A HELPING HAND
A Man of Broken Dreams
By Matt Vilkas and Parag Patanwala
The 700 Club
CBN.com
– It was a devastating fire that destroyed nearly 3000 homes in Champapet, India. For Sayeed and his family, that meant not only the loss of personal items, but his only way of making a living -- his rickshaw.
“Everything was burnt. My rickshaw, cooking vessels, clothes, everything,” he says.
For 35 years, Sayeed had done a good job providing for his wife and four children by running his rickshaw taxi business. But after the fire, he couldn’t even buy food for his family.
“Now that it is burnt, I can’t work, I can’t make money. We are only living on whatever help and supplies we get like milk, tea, and food. We don’t even have vessels to make tea.”
But perhaps worst of all are the broken dreams for this man who loves his family.
“The dreams that I had for my children have been shattered. We thought we would give them a good education, good clothes, and good food. But now this has happened.”
Local government agencies came in during the first days after the fire to begin emergency food distribution. But it was clear from the outset, families like Sayeed’s needed a hand to restart their lives and businesses.
So Operation Blessing stepped in to help. Huge lines formed as 2000 families were given bags of cooking supplies and utensils.
“Until today, no one has told us that they would help. Most people came and took some photographs…but then they left.”
To help with their lost income, Operation Blessing brought 30 brand-new sewing machines, 17 pushcarts, and six rickshaws to grateful families like Sayeed’s .
“I never thought that I would get a new rickshaw so soon,” says Sayeed. “Starting tomorrow, I will begin to work and earn money for my family, so I can take care of them once again.”
The hope you have given to Sayeed and his family is being felt throughout the city. Wounds are beginning to heal, children are heading back to school, and parents are using the new sewing machines, pushcarts, and rickshaws to go back to work.
“Because Operation Blessing gave me a rickshaw, I can now earn a living. I thank them and give them my blessings for helping me have a way to feed my family.”
It’s commitment… It’s love… It’s faith that God can do the impossible — that’s helping Operation Blessing change lives. You can be a part of this amazing ministry by partnering with CBN. Just $20 a month gives people like Sayeed a second chance after disaster strikes. You can make a difference all over the world. Become a partner today.
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