Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org News Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:16:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://users.feedblitz.com/ec17766dabfb882064cc1903e3224114/SP-logo.jpg Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/august26/ Franklin Graham’s August 2026 Update https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/960558707/0/samaritanspurse~Franklin-Grahams-August-Update/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:16:47 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272336 ]]> ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/livelihood-project-in-cambodia-opens-doors-for-the-gospel/ Livelihood Project in Cambodia Opens Doors for the Gospel https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/961048520/0/samaritanspurse~Livelihood-Project-in-Cambodia-Opens-Doors-for-the-Gospel/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:23:03 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272159 Sothearith sprays her cricketsRasmey met Samaritan’s Purse staff during a time when she was desperate for hope. Her first husband died, her second husband abruptly abandoned her, and unexpected health issues made it difficult for her to work. She had no way to support herself and her two daughters. She was thrilled when our team started a cricket raising program in her community to help families out of poverty. She learned how to harvest crickets and sell them as a food source. Crickets contain more than double the protein of beef, making cricket farming a growing industry and valuable vocation. “I have four cricket pens, and my crickets are growing healthy,” she said. “I am more confident and able to stand on my own. Cricket farming has helped me support my children’s education and daily expenses.” We partnered with local churches to offer Bible studies and other discipleship opportunities for livelihood program participants. Through these programs Rasmey heard the Good News, repented of her sins, and received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She is now bursting with new life, pouring herself out into her family and community. She started volunteering with us by leading women’s Bible studies and sharing with other women the eternal hope she found in the Savior. In addition to cricket raising, our team also taught Rasmey’s village about safe migration. Many people in the impoverished area migrate to Thailand in search of job opportunities yet risk exploitation once they cross the border. Our classes equip adults and children to understand the motives behind trafficking, common ways traffickers deceive people, and signs of traffickers. Rasmey, who has become a leader in her village, helps teach these classes so more people have access to life-saving skills and information. “I am very grateful to Samaritan’s Purse for the support, knowledge, and encouragement they gave us,” she said. Experiencing Hope in Jesus Christ Like Rasmey, Sothearith didn’t know how she could provide for her five children. Her husband lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the family was left in extreme poverty. “My children are crying because they are hungry. I do not even have rice to cook for them,” she said. Embarrassed by her situation, Sothearith isolated herself from her neighbors. Even when Samaritan’s Purse came to her village, she hesitated to ask for help. But watching our staff love her community eventually led her to open up with them. They listened with compassionate hearts and prayed with her. Then, they invited her to join the cricket-raising livelihood project. Going through our program restored Sothearith’s confidence. “I am truly grateful to Samaritan’s Purse for helping my family during a time when we had nothing,” she said. “I do not know where we would be without the support of Samaritan’s Purse.” Sothearith’s family no longer lives in poverty because they have a steady income. And now, they have the finances to send their children to school. Most importantly, our team shared the Gospel with Sothearith and her family—and they all surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. “Samaritan’s Purse has not only impacted me and my husband, but also all of my children. They have become Christians, and they love God,” Sothearith said. Her family is now enjoying a life filled with the glory of God. They are sharing their faith with others and growing in their relationship with the Lord. Please pray for our teams as they demonstrate God’s love to hurting people. Pray for more opportunities to share the Gospel so more people can come to know the Savior. ]]> Sothearith sprays her cricketsRasmey met Samaritan’s Purse staff during a time when she was desperate for hope. Her first husband died, her second husband abruptly abandoned her, and unexpected health issues made it difficult for her to work. She had no way to support herself and her two daughters. She was thrilled when our team started a cricket raising program in her community to help families out of poverty. She learned how to harvest crickets and sell them as a food source. Crickets contain more than double the protein of beef, making cricket farming a growing industry and valuable vocation. “I have four cricket pens, and my crickets are growing healthy,” she said. “I am more confident and able to stand on my own. Cricket farming has helped me support my children’s education and daily expenses.” We partnered with local churches to offer Bible studies and other discipleship opportunities for livelihood program participants. Through these programs Rasmey heard the Good News, repented of her sins, and received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She is now bursting with new life, pouring herself out into her family and community. She started volunteering with us by leading women’s Bible studies and sharing with other women the eternal hope she found in the Savior. In addition to cricket raising, our team also taught Rasmey’s village about safe migration. Many people in the impoverished area migrate to Thailand in search of job opportunities yet risk exploitation once they cross the border. Our classes equip adults and children to understand the motives behind trafficking, common ways traffickers deceive people, and signs of traffickers. Rasmey, who has become a leader in her village, helps teach these classes so more people have access to life-saving skills and information. “I am very grateful to Samaritan’s Purse for the support, knowledge, and encouragement they gave us,” she said. Experiencing Hope in Jesus Christ Like Rasmey, Sothearith didn’t know how she could provide for her five children. Her husband lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the family was left in extreme poverty. “My children are crying because they are hungry. I do not even have rice to cook for them,” she said. Embarrassed by her situation, Sothearith isolated herself from her neighbors. Even when Samaritan’s Purse came to her village, she hesitated to ask for help. But watching our staff love her community eventually led her to open up with them. They listened with compassionate hearts and prayed with her. Then, they invited her to join the cricket-raising livelihood project. Going through our program restored Sothearith’s confidence. “I am truly grateful to Samaritan’s Purse for helping my family during a time when we had nothing,” she said. “I do not know where we would be without the support of Samaritan’s Purse.” Sothearith’s family no longer lives in poverty because they have a steady income. And now, they have the finances to send their children to school. Most importantly, our team shared the Gospel with Sothearith and her family—and they all surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. “Samaritan’s Purse has not only impacted me and my husband, but also all of my children. They have become Christians, and they love God,” Sothearith said. Her family is now enjoying a life filled with the glory of God. They are sharing their faith with others and growing in their relationship with the Lord. Please pray for our teams as they demonstrate God’s love to hurting people. Pray for more opportunities to share the Gospel so more people can come to know the Savior. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/responding-to-second-year-of-flooding-in-texas/ Responding to Second Year of Major Flooding in Texas https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/960780053/0/samaritanspurse~Responding-to-Second-Year-of-Major-Flooding-in-Texas/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:00:57 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272293 Volunteers and chaplains circle up to pray before serving homeowners in our 2025 flood response to Kerr County, TexasSamaritan’s Purse staff and volunteer teams are working in Jesus' Name in both Uvalde County and Kerr County, Texas, after deadly flash floods hit the area on July 15. Similar flooding claimed at least 135 lives in the region just last year. Two Disaster Relief Units—vehicles filled with equipment and supplies—deployed to Uvalde and Kerrville. Recently more than 30 inches of rain fell over several days, causing the Leona River and Guadalupe River to overflow. Floodwaters surged through the streets, destroying homes and stranding people and vehicles. We have one base of operations at Uvalde Methodist Church at 301 N. High St. Volunteers began working on Sunday, July 19. Our second location is at First Baptist Church of Kerrville at 625 Washington St. Day volunteers started there on Monday, July 20; overnight volunteers can arrive starting Tuesday, July 21. From both bases, we will be helping residents remove waterlogged belongings and mud-out homes. VOLUNTEER IN TEXAS Samaritan’s Purse has served before in the Hill Country of Texas, including our weeks-long response in 2025 during which 20 people came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Rapid Response Team are also deployed. Please pray for communities in Texas as they recover from the devastating floods, and for our teams as we serve as the hands and feet of our Lord. ]]> Volunteers and chaplains circle up to pray before serving homeowners in our 2025 flood response to Kerr County, TexasSamaritan’s Purse staff and volunteer teams are working in Jesus' Name in both Uvalde County and Kerr County, Texas, after deadly flash floods hit the area on July 15. Similar flooding claimed at least 135 lives in the region just last year. Two Disaster Relief Units—vehicles filled with equipment and supplies—deployed to Uvalde and Kerrville. Recently more than 30 inches of rain fell over several days, causing the Leona River and Guadalupe River to overflow. Floodwaters surged through the streets, destroying homes and stranding people and vehicles. We have one base of operations at Uvalde Methodist Church at 301 N. High St. Volunteers began working on Sunday, July 19. Our second location is at First Baptist Church of Kerrville at 625 Washington St. Day volunteers started there on Monday, July 20; overnight volunteers can arrive starting Tuesday, July 21. From both bases, we will be helping residents remove waterlogged belongings and mud-out homes. VOLUNTEER IN TEXAS Samaritan’s Purse has served before in the Hill Country of Texas, including our weeks-long response in 2025 during which 20 people came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Rapid Response Team are also deployed. Please pray for communities in Texas as they recover from the devastating floods, and for our teams as we serve as the hands and feet of our Lord. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/samaritans-purse-responds-in-wake-of-colorado-wildfires/ Samaritan’s Purse Responds in Wake of Colorado Wildfires https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/960609461/0/samaritanspurse~Samaritans-Purse-Responds-in-Wake-of-Colorado-Wildfires/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:29:06 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271816 Disaster Relief Unit #6 departs our Southwest Ministry Center in Coppell, Texas, on July 16 for Colorado in response to devastating wildfires.In the wake of the Aspen Acres Fire, which scorched tens of thousands of acres across south central Colorado and decimated many homes and ranches, Samaritan's Purse deployed Disaster Relief Unit #6 to assist residents of Pueblo County. Our tractor trailer carried tools and supplies to the Centennial State from our Southwest Ministry Center in Coppell, Texas, to help aid volunteers in recovering salvageable belongings and ministering to families in Jesus' Name. "We need to pray for families in Colorado who have lost their homes, been evacuated from their communities, or are still in the path of the Aspen Acres wildfire that has raged across nearly 100,000 acres," said Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham on Facebook. "Fires are devastating—there is usually little left of a person’s belongings when they are able to return home. Samaritan's Purse is responding to Pueblo County, CO, to help families sift through the ashes of what was their home. Pray for those who have lost so much and for our teams as we share the hope of Jesus Christ." The Disaster Relief Unit is based at Pueblo Christian Center, our host church for this response, located at 1605 South Pueblo Boulevard in Pueblo. VOLUNTEER IN COLORADO Volunteers are assisting homeowners with searching their properties for keepsakes not claimed in the blaze. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are also on hand to provide spiritual encouragement and emotional support, reminding residents of the hope offered to them through Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for the people in this region, for the church partners seeking to minister in Jesus' Name, and for our teams as we continue to navigate our response in partnership with local leaders and emergency management. ]]> Disaster Relief Unit #6 departs our Southwest Ministry Center in Coppell, Texas, on July 16 for Colorado in response to devastating wildfires.In the wake of the Aspen Acres Fire, which scorched tens of thousands of acres across south central Colorado and decimated many homes and ranches, Samaritan's Purse deployed Disaster Relief Unit #6 to assist residents of Pueblo County. Our tractor trailer carried tools and supplies to the Centennial State from our Southwest Ministry Center in Coppell, Texas, to help aid volunteers in recovering salvageable belongings and ministering to families in Jesus' Name. "We need to pray for families in Colorado who have lost their homes, been evacuated from their communities, or are still in the path of the Aspen Acres wildfire that has raged across nearly 100,000 acres," said Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham on Facebook. "Fires are devastating—there is usually little left of a person’s belongings when they are able to return home. Samaritan's Purse is responding to Pueblo County, CO, to help families sift through the ashes of what was their home. Pray for those who have lost so much and for our teams as we share the hope of Jesus Christ." The Disaster Relief Unit is based at Pueblo Christian Center, our host church for this response, located at 1605 South Pueblo Boulevard in Pueblo. VOLUNTEER IN COLORADO Volunteers are assisting homeowners with searching their properties for keepsakes not claimed in the blaze. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are also on hand to provide spiritual encouragement and emotional support, reminding residents of the hope offered to them through Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for the people in this region, for the church partners seeking to minister in Jesus' Name, and for our teams as we continue to navigate our response in partnership with local leaders and emergency management. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/water-means-hope/ Water Means Hope https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/960554186/0/samaritanspurse~Water-Means-Hope/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:26:26 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271646 Ukrainian brings home fresh water from Samaritan's PurseHow does a person survive without water? Michael* and Elena* wrestled with this question daily as living conditions became increasingly dire. Damage to regional infrastructure limited the water supply, causing the taps in their home to run dry. Left with nothing to drink—let alone cook or bathe with—the couple felt trapped as armed conflict drew ever closer to where they lived. Not only were they without water, but like many of their neighbors, their own flesh-and-blood was defending the country from attack. They often wondered about the safety of their 30-year-old son, Sasha*, on the frontlines. Michael and Elena’s challenges were compounded by the needs of Vira*, their 20-year-old daughter with a disability. They couldn’t leave her alone to go hunt down water in the surrounding community; caring for her confined them to their home. They lived with fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion every day until a Samaritan’s Purse church partner showed up. Help Just in Time Toting multi-gallon plastic jugs, the church began bringing the struggling family a fresh supply of clean water every week! Without fail, the partners regularly brought hope in liquid form to their doorstep. “Hope returned to our home.” "When we received the first delivery of water, it was more than relief,” Michael said. “It felt like a reminder that God had not forgotten us. Hope returned to our home." Now, Michael and Elena can care for their daughter’s laundry needs with dignity and respect, thanks to the water they received. Over 33 Million Gallons of Hope God’s people demonstrated His love to this family at a dark time, allowing the light of Christ to shine. Alongside our church partners, the Samaritan’s Purse water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) team has delivered over 33 million gallons of water to suffering Ukrainians since 2022. “War disrupts and destroys everyday life, but when a family regains access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, it restores a sense of stability and security. This is the first and most essential step toward rebuilding everything else,” said Yevhen Tumanov, a WASH technical officer with Samaritan’s Purse, who is himself displaced by the war. “WASH projects enable us to stand alongside Ukrainian communities during their darkest times, bringing not only material assistance but also hope—the assurance that they are not facing their suffering alone.” Michael and Elena find this to be true. As Christians for over 15 years, they also find specific comfort in the words of Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Today, every delivery of clean water they receive serves as a reminder that even amid chaos, God continues to work through His people. Water has become a symbol of life and His faithfulness. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the church partners, Samaritan’s Purse, and all donors who make this project possible. Because of this support, they receive much more than clean water—they are buoyed with hope for the future. *Name changed for security. ]]> Ukrainian brings home fresh water from Samaritan's PurseHow does a person survive without water? Michael* and Elena* wrestled with this question daily as living conditions became increasingly dire. Damage to regional infrastructure limited the water supply, causing the taps in their home to run dry. Left with nothing to drink—let alone cook or bathe with—the couple felt trapped as armed conflict drew ever closer to where they lived. Not only were they without water, but like many of their neighbors, their own flesh-and-blood was defending the country from attack. They often wondered about the safety of their 30-year-old son, Sasha*, on the frontlines. Michael and Elena’s challenges were compounded by the needs of Vira*, their 20-year-old daughter with a disability. They couldn’t leave her alone to go hunt down water in the surrounding community; caring for her confined them to their home. They lived with fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion every day until a Samaritan’s Purse church partner showed up. Help Just in Time Toting multi-gallon plastic jugs, the church began bringing the struggling family a fresh supply of clean water every week! Without fail, the partners regularly brought hope in liquid form to their doorstep. “Hope returned to our home.” "When we received the first delivery of water, it was more than relief,” Michael said. “It felt like a reminder that God had not forgotten us. Hope returned to our home." Now, Michael and Elena can care for their daughter’s laundry needs with dignity and respect, thanks to the water they received. Over 33 Million Gallons of Hope God’s people demonstrated His love to this family at a dark time, allowing the light of Christ to shine. Alongside our church partners, the Samaritan’s Purse water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) team has delivered over 33 million gallons of water to suffering Ukrainians since 2022. “War disrupts and destroys everyday life, but when a family regains access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, it restores a sense of stability and security. This is the first and most essential step toward rebuilding everything else,” said Yevhen Tumanov, a WASH technical officer with Samaritan’s Purse, who is himself displaced by the war. “WASH projects enable us to stand alongside Ukrainian communities during their darkest times, bringing not only material assistance but also hope—the assurance that they are not facing their suffering alone.” Michael and Elena find this to be true. As Christians for over 15 years, they also find specific comfort in the words of Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Today, every delivery of clean water they receive serves as a reminder that even amid chaos, God continues to work through His people. Water has become a symbol of life and His faithfulness. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the church partners, Samaritan’s Purse, and all donors who make this project possible. Because of this support, they receive much more than clean water—they are buoyed with hope for the future. *Name changed for security. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/two-survivors-share-their-stories-in-venezuela/ Two Survivors Share Their Stories in Venezuela https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/960490769/0/samaritanspurse~Two-Survivors-Share-Their-Stories-in-Venezuela/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:20:37 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=272081 As we continue to treat injuries and provide relief to hurting families, survivors are sharing their stories from the earthquakes and the difficult days that followed.Carlos was at home when the first 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck, followed only 39 seconds later by a second 7.5 monster-tremor. Foundations tore; buildings toppled. "I was at home with my mom. We were on the porch. It was a terrifying moment,” he explained. “I thought it was a plane that had crashed. When we looked out, there were many destroyed buildings.” In a matter of seconds, multistory structures plummeted to the ground, transforming into mounds of twisted metal and concrete. After the initial shaking stopped, Carlos’ thoughts turned to others. “I went out to help people, because my house was left untouched, but the other houses, the people—they needed help,” he says. Carlos rushed to what was once a 14-story apartment building near his home to see if he could save anyone in the two stories that remained. There, he found a child pinned between two concrete slabs. He instantly got to work pulling the child out. While rescuing the child, Carlos slipped and fractured his knee, but he kept moving, not noticing the severity of the injury because of the adrenaline. “I saved a child who was buried under the rubble, and I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever done in my life. It doesn't matter that I hurt my knee or anything,” he said. With immense sorrow, Carlos expressed how he wishes he could have saved more lives. “I tried to help as much as I could. I couldn't do any more,” he said. Having an Unbreakable Spirit The second earthquake, which ruptured across the state of La Guaira on June 24, was the strongest recorded in more than a century in Venezuela, leaving the country in a humanitarian crisis. At least 4,300 people lost their lives in the twin quakes and many more are missing. By June 26, Samaritan’s Purse had a forward team in the country to begin responding to the crisis. Our Disaster Assistance Response Team is now running an Emergency Field Hospital, and we have provided water filtration systems and essential relief supplies to benefit many thousands of people. Carlos was one of many quickly brought to the Samaritan’s Purse field hospital built in La Guaira. Our medical team treated his knee fracture, prayed with him, and listened to his story. “There isn't a person that we've interacted with here who hasn't been enormously impacted by the earthquake,” explained Peter Holz, medical director for the Samaritan’s Purse hospital in La Guaira. “But the people of Venezuela have an unbreakable spirit.” Carlos was grateful for the excellent treatment he received and the love he felt from the team. “The clinic, the care—there is no hospital like this in Venezuela because of the way they treat you here,” he said. “God will provide for the families who have lost loved ones,” Carlos said. “We are going to rise from the ashes." Restoring Hope from the Ruins In a nearby tent at the Samaritan’s Purse hospital, there was another man recovering from a similar injury. Like Carlos, his injury occurred while he was rescuing another from the rubble. Jose had experienced many earthquakes in his 60 years, but when he felt the first earthquake hit at his home in Caracas, he quickly realized that it was stronger than anything he had faced previously. Fear filled him, but even as the earthquake intensified, Jose knew where to turn to for deliverance. While his home continued to shake, Jose praised the Lord with his hands raised. “Thank You for watching over me and my family, because You say in your Word that You will take care of us." Jose and his entire family were on the 14th floor of their building, and even as the apartment, the furniture, and the walls shook, their home did not collapse. After the earthquake subsided, they knew that there were many who had lost everything. Jose has 40 years of crisis response experience, beginning with his time in the military, then as a police officer, then as a first responder on rescue teams. “The next day I told my children, who are active police officers, ‘Let's go down and help.’ We are rescue veterans. I have taught my kids, and now, they are part of the police medical service,” Jose explained. “What I love most to do is save people. I save lives, not take lives,” Jose said. The day after the earthquakes, Jose and his adult children were out with search-and-rescue teams, helping to save survivors trapped in the rubble and recover bodies so families can bury their loved ones properly. “While we were doing that, there was an aftershock,” Jose said, “and during the aftershock, a wall shifted, and I pulled my leg hard and jammed it into another wall so I would not go down with the moving structure.” Jose broke his knee, which led to his admittance to the Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital. There he received not just surgery, but encouragement from Christian brothers and sisters. Becoming A Conduit for Christ’s Love “Our goal is to show the love of Jesus to people that are in some of the lowest places of their lives. Medical care is just a conduit for us to show that love of Christ to people,” Peter Holz said. From one angle, the Samaritan’s Purse response may look like a cluster of white medical tents, a water filtration system, or a truck of supplies, but from another perspective, it’s also a prayer of healing, a word of encouragement amid grief, and small acts of kindness. “I love doing this work because I've been given so much in my life that I'm undeserving of and when I truly found the Lord, I had this deep desire to serve God and help others,” Holz said. Our entire team of dedicated medical professionals, builders, caregivers, WASH specialists, and others shares that desire as they bring comfort and hope to the people of Venezuela. Samaritan’s Purse, alongside people like Carlos and Jose, continues to help in many ways. Even in Venezuela’s time of grief, the Lord is calling people to life through the Gospel. His work of restoration endures. “Let us seek God, because God has an answer for many things that are yet to come,” Jose said. “My words are not going to bring back the dead, but the Lord is going to help us.” -- “And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in” (Isaiah 58:12, ESV). ]]> As we continue to treat injuries and provide relief to hurting families, survivors are sharing their stories from the earthquakes and the difficult days that followed.Carlos was at home when the first 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck, followed only 39 seconds later by a second 7.5 monster-tremor. Foundations tore; buildings toppled. "I was at home with my mom. We were on the porch. It was a terrifying moment,” he explained. “I thought it was a plane that had crashed. When we looked out, there were many destroyed buildings.” In a matter of seconds, multistory structures plummeted to the ground, transforming into mounds of twisted metal and concrete. After the initial shaking stopped, Carlos’ thoughts turned to others. “I went out to help people, because my house was left untouched, but the other houses, the people—they needed help,” he says. Carlos rushed to what was once a 14-story apartment building near his home to see if he could save anyone in the two stories that remained. There, he found a child pinned between two concrete slabs. He instantly got to work pulling the child out. While rescuing the child, Carlos slipped and fractured his knee, but he kept moving, not noticing the severity of the injury because of the adrenaline. “I saved a child who was buried under the rubble, and I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever done in my life. It doesn't matter that I hurt my knee or anything,” he said. With immense sorrow, Carlos expressed how he wishes he could have saved more lives. “I tried to help as much as I could. I couldn't do any more,” he said. Having an Unbreakable Spirit The second earthquake, which ruptured across the state of La Guaira on June 24, was the strongest recorded in more than a century in Venezuela, leaving the country in a humanitarian crisis. At least 4,300 people lost their lives in the twin quakes and many more are missing. By June 26, Samaritan’s Purse had a forward team in the country to begin responding to the crisis. Our Disaster Assistance Response Team is now running an Emergency Field Hospital, and we have provided water filtration systems and essential relief supplies to benefit many thousands of people. Carlos was one of many quickly brought to the Samaritan’s Purse field hospital built in La Guaira. Our medical team treated his knee fracture, prayed with him, and listened to his story. “There isn't a person that we've interacted with here who hasn't been enormously impacted by the earthquake,” explained Peter Holz, medical director for the Samaritan’s Purse hospital in La Guaira. “But the people of Venezuela have an unbreakable spirit.” Carlos was grateful for the excellent treatment he received and the love he felt from the team. “The clinic, the care—there is no hospital like this in Venezuela because of the way they treat you here,” he said. “God will provide for the families who have lost loved ones,” Carlos said. “We are going to rise from the ashes." Restoring Hope from the Ruins In a nearby tent at the Samaritan’s Purse hospital, there was another man recovering from a similar injury. Like Carlos, his injury occurred while he was rescuing another from the rubble. Jose had experienced many earthquakes in his 60 years, but when he felt the first earthquake hit at his home in Caracas, he quickly realized that it was stronger than anything he had faced previously. Fear filled him, but even as the earthquake intensified, Jose knew where to turn to for deliverance. While his home continued to shake, Jose praised the Lord with his hands raised. “Thank You for watching over me and my family, because You say in your Word that You will take care of us." Jose and his entire family were on the 14th floor of their building, and even as the apartment, the furniture, and the walls shook, their home did not collapse. After the earthquake subsided, they knew that there were many who had lost everything. Jose has 40 years of crisis response experience, beginning with his time in the military, then as a police officer, then as a first responder on rescue teams. “The next day I told my children, who are active police officers, ‘Let's go down and help.’ We are rescue veterans. I have taught my kids, and now, they are part of the police medical service,” Jose explained. “What I love most to do is save people. I save lives, not take lives,” Jose said. The day after the earthquakes, Jose and his adult children were out with search-and-rescue teams, helping to save survivors trapped in the rubble and recover bodies so families can bury their loved ones properly. “While we were doing that, there was an aftershock,” Jose said, “and during the aftershock, a wall shifted, and I pulled my leg hard and jammed it into another wall so I would not go down with the moving structure.” Jose broke his knee, which led to his admittance to the Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital. There he received not just surgery, but encouragement from Christian brothers and sisters. Becoming A Conduit for Christ’s Love “Our goal is to show the love of Jesus to people that are in some of the lowest places of their lives. Medical care is just a conduit for us to show that love of Christ to people,” Peter Holz said. From one angle, the Samaritan’s Purse response may look like a cluster of white medical tents, a water filtration system, or a truck of supplies, but from another perspective, it’s also a prayer of healing, a word of encouragement amid grief, and small acts of kindness. “I love doing this work because I've been given so much in my life that I'm undeserving of and when I truly found the Lord, I had this deep desire to serve God and help others,” Holz said. Our entire team of dedicated medical professionals, builders, caregivers, WASH specialists, and others shares that desire as they bring comfort and hope to the people of Venezuela. Samaritan’s Purse, alongside people like Carlos and Jose, continues to help in many ways. Even in Venezuela’s time of grief, the Lord is calling people to life through the Gospel. His work of restoration endures. “Let us seek God, because God has an answer for many things that are yet to come,” Jose said. “My words are not going to bring back the dead, but the Lord is going to help us.” -- “And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in” (Isaiah 58:12, ESV). ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/new-home-brings-peace-and-comfort-to-elderly-couple/ New Home Brings Peace and Comfort to Elderly Couple https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/960278681/0/samaritanspurse~New-Home-Brings-Peace-and-Comfort-to-Elderly-Couple/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:32:28 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271615 When Hurricane Helene ripped through western North Carolina, it brought down a massive tree that crashed through the roof of Hala Kahili’s home in Swannanoa. Relentless rain poured through the damaged ceiling, and mold quickly spread, making the home unlivable. When Hala learned that Samaritan’s Purse would provide her and her husband with a new home, she was thrilled. She was even more excited when she entered the new mobile dwelling for the first time. “I’m grateful for everything God has given to me,” Hala said. “Thank you so much, volunteers and Samaritan’s Purse, for everything you do for me and my family.” Watch the video above to share in Hala’s joy. Please pray for those who are still recovering from the horrific storm and for our rebuild teams as they serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.]]> When Hurricane Helene ripped through western North Carolina, it brought down a massive tree that crashed through the roof of Hala Kahili’s home in Swannanoa. Relentless rain poured through the damaged ceiling, and mold quickly spread, making the home unlivable. When Hala learned that Samaritan’s Purse would provide her and her husband with a new home, she was thrilled. She was even more excited when she entered the new mobile dwelling for the first time. “I’m grateful for everything God has given to me,” Hala said. “Thank you so much, volunteers and Samaritan’s Purse, for everything you do for me and my family.” Watch the video above to share in Hala’s joy. Please pray for those who are still recovering from the horrific storm and for our rebuild teams as they serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/franklin-graham/july26 Franklin Graham’s July 2026 Update https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/959744759/0/samaritanspurse~Franklin-Grahams-July-Update Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:22:08 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271548 A married couple rests on a rock outcropping at Tanalian Falls near Samaritan Lodge Alaska during Operation Heal Our Patriots.]]> A married couple rests on a rock outcropping at Tanalian Falls near Samaritan Lodge Alaska during Operation Heal Our Patriots. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/caring-for-venezuela-earthquake-victims-in-jesus-name/ Caring for Venezuela Earthquake Victims in Jesus’ Name https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/959740343/0/samaritanspurse~Caring-for-Venezuela-Earthquake-Victims-in-Jesus%e2%80%99-Name/ Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:47:02 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271909 Maritza’s family was huddled around the television, thrilled to be watching the World Cup, when her sister received an alert on her phone: “Earthquake, earthquake, earthquake.” Then, the walls started to crack. The ceiling caved in. Everything shook. It felt like the earth was giving way. “The dirt started falling all over us. It just kept going—it didn’t stop, didn’t stop, didn’t stop,” Maritza said. “When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t see anything. Dust was everywhere.” Maritza realized that the rubble she was trapped in had, only moments before, been her walls and ceiling. Her home. The roof of the eight-story building was in pieces on the sidewalk. The remnants of her apartment unit now sat in the basement parking lot. She knew she was injured. As she attempted to move among the heap of ruins she felt the sharp pain of broken bones. Maritza had several broken bones and knew she needed medical attention, but the hospitals were overwhelmed with hundreds of other earthquake victims. Her hope was restored when she heard that Samaritan’s Purse had set up an Emergency Field Hospital near the coast in La Guaira. Since opening on June 30, our field hospital has seen more than 700 patients and performed dozens of surgeries. Patients like Maritza are experiencing the love of Jesus Christ as our medical staff care for them in His Name. Providing Physical and Spiritual Healing When she arrived, Maritza cried tears of joy as she was welcomed by our staff and learned that our surgeons would be able to operate on her wrist and put her injured leg in a cast—at no cost to her. She was overwhelmed with gratitude as they listened to her story and prayed with her. “All of them take care of you, and they pray for you. From the moment you walk in, you can already tell they truly work with love,” Maritza said. Our medical team is joyfully coming alongside patients like Maritza to meet their medical needs. Most importantly, we seek to care for their spiritual wounds by telling them about the Lord Jesus Christ. “We get to share the love and hope we have in Jesus Christ,” said nurse Kelly Arroyo. “We get to tell them that there’s a God who knows them, sees them, and has not forgotten them.” Hope Restored For two days after the quake, a man named Juan sat in utter darkness. Sharp pain shot through his ribs. He could feel the bruises that covered his body. Yet Juan grieved for another reason. Just moments before the earthquake, and before he found himself tumbling through the debris from the fifth floor to the basement, Juan had been in his apartment celebrating his father’s birthday. “He’s dead,” Juan said. “He was going to be 100 years old.” Juan was rushed to a local hospital after rescuers pulled him from the rubble. He waited for five hours but could not be seen by physicians because of the high volume of patients needing help. Juan was relieved when he arrived at our Emergency Field Hospital and learned that we could provide treatment. Our staff stitched up the cuts on his legs, prayed over him, and shared the eternal hope of the Gospel. “I’m very happy for all the help that Samaritan’s Purse gave to me,” Juan said. “You are helping all my Venezuelan brothers here, and I love you.” Providing Emergency Relief In addition to medical care, our teams are providing temporary shelter tents for families who have lost everything. “These are not typical pop-up tents. They weigh 125 pounds each, and they are resolute. These things will take storms; they will take the wear and tear of families living in them,” said Jon Stone, senior programs specialist. “We’re sending teams out to help construct them. They’re giving people a safe place to live.” Through local partner churches we have provided shelter materials, solar lights, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and blankets to hundreds of families. Churches are caring for both physical and spiritual needs as they share the Good News of Christ with families in desperate need. “Can hope, faith, and goodness come out of a disaster? The answer is absolutely. People have lost everything, and they are calling out to God,” Jon said. Please pray for our team as they continue to walk alongside victims of these devastating earthquakes. Pray that more Venezuelans will come to know Christ, and that they will connect with one of the many local churches ready to disciple and encourage them. ]]> Maritza’s family was huddled around the television, thrilled to be watching the World Cup, when her sister received an alert on her phone: “Earthquake, earthquake, earthquake.” Then, the walls started to crack. The ceiling caved in. Everything shook. It felt like the earth was giving way. “The dirt started falling all over us. It just kept going—it didn’t stop, didn’t stop, didn’t stop,” Maritza said. “When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t see anything. Dust was everywhere.” Maritza realized that the rubble she was trapped in had, only moments before, been her walls and ceiling. Her home. The roof of the eight-story building was in pieces on the sidewalk. The remnants of her apartment unit now sat in the basement parking lot. She knew she was injured. As she attempted to move among the heap of ruins she felt the sharp pain of broken bones. Maritza had several broken bones and knew she needed medical attention, but the hospitals were overwhelmed with hundreds of other earthquake victims. Her hope was restored when she heard that Samaritan’s Purse had set up an Emergency Field Hospital near the coast in La Guaira. Since opening on June 30, our field hospital has seen more than 700 patients and performed dozens of surgeries. Patients like Maritza are experiencing the love of Jesus Christ as our medical staff care for them in His Name. Providing Physical and Spiritual Healing When she arrived, Maritza cried tears of joy as she was welcomed by our staff and learned that our surgeons would be able to operate on her wrist and put her injured leg in a cast—at no cost to her. She was overwhelmed with gratitude as they listened to her story and prayed with her. “All of them take care of you, and they pray for you. From the moment you walk in, you can already tell they truly work with love,” Maritza said. Our medical team is joyfully coming alongside patients like Maritza to meet their medical needs. Most importantly, we seek to care for their spiritual wounds by telling them about the Lord Jesus Christ. “We get to share the love and hope we have in Jesus Christ,” said nurse Kelly Arroyo. “We get to tell them that there’s a God who knows them, sees them, and has not forgotten them.” Hope Restored For two days after the quake, a man named Juan sat in utter darkness. Sharp pain shot through his ribs. He could feel the bruises that covered his body. Yet Juan grieved for another reason. Just moments before the earthquake, and before he found himself tumbling through the debris from the fifth floor to the basement, Juan had been in his apartment celebrating his father’s birthday. “He’s dead,” Juan said. “He was going to be 100 years old.” Juan was rushed to a local hospital after rescuers pulled him from the rubble. He waited for five hours but could not be seen by physicians because of the high volume of patients needing help. Juan was relieved when he arrived at our Emergency Field Hospital and learned that we could provide treatment. Our staff stitched up the cuts on his legs, prayed over him, and shared the eternal hope of the Gospel. “I’m very happy for all the help that Samaritan’s Purse gave to me,” Juan said. “You are helping all my Venezuelan brothers here, and I love you.” Providing Emergency Relief In addition to medical care, our teams are providing temporary shelter tents for families who have lost everything. “These are not typical pop-up tents. They weigh 125 pounds each, and they are resolute. These things will take storms; they will take the wear and tear of families living in them,” said Jon Stone, senior programs specialist. “We’re sending teams out to help construct them. They’re giving people a safe place to live.” Through local partner churches we have provided shelter materials, solar lights, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and blankets to hundreds of families. Churches are caring for both physical and spiritual needs as they share the Good News of Christ with families in desperate need. “Can hope, faith, and goodness come out of a disaster? The answer is absolutely. People have lost everything, and they are calling out to God,” Jon said. Please pray for our team as they continue to walk alongside victims of these devastating earthquakes. Pray that more Venezuelans will come to know Christ, and that they will connect with one of the many local churches ready to disciple and encourage them. ]]> https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/opening-doors-to-discipleship-with-a-globe/ Opening Doors to Discipleship with a Globe https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/959548091/0/samaritanspurse~Opening-Doors-to-Discipleship-with-a-Globe/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:38:20 +0000 https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?post_type=sp-articles&p=271379 A globe peaks children's interest at an Operation Christmas Child outreach event outside Tbilisi, GeorgiaWhen Maya Kisieviа, known affectionately as Mako, travels for Operation Christmas Child outreach in Georgia, she always brings one unusual item with her—a small school globe. It is not just a prop. It is a doorway into the story. “Our program is called The Greatest Journey,” she tells the children, holding the globe in her hands. “And today, we are starting a journey together.” Soon the children realize that if they stick with the course, they will learn 12 exciting Bible lessons that will show them how to know, grow in, and share Jesus with others. And this adventure of following Him surpasses all others! Going to the Highways and Hedges Mako and her team do not wait for children to come to them. They go looking for them. Recently, the team traveled through villages outside Tbilisi, moving from the Manglisi area toward Marneuli, where Azerbaijani communities also live. In one trip, they reached four different locations. This meant four villages, four programs, and four opportunities to share the Gospel with children who may not otherwise hear it. There were no printed invitations. No formal registration. No prepared auditorium. The team simply arrived, stopped the car, and began looking for children. One woman on Mako’s team seems to know someone everywhere—a taxi driver, a relative, a friend of a friend. Through these local connections, doors open. Sometimes a family offers their own yard. Sometimes the children gather at a stadium. Sometimes the program happens right in a public park. Compelling Them to Come In In one village, 22 children came. In another place, more than 100 children gathered—little ones, older children, and young teens all sat together, listening as Mako spoke through a microphone and speaker. The program begins with songs, games, and conversation. Mako introduces the team and explains that they have come from a church. She tells the children about Samaritan’s Purse and why the team has brought Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. But before the gifts are given, she invites them into something even deeper. She opens the story of The Greatest Journey. Using the globe, posters to illustrate the Gospel, and “stops” along the way, Mako helps the children understand that this is more than a one-day event. It is an invitation to begin a journey with God. The children participate, answer questions, hold visual materials, and become part of the story. For Mako, like many Operation Christmas Child ministry partners around the globe, placing a shoebox gift in a child’s hands is not the end of the outreach event; it is the beginning of discipleship. Because many of these villages are difficult to revisit regularly, she finds creative ways to continue with the children. Some receive a link to online lessons. Others receive books when online access is not possible. The follow-up is not always easy, but Mako continues to look for ways to help the boys and girls finish the course. Her hope is to gather the children again, perhaps in one central place, and celebrate a graduation. This is what ministry looks like in the villages of Georgia—a small team, open yards, children gathered from the street, a microphone, a few posters, a globe in hand, and a faithful invitation to take the next step in following Jesus. Mako and her team are not simply distributing gift-filled shoeboxes. They are opening roads to new life in Jesus Christ. And for many children, that road begins with a simple question: “Are you ready for The Greatest Journey?” “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled’” (Luke 14:23). ]]> A globe peaks children's interest at an Operation Christmas Child outreach event outside Tbilisi, GeorgiaWhen Maya Kisieviа, known affectionately as Mako, travels for Operation Christmas Child outreach in Georgia, she always brings one unusual item with her—a small school globe. It is not just a prop. It is a doorway into the story. “Our program is called The Greatest Journey,” she tells the children, holding the globe in her hands. “And today, we are starting a journey together.” Soon the children realize that if they stick with the course, they will learn 12 exciting Bible lessons that will show them how to know, grow in, and share Jesus with others. And this adventure of following Him surpasses all others! Going to the Highways and Hedges Mako and her team do not wait for children to come to them. They go looking for them. Recently, the team traveled through villages outside Tbilisi, moving from the Manglisi area toward Marneuli, where Azerbaijani communities also live. In one trip, they reached four different locations. This meant four villages, four programs, and four opportunities to share the Gospel with children who may not otherwise hear it. There were no printed invitations. No formal registration. No prepared auditorium. The team simply arrived, stopped the car, and began looking for children. One woman on Mako’s team seems to know someone everywhere—a taxi driver, a relative, a friend of a friend. Through these local connections, doors open. Sometimes a family offers their own yard. Sometimes the children gather at a stadium. Sometimes the program happens right in a public park. Compelling Them to Come In In one village, 22 children came. In another place, more than 100 children gathered—little ones, older children, and young teens all sat together, listening as Mako spoke through a microphone and speaker. The program begins with songs, games, and conversation. Mako introduces the team and explains that they have come from a church. She tells the children about Samaritan’s Purse and why the team has brought Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. But before the gifts are given, she invites them into something even deeper. She opens the story of The Greatest Journey. Using the globe, posters to illustrate the Gospel, and “stops” along the way, Mako helps the children understand that this is more than a one-day event. It is an invitation to begin a journey with God. The children participate, answer questions, hold visual materials, and become part of the story. For Mako, like many Operation Christmas Child ministry partners around the globe, placing a shoebox gift in a child’s hands is not the end of the outreach event; it is the beginning of discipleship. Because many of these villages are difficult to revisit regularly, she finds creative ways to continue with the children. Some receive a link to online lessons. Others receive books when online access is not possible. The follow-up is not always easy, but Mako continues to look for ways to help the boys and girls finish the course. Her hope is to gather the children again, perhaps in one central place, and celebrate a graduation. This is what ministry looks like in the villages of Georgia—a small team, open yards, children gathered from the street, a microphone, a few posters, a globe in hand, and a faithful invitation to take the next step in following Jesus. Mako and her team are not simply distributing gift-filled shoeboxes. They are opening roads to new life in Jesus Christ. And for many children, that road begins with a simple question: “Are you ready for The Greatest Journey?” “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled’” (Luke 14:23). ]]>