Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org News Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:51:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://users.feedblitz.com/ec17766dabfb882064cc1903e3224114/SP-logo.jpg Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/samaritans-purse-dedicates-new-home-to-north-carolina-resident/ Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates New Home to North Carolina Resident https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/958119692/0/samaritanspurse~Samaritan%e2%80%99s-Purse-Dedicates-New-Home-to-North-Carolina-Resident/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:57:40 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271296 homeowner throws up his hands in delight when Samaritan's Purse foreman opened the door to his new home for the first timeBrian Baker’s simple lifestyle surrounded by woodland solitude in western North Carolina was suddenly interrupted when aggressive wind and rain began pounding his tent walls. His home of 15 years–a traditional yurt measuring 27 feet in diameter–was not built to withstand wind speeds of over 100 mph. “I have experienced a couple of major floods, but it was nothing compared to Hurricane Helene,” he said. When he heard trees start crashing down around him, he grabbed his cat and climbed into the bathtub. The yurt sustained excessive damage when a tree struck its side. As a result, most of Brian’s possessions were waterlogged and black mold began creeping along the interior. Without the resources he’d need to make repairs or to relocate, he continued living in the impaired structure. “A regular day contains emptying rain buckets because the yurt's roof is still leaking profusely,” he said. “I haven't had running water or power since the storm.” When Brian heard that Samaritan’s Purse was rebuilding bridges, driveways, and culverts after the storm, he requested help to repair his gravel driveway. But after Site Superintendent Curtis Bradley surveyed his property and saw his poor living conditions, he offered to help with more than just the driveway. Samaritan’s Purse offered to build him a brand-new home for free! From a Hurricane to a Home Hurricane Helene carved its way through eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, causing widespread destruction and catastrophic flooding. Tens of thousands of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers immediately deployed across the devastated region to tarp roofs, mud-out homes, and provide relief in Jesus’ Name. “There was major flooding, landslides, and lots of damage from trees falling on houses,” Bradley said. After our initial response, Samaritan’s Purse stayed in the community to help families recover and rebuild. After connecting with Brian, our team recognized that his greatest need was not a repaired driveway, but a livable home. While hesitant at first–knowing many others were also in need–Brian eventually accepted their offer to help. “Brian told me, ‘I'll just take a shed,’” Bradley recalled. “And I said, ‘Well, we work in Jesus' Name, and I don’t believe Jesus would like us to put His Name on just a shed.” Instead, the team pitched the idea of building a tiny home on a flatbed trailer to fit Brian’s needs. Even before the storm, Brian had lived a minimalist lifestyle without common comforts like air conditioning or a refrigerator, so when he learned about the amenities included in the tiny home, he was elated. “This is basically a new life starting,” he said through tears. “And definitely a 100,000-fold upgrade.” Luther Harrison, vice president of U.S. Rebuild, shared that the home was constructed with excellent materials and built to fit Brian’s lifestyle. “When God shows us unique opportunities, we try to adapt to that opportunity. So, this one where Brian lived in his yurt off the grid–we had to replicate that,” he said. “We built [the tiny home] like we were building it for Jesus Christ, and the quality of this work is second to none.” Brian was greatly encouraged by each volunteer and staff member who not only took time to construct his new abode, but also to care for his overall well-being. “You can just see their generosity and love for human beings. They're not here to do anything but give their all to people that need that help,” he said. “Finding Samaritan's Purse really did just reiterate God’s love for me.” A Dwelling Prepared in Heaven As scores of volunteers, staff, and family members gathered in Burnsville to dedicate the new, forest green home, Brian went from person to person, shaking their hands and saying, “God bless you.” During the ceremony, he was gifted a signed Billy Graham Training Center Bible, along with a journal full of encouraging notes from volunteers. Brian was also given an itemized bill with the words “PAID IN FULL” stamped in red across the front, a reminder to Brian of the gift Jesus gave when He died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. As Wesley McMullen, the project’s foreman, presented Brian with the key, he reminded him of a future dwelling prepared for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. “This is the one key that will open this house,” he said. “Jesus paid for our sins in full, and He is the one key, and only through our faith in Him can we get into the house He is preparing for us.” As the event concluded, Harrison prayed a blessing over Brian and his new dwelling. “Bless Brian now as he unlocks the door to his new home, because, Lord, you're building a place for us in Heaven,” he prayed. “We all want to have that eternal mansion in glory with You and live forever.” ]]> homeowner throws up his hands in delight when Samaritan's Purse foreman opened the door to his new home for the first timeBrian Baker’s simple lifestyle surrounded by woodland solitude in western North Carolina was suddenly interrupted when aggressive wind and rain began pounding his tent walls. His home of 15 years–a traditional yurt measuring 27 feet in diameter–was not built to withstand wind speeds of over 100 mph. “I have experienced a couple of major floods, but it was nothing compared to Hurricane Helene,” he said. When he heard trees start crashing down around him, he grabbed his cat and climbed into the bathtub. The yurt sustained excessive damage when a tree struck its side. As a result, most of Brian’s possessions were waterlogged and black mold began creeping along the interior. Without the resources he’d need to make repairs or to relocate, he continued living in the impaired structure. “A regular day contains emptying rain buckets because the yurt's roof is still leaking profusely,” he said. “I haven't had running water or power since the storm.” When Brian heard that Samaritan’s Purse was rebuilding bridges, driveways, and culverts after the storm, he requested help to repair his gravel driveway. But after Site Superintendent Curtis Bradley surveyed his property and saw his poor living conditions, he offered to help with more than just the driveway. Samaritan’s Purse offered to build him a brand-new home for free! From a Hurricane to a Home Hurricane Helene carved its way through eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, causing widespread destruction and catastrophic flooding. Tens of thousands of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers immediately deployed across the devastated region to tarp roofs, mud-out homes, and provide relief in Jesus’ Name. “There was major flooding, landslides, and lots of damage from trees falling on houses,” Bradley said. After our initial response, Samaritan’s Purse stayed in the community to help families recover and rebuild. After connecting with Brian, our team recognized that his greatest need was not a repaired driveway, but a livable home. While hesitant at first–knowing many others were also in need–Brian eventually accepted their offer to help. “Brian told me, ‘I'll just take a shed,’” Bradley recalled. “And I said, ‘Well, we work in Jesus' Name, and I don’t believe Jesus would like us to put His Name on just a shed.” Instead, the team pitched the idea of building a tiny home on a flatbed trailer to fit Brian’s needs. Even before the storm, Brian had lived a minimalist lifestyle without common comforts like air conditioning or a refrigerator, so when he learned about the amenities included in the tiny home, he was elated. “This is basically a new life starting,” he said through tears. “And definitely a 100,000-fold upgrade.” Luther Harrison, vice president of U.S. Rebuild, shared that the home was constructed with excellent materials and built to fit Brian’s lifestyle. “When God shows us unique opportunities, we try to adapt to that opportunity. So, this one where Brian lived in his yurt off the grid–we had to replicate that,” he said. “We built [the tiny home] like we were building it for Jesus Christ, and the quality of this work is second to none.” Brian was greatly encouraged by each volunteer and staff member who not only took time to construct his new abode, but also to care for his overall well-being. “You can just see their generosity and love for human beings. They're not here to do anything but give their all to people that need that help,” he said. “Finding Samaritan's Purse really did just reiterate God’s love for me.” A Dwelling Prepared in Heaven As scores of volunteers, staff, and family members gathered in Burnsville to dedicate the new, forest green home, Brian went from person to person, shaking their hands and saying, “God bless you.” During the ceremony, he was gifted a signed Billy Graham Training Center Bible, along with a journal full of encouraging notes from volunteers. Brian was also given an itemized bill with the words “PAID IN FULL” stamped in red across the front, a reminder to Brian of the gift Jesus gave when He died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. As Wesley McMullen, the project’s foreman, presented Brian with the key, he reminded him of a future dwelling prepared for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. “This is the one key that will open this house,” he said. “Jesus paid for our sins in full, and He is the one key, and only through our faith in Him can we get into the house He is preparing for us.” As the event concluded, Harrison prayed a blessing over Brian and his new dwelling. “Bless Brian now as he unlocks the door to his new home, because, Lord, you're building a place for us in Heaven,” he prayed. “We all want to have that eternal mansion in glory with You and live forever.” ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/ebola-treatment-centers-open-at-epicenter-of-outbreak/ Ebola Treatment Centers Serving Patients at Epicenter of Outbreak https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/958035791/0/samaritanspurse~Ebola-Treatment-Centers-Serving-Patients-at-Epicenter-of-Outbreak/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:51:47 +0000 https://samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271256 Samaritan's Purse and local healthcare workers are treating Ebola patients in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo.Samaritan’s Purse has established two Ebola Treatment Centers in Bunia and Nyankunde, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to care for patients suffering from the deadly Ebola virus. These facilities are specially outfitted Emergency Field Hospitals with 40 patient beds each to help meet the needs in the Ituri Province, where nearly 90 percent of currently confirmed cases are located. The Bunia facility has opened and Samaritan’s Purse doctors and nurses are there providing hands-on care. The Nyankunde site will open soon and provide desperately needed infectious disease treatment capacity to the hospital there. “Ebola is an extremely dangerous virus, and the case numbers keep climbing,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “These Ebola Treatment Centers are going to help isolate and care for patients who are suffering from the virus. Our prayer is that they will also bring hope to families and communities that are scared and hurting. We want them to know God loves them. Please pray for an end to this outbreak and for our team members who are willing to go help in Jesus’ Name.” Samaritan’s Purse has worked in the region for decades and has a country office in the DRC. We also sent 70 Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members to support this effort. In addition to patient care, they are conducting hygiene training and prevention education and have already installed dozens of handwashing stations. This is critical in helping stop the spread of the disease. "Please pray for an end to this outbreak and for our team members who are willing to go help in Jesus’ Name." —Franklin Graham Samaritan’s Purse has also provided personal protective equipment to help safeguard healthcare providers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to mission hospital partners. The N.C.-based organization has airlifted tons of these life-saving resources and is actively procuring more personal protective equipment to help meet growing needs in the affected area. Additional content is available at our landing page for this Ebola response. ]]> Samaritan's Purse and local healthcare workers are treating Ebola patients in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo.Samaritan’s Purse has established two Ebola Treatment Centers in Bunia and Nyankunde, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to care for patients suffering from the deadly Ebola virus. These facilities are specially outfitted Emergency Field Hospitals with 40 patient beds each to help meet the needs in the Ituri Province, where nearly 90 percent of currently confirmed cases are located. The Bunia facility has opened and Samaritan’s Purse doctors and nurses are there providing hands-on care. The Nyankunde site will open soon and provide desperately needed infectious disease treatment capacity to the hospital there. “Ebola is an extremely dangerous virus, and the case numbers keep climbing,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “These Ebola Treatment Centers are going to help isolate and care for patients who are suffering from the virus. Our prayer is that they will also bring hope to families and communities that are scared and hurting. We want them to know God loves them. Please pray for an end to this outbreak and for our team members who are willing to go help in Jesus’ Name.” Samaritan’s Purse has worked in the region for decades and has a country office in the DRC. We also sent 70 Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members to support this effort. In addition to patient care, they are conducting hygiene training and prevention education and have already installed dozens of handwashing stations. This is critical in helping stop the spread of the disease. "Please pray for an end to this outbreak and for our team members who are willing to go help in Jesus’ Name." —Franklin Graham Samaritan’s Purse has also provided personal protective equipment to help safeguard healthcare providers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to mission hospital partners. The N.C.-based organization has airlifted tons of these life-saving resources and is actively procuring more personal protective equipment to help meet growing needs in the affected area. Additional content is available at our landing page for this Ebola response. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/loving-people-often-left-behind/ Loving People Often Left Behind https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/957985313/0/samaritanspurse~Loving-People-Often-Left-Behind/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:58:44 +0000 https://samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271234 patient receives vision care at Community Medical OutreachSamaritan’s Purse hosted a Community Medical Outreach in Pikeville, Kentucky, to provide residents with free medical, dental, and vision services, including free prescription eyeglasses made onsite. “Here we are the Appalachia of the Appalachia, and we don’t get the help that a lot of other people get,” said one patient. But Samaritan’s Purse is familiar with this area. After catastrophic flooding hit it in mid-February last year, our U.S. Disaster Relief teams set up operations at First Baptist Church of Pikeville, and over the next six weeks hosted over 900 volunteers who performed over 23,000 hours of service to hurting homeowners. Through this effort 20 people accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. From May 29-31, 2026, medical professionals and volunteers came to Pikeville to host the free medical event to help residents. One mother rejoiced: “I’m excited my daughter gets to see again.” Watch the video above to see how grateful the community was for our care. Future Community Medical Outreaches will be held in Wheeling, West Virginia (August 21-23), and Valdosta, Georgia (October 23-25). Consider signing up to volunteer to be the hands and feet of Jesus in one of these underserved communities. ]]> patient receives vision care at Community Medical OutreachSamaritan’s Purse hosted a Community Medical Outreach in Pikeville, Kentucky, to provide residents with free medical, dental, and vision services, including free prescription eyeglasses made onsite. “Here we are the Appalachia of the Appalachia, and we don’t get the help that a lot of other people get,” said one patient. But Samaritan’s Purse is familiar with this area. After catastrophic flooding hit it in mid-February last year, our U.S. Disaster Relief teams set up operations at First Baptist Church of Pikeville, and over the next six weeks hosted over 900 volunteers who performed over 23,000 hours of service to hurting homeowners. Through this effort 20 people accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. From May 29-31, 2026, medical professionals and volunteers came to Pikeville to host the free medical event to help residents. One mother rejoiced: “I’m excited my daughter gets to see again.” Watch the video above to see how grateful the community was for our care. Future Community Medical Outreaches will be held in Wheeling, West Virginia (August 21-23), and Valdosta, Georgia (October 23-25). Consider signing up to volunteer to be the hands and feet of Jesus in one of these underserved communities. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/rebuilt-churches-shine-sudans/#video New Short Film Updates the Story of Rebuilt Churches https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/957932198/0/samaritanspurse~New-Short-Film-Updates-the-Story-of-Rebuilt-Churches/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:08:10 +0000 https://samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271200 Hear Our Cry image for film on the Sudans]]> Hear Our Cry image for film on the Sudans ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/preparing-for-ebola-patients-in-congo/ Preparing for Ebola Patients in Congo https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/957818051/0/samaritanspurse~Preparing-for-Ebola-Patients-in-Congo/ Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:34:20 +0000 https://samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271118 A nurse named Ngabu is in a training room in Ituri Province, learning how to put on a hazmat suit. His younger brother is lying in an isolation ward somewhere he cannot visit. Ngabu hasn't seen him since his brother was transported to the facility. He doesn't know when he will. He saw two of his pastors die from the disease. Six of his neighbors have died. Colleagues have died. And even as he trains with our team and prepares to serve in our Ebola Treatment Center in the coming days, he's grieving the losses in his community and region. "Here in this room, we're learning how to use chlorine and how to protect ourselves by correctly using the technique of putting on personal protective equipment (PPE) and taking off PPE so as not to be contaminated," he said. "We want to cut the chain of transmission. It's love. Love of neighbor." "It's a great scourge for Ituri," he said. "If no one comes to the aid of the population, we have no hope of living. It's hard for me to watch someone die when I can do something, and I wanted to work with Samaritan's Purse because I do have a bit of experience from the Ebola outbreak of 2019. I know that Samaritan's Purse has the competence in the matter of this virus." For the medical workers training here, that labor is driven by love for friends, family, and neighbors. Many of them have already experienced heartbreaking loss. Since late May, Samaritan's Purse has been rushing supplies into the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the Bunia community of Ituri Province. We have a large, well-established field office in the area and a longtime partner hospital already treating Ebola patients for several days before we arrived. This most recent Ebola outbreak in the country is affecting nearly two dozen health zones in Ituri Province and beyond. Samaritan's Purse has been responding since May 24, when our 767 cargo plane departed North Carolina carrying many tons of medical supplies and protective equipment. We have a long history of fighting this disease — including operating an Ebola Treatment Center in Liberia in 2014 and caring for more than 600 patients in the DRC during the 2018-19 outbreak. Soon we will open two Ebola Treatment Centers, one in Bunia and one at Nyankunde Hospital, because hospital and clinics are at near-full capacity with little means of separating Ebola patients from the general patient population. "In Nyankunde, we're setting up an Ebola isolation center right across the street from an existing hospital," said Abigail McElheney, a Samaritan's Purse program manager on the response. "This will allow that hospital to start maintaining proper isolation and prevent community spread between people with other medical conditions coming in." The center in Bunia is being constructed in an open field and will provide proper isolation with individual patient rooms. The center at Nyankunde is being built in an existing structure just across the street from the hospital. Kim Wiebe, a critical care nurse from Canada and a member of our Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), said workers are also being trained in using the isolation areas. Many of the protocols are familiar to medical staff, a number of whom served in the previous Ebola response in DRC. "This is a refresher training for many of the staff," she said. "This ensures we're all able to have safe practices and ensure that we can deliver really safe care to our patients." Please pray as we prepare to receive patients in the coming days. Pray for protection for our staff and other workers, for healing among patients, and that the disease spread would be halted. ]]> A nurse named Ngabu is in a training room in Ituri Province, learning how to put on a hazmat suit. His younger brother is lying in an isolation ward somewhere he cannot visit. Ngabu hasn't seen him since his brother was transported to the facility. He doesn't know when he will. He saw two of his pastors die from the disease. Six of his neighbors have died. Colleagues have died. And even as he trains with our team and prepares to serve in our Ebola Treatment Center in the coming days, he's grieving the losses in his community and region. "Here in this room, we're learning how to use chlorine and how to protect ourselves by correctly using the technique of putting on personal protective equipment (PPE) and taking off PPE so as not to be contaminated," he said. "We want to cut the chain of transmission. It's love. Love of neighbor." "It's a great scourge for Ituri," he said. "If no one comes to the aid of the population, we have no hope of living. It's hard for me to watch someone die when I can do something, and I wanted to work with Samaritan's Purse because I do have a bit of experience from the Ebola outbreak of 2019. I know that Samaritan's Purse has the competence in the matter of this virus." For the medical workers training here, that labor is driven by love for friends, family, and neighbors. Many of them have already experienced heartbreaking loss. Since late May, Samaritan's Purse has been rushing supplies into the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the Bunia community of Ituri Province. We have a large, well-established field office in the area and a longtime partner hospital already treating Ebola patients for several days before we arrived. This most recent Ebola outbreak in the country is affecting nearly two dozen health zones in Ituri Province and beyond. Samaritan's Purse has been responding since May 24, when our 767 cargo plane departed North Carolina carrying many tons of medical supplies and protective equipment. We have a long history of fighting this disease — including operating an Ebola Treatment Center in Liberia in 2014 and caring for more than 600 patients in the DRC during the 2018-19 outbreak. Soon we will open two Ebola Treatment Centers, one in Bunia and one at Nyankunde Hospital, because hospital and clinics are at near-full capacity with little means of separating Ebola patients from the general patient population. "In Nyankunde, we're setting up an Ebola isolation center right across the street from an existing hospital," said Abigail McElheney, a Samaritan's Purse program manager on the response. "This will allow that hospital to start maintaining proper isolation and prevent community spread between people with other medical conditions coming in." The center in Bunia is being constructed in an open field and will provide proper isolation with individual patient rooms. The center at Nyankunde is being built in an existing structure just across the street from the hospital. Kim Wiebe, a critical care nurse from Canada and a member of our Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), said workers are also being trained in using the isolation areas. Many of the protocols are familiar to medical staff, a number of whom served in the previous Ebola response in DRC. "This is a refresher training for many of the staff," she said. "This ensures we're all able to have safe practices and ensure that we can deliver really safe care to our patients." Please pray as we prepare to receive patients in the coming days. Pray for protection for our staff and other workers, for healing among patients, and that the disease spread would be halted. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/new-life-for-baby-jay/ New Life for Baby Jay https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/957772040/0/samaritanspurse~New-Life-for-Baby-Jay/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:13:56 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=270690 Baby Jay was a newborn when doctors discovered a severe heart defect. He received life-saving surgery through World Medical Mission surgeons.Baby Jay needed a miracle. And soon. Like any first-time parents, Elijah and Hannah Mwaura were overjoyed when they welcomed their son into the world March 30. But when Hannah cradled him in her arms, she noticed that something was wrong. Although he seemed to be breathing without any difficulty, the newborn’s lips, fingernails, and toenails were purplish-blue instead of the healthy pink that she expected. The staff at Kijabe Mission Hospital in Kenya did an echocardiogram and diagnosed the infant with a rare heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries, or TGA. For babies with this condition, the aorta and the pulmonary artery are reversed from their normal positions. The result is dangerously low blood oxygen levels. If not repaired surgically—usually within the first few weeks of life—the condition is ultimately fatal. God’s Perfect Timing Three hours away at Tenwek Mission Hospital, Dr. Elijah Bolin, a pediatric cardiologist, received an urgent phone call from Kijabe. They wanted to transfer their little patient to Tenwek’s cardiothoracic center, a new and advanced surgical facility equipped to handle specialized heart cases like Jay’s. “Jay was two days old when I got the call about him,” said Bolin, who serves at Tenwek through our World Medical Mission Post-Residency Program. “We knew it would be a series of high-risk procedures he would need, but, without anything, Jay would likely die in several days. The window for intervention was quickly closing.” "All of the timing clearly was just God’s hand upon this baby." On the same day that Jay was admitted to the hospital, a volunteer team of heart doctors from World Medical Mission was scheduled to arrive. The center had opened a new catheterization lab in January, and the team had come to assist staff and conduct training in catheterization procedures. The team included pediatric cardiologists, Dr. Allison Cabalka and Dr. Carrie Herbert, and an anesthesiologist specializing in pediatric cardiology, Dr. Paul Stensrud. When they were made aware of the new born infant’s situation, they determined the child needed immediate intervention. The best course of action was to do a balloon atrial septostomy. The catheterization would basically stabilize Jay and improve his oxygen levels until the arrival the following week of a doctor specializing in a long-term solution. By God’s providence, World Medical Mission pediatric heart specialist, Dr. David Lehenbauer had already made arrangements to serve at Tenwek the following week. He was the exact type of specialist Baby Jay needed, one with experience in performing arterial switch surgeries. There was just one problem. “A very specific catheter was designed to perform that procedure, which was not on the shelf at Tenwek,” said Cabalka. “The cardiothoracic center wouldn’t have a reason to stock that type of catheter tube because they don’t have a full-time neonatal surgeon, and it wouldn’t be a procedure they would anticipate commonly doing.” But God provided the exact equipment for the particular procedure needed to save the child’s life. Cabalka and the team contemplated using the existing equipment, but they considered another possibility. At Bolin’s invitation, pediatric cardiologist Dr. Emily Chesire, from Moi Teaching Hospital in El Doret, Kenya, had come to observe the United States team’s work in the cardiac catheterization lab. As they discussed the baby’s case with the visiting doctor, Cabalka said they asked the woman if she “by chance” had access to a balloon septostomy catheter. To everyone’s amazement, the physician replied, “Yes, I do. As a matter of fact, I received one just a month ago and I remarked to myself, ‘What am I going to do with this catheter?’” El Doret is a four-hour journey away from Tenwek by car. That evening a cardiac intensivist was planning to come to Tenwek to assist staff with postoperative care for heart patients having surgery that week. He was contacted and hand-delivered the catheter to Cabalka. “All of the timing clearly was just God’s hand upon this baby,” Cabalka said. After the catheterization, Jay was able to breathe on his own and was able to breastfeed while awaiting the permanent repair surgery. Changing One Life and History Dr. David Lehenbauer was acquainted with the arterial switch procedure through his work at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, but the operation had never been attempted at the Tenwek cardiothoracic center. “Newborn heart surgery is not the same as older kid and adult surgery. It's much more challenging. They are more susceptible to complications,” said Lehenbauer. “I was concerned that it was going to be a struggle. Doing the operation is one thing, but then managing a newborn baby after the operation is another.” A week later, at 17 days old, Jay was released to go home. During the delicate and complex five-hour procedure, Tenwek staff surgeon Dr. Yonas Teferi and Lehenbauer disconnected the major blood vessels and reattached them to the correct heart chambers. All went well, and postoperative care was provided by the entire Tenwek cardiothoracic center team and the visiting intensivist from El Doret. Baby Jay will probably need no additional surgeries and can enjoy a normal, active life. A week later, at 17 days old, Jay was released to go home. More than a dozen Tenwek staff gathered to congratulate the Mwauras, taking turns holding their beautiful child, capturing keepsake photos, and giving praise to God. Dr. Cabalka missed the celebration, as she had already returned to Minnesota, but she kept in touch with Tenwek staff to follow the progress of her new favorite little patient. "There is no other explanation for how things came together. A historical event for Tenwek and a life changing event for this precious baby!" “I think on every mission trip, there’s always a child that makes the whole trip worth it. Ultimately, each person that you treat is worth the trip,” she said. “I hope Jay’s parents will glorify the Lord and testify of all the events that God brought about to save his life. There is no other explanation for how things came together. A historical event for Tenwek and a life changing event for this precious baby!” Billed as a world-class facility, the seven-story cardiothoracic center houses several operating rooms, patient wards, a catheterization lab, endoscopy procedure rooms, exam rooms, a large education wing, and a chapel. Samaritan’s Purse is a long-time partner of Tenwek, located in Bomet, Kenya, and was among the major ministry partners who helped to fund construction of the cardiothoracic center. Edward Graham and other representatives of Samaritan’s Purse attended the dedication ceremony in October 2024. Our World Medical Mission program continues to support Tenwek’s work by sending more than 200 volunteer healthcare professionals on short-term assignments each year. ]]> Baby Jay was a newborn when doctors discovered a severe heart defect. He received life-saving surgery through World Medical Mission surgeons.Baby Jay needed a miracle. And soon. Like any first-time parents, Elijah and Hannah Mwaura were overjoyed when they welcomed their son into the world March 30. But when Hannah cradled him in her arms, she noticed that something was wrong. Although he seemed to be breathing without any difficulty, the newborn’s lips, fingernails, and toenails were purplish-blue instead of the healthy pink that she expected. The staff at Kijabe Mission Hospital in Kenya did an echocardiogram and diagnosed the infant with a rare heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries, or TGA. For babies with this condition, the aorta and the pulmonary artery are reversed from their normal positions. The result is dangerously low blood oxygen levels. If not repaired surgically—usually within the first few weeks of life—the condition is ultimately fatal. God’s Perfect Timing Three hours away at Tenwek Mission Hospital, Dr. Elijah Bolin, a pediatric cardiologist, received an urgent phone call from Kijabe. They wanted to transfer their little patient to Tenwek’s cardiothoracic center, a new and advanced surgical facility equipped to handle specialized heart cases like Jay’s. “Jay was two days old when I got the call about him,” said Bolin, who serves at Tenwek through our World Medical Mission Post-Residency Program. “We knew it would be a series of high-risk procedures he would need, but, without anything, Jay would likely die in several days. The window for intervention was quickly closing.” "All of the timing clearly was just God’s hand upon this baby." On the same day that Jay was admitted to the hospital, a volunteer team of heart doctors from World Medical Mission was scheduled to arrive. The center had opened a new catheterization lab in January, and the team had come to assist staff and conduct training in catheterization procedures. The team included pediatric cardiologists, Dr. Allison Cabalka and Dr. Carrie Herbert, and an anesthesiologist specializing in pediatric cardiology, Dr. Paul Stensrud. When they were made aware of the new born infant’s situation, they determined the child needed immediate intervention. The best course of action was to do a balloon atrial septostomy. The catheterization would basically stabilize Jay and improve his oxygen levels until the arrival the following week of a doctor specializing in a long-term solution. By God’s providence, World Medical Mission pediatric heart specialist, Dr. David Lehenbauer had already made arrangements to serve at Tenwek the following week. He was the exact type of specialist Baby Jay needed, one with experience in performing arterial switch surgeries. There was just one problem. “A very specific catheter was designed to perform that procedure, which was not on the shelf at Tenwek,” said Cabalka. “The cardiothoracic center wouldn’t have a reason to stock that type of catheter tube because they don’t have a full-time neonatal surgeon, and it wouldn’t be a procedure they would anticipate commonly doing.” But God provided the exact equipment for the particular procedure needed to save the child’s life. Cabalka and the team contemplated using the existing equipment, but they considered another possibility. At Bolin’s invitation, pediatric cardiologist Dr. Emily Chesire, from Moi Teaching Hospital in El Doret, Kenya, had come to observe the United States team’s work in the cardiac catheterization lab. As they discussed the baby’s case with the visiting doctor, Cabalka said they asked the woman if she “by chance” had access to a balloon septostomy catheter. To everyone’s amazement, the physician replied, “Yes, I do. As a matter of fact, I received one just a month ago and I remarked to myself, ‘What am I going to do with this catheter?’” El Doret is a four-hour journey away from Tenwek by car. That evening a cardiac intensivist was planning to come to Tenwek to assist staff with postoperative care for heart patients having surgery that week. He was contacted and hand-delivered the catheter to Cabalka. “All of the timing clearly was just God’s hand upon this baby,” Cabalka said. After the catheterization, Jay was able to breathe on his own and was able to breastfeed while awaiting the permanent repair surgery. Changing One Life and History Dr. David Lehenbauer was acquainted with the arterial switch procedure through his work at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, but the operation had never been attempted at the Tenwek cardiothoracic center. “Newborn heart surgery is not the same as older kid and adult surgery. It's much more challenging. They are more susceptible to complications,” said Lehenbauer. “I was concerned that it was going to be a struggle. Doing the operation is one thing, but then managing a newborn baby after the operation is another.” A week later, at 17 days old, Jay was released to go home. During the delicate and complex five-hour procedure, Tenwek staff surgeon Dr. Yonas Teferi and Lehenbauer disconnected the major blood vessels and reattached them to the correct heart chambers. All went well, and postoperative care was provided by the entire Tenwek cardiothoracic center team and the visiting intensivist from El Doret. Baby Jay will probably need no additional surgeries and can enjoy a normal, active life. A week later, at 17 days old, Jay was released to go home. More than a dozen Tenwek staff gathered to congratulate the Mwauras, taking turns holding their beautiful child, capturing keepsake photos, and giving praise to God. Dr. Cabalka missed the celebration, as she had already returned to Minnesota, but she kept in touch with Tenwek staff to follow the progress of her new favorite little patient. "There is no other explanation for how things came together. A historical event for Tenwek and a life changing event for this precious baby!" “I think on every mission trip, there’s always a child that makes the whole trip worth it. Ultimately, each person that you treat is worth the trip,” she said. “I hope Jay’s parents will glorify the Lord and testify of all the events that God brought about to save his life. There is no other explanation for how things came together. A historical event for Tenwek and a life changing event for this precious baby!” Billed as a world-class facility, the seven-story cardiothoracic center houses several operating rooms, patient wards, a catheterization lab, endoscopy procedure rooms, exam rooms, a large education wing, and a chapel. Samaritan’s Purse is a long-time partner of Tenwek, located in Bomet, Kenya, and was among the major ministry partners who helped to fund construction of the cardiothoracic center. Edward Graham and other representatives of Samaritan’s Purse attended the dedication ceremony in October 2024. Our World Medical Mission program continues to support Tenwek’s work by sending more than 200 volunteer healthcare professionals on short-term assignments each year. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/franklin-graham/june26 Franklin Graham’s June 2026 Update https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/957732455/0/samaritanspurse~Franklin-Grahams-June-Update Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:14:19 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=270938 ]]> ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/in-awe-of-gods-goodness/ In Awe of God’s Goodness https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/957686216/0/samaritanspurse~In-Awe-of-Gods-Goodness/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:01:48 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=270881 When Hurricane Helene washed away Margaret’s mobile home in the mountains of western North Carolina nearly two years ago, she remembers, God was faithful to deliver her from the torrent of wind and rain. Though she lost everything, she continued to trust that He would provide. VOLUNTEER IN NORTH CAROLINA Margaret again experienced God’s love and kindness in an unexpected way when she heard from our U.S. Rebuild team. And when she walked into her new, fully furnished mobile home given to her free of charge by Samaritan’s Purse, she praised the Lord. “If it hadn’t been for Samaritan’s Purse coming through for me, I don’t know where I’d be,” she said. “God sent Samaritan’s Purse in … they were determined to do the Lord’s work.” Hear more from Margaret and her undaunted faith in the video above. Inscribed on the exterior siding of Margaret’s new home are the words Given in Jesus’ Name, a simple yet powerful reminder that God is her provider. Since the historic September 2024 storm, Samaritan’s Purse has been coming alongside devastated communities and homeowners in Jesus’ Name, helping meet needs with new campers, vehicles, mobile homes, and stick-built homes for families left without a place to live. Our teams have been hard at work for nearly two years in the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and our work there will continue for years to come. Our staff and volunteers work alongside local churches, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ across the region. You, too, can help bring hope and meet needs for families impacted by Hurricane Helene! Sign up to volunteer at any of our three rebuild sites in Buncombe, Yancey, and Watauga counties. Please pray for our work and that many people would come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. ]]> When Hurricane Helene washed away Margaret’s mobile home in the mountains of western North Carolina nearly two years ago, she remembers, God was faithful to deliver her from the torrent of wind and rain. Though she lost everything, she continued to trust that He would provide. VOLUNTEER IN NORTH CAROLINA Margaret again experienced God’s love and kindness in an unexpected way when she heard from our U.S. Rebuild team. And when she walked into her new, fully furnished mobile home given to her free of charge by Samaritan’s Purse, she praised the Lord. “If it hadn’t been for Samaritan’s Purse coming through for me, I don’t know where I’d be,” she said. “God sent Samaritan’s Purse in … they were determined to do the Lord’s work.” Hear more from Margaret and her undaunted faith in the video above. Inscribed on the exterior siding of Margaret’s new home are the words Given in Jesus’ Name, a simple yet powerful reminder that God is her provider. Since the historic September 2024 storm, Samaritan’s Purse has been coming alongside devastated communities and homeowners in Jesus’ Name, helping meet needs with new campers, vehicles, mobile homes, and stick-built homes for families left without a place to live. Our teams have been hard at work for nearly two years in the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and our work there will continue for years to come. Our staff and volunteers work alongside local churches, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ across the region. You, too, can help bring hope and meet needs for families impacted by Hurricane Helene! Sign up to volunteer at any of our three rebuild sites in Buncombe, Yancey, and Watauga counties. Please pray for our work and that many people would come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/military-couples-celebrate-new-beginnings-during-week-one-in-alaska/ Military Couples Celebrate New Beginnings During Week One in Alaska https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/957618662/0/samaritanspurse~Military-Couples-Celebrate-New-Beginnings-During-Week-One-in-Alaska/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:06:32 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=270849 Chaplains baptize a military couple in Lake Clark with Tanalian Mountain in the background. Truly beautiful pristine landscape.A hero’s welcome is not what military couples expected when they arrived at Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Yet they stepped off the plane to a crowd of staff, volunteers, chaplains, and local residents waving American flags and waiting to greet them. Army Staff Sergeant Chad Kleist and his wife, Tamara, had known for a while that something was missing in their lives. When they landed at our wilderness lodge, they hoped that maybe they'd arrived at the place where they would finally find it. Trusting in Jesus as Savior Chad and Tamara applied for Operation Heal Our Patriots because they desperately wanted to strengthen their marriage and grow closer to each other. Although six years of marriage have brought them many joyful moments, it has also been replete with trials. “I was getting to my breaking point,” Chad said. He has post-traumatic stress and disassociation, the lingering effects of an 18-year military career that included deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Tamara had a miscarriage and deals with anxiety. They’ve also had to navigate life as a blended family. Tamara has at times considered religion and faith, but struggled to understand why a loving God would create her son autistic and nonverbal. “I wanted to be a soccer mom and to hear my child say, ‘Mommy, I love you.’” Both Tamara and Chad were open to belief in a higher power and knew they needed help to continue persevering through life’s challenges. “We kept looking for something, but we just weren’t sure what it was,” Tamara said. On the first evening of their week in Alaska, the couple asked to meet with our chaplains. “I felt like I could be honest about my questions and doubts,” Tamara said. Sometimes it feels too late to start something new—but it’s never too late. I know that now. When we go home, God will now be our focus. The chaplains explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They shared the eternal hope that comes with trusting Him as Lord and Savior. They used Scripture to assure them that their son is created in God’s image and has a purpose in His Kingdom. “We gave our hearts to Jesus that night,” Chad said. “It’s a whole new beginning for us. This time, we’re going to do it with Jesus.” Tamara knows that even if their problems don’t go away, they will trust the Lord to walk with them and provide strength to endure. “Sometimes it feels too late to start something new—but it’s never too late. I know that now,” she said. Tamara and Chad were baptized in Lake Clark at the end of the week. They also rededicated their marriage to God and to each other during a special ceremony. “When we go home, God will now be our focus,” Tamara said. Renewed Commitment We praise God that the Kleists were among four couples who renewed their wedding vows during the week of May 24-29. Joining them were Marine Corporal Freightlin Cox and his wife, Caitlin. They were immediately interested in Operation Heal Our Patriots after learning about it from friends who had come to Samaritan Lodge Alaska a previous year. They applied several times before, so, when they were accepted this year, Caitlin was overcome by emotion. “I definitely sobbed when I got the call,” Caitlin said. “This was the right time.” Caitlin had been hospitalized for a severe illness and had not long recovered when she found out they were going to Alaska. In recent years, she's experienced the grief of three miscarriages and mourned the death of several close family members. The couple and their daughter also grieved the loss of longtime family pets. “The past few years have been rough,” she said. Caitlin and Freightlin knew they wanted to do something special to honor their 10th wedding anniversary. When they found out they could participate in a marriage renewal ceremony during their week in Alaska, “we were the first ones to sign up,” Freightlin said. The couple shared that they came to Alaska to take intentional steps toward growing in their relationship. “We needed more tools for our toolbox,” Caitlin said. This is a reset before we start this new chapter. We’re grateful for the opportunity. Their desire to maintain a healthy marriage is fueled in part by a determination to raise their family in a different environment from the one they experienced growing up. Freightlin was in and out of different foster homes and lacked positive role models and mentors. Caitlin’s parents argued so often that sometimes she didn’t even want to be in the house. Caitlin was a single mother when she met Freightlin. From the outset, the couple was committed to raising the child in a loving and stable home, which meant working together to understand the challenges Freightlin faced after being injured in Iraq. He struggles with a traumatic brain injury incurred during an IED blast and also suffers with knee and shoulder pain. He slammed his face into the steering wheel during the blast and needed reconstructive surgery. Freightlin also has post-traumatic stress and anxiety. In Alaska, Caitlin was also encouraged as she spent time with other military spouses who shared similar experiences. “Being a military spouse is very unique. People don’t often understand that,” she said. “Here, it doesn’t feel like we’re around a bunch of strangers. I have people I can talk to who get it.” Caitlin and Freightlin were thrilled to share with the other military couples that, after a decade of heartbreak and disappointment, they are expecting a baby boy later this year. Spending time in Alaska to strengthen their marriage and renew their vows came at just the right time. “This is a reset before we start this new chapter,” Freightlin said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity.” ]]> Chaplains baptize a military couple in Lake Clark with Tanalian Mountain in the background. Truly beautiful pristine landscape.A hero’s welcome is not what military couples expected when they arrived at Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Yet they stepped off the plane to a crowd of staff, volunteers, chaplains, and local residents waving American flags and waiting to greet them. Army Staff Sergeant Chad Kleist and his wife, Tamara, had known for a while that something was missing in their lives. When they landed at our wilderness lodge, they hoped that maybe they'd arrived at the place where they would finally find it. Trusting in Jesus as Savior Chad and Tamara applied for Operation Heal Our Patriots because they desperately wanted to strengthen their marriage and grow closer to each other. Although six years of marriage have brought them many joyful moments, it has also been replete with trials. “I was getting to my breaking point,” Chad said. He has post-traumatic stress and disassociation, the lingering effects of an 18-year military career that included deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Tamara had a miscarriage and deals with anxiety. They’ve also had to navigate life as a blended family. Tamara has at times considered religion and faith, but struggled to understand why a loving God would create her son autistic and nonverbal. “I wanted to be a soccer mom and to hear my child say, ‘Mommy, I love you.’” Both Tamara and Chad were open to belief in a higher power and knew they needed help to continue persevering through life’s challenges. “We kept looking for something, but we just weren’t sure what it was,” Tamara said. On the first evening of their week in Alaska, the couple asked to meet with our chaplains. “I felt like I could be honest about my questions and doubts,” Tamara said. Sometimes it feels too late to start something new—but it’s never too late. I know that now. When we go home, God will now be our focus. The chaplains explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They shared the eternal hope that comes with trusting Him as Lord and Savior. They used Scripture to assure them that their son is created in God’s image and has a purpose in His Kingdom. “We gave our hearts to Jesus that night,” Chad said. “It’s a whole new beginning for us. This time, we’re going to do it with Jesus.” Tamara knows that even if their problems don’t go away, they will trust the Lord to walk with them and provide strength to endure. “Sometimes it feels too late to start something new—but it’s never too late. I know that now,” she said. Tamara and Chad were baptized in Lake Clark at the end of the week. They also rededicated their marriage to God and to each other during a special ceremony. “When we go home, God will now be our focus,” Tamara said. Renewed Commitment We praise God that the Kleists were among four couples who renewed their wedding vows during the week of May 24-29. Joining them were Marine Corporal Freightlin Cox and his wife, Caitlin. They were immediately interested in Operation Heal Our Patriots after learning about it from friends who had come to Samaritan Lodge Alaska a previous year. They applied several times before, so, when they were accepted this year, Caitlin was overcome by emotion. “I definitely sobbed when I got the call,” Caitlin said. “This was the right time.” Caitlin had been hospitalized for a severe illness and had not long recovered when she found out they were going to Alaska. In recent years, she's experienced the grief of three miscarriages and mourned the death of several close family members. The couple and their daughter also grieved the loss of longtime family pets. “The past few years have been rough,” she said. Caitlin and Freightlin knew they wanted to do something special to honor their 10th wedding anniversary. When they found out they could participate in a marriage renewal ceremony during their week in Alaska, “we were the first ones to sign up,” Freightlin said. The couple shared that they came to Alaska to take intentional steps toward growing in their relationship. “We needed more tools for our toolbox,” Caitlin said. This is a reset before we start this new chapter. We’re grateful for the opportunity. Their desire to maintain a healthy marriage is fueled in part by a determination to raise their family in a different environment from the one they experienced growing up. Freightlin was in and out of different foster homes and lacked positive role models and mentors. Caitlin’s parents argued so often that sometimes she didn’t even want to be in the house. Caitlin was a single mother when she met Freightlin. From the outset, the couple was committed to raising the child in a loving and stable home, which meant working together to understand the challenges Freightlin faced after being injured in Iraq. He struggles with a traumatic brain injury incurred during an IED blast and also suffers with knee and shoulder pain. He slammed his face into the steering wheel during the blast and needed reconstructive surgery. Freightlin also has post-traumatic stress and anxiety. In Alaska, Caitlin was also encouraged as she spent time with other military spouses who shared similar experiences. “Being a military spouse is very unique. People don’t often understand that,” she said. “Here, it doesn’t feel like we’re around a bunch of strangers. I have people I can talk to who get it.” Caitlin and Freightlin were thrilled to share with the other military couples that, after a decade of heartbreak and disappointment, they are expecting a baby boy later this year. Spending time in Alaska to strengthen their marriage and renew their vows came at just the right time. “This is a reset before we start this new chapter,” Freightlin said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity.” ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/seeds-spring-life/ Seeds Spring Life https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/957422021/0/samaritanspurse~Seeds-Spring-Life/ Thu, 28 May 2026 12:29:46 +0000 https://samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=270444 Samaritan's Purse staff visit with Vira and provide her with agricultural suppliesVira’s* life consists of a quiet but constant struggle to make ends meet. At 56, she’s too young to pull any pension and employment opportunities are scarce. She has no family near, so she scrapes by tending her near-acre of land, some chickens, and a cow in a small village in eastern Ukraine. “I rely only on what I can grow with my own hands,” Vira said. She recently had to hire out the plowing and cultivation of her land because it was too large to handle on her own. Sadly, the necessary expense cost more than her month’s income from the sale of her cow’s milk. “I didn’t know how I would manage,” Vira said. That’s when Samaritan’s Purse showed up with potato and tomato seeds, giving her hope that her sole income from the milk would now stretch further than it did before. Included in the seed supply were other vegetables, including onions, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, beets, zucchini, corn, peas, greens, and radishes. Now rows of leaves are popping up from the soil as signs of hope and sustenance for the months ahead. The colorful crop will even include the treat of watermelon! Knowing the growing season can be short in parts of Ukraine, Samaritan’s Purse also provided an 18-foot hotbed and a seedling set complete with a tray and pots. Vira can get her plants started early to insure they grow to maturity before frost comes in the fall. Vira was overjoyed that Samaritan’s Purse also provided a drip irrigation system and shading net to help the plants endure the severe sun of July and August. Add to all this complex fertilizer, five sets of garden gloves, and an agricultural manual we provided, and she is poised to be well-fed even as conflict continues. God will make things grow. “This is such a great help for me,” Vira said. “It will truly make my life easier. I am sincerely grateful for Samaritan’s Purse’s support.” Living on More than Vegetables In addition to helping Vira fill her pantry, Samaritan’s Purse ensures that Vira gets spiritual food as well. The pastor of a partner church travels roughly five hours from another area near the frontlines to organize weekly meetings in a small tent for Vira and her neighbors. “We come together, we pray, we read the Bible, and we feel that we are not alone,” Vira said. Since 2025, Samaritan’s Purse has supplied more than 1,800 seed packages and over 1,000 gardening tool sets to people who were uncertain how they would feed their families in the midst of conflict. Supply chains, infrastructure, and farming are disrupted so groceries don’t always make it to stores in smaller neighborhoods. “This program provides vulnerable families in frontline regions with the means they need to tend their vegetable gardens and grow their own food after losing homes, loved ones, jobs, and a sense of security,” said Yevheniia Hrushyna, a Samaritan’s Purse staff member. “For many Ukrainians living in remote villages, this is far more than physical assistance, it is a reminder that they are not forgotten. This support has a deep spiritual impact, expressing God’s love in a tangible way and bringing comfort and hope in difficult times.” Please pray for Ukrainian families who are struggling to survive as the war continues. Please pray that they would not only have bumper harvests but also develop a personal relationship with the Creator. Please also join in their prayers that peace would come soon. *Name changed for security. ]]> Samaritan's Purse staff visit with Vira and provide her with agricultural suppliesVira’s* life consists of a quiet but constant struggle to make ends meet. At 56, she’s too young to pull any pension and employment opportunities are scarce. She has no family near, so she scrapes by tending her near-acre of land, some chickens, and a cow in a small village in eastern Ukraine. “I rely only on what I can grow with my own hands,” Vira said. She recently had to hire out the plowing and cultivation of her land because it was too large to handle on her own. Sadly, the necessary expense cost more than her month’s income from the sale of her cow’s milk. “I didn’t know how I would manage,” Vira said. That’s when Samaritan’s Purse showed up with potato and tomato seeds, giving her hope that her sole income from the milk would now stretch further than it did before. Included in the seed supply were other vegetables, including onions, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, beets, zucchini, corn, peas, greens, and radishes. Now rows of leaves are popping up from the soil as signs of hope and sustenance for the months ahead. The colorful crop will even include the treat of watermelon! Knowing the growing season can be short in parts of Ukraine, Samaritan’s Purse also provided an 18-foot hotbed and a seedling set complete with a tray and pots. Vira can get her plants started early to insure they grow to maturity before frost comes in the fall. Vira was overjoyed that Samaritan’s Purse also provided a drip irrigation system and shading net to help the plants endure the severe sun of July and August. Add to all this complex fertilizer, five sets of garden gloves, and an agricultural manual we provided, and she is poised to be well-fed even as conflict continues. God will make things grow. “This is such a great help for me,” Vira said. “It will truly make my life easier. I am sincerely grateful for Samaritan’s Purse’s support.” Living on More than Vegetables In addition to helping Vira fill her pantry, Samaritan’s Purse ensures that Vira gets spiritual food as well. The pastor of a partner church travels roughly five hours from another area near the frontlines to organize weekly meetings in a small tent for Vira and her neighbors. “We come together, we pray, we read the Bible, and we feel that we are not alone,” Vira said. Since 2025, Samaritan’s Purse has supplied more than 1,800 seed packages and over 1,000 gardening tool sets to people who were uncertain how they would feed their families in the midst of conflict. Supply chains, infrastructure, and farming are disrupted so groceries don’t always make it to stores in smaller neighborhoods. “This program provides vulnerable families in frontline regions with the means they need to tend their vegetable gardens and grow their own food after losing homes, loved ones, jobs, and a sense of security,” said Yevheniia Hrushyna, a Samaritan’s Purse staff member. “For many Ukrainians living in remote villages, this is far more than physical assistance, it is a reminder that they are not forgotten. This support has a deep spiritual impact, expressing God’s love in a tangible way and bringing comfort and hope in difficult times.” Please pray for Ukrainian families who are struggling to survive as the war continues. Please pray that they would not only have bumper harvests but also develop a personal relationship with the Creator. Please also join in their prayers that peace would come soon. *Name changed for security. ]]>