To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE


SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

As Cold Grips the Nation, an Inspiring Story Is Being Told of a Homeless Ministry That Started with This Simple Act of Kindness...

Michael Ireland : Jan 26, 2015  ASSIST News Service

"I didn't even like homeless people... But then God showed me the homeless and told me to help them. To give them blankets."

(Dallas, TX)—Serving the homeless is the mission of Susie Y. Jennings, founder and president of Operation Care International (OCI), which now serves hundreds of thousands worldwide in a ministry that started with blankets. (Photo via OCI)

Following the tragic death of her husband, Jennings sought a way to serve God and her community. God's command to her after she was widowed was to provide blankets to the homeless living under a bridge in downtown Dallas, according to a media release.

"I didn't even like homeless people," she admits with candor. "When I was a girl in the Philippines, the homeless would beg and my mom would feed them. We were a large family and I felt like they were eating my food.

"But then God showed me the homeless and told me to help them. To give them blankets."

So she did.

Then a nurse at a major hospital, she began purchasing blankets and asking others to help her buy more. The blankets were distributed with a Christian message, food, and love. The homeless community called her the Blanket Lady.

But as Jennings saw needs, the ministry grew.

"Through God's grace and guidance a community blanket distribution project has grown into a worldwide ministry where we have reached nearly 24,000 children in nine countries and over 130,000 homeless men, women and children in the Dallas Metroplex area," Jennings explained.

Her stunning story is now a just-released book telling the story of Operation Care International, 31 Days of Mountaintop Miracles: One Woman's Legacy of Unconditional Obedience.

"It is the never-ending supply of miracles woven together layer upon layer that makes up the intricate and colorful fabric of Operation Care International," Jennings writes in the book's introduction.

According to the media release, in 2004, OCI launched Operation Care Christmas Gift, determined to serve and honor the thousands of homeless at Christmas with an event held at the Dallas Convention Center to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

The news release says the now-annual event in December 2014 drew more than 20,000 people - more than 17,000 homeless adults and impoverished children and families, as well as more than 3,000 volunteers. The event provides hot meals, an array of health and personal care services, plus clothing, sleeping bags, and blankets. New shoes and socks come with the event's signature foot washing by volunteers and with the Gospel message presented by volunteers and entertainers.

In addition, OCI provides free phone calls home, seeking to reunite families. This year OCI paid for three homeless persons as well as one other needy woman to return home.

For the homeless and impoverished children, the day also includes a birthday party for Jesus with toys and books, games, clowns, petting zoo, face painting, and cupcakes.

OCI has received commendations from Texas Governor Rick Perry, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Texas Congressman Pete Sessions (32nd District) and even a commendation letter from former President George W. Bush. (Photo via OCI)

Jennings' heart for the homeless and impoverished in other parts of the world led to OCI's expansion. By the end of 2015, OCI will have provided ministry in the Philippines, India, Kenya, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Israel, Jordan and Brazil.

Jennings shares the 31 stories to inspire as well as inform, as her life and testimony challenge the reader to see the miracle moments in his or her own life.

"We are all part of His glorious plan, and when we follow Him with unconditional obedience and joy, there is no telling what kind of miracles will happen," she stated.

"Has God called you to do something that you thought was impossible?" Jennings asks. "It's so exciting to see what God has in store for us if we listen to His voice and exercise unconditional obedience when we hear Him."







SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Other Recent Articles from Breaking Christian News

Trump Under Fire for Endorsing the Bible, Urging Americans to Pray

Whistleblower Claims Stormy Daniels 'Hush Money' Scheme Cooked Up by Michael Cohen to Extort Trump before 2016 Election

Speaker Johnson Announces He'll Invite Netanyahu to Address Congress

Federal Appeals Court Rules Pennsylvania Must Only Count Mail Ballots With Dates, Signatures

Illegal Alien Charged with Murdering a Michigan Woman Was Deported Under Trump But Snuck Back into US Under Biden's Watch

President Trump to Join Wake Honoring Slain NYPD Officer, While Biden Attends Fundraiser

Woke Disney Surrenders!

Illegals Using Fake Skimmers at Self-Checkouts to Drain Consumers' Bank Accounts; Here's How to Guard Yourself

Elon Musk to Pay Embattled Doctor's Legal Fees after Speaking Out against COVID Lockdowns

Safety of Women Hangs in Balance after Oral Arguments on Abortion Pill Regulation

New Federal Gun Grab Law Would Criminalize Shooting Ranges, and Even Private Security

Treasury Sec. Yellen: Biden Has NO Plan to Save Social Security

Maryland Governor Says 'Keep on Praying' for Families of Missing Workers after Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Chick-fil-A Abandons Long-Held 'No Antibiotics' Pledge on Chicken

The War in Myanmar: Karenni Resistance Fighters Ask for Prayer and Practical Help

The World Is Facing a Major Population Crisis by 2075 If Birth Rates Keep Falling

FDA Admits COVID Vaccines Cause Seizures in Toddlers

'Hamas Is Celebrating' after US Abstains from UN Security Council Ceasefire Vote: Netanyahu Cancels Visit

Kamala Harris Won't Disclose Why Biden Campaign Is Active on TikTok Despite Security Worries

Special Counsel Report Reveals University of Delaware Misled Courts to Hide Biden's Senate Records That Likely Hold Sexual Assault Complaint Filed by Tara Reade



Search the Articles Archives

Keyword:  
Author:  
Words Posted On:  
Day Month Year



BCN Plus

Follow BCN on Twitter
Are You Praying for Our Government Leaders?
BCN Staff

Steve Shultz
Steve Shultz, Managing Editor
Founder and Owner


Aimee Herd
Aimee Herd, Editor


BCN Plus
Are You Praying for President Trump?
 
 

All articles on this site and emails from BCN are copyrighted property of Breaking Christian News. Permission is given to link to, or share a BCN story if proper attribution is given to both the original writer and summarizer of the story. Breaking Christian News 2005-2019. All Rights Reserved.


Breaking Christian News is a division of Elijah List Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved


Disclaimer: Articles and links, as well as the source articles linked to; do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Breaking Christian News.

editor@breakingchristiannews.com