On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse<p>On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse is a podcast with Kristy Graham that explores the work we’re doing around the world. Experience what it’s like to be in the field with our teams, and hear first-hand from staff, volunteers, and people
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Older episodes
- 121The Call to ServeWhen flooding devastated Highland Falls, New York, in early July, many families did not know where to turn. Samaritan’s Purse Team Patriot volunteers, North American Ministries volunteers, and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team chaplains all came alongside homeowners to help them recover and to share the love of Christ. Resources:Volunteer with North American Ministries.Read a story about how a family placed their hope in the Lord during the Highland Falls flood response.Learn more about Operation Heal Our Patriots.Listen to our last episode to hear from Dave Philips, deputy director of the international projects department, about following wherever the Lord leads.
- 122Hear How God is Working Around the WorldEach week, On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse brings you new stories of how God is working through the ministry— whether its hours after the deadly earthquake rocked Turkey, providing eye sight to the blind, or the life-changing impact of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift.
- 123Depending on Christ: Part 1In this two-part episode, Kristy Graham sits down with Kendell Kauffeldt, director of field leadership and development at Samaritan’s Purse International Headquarters. Kendell served as our country director for Liberia for 14 years and navigated leading during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Through all the pressure, he has learned to lean on God for wisdom and guidance.Resources: Don’t miss part two of Depending on Christ.Listen to “Building Resilience in Christ” to hear Bev Kauffeldt, Kendell’s wife, share how experiences like Ebola pushed her to trust God more.Apply to serve with World Medical Mission. Listen to our latest episode to learn how God has opened the door for Samaritan’s Purse to serve in Yemen through rehabilitating medical clinics, providing clean water, and offering livelihood trainings. Learn how to find peace with God.
- 124Depending on Christ: Part 2In this two-part episode, Kristy Graham sits down with Kendell Kauffeldt, director of field leadership and development at Samaritan’s Purse International Headquarters. Kendell served as our country director for Liberia for 14 years and navigated leading during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Through all the pressure, he has learned to lean on God for wisdom and guidance. Resources: Don’t miss part one of Depending on Christ.Listen to “Building Resilience in Christ” to hear Bev Kauffeldt, Kendell’s wife, share how experiences like Ebola pushed her to trust God more.Apply to serve with World Medical Mission. Listen to our latest episode to learn how God has opened the door for Samaritan’s Purse to serve in Yemen through rehabilitating medical clinics, providing clean water, and offering livelihood trainings. Learn how to find peace with God.
- 125Equipping the Next GenerationEach year, young men and women get to learn firsthand what Samaritan's Purse is about as they serve during an internship. Interns are stretched and introduced to new passions as they take on projects across the ministry. Hear directly from interns who served all around the world this summer, and also from Charity Moree, the assistant director of campus relations, who is involved in selecting and prayerfully placing interns.Resources:Learn more about the Samaritan’s Purse Global Internship Program.Listen to our latest two-part episode to hear from Kendell Kauffeldt about how he depended on God while serving as country director of Liberia for 14 years and served in the midst of an Ebola outbreak. Listen to Part 1Listen to Part 2Read about what it means to follow Jesus.
- 126Stories from the Frontlines in Ukraine: Part 1Kristy Graham talks with Vera, a Ukrainian woman who has served on the frontlines with Samaritan’s Purse. Officially, Vera worked as a translator, but she did so much more than this. Her heart was to boldly share the Gospel. Vera tells stories of what it was like risking her own life in conflict areas to distribute relief supplies and share hope with those who desperately needed to hear it. Resources:Read some of Vera’s journal entries to hear more about her bold faith and what it was like serving in Ukraine. Hear what it was like during our first 72 Hours on the ground in Ukraine.Read more about Samaritan’s Purse partners helping in Jesus’ Name in Ukraine. Steps to find peace with God.
- 127Stories from the Frontlines in Ukraine: Part 2In part two of this episode, Kristy Graham continues her conversation with Vera, a Ukrainian woman who has served on the frontlines with Samaritan’s Purse. Officially, Vera worked as a translator, but she did so much more than this. Her heart was to boldly share the Gospel. Vera tells stories of what it was like risking her own life in conflict areas to distribute relief supplies and share hope with those who desperately needed to hear it. Resources: · Listen to Stories from the Frontlines in Ukraine: Part 1· Read excerpts from Vera’s journal entries to hear more about her bold faith and what it was like serving in Ukraine. · Hear what it was like during our first 72 hours on the ground in Ukraine.· Read more about Samaritan’s Purse partners helping in Jesus’ Name in Ukraine.
- 128The Hole Only God Can FillRay and Rebecca arrived in Alaska seeking a dream vacation, and they left completely transformed. Ray was in the Army for over 20 years, and the anger he carried after decades of deployments took a toll on his marriage. A week at Operation Heal Our Patriots changed everything for this military couple. Hear how Ray and Rebecca learned that only God was able to fill the hole in their hearts. Resources:Learn more about Operation Heal Our Patriots.Read about two other couples whose lives changed after a week at Operation Heal Our Patriots this summer. Have you heard the Good News? Listen to our latest episodes:Stories from the Frontlines in Ukraine: Part 1Stories from the Frontlines in Ukraine: Part 2
- 129Out of Hiding and into HopeAn obstetric fistula, resulting from prolonged labor, is not a condition women often face in the United States or other western countries. Yet, in many parts of the world this serious and debilitating childbirth injury leaves women with pain, shame, and isolation. Samaritan’s Purse specialty teams perform transformative surgeries, restoring these suffering women to health while opening doors to share the hope of the Gospel. Kristy Graham sat down with Madison Strausbaugh, the specialty team's program manager, who shared what it was like to see these women go from living in isolation to finding hope and community.Resources: Learn more about World Medical MissionsApply now to take part in the specialty teamsFind peace with God Listen to The Hole Only God Can Fill to hear how a military couple came to Christ through Operation Heal Our Patriots this summer
- 130Renewing Lives by Healing HeartsKristy Graham traveled to the Cayman Islands to meet families who were forever changed through Children’s Heart Project’s life-saving surgeries. Kristy talked with Cindy Bonsall, the director of Children’s Heart Project, about how God has made a way for Samaritan’s Purse to work in the Cayman Islands. You will also hear from two Mongolian mothers about how their children’s hearts were healed physically and, in the process, they themselves were renewed spiritually. Resources: Learn more about Children’s Heart ProjectHave you heard the Good News of Salvation?Listen to another episode about Children’s Heart Project, to hear how this ministry impacted three generations of women.
- 131Bonus Episode: Israel and ArmeniaSamaritan’s Purse is hard at work in Israel, Armenia, Morocco, and Libya. Hear directly from leadership about how Samaritan’s Purse is serving people in need there. Kristy Graham also talks to the team lead on the ground in Israel to hear his first-hand perspective and share ways to pray. Resources:A message from Franklin Graham on Israel.Read about how our team on the ground in Armenia is showing God’s love by treating burn victims. Read more about how Samaritan’s Purse has rushed aid to Armenia.
- 132What Is the Gospel?The deputy director of Mission Aviation Services, Matt Olson, has flown injured children to receive care, transported Bibles to faraway places, and shepherded our staff safely to their destinations, all through the means of aviation. We’ll take you behind the scenes to hear what Matt recently shared during staff devotions about the simplicity of the Gospel. Kristy talks with Matt about his testimony and the way he's seen God work while taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Resources: Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse uses aviation as a means to share the Gospel.Read about how to share your faith with others. Listen to our latest episode about our work on the ground in Israel, Armenia, Morocco, and Libya.
- 133A Tribute to Our National StaffSamaritan’s Purse could not do what we do without thousands of national staff who serve faithfully in their home countries. Hear directly from members of our national staff from across the world who consistently go above and beyond in their communities. Kristy Graham spoke with Edward Densham, the senior director of International Projects, to discuss the vital role national staff fulfill for our ministry.Resources: Watch the two-part documentary about Samaritan’s Purse work in Ukraine.Read more about livelihood projects in Cambodia that are restoring hope for countless families. Start your new life with Christ.Listen to What Is the Gospel?
- 134Veteran’s Day: More Than Just a StatisticSamaritan’s Purse honors the faithful military service of our veterans. This Veteran’s Day, we are celebrating the work that God is doing through Operation Heal Our Patriots, which not only saves marriages, but lives as well. Military couples hear the Gospel and find hope and healing through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Kristy Graham talked with Matthew and Dawn Sheppard, a couple who was completely changed this summer through their participation in Operation Heal Our Patriots. Hear how God transformed their marriage, and how the veteran's suicide rate became more than just a statistic to them. Resources: Find out more about the life-saving ministry of Operation Heal Our Patriots.Apply for next season of Operation Heal Our Patriots. Learn more about the Good News of salvation.Listen to our latest episode to hear from members of our national staff who consistently go above and beyond in their communities.
- 135Franklin Graham: A Christmas Catalog of OpportunitiesKristy Graham sat down with her father-in-law, Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham, to hear his thoughts on ways to give this season through the Christmas catalog. From providing a family with a milk cow to building a well for a community, there are numerous ways to bless people all around the world this Christmas and share the Gospel. Resources:Shop the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog.Call the Billy Graham Prayer Line at 888-388-2683. Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website. Listen to our latest episode in honor of Veteran’s Day.
- 136Answered Prayers 2023God is so good, and He hears our prayers—big or small. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we are grateful for and the ways the Lord has answered our prayers. Sometimes He gives us what we want, but oftentimes, He gives us what we need in His timing. In this week’s episode, hear numerous stories of answered prayers from across Samaritan’s Purse in 2023.
- 137First Responders in Israel: The Morning of October 7Kristy Graham talked to two first responders who were serving on the ground when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Hadass and Uri, workers for Magen David Adom, an emergency medical service for Israel, shared how they saw God’s hand at work even in the midst of great tragedy. Resources:Read about how Samaritan’s Purse is Providing Ambulances and Other Life-Saving Support in Israel.Have you heard the Good News of Salvation?Listen to last week’s episode about answered prayers from across the ministry in 2023.
- 138Both Sides of a Shoebox GiftOperation Christmas Child shoeboxes will soon be sent out to the nations, giving millions of children the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This week, we are covering the impact on both sides of the shoebox—from the generous packers to the children who receive them. Dania, who grew up in the Middle East and received a shoebox gift as a child, shares how this simple gift gave her hope. After Dania’s story, Kristy Graham takes listeners to the processing center in Boone, North Carolina where she asked volunteers why they pack shoeboxes. Resources:Read Leila Mae Cummings’s story where she shares that Age Is No Obstacle for Shoebox Packing.Build an Operation Christmas Child shoebox online. A brief glimpse at both sides of a shoebox gift.Listen to last week’s episode to hear from two Israeli first responders who were serving on the ground when Hamas attacked Israel on the morning of October 7.
- 139Banding Together as the Body of Christ: Hurricane OtisWhen a Category 5 hurricane ravaged the coastal city of Acapulco, Mexico, in October, tens of thousands of people were devastated. They felt hopeless. Four Samaritan’s Purse departments—North American Ministries, International Projects, Hispanic Initiatives, and Operation Christmas Child—as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association all joined together to provide physical and spiritual relief to those who are hurting in Acapulco. Resources:Read about Edward Graham’s recent trip to Acapulco in which he encouraged homeowners and met with local pastors.Have you heard the Good News?Listen to our latest episode to hear testimonies from both sides of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift—those who pack and those who receive.
- 140A Christmas Devotion from Kristy GrahamWith the Christmas season upon us, we look back with thanksgiving to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. While reading Luke 1, Kristy Graham was convicted by the faithful example Mary set when the angel appeared before her and said she would give birth to the Son of God. In this Christmas devotion, Kristy discusses four character qualities Mary possessed that we can learn from: submission, fellowship, suffering, and praise. Resources:Listen to Cissie Graham Lynch’s podcast episode on Fearless to hear what first inspired Kristy to study Mary this year.Listen to “Banding Together as the Body of Christ: Hurricane Otis” to hear how Samaritan’s Purse is providing physical and spiritual relief to those hurting in Acapulco.Read these passages that Kristy mentioned in the episode.Luke 1:37-55Psalm 16:11Psalm 66:2Genesis 12:1Hebrews 11:8Luke 22:42Galatians 6:2Psalm 43Luke 2Romans 5:1-5John 16:33John 3:16
- 141Appalachian State Mountaineers Send Christmas Joy WorldwideWatch this video about the Appalachian State University football packing party.It’s not too late to build an Operation Christmas Child shoebox online.Learn more about how you can host your own packing party in 2024.Listen to Banding Together as the Body of Christ: Hurricane Otis to hear how Samaritan’s Purse is providing physical and spiritual relief to those hurting in Acapulco.
- 142Listen Again: Abiding in ChristSteve Nickel, vice president of Donor Ministries at Samaritan’s Purse, sits down with Kristy Graham to share his heart for the Lord and how he has been blessed through interacting with faithful supporters of the ministry. Steve talks about how he followed God’s call to come to Samaritan’s Purse and what it looks like to abide in Christ daily.Resources:Learn more about how you can give your time through volunteering with North American Ministries.Steps to Peace with God.Listen to our latest episode to hear how Appalachian State Mountaineers packed hundreds of Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes for kids around the world.
- 143Franklin Graham: God’s Faithfulness in 2023Kristy Graham sat down with her father-in-law and Samaritan’s Purse president, Franklin Graham, who shared what he saw the Lord do in 2023. Franklin talked about where the organization responded around the world and how he saw God’s faithfulness in the midst of seemingly hopeless conflicts and disasters. Hear directly from Franklin’s heart about what stood out to him last year while also looking to what’s ahead in 2024.Resources: Call the Billy Graham Prayer Line at 888-388-2683. Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website. Listen to our recent episode where Kristy talked to two Israeli first responders who were serving their communities when Hamas attacked Israel on the morning of October 7. Listen to Rushing Aid to Turkey: Inside the Command Center.Listen to Families Who Lost Everything Find New Hope: Mississippi Home Dedications to hear more about the Mobile Home Replacement Program.
- 144God’s Providential Hand: A Conversation with Jim DaileyJim Dailey, vice president of communications at Samaritan’s Purse, spoke with Kristy Graham about how he has witnessed God’s sovereign, providential hand throughout his 25 years of working in the ministry. Jim shared about perseverance in times of trial, and what it has been like taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Resources: Learn how you can Help in Jesus’ Name. Have You Heard the Good News of Salvation?Listen to Franklin Graham: God’s Faithfulness in 2023 to hear about what stood out to Franklin Graham last year as well as what is ahead for Samaritan’s Purse in 2024.
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