Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org News Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:27:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://users.feedblitz.com/ec17766dabfb882064cc1903e3224114/SP-logo.jpg Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/gretas-canal-in-cambodia-brings-new-life/ Greta’s Canal in Cambodia Brings New Life https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/967247222/0/samaritanspurse~Greta%e2%80%99s-Canal-in-Cambodia-Brings-New-Life/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:38:11 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272516 Greta Van Susteren traveled with Samaritan’s Purse in 2015 to Cambodia’s Yeay Ort village, not far from the Thai border. The highest spot in the surrounding area, the village was dry and brown. Residents wondered then where they would get clean water, so many crossed the border in search of questionable employment. That’s when Samaritan’s Purse discovered that Yeay Ort only had about 10 days of food left. “Samaritan’s Purse, with the help of John Coale and Greta Van Susteren, built a canal that brought water not just to this village, but it's now benefiting five other villages,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “They’re getting not one rice harvest, but two.” Now instead of migrating, over 850 families farm in the village, with the proceeds creating a bustling marketplace and a strengthened economy that's supporting a private school for their children. We praise God that in the process, people are coming to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! Watch the video above to see the visible difference from over 10 years of ministry in Jesus’ Name. ]]> Greta Van Susteren traveled with Samaritan’s Purse in 2015 to Cambodia’s Yeay Ort village, not far from the Thai border. The highest spot in the surrounding area, the village was dry and brown. Residents wondered then where they would get clean water, so many crossed the border in search of questionable employment. That’s when Samaritan’s Purse discovered that Yeay Ort only had about 10 days of food left. “Samaritan’s Purse, with the help of John Coale and Greta Van Susteren, built a canal that brought water not just to this village, but it's now benefiting five other villages,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “They’re getting not one rice harvest, but two.” Now instead of migrating, over 850 families farm in the village, with the proceeds creating a bustling marketplace and a strengthened economy that's supporting a private school for their children. We praise God that in the process, people are coming to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! Watch the video above to see the visible difference from over 10 years of ministry in Jesus’ Name. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/readying-our-response-to-washington-wildfires/ Readying Our Response to Washington Wildfires https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/966948917/0/samaritanspurse~Readying-Our-Response-to-Washington-Wildfires/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:27:07 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272851 Volunteers with Samaritan's Purse sift through the ashes of a burned down home in Spokane, Washington, in September 2023. As wildfires rage in the same region again now, Samaritan's Purse will send out volunteer teams into the community in Jesus' Name once the fires are contained.Fast-spreading wildfires are scorching neighborhoods and communities in and around Spokane, Washington, where tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated and over 700 homes destroyed. The Autumn Lane, Old Trails, and Fairview wildfires continue to consume large swaths of land in the eastern region of the state. The blazes are only minimally contained. Assessment crews from Samaritan’s Purse are working alongside emergency management and local government officials to identify the extent of the damage and coordinate a response to these fires. Four Disaster Response Vehicles—box trucks with relief supplies and equipment—are on their way to the affected area now. As containment of the blazes increases, we will also send Disaster Relief Unit #2, a tractor-trailer from out West Coast Ministry Center in Fullerton, California, to further support our response. Our base of operations will be at host church Life Center Spokane at 1202 North Government Way. Volunteers will start Thursday, Aug. 13, or whenever local authorities deem it safe to enter the community. Our volunteer teams will serve in the aftermath of the fires by helping devastated families recover precious keepsakes and belongings from the ashes, while also sharing the hope of the Gospel during such difficult times. Chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team will accompany our volunteers, encouraging hurting homeowners with God’s love. Please lift up the people of eastern Washington in prayer as the blazes threaten to claim more homes and businesses. Pray that God would strengthen the brave firefighters and other emergency responders working to contain these wildfires. Continue to visit samaritanspurse.org for updates on our response. ]]> Volunteers with Samaritan's Purse sift through the ashes of a burned down home in Spokane, Washington, in September 2023. As wildfires rage in the same region again now, Samaritan's Purse will send out volunteer teams into the community in Jesus' Name once the fires are contained.Fast-spreading wildfires are scorching neighborhoods and communities in and around Spokane, Washington, where tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated and over 700 homes destroyed. The Autumn Lane, Old Trails, and Fairview wildfires continue to consume large swaths of land in the eastern region of the state. The blazes are only minimally contained. Assessment crews from Samaritan’s Purse are working alongside emergency management and local government officials to identify the extent of the damage and coordinate a response to these fires. Four Disaster Response Vehicles—box trucks with relief supplies and equipment—are on their way to the affected area now. As containment of the blazes increases, we will also send Disaster Relief Unit #2, a tractor-trailer from out West Coast Ministry Center in Fullerton, California, to further support our response. Our base of operations will be at host church Life Center Spokane at 1202 North Government Way. Volunteers will start Thursday, Aug. 13, or whenever local authorities deem it safe to enter the community. Our volunteer teams will serve in the aftermath of the fires by helping devastated families recover precious keepsakes and belongings from the ashes, while also sharing the hope of the Gospel during such difficult times. Chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team will accompany our volunteers, encouraging hurting homeowners with God’s love. Please lift up the people of eastern Washington in prayer as the blazes threaten to claim more homes and businesses. Pray that God would strengthen the brave firefighters and other emergency responders working to contain these wildfires. Continue to visit samaritanspurse.org for updates on our response. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/colorado-wildfire-survivors-share-stories-of-renewed-hope-after-loss/ Colorado Wildfire Survivors Share Stories of Renewed Hope After Loss https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/966591596/0/samaritanspurse~Colorado-Wildfire-Survivors-Share-Stories-of-Renewed-Hope-After-Loss/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:27:50 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272801 Samaritan's Purse volunteers sifting through the ashes of a house burned by wildfires in Colorado.Across the Beulah Valley in south-central Colorado, concrete foundations are all that remain of many once-serene mountain homes, haunting reminders of the devastation caused by recent wildfires that consumed over 100,000 acres across multiple counties. Over the last few weeks, however, working in Jesus' Name amid the charred landscape, orange-shirted Samaritan's Purse volunteers searched through the ashes of former homes to recover treasured keepsakes for families who lost everything. In the process, weary homeowners experienced the overwhelming peace that only the "God of all comfort" can provide (2 Corinthians 1:3). We also praise God that eight homeowners accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior during this response. Watch the video above to see and hear stories of hope from Colorado wildfire survivors. While our work in Colorado has concluded, Samaritan's Purse is responding in many disaster-stricken communities across the United States in Jesus' Name. Visit spvolunteer.org to sign up to volunteer today and help bring the hope of the Gospel to hurting homeowners. ]]> Samaritan's Purse volunteers sifting through the ashes of a house burned by wildfires in Colorado.Across the Beulah Valley in south-central Colorado, concrete foundations are all that remain of many once-serene mountain homes, haunting reminders of the devastation caused by recent wildfires that consumed over 100,000 acres across multiple counties. Over the last few weeks, however, working in Jesus' Name amid the charred landscape, orange-shirted Samaritan's Purse volunteers searched through the ashes of former homes to recover treasured keepsakes for families who lost everything. In the process, weary homeowners experienced the overwhelming peace that only the "God of all comfort" can provide (2 Corinthians 1:3). We also praise God that eight homeowners accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior during this response. Watch the video above to see and hear stories of hope from Colorado wildfire survivors. While our work in Colorado has concluded, Samaritan's Purse is responding in many disaster-stricken communities across the United States in Jesus' Name. Visit spvolunteer.org to sign up to volunteer today and help bring the hope of the Gospel to hurting homeowners. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/flooded-by-gods-presence/ Flooded By God’s Presence https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/966274799/0/samaritanspurse~Flooded-By-Gods-Presence/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:33:04 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272765 A Samaritan's Purse volunteer comforts Cynthia Cain, a beneficiary in Weston, West Virginia.The electricity went out when Cynthia was home alone. She looked out the window to see her street had become a river. As she evacuated, floodwater swallowed her car and poured into her basement. Cynthia Cain and her husband and son were among the thousands of residents of north-central West Virginia whose homes and neighborhoods were inundated after up to 7 inches of rain fell in late July. The Cain family felt overwhelmed and defeated. Then Samaritan's Purse arrived. Hear more of the Cains' story in the video above, and volunteer with Samaritan's Purse at one of our many disaster responses across the country. Our army of dedicated volunteers filled the family's driveway and got to work clearing the layers of mud from inside the Cains' home and moving flooded belongings to the curb—all the while reminding the hurting family that God has not forgotten them and that they are not alone as they recover. "God's presence was there—I could feel it," Cynthia said of the volunteers. "God sent that help, and so many people [drove] all the way here to help people—very few hearts are like that." Touched by the heart he saw in Samaritan's Purse volunteers, Logan Cain, Cynthia's son, donned the orange shirt himself and volunteered to serve his own community. The witness of volunteers "put a passion" in him, Logan said. "I was wondering what God was going to do, and He came through for me. I want to go help people." Our response in West Virginia has helped dozens of hurting homeowners recover from the recent floods, but, more importantly, 11 people in the Mountain State have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through the witness of our volunteers. Samaritan's Purse is working at two locations in Texas and one in Mississippi after floods; in Wisconsin following a devastating tornado; and in Colorado after wildfires. Visit spvolunteer.org to sign up to volunteer as the hands and feet of Jesus after disasters. Pray that God would touch the lives of people reeling from disasters across the country with His love, and that our volunteer teams can shine God's goodness as they serve in Jesus' Name. ]]> A Samaritan's Purse volunteer comforts Cynthia Cain, a beneficiary in Weston, West Virginia.The electricity went out when Cynthia was home alone. She looked out the window to see her street had become a river. As she evacuated, floodwater swallowed her car and poured into her basement. Cynthia Cain and her husband and son were among the thousands of residents of north-central West Virginia whose homes and neighborhoods were inundated after up to 7 inches of rain fell in late July. The Cain family felt overwhelmed and defeated. Then Samaritan's Purse arrived. Hear more of the Cains' story in the video above, and volunteer with Samaritan's Purse at one of our many disaster responses across the country. Our army of dedicated volunteers filled the family's driveway and got to work clearing the layers of mud from inside the Cains' home and moving flooded belongings to the curb—all the while reminding the hurting family that God has not forgotten them and that they are not alone as they recover. "God's presence was there—I could feel it," Cynthia said of the volunteers. "God sent that help, and so many people [drove] all the way here to help people—very few hearts are like that." Touched by the heart he saw in Samaritan's Purse volunteers, Logan Cain, Cynthia's son, donned the orange shirt himself and volunteered to serve his own community. The witness of volunteers "put a passion" in him, Logan said. "I was wondering what God was going to do, and He came through for me. I want to go help people." Our response in West Virginia has helped dozens of hurting homeowners recover from the recent floods, but, more importantly, 11 people in the Mountain State have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through the witness of our volunteers. Samaritan's Purse is working at two locations in Texas and one in Mississippi after floods; in Wisconsin following a devastating tornado; and in Colorado after wildfires. Visit spvolunteer.org to sign up to volunteer as the hands and feet of Jesus after disasters. Pray that God would touch the lives of people reeling from disasters across the country with His love, and that our volunteer teams can shine God's goodness as they serve in Jesus' Name. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/a-missionary-surgeon-serves-hurting-venezuelans/ A Missionary Surgeon Serves Hurting Venezuelans https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/966223421/0/samaritanspurse~A-Missionary-Surgeon-Serves-Hurting-Venezuelans/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:47:57 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272600 Dr. Warren Cooper prepares for one of many emergency procedures for Venezuelan earthquake survivors.As aftershocks rattled the northern coast of Venezuela in the wake of devastating twin earthquakes, Dr. Warren Cooper worked on the open wounds of a man rushed to our Emergency Field Hospital near the epicenter in La Guaira. Dr. Cooper, a general surgeon, joined our first wave to the region in late June and now is part of a team treating the sick and injured carried in from the surrounding city, where large swaths of communities became a mangle of collapsed multi-story buildings. The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes killed more than 5,000 people and displaced tens of thousands. It left many hundreds of people injured and without access to medical treatment. “I would have been in the Congo right now,” he said, explaining how Ebola erupted while he and his wife were on leave from their home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have been serving as missionaries there for the last 14 years. The outbreak was declared while the couple was visiting family and friends in the U.S. Soon after hearing this news, they found out they could not return home. “I know colleagues who have had Ebola,” he said. “We’ve been so heartbroken to see what’s going on there.” He now sees that this is the course the Lord has set before him—to serve the people of Venezuela. “It must be God’s plan,” he said. Over the course of his weekslong deployment, Dr. Cooper and the operating room team have performed more than 200 surgeries–not only providing the physical care that this grieving community desperately needs but also hearing their stories of survival. Dr. Cooper recalls the story of a bedridden man he operated on whose mother was killed in the earthquake. She’d been his sole caregiver since having his leg amputated years ago. “There have been so many stories that have touched us personally,” Dr. Cooper said. “[They’ve experienced] this agonizing loss and now to wonder, ‘Well, what is my future?’” Dr. Cooper also met a Venezuelan anesthesiologist who came to help the medical team despite losing her entire home. Some of the local staff who are serving alongside the team, have similar stories of endurance. As they and patients interact with Samaritan’s Purse staff, many are hearing a message of hope beyond their grief. While the man with the amputated leg was recovering in the Samaritan’s Purse hospital, he heard the message of the Gospel and chose to follow Christ—declaring a new, unshakable future. Care for the whole person “Often, we make a distinction between ‘This is the medical work, and this is the spiritual work.’ But helping somebody medically means ministering to them as a whole person—body and soul,” he explained. As a missionary kid, Dr. Cooper learned this from his parents who demonstrated that there’s no separation between a Christian’s vocation and call from the Lord. “I got to see the joy my parents had in serving Christ—their job and their faith were not two separate things,” he said. “Watching them helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life.” God at Work After Disasters To date, the medical team has treated more than 3,000 patients. The trust built through excellent care has opened Venezuelans to hearing the Gospel. “It’s amazing that even through tragedy, the Gospel goes forth,” Dr. Cooper says. “You wouldn’t think it’s possible under such devastation and to the degree this country has suffered. You wouldn’t think it’s possible for people to still find God, and I think that’s part of why we’re here.” Dr. Cooper has also been encouraged by the faith of his patients. “I think there’s a profound spiritual understanding here in Venezuela. There have been so many patients, even on the way to the operating room, who are lifting up their hands to God,” says Dr. Cooper. “Though we can’t communicate with them, we both acknowledge that God is in control, and he cares for them.” “There was a time when I would’ve seen this kind of work differently, thinking-I’m here for the medical work and somebody else can kind of take care of the spiritual work,” he explains. Serving in the Congo has shifted Dr. Cooper’s perspective on his work even more. Now, he is looking for opportunities to boldly speak to patients about their faith and eternal realities in the face of death. He’s grateful to be surrounded by like-minded doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and surgeons in places like Venezuela. “A lot of people may have that call upon their lives to serve, but they just have never taken that step,” he says. “I think the big thing is to step out in faith. If you do feel that call, then do something about it.” ]]> Dr. Warren Cooper prepares for one of many emergency procedures for Venezuelan earthquake survivors.As aftershocks rattled the northern coast of Venezuela in the wake of devastating twin earthquakes, Dr. Warren Cooper worked on the open wounds of a man rushed to our Emergency Field Hospital near the epicenter in La Guaira. Dr. Cooper, a general surgeon, joined our first wave to the region in late June and now is part of a team treating the sick and injured carried in from the surrounding city, where large swaths of communities became a mangle of collapsed multi-story buildings. The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes killed more than 5,000 people and displaced tens of thousands. It left many hundreds of people injured and without access to medical treatment. “I would have been in the Congo right now,” he said, explaining how Ebola erupted while he and his wife were on leave from their home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have been serving as missionaries there for the last 14 years. The outbreak was declared while the couple was visiting family and friends in the U.S. Soon after hearing this news, they found out they could not return home. “I know colleagues who have had Ebola,” he said. “We’ve been so heartbroken to see what’s going on there.” He now sees that this is the course the Lord has set before him—to serve the people of Venezuela. “It must be God’s plan,” he said. Over the course of his weekslong deployment, Dr. Cooper and the operating room team have performed more than 200 surgeries–not only providing the physical care that this grieving community desperately needs but also hearing their stories of survival. Dr. Cooper recalls the story of a bedridden man he operated on whose mother was killed in the earthquake. She’d been his sole caregiver since having his leg amputated years ago. “There have been so many stories that have touched us personally,” Dr. Cooper said. “[They’ve experienced] this agonizing loss and now to wonder, ‘Well, what is my future?’” Dr. Cooper also met a Venezuelan anesthesiologist who came to help the medical team despite losing her entire home. Some of the local staff who are serving alongside the team, have similar stories of endurance. As they and patients interact with Samaritan’s Purse staff, many are hearing a message of hope beyond their grief. While the man with the amputated leg was recovering in the Samaritan’s Purse hospital, he heard the message of the Gospel and chose to follow Christ—declaring a new, unshakable future. Care for the whole person “Often, we make a distinction between ‘This is the medical work, and this is the spiritual work.’ But helping somebody medically means ministering to them as a whole person—body and soul,” he explained. As a missionary kid, Dr. Cooper learned this from his parents who demonstrated that there’s no separation between a Christian’s vocation and call from the Lord. “I got to see the joy my parents had in serving Christ—their job and their faith were not two separate things,” he said. “Watching them helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life.” God at Work After Disasters To date, the medical team has treated more than 3,000 patients. The trust built through excellent care has opened Venezuelans to hearing the Gospel. “It’s amazing that even through tragedy, the Gospel goes forth,” Dr. Cooper says. “You wouldn’t think it’s possible under such devastation and to the degree this country has suffered. You wouldn’t think it’s possible for people to still find God, and I think that’s part of why we’re here.” Dr. Cooper has also been encouraged by the faith of his patients. “I think there’s a profound spiritual understanding here in Venezuela. There have been so many patients, even on the way to the operating room, who are lifting up their hands to God,” says Dr. Cooper. “Though we can’t communicate with them, we both acknowledge that God is in control, and he cares for them.” “There was a time when I would’ve seen this kind of work differently, thinking-I’m here for the medical work and somebody else can kind of take care of the spiritual work,” he explains. Serving in the Congo has shifted Dr. Cooper’s perspective on his work even more. Now, he is looking for opportunities to boldly speak to patients about their faith and eternal realities in the face of death. He’s grateful to be surrounded by like-minded doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and surgeons in places like Venezuela. “A lot of people may have that call upon their lives to serve, but they just have never taken that step,” he says. “I think the big thing is to step out in faith. If you do feel that call, then do something about it.” ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/encouraging-tornado-survivors-with-the-love-of-jesus-christ/ Encouraging Tornado Survivors with the Love of Jesus Christ https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/966055862/0/samaritanspurse~Encouraging-Tornado-Survivors-with-the-Love-of-Jesus-Christ/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:16:46 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272707 Volunteer presents Bible to homeownerWhen the sky started turning black, Mike Kueper turned on the TV. “Get to a basement now,” the weather forecaster warned. He grabbed his yellow labrador Hank and made their way to the basement. They made it just in time. He could hear his windows shattering and flying debris punching holes in the roof. Complete silence finally came after about 20 minutes. He crept upstairs to survey the damage. Mike could barely see his lawn underneath all the branches and debris. One neighbor’s garage looked like it had exploded. Trees were ripped out of the ground, and one had crashed onto his garage, barely missing his prized 1968 Firebird. “It was a nightmare,” he said. He has lived in Menasha, Wisconsin, his entire life, but he had never seen something quite like this. His yard needed to be cleaned up but he knew he couldn’t do it—he was still recovering from a shoulder surgery he had four days prior. His niece learned that Samaritan’s Purse was coming to help the community and asked our team to help her uncle. Before he knew it, volunteers were at his door, ready to help. He was impressed as he watched them haul debris out of his yard and remove the tree from the garage. He was shocked to learn that the team came because they loved him in Jesus’ Name and expected nothing from him in return. “I didn’t think there would be people out here like this, and it just makes me cry,” he said, teary eyed. “This is like a dream.” Hearing Good News After the Storm The storm could not have come at a worse time for Mike. But the tornado seemed like an answer to prayer for his family. They had been praying for decades that he would surrender his life to Jesus, and the storm had seemed to open his heart toward God. Talking to our team made him start to wonder: “Why would these people go out helping people? Is this God doing this?” he asked. Volunteer Troy Galetti shared with Mike that the team came because of the storm, but ultimately, they came to share with him the eternal hope found in Christ. We praise God that Troy shared the Good News with Mike, and that Mike prayed to receive Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. “He went through the Gospel, and it seems like it changed me today,” he said. Troy presented Mike with his first Bible, signed by the volunteers who worked on his home. He was thankful for the gift and was excited to begin learning more about God through His Word. His newfound joy cannot be contained—he laughed and hugged our team as they celebrated his decision to accept Christ. He is thankful that they demonstrated His love and helped point him to the Savior. “I love you guys,” he said, beaming to the volunteers. Praying Ahead of the Twister The night before the tornado, Dr. Khadijah Enoh felt the Lord put it on her heart to pray for Him to protect her three children. She didn’t know that He would answer her prayer the next day. Khadijah and her husband Dr. Agei were at work when the tornado sirens went off. Her mind flashed to her children—the eldest was with friends, safe from the tornado’s path. But her two youngest were spending the day at home in Menasha, and she feared the worst. The children were playing on the second floor when a powerful wind forced open the front door. They rushed to the basement. “It’s going to be fine. We’re going to live through this,” Malaika, 12, told her 10-year-old brother. After the tornado passed, Khadijah tried to call her children—no answer. She called her husband, but his phone died in the middle of their conversation. As she drove home, she called neighbors and asked them to check on her children. Her 20-minute drive home took her 45 minutes because of the storm damage. With every passing minute, her mind went deeper into a spiral. Finally, a neighbor called. On the other end, she could faintly hear her daughter talking, and relief flooded her body. “Just hearing her voice brought back my senses,” she said. When she reached her street, she didn’t recognize it. Roofs had been stripped off her neighbors’ homes and debris filled the road. “I had never seen this kind of devastation in a place that I call home,” she said. Yet, her home was miraculously standing. “It just reminded me of the majesty of God,” she said. Unable to get her car down the long driveway, Khadijah ran on foot, crossing over fallen trees and power lines to her children, who were waiting for her in front of the house. “God had His hand on this house and on them,” she said. Her house sustained a lot of roof damage, and the yard was covered in fallen trees and debris. Some of the windows had shattered. But she was grateful that her children were alive and that they still had a place to live. As she wept with neighbors who had lost everything, she knew why God had protected her home. “We want our house—in the midst of all this desolation—to be a beacon of hope.” The Lord Is Working in the Aftermath Before they could house their neighbors, they knew there was work to be done on the property. Yet they didn’t know where to begin and worried about how long it would take. Our volunteers showed up to help, clearing big trees and repairing damages to the home. “I'm overwhelmed. I have no words for how people just show up and get to work. I have never taken, ‘Love thy neighbor’ as seriously as I do right now,” Khadijah said. She is deeply encouraged by the volunteers who cared for her family through their service and prayers. “It just felt like they were giving me an invisible hug with all their orange shirts,” she said. Before leaving, the team gathered around her to pray. “We pray, Lord, that You’ll continue to bring [Khadijah] under Your wing and as she moves forward,” said volunteer Will Statezny. Please pray for our team as they continue to serve homeowners and share the Gospel with them. Pray also as they serve believers, encouraging them with the love of Christ. ]]> Volunteer presents Bible to homeownerWhen the sky started turning black, Mike Kueper turned on the TV. “Get to a basement now,” the weather forecaster warned. He grabbed his yellow labrador Hank and made their way to the basement. They made it just in time. He could hear his windows shattering and flying debris punching holes in the roof. Complete silence finally came after about 20 minutes. He crept upstairs to survey the damage. Mike could barely see his lawn underneath all the branches and debris. One neighbor’s garage looked like it had exploded. Trees were ripped out of the ground, and one had crashed onto his garage, barely missing his prized 1968 Firebird. “It was a nightmare,” he said. He has lived in Menasha, Wisconsin, his entire life, but he had never seen something quite like this. His yard needed to be cleaned up but he knew he couldn’t do it—he was still recovering from a shoulder surgery he had four days prior. His niece learned that Samaritan’s Purse was coming to help the community and asked our team to help her uncle. Before he knew it, volunteers were at his door, ready to help. He was impressed as he watched them haul debris out of his yard and remove the tree from the garage. He was shocked to learn that the team came because they loved him in Jesus’ Name and expected nothing from him in return. “I didn’t think there would be people out here like this, and it just makes me cry,” he said, teary eyed. “This is like a dream.” Hearing Good News After the Storm The storm could not have come at a worse time for Mike. But the tornado seemed like an answer to prayer for his family. They had been praying for decades that he would surrender his life to Jesus, and the storm had seemed to open his heart toward God. Talking to our team made him start to wonder: “Why would these people go out helping people? Is this God doing this?” he asked. Volunteer Troy Galetti shared with Mike that the team came because of the storm, but ultimately, they came to share with him the eternal hope found in Christ. We praise God that Troy shared the Good News with Mike, and that Mike prayed to receive Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. “He went through the Gospel, and it seems like it changed me today,” he said. Troy presented Mike with his first Bible, signed by the volunteers who worked on his home. He was thankful for the gift and was excited to begin learning more about God through His Word. His newfound joy cannot be contained—he laughed and hugged our team as they celebrated his decision to accept Christ. He is thankful that they demonstrated His love and helped point him to the Savior. “I love you guys,” he said, beaming to the volunteers. Praying Ahead of the Twister The night before the tornado, Dr. Khadijah Enoh felt the Lord put it on her heart to pray for Him to protect her three children. She didn’t know that He would answer her prayer the next day. Khadijah and her husband Dr. Agei were at work when the tornado sirens went off. Her mind flashed to her children—the eldest was with friends, safe from the tornado’s path. But her two youngest were spending the day at home in Menasha, and she feared the worst. The children were playing on the second floor when a powerful wind forced open the front door. They rushed to the basement. “It’s going to be fine. We’re going to live through this,” Malaika, 12, told her 10-year-old brother. After the tornado passed, Khadijah tried to call her children—no answer. She called her husband, but his phone died in the middle of their conversation. As she drove home, she called neighbors and asked them to check on her children. Her 20-minute drive home took her 45 minutes because of the storm damage. With every passing minute, her mind went deeper into a spiral. Finally, a neighbor called. On the other end, she could faintly hear her daughter talking, and relief flooded her body. “Just hearing her voice brought back my senses,” she said. When she reached her street, she didn’t recognize it. Roofs had been stripped off her neighbors’ homes and debris filled the road. “I had never seen this kind of devastation in a place that I call home,” she said. Yet, her home was miraculously standing. “It just reminded me of the majesty of God,” she said. Unable to get her car down the long driveway, Khadijah ran on foot, crossing over fallen trees and power lines to her children, who were waiting for her in front of the house. “God had His hand on this house and on them,” she said. Her house sustained a lot of roof damage, and the yard was covered in fallen trees and debris. Some of the windows had shattered. But she was grateful that her children were alive and that they still had a place to live. As she wept with neighbors who had lost everything, she knew why God had protected her home. “We want our house—in the midst of all this desolation—to be a beacon of hope.” The Lord Is Working in the Aftermath Before they could house their neighbors, they knew there was work to be done on the property. Yet they didn’t know where to begin and worried about how long it would take. Our volunteers showed up to help, clearing big trees and repairing damages to the home. “I'm overwhelmed. I have no words for how people just show up and get to work. I have never taken, ‘Love thy neighbor’ as seriously as I do right now,” Khadijah said. She is deeply encouraged by the volunteers who cared for her family through their service and prayers. “It just felt like they were giving me an invisible hug with all their orange shirts,” she said. Before leaving, the team gathered around her to pray. “We pray, Lord, that You’ll continue to bring [Khadijah] under Your wing and as she moves forward,” said volunteer Will Statezny. Please pray for our team as they continue to serve homeowners and share the Gospel with them. Pray also as they serve believers, encouraging them with the love of Christ. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/a-church-is-rising-on-the-edge-of-prince-william-sound/ A Church Is Rising on the Edge of Prince William Sound https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/965003723/0/samaritanspurse~A-Church-Is-Rising-on-the-Edge-of-Prince-William-Sound/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:57:45 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272612 This project in Cordova marks our 37th Alaska construction project since beginning the work in 2006.All roads leading out of Cordova, Alaska, are dead ends. The only way to reach the isolated fishing town—population 2,400—is by sea or air, which makes hauling in building materials and other supplies difficult, to say the least. And the rain is constant. “It can last for weeks or even months,” said Mike Glover, pastor of Cordova Community Baptist. But none of that is holding back the scores of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who’ve traveled from 31 states to construct a new worship space this summer for Cordova Community Baptist Church. Located on the southeastern edge of Prince William Sound near the mouth of the Copper River, Cordova is a tight-knit, resilient, and resource-rich place that’s been forced to reinvent itself multiple times over the past century. Mining companies were drawn to the area when high-grade copper ore was discovered in 1906 in nearby Kennecott. Cordova was chosen as the terminus for the Copper River and Northwestern Railway. Almost overnight, the quiet cannery community of a couple hundred became one of the busiest ports and most bustling cities in the Alaska Territory. But by 1938 the copper mines were depleted and the boomtown went bust. Fortunately, razor clam production flourished, and Cordova was proclaimed the “Razor Clam Capital of the World,” harvesting over half the clams in the U.S. But overnight, the town was robbed of this resource by the catastrophic 9.2-magnitude Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. It lifted the ground by several feet, exposing the clam beds and eroding surface sediment. The sudden environmental shift instantly destroyed the area’s once-dominant clam industry. Through it all, commercial fishing remained the life blood of Cordova. The waters surrounding the town are rich in salmon—King, Sockeye, Coho, Keta, and Pink—as well as gigantic Pacific halibut, and rainbow and steelhead trout. But again tragedy struck. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez tanker ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound and spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil, polluting 1,300 miles of coastline. The economic impact was immediate and crippling, as commercial fishing for salmon, crab, shrimp, herring, and many other fish was shut down by federal and state authorities. But stouthearted Cordova weathered this latest disaster just as it did the others. It’s once again a thriving fishing town. A Church in Constant Need of Repair Cordova Community Baptist Church fits right in with the town’s history. The church was founded in 1908 as a Presbyterian congregation. In 1920, a church building was constructed. The church changed denominations in 1950 and affiliated with the Baptists. Ten years later, a raging inferno reduced the church to ashes on the Fourth of July. A new building opened on the same property in 1962. But decades of Cordova’s harsh weather—the area is a temperate rainforest and gets up to 180 inches of precipitation each year with wind gusts up to 150 mph—has wreaked havoc on the 64-year-old structure. “We have walls in the church that do not dry out for weeks, if at all, because of the rain,” said Pastor Mike. “After years and years, that leads to an increasingly deteriorating building.” John Harding, who pastored the church from 1999 to 2009, said the building was leaking back when he led the congregation. “I remember we had a Wednesday morning Bible study for the youth, but when we arrived at the church there was literally water running down the stairs, like a waterfall,” John said. “Rain was melting snow on the roof, so we all went up on the roof and shoveled snow off it in the pouring rain.” His mother, Susan Harding, 85, recalls a wedding in the early 1990s that almost didn’t happen because of water flowing down hallways. “The bride was crying,” she said. “But we got it mopped and sopped up enough so she could walk down.” The congregation has fixed what they could through the years but never had the funds to address all of the problems. “There was a lot of band-aiding certain areas over the decades,” Mike said. They looked into getting the outside repaired, but just the cost to do that was going to be well over a million dollars and that didn’t account for any interior fixes. “I thought, ‘We’re going to worship in this space until it crumbles around us,’” Mike said. “That’s a terrifying thought as a pastor: to be the one who oversees the slow demise of the worship space.” Then, last summer, Mike got an unexpected call from Luther Harrison, vice president of U.S. Disaster Relief and Rebuild at Samaritan’s Purse. “We ended up on the Samaritan’s Purse radar before we knew there was a radar,” Mike said. “It’s a one hundred percent God thing.” Now, just over a year later, construction of the new church is well underway. Building Churches Off the Road with Volunteers Each summer, Samaritan’s Purse builds a new church somewhere in Alaska that is off the road system in communities that can only be reached by air or boat and have a church that is in desperate need of repair. Our teams work with these congregations to design and build a facility that will meet their specific needs and endure Alaska’s severe weather for well over 100 years. This project in Cordova marks our 37th Alaska construction project since beginning the work in 2006. “Alaska loves to destroy buildings. The temperature swings here are extreme and bring in moisture and lead to structural damage,” said Corey Lynch, director of Alaska church projects at Samaritan’s Purse. “So, we are constructing this church, and every church we build in Alaska, in a manner that will need minimal maintenance and will provide a lasting legacy for decades to come.” Construction of the new Cordova church began May 1 and is scheduled to be completed and dedicated to God’s glory on Oct. 11. Many in the church and the town can’t believe how fast construction is going and that it’s being built exclusively by volunteers. A new team of workers, typically 18 to 20, arrives every 10 days. “These volunteers are such a wonderful blessing for our church,” said Susan Harding, whose husband pastored the church for more than two decades. “They gave up their time and spent their own money to come here and do this work for us. Unbelievable. And they may not know it, but they are an answer to huge amounts of prayer.” Russ Richardson, the lead construction manager, says the teams are made up of people from all over the U.S. “Our volunteer base comes from the lower 48,” he said. “They vary from college guys all the way through retired men and women. They also vary in skills. Some are solid trade folks while some don’t know how to read a tape measure. Our staff is specifically trained to teach all the tools, all the techniques to anyone, regardless of skill. God always brings the right people at the right time every year.” Recent high school graduate Roy Graham is one of the few young people who is volunteering and would encourage other teens to put on a tool belt. “This has been such a great experience and helped me get out of my comfort zone,” Roy said. “You don’t just learn technical skills in construction, but you learn life skills. Just having Godly people share their life experiences with you is invaluable.” Jim Thackston, who brought a group of volunteers from South Carolina, agrees. “When you volunteer, you get to be around a bunch of other Christians who help refresh your spirit on a daily basis. It’s so encouraging. And it’s such a blessing to see how much the people in the church appreciate the work that we’re doing. As a volunteer, you really are being the hands and feet of Jesus.” Getting Involved in the Community Some people from the church are also helping with the construction. Bob Behrends has been a member of Community Baptist for 37 years. He helped pour the foundation and said he has been impressed with the impact our staff and volunteers are making in the area. “People in town are amazed at how quickly this building is going up because nothing gets built that fast in Cordova,” he said. “Lots of folks just come by to look at it and have said that they will visit when the doors are open. The influence of Samaritan’s Purse reaching out into the community is actually bringing people into our church.” Samaritan’s Purse volunteers often get involved in community projects while they serve in Alaska. A few of them recently learned that a local woman was going to be evicted from her apartment if it wasn’t properly cleaned. Four of our volunteers went in and did a thorough scrubbing. The woman couldn’t believe what they had done. It has allowed her to continue living in her home. The following Sunday, she came to the church and sat on the front row. “It was the first time she had ever been to the church,” said Sue Shellhorn, who has attended Community Baptist longer than anyone, stretching back to the late 1950s. “This is just so encouraging.” Something Old, Something Eternal Every bit of the new building will be new construction except one prominent feature—the 40-foot aluminum cross that has stood at the front of Community Baptist since Christmas Eve 2002. Designed and constructed by congregant Rob Eckley, the cross was recently removed and taken to Rob’s huge workshop where he will refurbish it before it is erected at the entrance of the new facility. “I’m really honored that the cross is going to be at the new church,” Rob said. “More than that, I’m glad it will continue to stand as a symbol of God’s amazing love.” While this new worship space is being built to last 100 to 150 years, Bob Behrends believes its impact will go well beyond that. “This new church building will be used for the next century and is such a huge blessing for our community,” Bob said. “God the Father is being glorified through the work that Samaritan’s Purse is doing here. And that work will echo into eternity.” ]]> This project in Cordova marks our 37th Alaska construction project since beginning the work in 2006.All roads leading out of Cordova, Alaska, are dead ends. The only way to reach the isolated fishing town—population 2,400—is by sea or air, which makes hauling in building materials and other supplies difficult, to say the least. And the rain is constant. “It can last for weeks or even months,” said Mike Glover, pastor of Cordova Community Baptist. But none of that is holding back the scores of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who’ve traveled from 31 states to construct a new worship space this summer for Cordova Community Baptist Church. Located on the southeastern edge of Prince William Sound near the mouth of the Copper River, Cordova is a tight-knit, resilient, and resource-rich place that’s been forced to reinvent itself multiple times over the past century. Mining companies were drawn to the area when high-grade copper ore was discovered in 1906 in nearby Kennecott. Cordova was chosen as the terminus for the Copper River and Northwestern Railway. Almost overnight, the quiet cannery community of a couple hundred became one of the busiest ports and most bustling cities in the Alaska Territory. But by 1938 the copper mines were depleted and the boomtown went bust. Fortunately, razor clam production flourished, and Cordova was proclaimed the “Razor Clam Capital of the World,” harvesting over half the clams in the U.S. But overnight, the town was robbed of this resource by the catastrophic 9.2-magnitude Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. It lifted the ground by several feet, exposing the clam beds and eroding surface sediment. The sudden environmental shift instantly destroyed the area’s once-dominant clam industry. Through it all, commercial fishing remained the life blood of Cordova. The waters surrounding the town are rich in salmon—King, Sockeye, Coho, Keta, and Pink—as well as gigantic Pacific halibut, and rainbow and steelhead trout. But again tragedy struck. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez tanker ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound and spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil, polluting 1,300 miles of coastline. The economic impact was immediate and crippling, as commercial fishing for salmon, crab, shrimp, herring, and many other fish was shut down by federal and state authorities. But stouthearted Cordova weathered this latest disaster just as it did the others. It’s once again a thriving fishing town. A Church in Constant Need of Repair Cordova Community Baptist Church fits right in with the town’s history. The church was founded in 1908 as a Presbyterian congregation. In 1920, a church building was constructed. The church changed denominations in 1950 and affiliated with the Baptists. Ten years later, a raging inferno reduced the church to ashes on the Fourth of July. A new building opened on the same property in 1962. But decades of Cordova’s harsh weather—the area is a temperate rainforest and gets up to 180 inches of precipitation each year with wind gusts up to 150 mph—has wreaked havoc on the 64-year-old structure. “We have walls in the church that do not dry out for weeks, if at all, because of the rain,” said Pastor Mike. “After years and years, that leads to an increasingly deteriorating building.” John Harding, who pastored the church from 1999 to 2009, said the building was leaking back when he led the congregation. “I remember we had a Wednesday morning Bible study for the youth, but when we arrived at the church there was literally water running down the stairs, like a waterfall,” John said. “Rain was melting snow on the roof, so we all went up on the roof and shoveled snow off it in the pouring rain.” His mother, Susan Harding, 85, recalls a wedding in the early 1990s that almost didn’t happen because of water flowing down hallways. “The bride was crying,” she said. “But we got it mopped and sopped up enough so she could walk down.” The congregation has fixed what they could through the years but never had the funds to address all of the problems. “There was a lot of band-aiding certain areas over the decades,” Mike said. They looked into getting the outside repaired, but just the cost to do that was going to be well over a million dollars and that didn’t account for any interior fixes. “I thought, ‘We’re going to worship in this space until it crumbles around us,’” Mike said. “That’s a terrifying thought as a pastor: to be the one who oversees the slow demise of the worship space.” Then, last summer, Mike got an unexpected call from Luther Harrison, vice president of U.S. Disaster Relief and Rebuild at Samaritan’s Purse. “We ended up on the Samaritan’s Purse radar before we knew there was a radar,” Mike said. “It’s a one hundred percent God thing.” Now, just over a year later, construction of the new church is well underway. Building Churches Off the Road with Volunteers Each summer, Samaritan’s Purse builds a new church somewhere in Alaska that is off the road system in communities that can only be reached by air or boat and have a church that is in desperate need of repair. Our teams work with these congregations to design and build a facility that will meet their specific needs and endure Alaska’s severe weather for well over 100 years. This project in Cordova marks our 37th Alaska construction project since beginning the work in 2006. “Alaska loves to destroy buildings. The temperature swings here are extreme and bring in moisture and lead to structural damage,” said Corey Lynch, director of Alaska church projects at Samaritan’s Purse. “So, we are constructing this church, and every church we build in Alaska, in a manner that will need minimal maintenance and will provide a lasting legacy for decades to come.” Construction of the new Cordova church began May 1 and is scheduled to be completed and dedicated to God’s glory on Oct. 11. Many in the church and the town can’t believe how fast construction is going and that it’s being built exclusively by volunteers. A new team of workers, typically 18 to 20, arrives every 10 days. “These volunteers are such a wonderful blessing for our church,” said Susan Harding, whose husband pastored the church for more than two decades. “They gave up their time and spent their own money to come here and do this work for us. Unbelievable. And they may not know it, but they are an answer to huge amounts of prayer.” Russ Richardson, the lead construction manager, says the teams are made up of people from all over the U.S. “Our volunteer base comes from the lower 48,” he said. “They vary from college guys all the way through retired men and women. They also vary in skills. Some are solid trade folks while some don’t know how to read a tape measure. Our staff is specifically trained to teach all the tools, all the techniques to anyone, regardless of skill. God always brings the right people at the right time every year.” Recent high school graduate Roy Graham is one of the few young people who is volunteering and would encourage other teens to put on a tool belt. “This has been such a great experience and helped me get out of my comfort zone,” Roy said. “You don’t just learn technical skills in construction, but you learn life skills. Just having Godly people share their life experiences with you is invaluable.” Jim Thackston, who brought a group of volunteers from South Carolina, agrees. “When you volunteer, you get to be around a bunch of other Christians who help refresh your spirit on a daily basis. It’s so encouraging. And it’s such a blessing to see how much the people in the church appreciate the work that we’re doing. As a volunteer, you really are being the hands and feet of Jesus.” Getting Involved in the Community Some people from the church are also helping with the construction. Bob Behrends has been a member of Community Baptist for 37 years. He helped pour the foundation and said he has been impressed with the impact our staff and volunteers are making in the area. “People in town are amazed at how quickly this building is going up because nothing gets built that fast in Cordova,” he said. “Lots of folks just come by to look at it and have said that they will visit when the doors are open. The influence of Samaritan’s Purse reaching out into the community is actually bringing people into our church.” Samaritan’s Purse volunteers often get involved in community projects while they serve in Alaska. A few of them recently learned that a local woman was going to be evicted from her apartment if it wasn’t properly cleaned. Four of our volunteers went in and did a thorough scrubbing. The woman couldn’t believe what they had done. It has allowed her to continue living in her home. The following Sunday, she came to the church and sat on the front row. “It was the first time she had ever been to the church,” said Sue Shellhorn, who has attended Community Baptist longer than anyone, stretching back to the late 1950s. “This is just so encouraging.” Something Old, Something Eternal Every bit of the new building will be new construction except one prominent feature—the 40-foot aluminum cross that has stood at the front of Community Baptist since Christmas Eve 2002. Designed and constructed by congregant Rob Eckley, the cross was recently removed and taken to Rob’s huge workshop where he will refurbish it before it is erected at the entrance of the new facility. “I’m really honored that the cross is going to be at the new church,” Rob said. “More than that, I’m glad it will continue to stand as a symbol of God’s amazing love.” While this new worship space is being built to last 100 to 150 years, Bob Behrends believes its impact will go well beyond that. “This new church building will be used for the next century and is such a huge blessing for our community,” Bob said. “God the Father is being glorified through the work that Samaritan’s Purse is doing here. And that work will echo into eternity.” ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/marriages-restored-and-lives-changed-in-alaska/ Marriages Restored and Lives Changed in Alaska https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/964306589/0/samaritanspurse~Marriages-Restored-and-Lives-Changed-in-Alaska/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:28:35 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272576 God continues to heal marriages and transform lives through Operation Heal Our Patriots.Staff Sergeant Omar Milan and his wife Michelle have created beautiful memories throughout their 23-year marriage. But one pivotal moment changed the course of their lives forever. During his second deployment in Afghanistan, Omar stepped on an improvised explosive device. The blast resulted in the loss of his leg and a finger, and caused multiple fractures in his arm, hip, and collarbone. The intense recovery that followed brought his 12-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps to an unexpected end. As the couple adjusted to life after Omar's injuries, they had to relearn roles and responsibilities while navigating the emotional and physical toll of the recovery process. Over time, their communication lessened and conflict was often swept under the rug. “Every marriage goes through difficult times, and we have made it through some of those difficult times, but we were presented an even bigger challenge when I got injured,” Omar said. They knew they needed help, so when they heard about Operation Heal Our Patriots, they decided to apply. The couple hoped the weeklong retreat would give them tools to reconnect, but what they received was even more valuable. New Life in Christ A cool breeze drifted across Lake Clark as a sea of American flag-waving staff, volunteers, chaplains, and Port Alsworth locals welcomed nine couples to Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Their arrival marked the halfway point of the 2026 summer season. “The welcome for me just was amazing, and it warmed my heart to see the patriotism that they showed us when we landed,” Omar said. As the week kicked off, the Milans bonded with other veterans and their spouses and enjoyed connecting with one another in the great Alaskan outdoors. During their first excursion, Omar looked up at a narrow path that led to a waterfall. He knew the trek would test the mobility of his prosthetic, but after some encouragement from his wife, he embraced the challenge. “Michelle believing in me gets me to do things that I doubt I can actually do,” Omar said. With the help of a guide and with Michelle by his side, Omar navigated the winding trail. “I told him, ‘You can do this. Just try,’” Michelle said. “It wasn't easy, but he made it up there, and we saw a beautiful waterfall.” The couple enjoyed exploring The Last Frontier, but the most transformative moments happened during the Biblical marriage classes led by chaplains. While Omar and Michelle had always believed God existed, they hadn’t been pursuing any particular religion. But Michelle was excited to learn more about faith in the Lord because of her past encounters with Christians. “What got me the most interested in learning more about God was that the people I met who have a close relationship with Him seem like the happiest people,” Michelle said. Through classes that covered an array of topics – like communication, forgiveness, and family mottos – she and Omar began learning more about God’s design for marriage and His great love for them. They met with the chaplains who shared the Gospel and explained that it is never too late to have a relationship with Jesus. Without hesitation, Michelle and Omar decided they wanted to experience the same joy they saw other Christians have and gave their lives to Christ. “We said a prayer, and accepted God into our hearts,” Michelle said. “I felt at peace.” Surrounded by mountains and glassy water, Michelle and Omar and seven others were baptized by chaplains in Lake Clark Friday morning. Although the Milans know they will continue to face trials and challenges, they feel better equipped to handle whatever comes their way and to lead their two daughters in faith. “I have a relationship with God, a stronger connection with Michelle, and better tools to help our marriage,” Omar said. A Fresh Start Daily excursions, including hiking to Tanalian Falls, fishing on Lake Clark, and bear viewing at Katmai National Park, allowed the couples to spend quality time with one another enjoying God’s creation. For Sergeant First Class Anita McClain and her husband, Joe, their time changed the trajectory of their marriage. Just a few weeks before arriving, Anita was told she would be medically retired because of a combat-related shoulder injury. She was only two years short of a 20-year career. On top of this difficult news, she and Joe were carrying around pent-up anger and resentment. “We were going down a bad road,” Anita said. The couple had tried several ways, including counseling, to remedy their conflict, but nothing seemed to work. “We would try things, and we'd fail. We'd try something else, and we'd fail.” Then they heard about Operation Heal Our Patriots from friends and decided to apply. This would be their final attempt to salvage their marriage. When they landed, they turned off their phones for the week. They were the first to sign up for counseling with our chaplains. Halfway through the week, the McClains joined staff and other couples on the dock and participated in a polar plunge into Lake Clark–a memorable camp tradition. For Anita and Joe, the jump into the ice-cold water represented a fresh start. “When we did the plunge, we made a pact that we would leave our history behind and leave it in the water,” Joe said. Anita said the week renewed her for their life together. “This week saved our marriage,” Anita said through tears. “It just really opened my heart and my mind that it's going to be okay. I have hope not only in my marriage but in my career and for our family.” We praise God that the McClains joined five other couples in renewing their wedding vows. “It gave us an opportunity to just clean the slate and move forward,” Anita said. “This week has been an unforgettable experience that we'll talk about for years to come and tell our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.” Please pray for the remaining eight weeks of Operation Heal Our Patriots this summer and that more military marriages will be restored and more will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. ]]> God continues to heal marriages and transform lives through Operation Heal Our Patriots.Staff Sergeant Omar Milan and his wife Michelle have created beautiful memories throughout their 23-year marriage. But one pivotal moment changed the course of their lives forever. During his second deployment in Afghanistan, Omar stepped on an improvised explosive device. The blast resulted in the loss of his leg and a finger, and caused multiple fractures in his arm, hip, and collarbone. The intense recovery that followed brought his 12-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps to an unexpected end. As the couple adjusted to life after Omar's injuries, they had to relearn roles and responsibilities while navigating the emotional and physical toll of the recovery process. Over time, their communication lessened and conflict was often swept under the rug. “Every marriage goes through difficult times, and we have made it through some of those difficult times, but we were presented an even bigger challenge when I got injured,” Omar said. They knew they needed help, so when they heard about Operation Heal Our Patriots, they decided to apply. The couple hoped the weeklong retreat would give them tools to reconnect, but what they received was even more valuable. New Life in Christ A cool breeze drifted across Lake Clark as a sea of American flag-waving staff, volunteers, chaplains, and Port Alsworth locals welcomed nine couples to Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Their arrival marked the halfway point of the 2026 summer season. “The welcome for me just was amazing, and it warmed my heart to see the patriotism that they showed us when we landed,” Omar said. As the week kicked off, the Milans bonded with other veterans and their spouses and enjoyed connecting with one another in the great Alaskan outdoors. During their first excursion, Omar looked up at a narrow path that led to a waterfall. He knew the trek would test the mobility of his prosthetic, but after some encouragement from his wife, he embraced the challenge. “Michelle believing in me gets me to do things that I doubt I can actually do,” Omar said. With the help of a guide and with Michelle by his side, Omar navigated the winding trail. “I told him, ‘You can do this. Just try,’” Michelle said. “It wasn't easy, but he made it up there, and we saw a beautiful waterfall.” The couple enjoyed exploring The Last Frontier, but the most transformative moments happened during the Biblical marriage classes led by chaplains. While Omar and Michelle had always believed God existed, they hadn’t been pursuing any particular religion. But Michelle was excited to learn more about faith in the Lord because of her past encounters with Christians. “What got me the most interested in learning more about God was that the people I met who have a close relationship with Him seem like the happiest people,” Michelle said. Through classes that covered an array of topics – like communication, forgiveness, and family mottos – she and Omar began learning more about God’s design for marriage and His great love for them. They met with the chaplains who shared the Gospel and explained that it is never too late to have a relationship with Jesus. Without hesitation, Michelle and Omar decided they wanted to experience the same joy they saw other Christians have and gave their lives to Christ. “We said a prayer, and accepted God into our hearts,” Michelle said. “I felt at peace.” Surrounded by mountains and glassy water, Michelle and Omar and seven others were baptized by chaplains in Lake Clark Friday morning. Although the Milans know they will continue to face trials and challenges, they feel better equipped to handle whatever comes their way and to lead their two daughters in faith. “I have a relationship with God, a stronger connection with Michelle, and better tools to help our marriage,” Omar said. A Fresh Start Daily excursions, including hiking to Tanalian Falls, fishing on Lake Clark, and bear viewing at Katmai National Park, allowed the couples to spend quality time with one another enjoying God’s creation. For Sergeant First Class Anita McClain and her husband, Joe, their time changed the trajectory of their marriage. Just a few weeks before arriving, Anita was told she would be medically retired because of a combat-related shoulder injury. She was only two years short of a 20-year career. On top of this difficult news, she and Joe were carrying around pent-up anger and resentment. “We were going down a bad road,” Anita said. The couple had tried several ways, including counseling, to remedy their conflict, but nothing seemed to work. “We would try things, and we'd fail. We'd try something else, and we'd fail.” Then they heard about Operation Heal Our Patriots from friends and decided to apply. This would be their final attempt to salvage their marriage. When they landed, they turned off their phones for the week. They were the first to sign up for counseling with our chaplains. Halfway through the week, the McClains joined staff and other couples on the dock and participated in a polar plunge into Lake Clark–a memorable camp tradition. For Anita and Joe, the jump into the ice-cold water represented a fresh start. “When we did the plunge, we made a pact that we would leave our history behind and leave it in the water,” Joe said. Anita said the week renewed her for their life together. “This week saved our marriage,” Anita said through tears. “It just really opened my heart and my mind that it's going to be okay. I have hope not only in my marriage but in my career and for our family.” We praise God that the McClains joined five other couples in renewing their wedding vows. “It gave us an opportunity to just clean the slate and move forward,” Anita said. “This week has been an unforgettable experience that we'll talk about for years to come and tell our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.” Please pray for the remaining eight weeks of Operation Heal Our Patriots this summer and that more military marriages will be restored and more will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/helping-wisconsin-after-devastating-tornado/ Helping Wisconsin After Devastating Tornado https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/963950483/0/samaritanspurse~Helping-Wisconsin-After-Devastating-Tornado/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:13:30 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272552 Aerial view of orange-shirted volunteers circling to pray, surrounded by disaster relief vehiclesA powerful tornado tore through Appleton, Wisconsin, and the surrounding communities of Menasha and Neenah, on Monday afternoon, July 27. The EF3 twister spun through residential neighborhoods for at least 20 minutes, tearing apart homes, uprooting trees, and leaving thousands of families without power before it dissipated over Lake Winnebago. Less than 24 hours after the tornado, Samaritan’s Purse deployed to the devastated region to bring help and hope in Jesus’ Name. VOLUNTEER IN WISCONSIN “We thank God that there have been no reported deaths from the storm, but it damaged many homes and businesses in the community,” said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham on Facebook. “Pray for these hurting families.” Disaster Relief Unit #3—a tractor-trailer full of relief supplies and equipment—arrived in the Badger State on Wednesday, July 29. Our host church for this response is Alliance Church of Appleton at 2693 Grand Chute Boulevard, which also served as our base of operations earlier this year in response to tornadoes in the nearby town of New London. Volunteers are now serving in the community as the hands and feet of Jesus. The teams help reeling homeowners recover personal items, clean up strewn debris, cut fallen trees, and tarp damaged roofs. Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team join our volunteer teams to provide spiritual encouragement and share the eternal hope of the Gospel. Pray for the families whose lives were torn apart by this sudden twister. Pray that they will experience God’s love and peace as our volunteers serve them in His Name. ]]> Aerial view of orange-shirted volunteers circling to pray, surrounded by disaster relief vehiclesA powerful tornado tore through Appleton, Wisconsin, and the surrounding communities of Menasha and Neenah, on Monday afternoon, July 27. The EF3 twister spun through residential neighborhoods for at least 20 minutes, tearing apart homes, uprooting trees, and leaving thousands of families without power before it dissipated over Lake Winnebago. Less than 24 hours after the tornado, Samaritan’s Purse deployed to the devastated region to bring help and hope in Jesus’ Name. VOLUNTEER IN WISCONSIN “We thank God that there have been no reported deaths from the storm, but it damaged many homes and businesses in the community,” said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham on Facebook. “Pray for these hurting families.” Disaster Relief Unit #3—a tractor-trailer full of relief supplies and equipment—arrived in the Badger State on Wednesday, July 29. Our host church for this response is Alliance Church of Appleton at 2693 Grand Chute Boulevard, which also served as our base of operations earlier this year in response to tornadoes in the nearby town of New London. Volunteers are now serving in the community as the hands and feet of Jesus. The teams help reeling homeowners recover personal items, clean up strewn debris, cut fallen trees, and tarp damaged roofs. Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team join our volunteer teams to provide spiritual encouragement and share the eternal hope of the Gospel. Pray for the families whose lives were torn apart by this sudden twister. Pray that they will experience God’s love and peace as our volunteers serve them in His Name. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/whats-your-next-mission/ What’s Your Next Mission? https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/963925535/0/samaritanspurse~What%e2%80%99s-Your-Next-Mission/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:47:11 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272524 World Medical Mission deploys Christian healthcare professionals around the world to support dozens of partnering mission hospitals in more than 30 countries. Many of these hospitals and clinics are in dire need of medical assistance. Will you prayerfully consider using your unique skills to serve short-term as the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need? Get Involved Dr. Tim Hereford is an orthopedic surgeon at Kapsowar Mission Hospital in Kenya. We invite you to watch the brief video above from Dr. Hereford as he shares the need at Kapsowar and talks about helping the “poorest of the poor” who have nowhere else to go for medical care. Volunteering two to three weeks or more can make an enormous difference for patients and also physicians who work in facilities that are often understaffed and lacking in equipment. You can help relieve these overwhelmed full-time hospital staff and help educate the next generation of national healthcare workers. You also will shine a light for the Lord Jesus Christ and bring the hope of the Gospel to those who are suffering. View a list of mission hospitals in our partnership network and see the medical opportunities available at each one. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). ]]> World Medical Mission deploys Christian healthcare professionals around the world to support dozens of partnering mission hospitals in more than 30 countries. Many of these hospitals and clinics are in dire need of medical assistance. Will you prayerfully consider using your unique skills to serve short-term as the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need? Get Involved Dr. Tim Hereford is an orthopedic surgeon at Kapsowar Mission Hospital in Kenya. We invite you to watch the brief video above from Dr. Hereford as he shares the need at Kapsowar and talks about helping the “poorest of the poor” who have nowhere else to go for medical care. Volunteering two to three weeks or more can make an enormous difference for patients and also physicians who work in facilities that are often understaffed and lacking in equipment. You can help relieve these overwhelmed full-time hospital staff and help educate the next generation of national healthcare workers. You also will shine a light for the Lord Jesus Christ and bring the hope of the Gospel to those who are suffering. View a list of mission hospitals in our partnership network and see the medical opportunities available at each one. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). ]]>