Operation Mercy is about people. At its heart, it’s about believing in the right people—those who are ready for transformation—and praying that they find their way to us. People who are ready for change come to us at just the right moments in their lives. These "right ones" become sparks of hope for others, igniting belief where there had once been despair.
I remember one of our school presentations vividly. The room was silent, eyes fixed on our graduates as they shared their stories with the women who had come to listen. Their words were eloquent and powerful—testimonies of courage and renewal.
That same week, one of our graduates stopped by the center, just for a visit. I asked if she would share her story with us. She spoke with a bright smile and eyes that glittered with pride. Already, she was living out a dream she had once believed impossible—running her own business.
She recalled the phone call from our staff after her initial interview. That simple call had been life-changing. It shattered the walls of fear and hopelessness that had kept her trapped, urging her to "take the step" and join the program.
"I couldn’t have found this freedom by myself," she said, her voice steady with conviction. "I was alone. I couldn’t ask for help. But the words you spoke to me are always in my heart. The teaching was powerful. I don’t regret this—not one bit! Now I am independent. I’ve started my own local store. You helped me get here and not give up…"
She had been ready—izrela—for change. Sometimes, these returning visits have a kind of timing that feels almost divine, as if orchestrated by God Himself.
Just recently, two more graduates from STEP came back to visit. Before STEP, both women had lived in isolation. They had never known friendship, but through the project, they found each other and became inseparable. Their stories were strikingly similar—both had been treated as if their opinions were worthless, controlled by family, seen as untalented, unintelligent, and undeserving of opportunity. Neither could leave the house without permission.
Now, everything had changed. Both women had thriving businesses. One of their husbands, who used to mock their ambitions, now proudly makes deliveries for them with his car. Their daughters look up to them with pride. More than that, they had learned to say no—to unreasonable expectations and to anything that tried to diminish their worth. In each case, businesses had been launched, and household incomes had grown.
One graduate, who won the award for perfect attendance during the program, spoke with confidence:
"From STEP, I learned that I have value. I know how to set boundaries. In this community, that is hard to do, but now I am not afraid."
These stories spread belief and ignite hope. For new participants, seeing change happen in women just like them—right before their eyes—is transformative. It plants the seed of possibility. It proves that change is not only possible—it’s real.
