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follow the Tesh family in Sri Lanka, log on to www.ob.org
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DISASTER RELIEF
John Tesh Travels with Operation Blessing
to aid Tsunami Victims
By Belinda Elliott
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com –
Entertainer and syndicated radio host John Tesh will spend one week in
Sri Lanka with Operation Blessing International to aid victims of the
tsunami. Along with his wife Connie Sellecca, 23-year-old son Gib, and
10-year-old daughter Prima, Tesh will travel to Colombo, Ampara, Galle,
and other areas affected by the natural disaster.
Operation Blessing International, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va.,
is a non-profit organization that provides relief and development assistance
to economically disadvantaged people and victims of disaster across the
globe, providing food, clothing, and medical supplies to those in need.
Tesh said his decision to travel with Operation Blessing came after he
interviewed the organization’s president and chief operating officer,
Bill Horan, on “The John Tesh Radio Show”. When Tesh asked
what else he could do to help, Horan extended an invitation for him to
travel with Operation Blessing and see the relief efforts firsthand. Tesh
said he and his family decided they all wanted to be part of it.
“We’re big fans of the idea that faith without works is dead,”
Tesh said. “James 2:17 says faith that doesn’t show itself
by good deeds is no faith at all.”
While his family will be serving in various capacities during the trip,
Tesh said one of his main roles will be raising awareness of Operation
Blessing and their relief efforts. He said he plans to work with associates
at CBS, Fox News and the Larry King Live television program to educate
viewers about the organization and their work in the areas impacted by
the tsunami.
“I guarantee you that the people who watch Conan O’Brien
or who watch Entertainment Tonight and probably a lot of these other programs
have never heard of Operation Blessing. Maybe they have heard of UNICEF,
and I’m sure they have heard of the Red Cross, but they haven’t
heard of this organization. So that’s my job, to spread the news
about what OB is doing.”
Operation Blessing International was one of the first relief groups on
location after the disaster hit Asia on December 26, and their relief
teams have been providing emergency relief and critical medical aid in
many of the areas affected by the tsunami.
The organization has taken $4.2 million dollars worth of antibiotics
and other medical supplies to Sri Lanka, where Horan said even basic medical
provisions have not been available following the tsunami.
“Our medical doctors and nurses are working night and day in the
field,” Horan said. “There is an unprecedented need.”
Tesh said he and his family are honored to be a part of what Operation
Blessing is doing and to have the opportunity to put their faith into
action outside the walls of a church building.
“We feel like if we miss a Sunday at church, that’s one thing,
but we can’t miss an opportunity to help,” Tesh said.
While they are there he said his daughter also hopes to reach out to
the children who have been affected by the disaster. She will be delivering
handwritten notes of encouragement from her California classmates.
During their stay Tesh plans to report back to the United States with
updates about the relief efforts and ways people can contribute.
“Already we’re getting a great response from our fans who
are calling the radio show and saying, ‘How can we help?’”
Tesh said.
To follow the Tesh family in Sri Lanka, log on to www.ob.org
for video, audio, and journal updates. To listen to John Tesh’ syndicated
radio show updates, log on to www.tesh.com
for a listing of radio stations across the U.S.
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