information from the Jacob Javitz Center, a point of contact for relief supplies. Treg McCoy coordinated a massive outpouring of relief supplies coming into the city from the church members and national donors. Based on the discussions and networking I have been involved with, I am aware of at least 50 trucks from a variety of Christian groups on their way into the city within four days.
As I coordinate Operation Blessing (and other resource ministries) in New York, so does the OB Chicago Director, Jim Parker. He is also a police officer with the Chicago Police Department and was on the scene by Saturday with 30 of his fellow officers.
Through our office, a truck from Tennessee is also coming to the area with fire equipment and a half dozen firefighters who want to stand with their brothers. They should be staying at NYSUM while in town.
One of the most heartwarming stories includes an e-mail we received from a 2nd grader through our website. It said: “Please help those dogs!” Over 600 rescue dogs were already on scene and suffering from various gashes, broken limbs and bloody feet. From out of nowhere Treg asked me to follow up on a lead for him. It was the Humane Society of Indianapolis with a mini-truck full of disaster supplies - for dogs! Where does it go? “Hey Allen, can you take a mini-truck of dog boots, food and medicine?” I ask him. “Of course, Jim! We’re in this together, ” he replied.
Fifteen years ago we were handing out blankets, sandwiches and drinks to the homeless. Today we are at “Ground Zero” salvaging bodies and bringing relief to the massive rescue teams. Every ministry, national and local, is responding in some way. It’s been a long journey, but the Lord has prepared a grass roots army for “such a time as this.”
There are so many stories that need to be told. So many testimonies of people who were supposed to be there and weren’t for various reasons. There are so many connections that each of us has to this act of terrorism. And, sadly, there are so many tragedies. More importantly, there are so many reasons why we - together as the Body of Christ united - named and unnamed - can rejoice in our strong “tower” - our Lord Jesus Christ! -- Rev. Jim Esposito
OBI's New York Center Plans To Bring Long-term Relief To Rescue Workers
(9/14/01) Several days have passed since America was attacked by terrorists. In New York, thousands of determined but tired rescue workers comb through the twisted metal and slabs of concrete looking for any sign of life.During Thursday's Hunger Strike Force (HSF) disaster relief distribution in the heart of the rescue effort, OBI center leader Rev. Jim Esposito commented, “The relief workers are where we are having an impact right now. They need encouragement – even in the form of a bottle of water. But more importantly, we need prayer. The gravity of the loss of human life is much worse than what the media has been able to show so far.”
A glimmer of hope came on Friday when earnest discussions began regarding the opening of a command center in the offices of a church, which houses the OBI center, near "ground zero" early next week. Blocks away from rescue efforts, the command center will be used as a rest and rejuvenation stop for those having months of work ahead of them.
This week's OBI disaster response to our fellow American's has included sending over 18 tons of relief supplies via a HSF tractor-trailer as well as partnering with a vast network of churches and individuals in a variety of other ways. The generosity of friends like you will enable us to continue helping in this time of dire need.
Hunger Strike Force Delivers Relief To Determined Rescue Teams
(9/13/01) Escorted by numerous police cars, Hunger Strike Force Director Steve O'Grady slowly drove the tractor-trailer into the secured area around the World Trade Center's ruins this afternoon. The HSF truck holds 18.5 tons of blankets, nutritional bars, drinks, adhesive bandages, medical kits, and toiletry kits to be distributed to thousands of relief workers in the surrounding area.
Riding shotgun, OBI's New York Center leader Jim Esposito and Steve felt like they were "observing God's hand move when they were allowed to park in the secure area", just ten blocks away from the epicenter. Volunteers quickly distributed the items to exhausted relief crews. While on their way to the distribution stop, Steve observed the 53-story Liberty Plaza buckle and rescue workers scatter!
In addition to sending the relief supplies, OBI continues to partner with a vast network of churches and individuals in a variety of ways.
Thank you for your continued support of OBI's relief efforts during this grave era of American history. Join with us and the rest of the nation on Friday, as our President has called us to a national day of prayer.