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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- 145Beyond the Headlines: God SeesThe news moves on quickly to the next headline, but God doesn't—He sees the pain and the hurt caused by natural and manmade disasters. Even in the most remote corners of the world or storms that only affect one person, God sees all of our needs. The disasters we cover today aren’t headline news, but they are responses in which God has given Samaritan’s Purse the opportunity to respond. This week, hear stories from leaders and others on the ground serving and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Resources: Learn how you can serve with North American Ministries.Find out more about the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team.Read Seeing God’s Hand in the Tornado’s Wake about the response in Catawba county.God is at Work in the Lives of Liberia Burn Patients.Listen to God’s Providential Hand: A Conversation with Jim Dailey to hear how he has witnessed God’s sovereignty throughout his 25 years of working in the ministry.
- 146Franklin Graham Dedicates Ambulances in IsraelDescription: Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, joined hundreds of Israeli citizens last week to dedicate 14 new ambulances to Israel’s emergency services agency, Magen David Adom. Each ambulance was given in memory of fallen medics who lost their lives due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. While on the ground, our podcast correspondent, Stephen, spoke with partners and those we are helping. Resources: Samaritan’s Purse Provides Ambulances in Honor of Fallen Israeli Medics.https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/samaritans-purse-provides-ambulances-in-honor-of-fallen-israeli-medics/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.https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/first-responders-in-israel-the-morning-of-october-7In God’s Providential Hand: A Conversation with Jim Dailey, hear how the vice president of communications at Samaritan’s Purse has persevered in times of trial.https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/gods-providential-hand-a-conversation-with-jim-dailey
- 147From Emergency Detour to Miracle StoryFrancis, a young boy born with a heart defect, was in desperate need of surgery. When Children's Heart Project approved Francis to receive this life-saving procedure at a partner hospital in the Cayman Islands, it was a burden lifted. Francis and the team were en route to the hospital until the plans changed abruptly—there was an emergency during the flight. Over the next 102 days, God worked, not only through Francis, but in the lives of his parents and his entire community in Uganda.Hear about three generations of women whose lives were changed through Children’s Heart Project.Listen to Renewing Lives by Healing Hearts, and hear from two Mongolian mothers about how their children’s hearts were healed physically and, in the process, they themselves were renewed spiritually.Check out our episode Healing Hearts: Children’s Heart Project where Kristy Graham introduces you to Hishga, a young girl from Mongolia.
- 148Ministering in the Hard PlacesPastor Sami Dagher has served the Lord for decades in hard places that are not open to the Gospel. On a recent visit to international headquarters, Kristy Graham asked Sami about his work in ministry, topics like prayer and discipleship, and how the Lord brought about his life verse. Sami is full of wisdom and, though his life has not been easy, he has taken his experiences and used them for good—ultimately, for the glory of God. Resources: Have you heard the Good News of Salvation?Listen to our latest episode to hear how God worked miraculously, not only through a young boy named Francis, but in the lives of his parents and his entire community in Uganda.
- 149Serving as a Spouse in MinistryJoy Dagher is a devoted wife, mother, and ambassador for Christ, who has chosen to cling to the promises of God in all circumstances. Joy and her husband, Sami Dagher, who was featured in our last episode, have spent their lives sharing the Good News in dangerous places while also raising a family. Kristy Graham asked Joy about her life as a spouse in ministry, and how she has trusted in the Lord to sustain her through uncertain times. Resources: Steps to Peace with God.Listen to Ministering in the Hard Places to hear from Joy’s husband, Sami, about his work in ministry, topics like prayer and discipleship, and how the Lord brought about his life verse.
- 150Helping Vulnerable Women Feel Seen and LovedSamaritan’s Purse protection programing around the world helps vulnerable women and girls experience God’s love in tangible ways by creating safer communities built on the foundation of Christ. Kristy Graham talked to Monica Napier, the global protection technical advisor, about her passion for this important work and her recent trip to Niger. Kristy also spoke with Hanna Mukora, a protection program manager, who works on the ground in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where we provide women with a safe space to share about their trauma and engage in vocational training. Resources: Learn more about women’s programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Read about Liya's Journey.Listen to Serving as a Spouse in Ministry, where Joy Dagher shares what it has been like sharing the Good News in dangerous places while also raising a family.
- 151The Transforming Power of the Gospel: Operation Heal Our PatriotsOperation Heal Our Patriots transforms lives and gives veterans and their spouses hope in Jesus Christ. This week-long marriage retreat in Alaska provides military couples with Biblical training and Godly counsel, but the ministry does not stop there—Operation Heal Our Patriots walks with these couples for life. Kristy Graham, host of On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, witnessed many military couples surrender their lives to Christ at the recent Operation Heal Our Patriots reunion. After, Matt and Kayla Tucker shared how the Lord healed their hearts and restored their marriage last summer in Alaska. We also take listeners to the Operation Heal Our Patriots reunion to hear from Tim Lee, a veteran who served in the Vietnam War, and Kristy’s husband, Edward Graham. Resources: Call the Billy Graham Prayer Line at 888-388-2683. Watch the video and read more about the recent Operation Heal Our Patriots reunion.Listen to last week’s episode to hear how Samaritan’s Purse helps vulnerable women and girls around the world experience God’s love in tangible ways.
- 152The Heart of a Country DirectorCountry directors play a key role in leading and carrying out the mission of Samaritan’s Purse in our 15 country offices around the world. They work to ensure the passion for the Gospel stays at the forefront of everything their office engages in—from preventing human trafficking to providing clean water. Kristy Graham spoke to Edward Densham, the senior director of international projects, about what it is like to serve alongside country directors. Hear stories directly from some of these men and women about the impact of programming in their countries. Resources:Read about how Clean Water Strengthens Kenya’s Villages.Learn how Livelihood Projects Open Doors for Women in Cambodia.Listen to last week’s episode to hear how the Lord transformed Matt and Kayla Tucker’s hearts through Operation Heal Our Patriots.
- 153Hope Is Where the Healing StartsGod is our hope and our ever-present help in trouble, but there are times when our circumstances seem impossible. For some families in countries with minimal health resources, their children suffer from an untreatable condition: a heart defect. This is where Children’s Heart Project steps in to provide life-changing heart surgery, and God works in their lives to bring hope in a seemingly impossible situation. Kristy Graham talked with Sheena, a program manager for Children's Heart Project in Uganda, who shared her own story of healing. Additionally, our podcast correspondent, Stephen, traveled to Uganda to join Sheena’s team as they met with families and conducted screenings to identify children who are eligible for surgery this year. Resources: Listen to Francis’ miracle story to hear how God used Children’s Heart Project, not only through this 7-year-old boy, but in the lives of his parents and his entire community in Uganda.Hear about three generations of women whose lives were changed through Children’s Heart Project.In Renewing Lives by Healing Hearts, hear from two Mongolian mothers about how their children’s hearts were healed physically and, in the process, they themselves were renewed spiritually.Check out our episode Healing Hearts: Children’s Heart Project where Kristy Graham introduces you to Hishga, a young girl from Mongolia who received life-saving heart surgery.
- 154Opening Our Hearts to God’s WordScripture is alive and active, and no matter the circumstances we face in life, God’s Word can help lift our eyes beyond our current situation and towards our eternal hope in Jesus Christ. This week, we are taking you behind the scenes to Samaritan’s Purse staff devotions where Randy Bishop talks about the history of the English Bible and how important it is that we not only read God’s Word, but crave it daily. Hear Kristy Graham and other members of the podcast team share Scripture that has impacted them in their walk with the Lord. Resources:Have You Heard the Good News of Salvation?Listen to Hope Is Where the Healing Starts to learn how God is working in the lives of Ugandan families to bring hope in a seemingly impossible situation.For further study, below are sources that Randy Bishop used in his devotion: 1. Filling Up the Afflictions of ChristThe Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John PatonThe Swans Are Not Silent, Book FiveBy John Piper, Crossway, 2009 2. The Legacy of the King James BibleCelebrating 400 Year of the Most Influential English TranslationBy Leland Ryken, Crossway, 2011 3. The Origin of the BibleBy various authors including F.F. Bruce, J.I. Packer, Philip Comfort, and Carl F. H. HenryTyndale House Publishers, 2012
- 155Building Resiliency in ChristBev Kauffeldt has served with Samaritan’s Purse around the world for more than two decades. Her life experience internationally coupled with her own testimony and cancer diagnosis have taught her to rely on God for strength daily. Bev candidly shares about failure and how it has taught her to rely on Christ. Resources: Find out more about the Samaritan’s Purse Apprenticeship Program that Bev Kauffeldt leads.Learn more about God’s love and how you can accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.Listen to Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word, an encouraging episode about how the Bible can help lift our eyes beyond our current situation and towards our eternal hope in Jesus Christ.
- 156Jesus Pursues YouDr. Ed Carns has served in the far corners of the world with Samaritan’s Purse both with World Medical Mission and the Disaster Assistance Response Team. He shares his testimony of how God used people in his life to point him to Christ and encourage him in his faith. The stories he shares with Kristy Graham demonstrate how God pursues each person individually. Resources: Find out more about World Medical Mission and how you can volunteer at a remote mission hospital.Learn more about God’s love and how you can accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.Listen to Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word, an encouraging episode about how the Bible can help lift our eyes beyond our current situation and toward our eternal hope in Jesus Christ.
- 157The Greatest LoveParenting is a challenge, and when faced with a crumbling economy and healthcare system, expecting mothers in Venezuela felt helpless. A Samaritan’s Purse maternal-child health clinic near the Colombia-Venezuela border provides much-needed medical attention for moms and babies. While at the clinic, these families are cared for by doctors and chaplains, and are told about the greatest love that exists: Jesus Christ. One of our podcast correspondents, Kaitlyn, traveled to Colombia to speak with families about how these monthly appointments have changed their lives. Resources: Listen to Jesus Pursues You to hear Dr. Ed Carns’ testimony of how God used people in his life to encourage him in his faith as he served all around the world.Tune into a miracle story about three generations of women impacted by Children’s Heart Project.
- 158Our Ultimate HealerGod is our ultimate healer—He can heal physically and, more importantly, spiritually. Samaritan's Purse medical staff and volunteers treat people’s physical conditions, and they also share the love of Christ. Hear from members of our medical staff who have led teams providing cleft lip and cataract surgeries in remote corners of the world, served in mission hospitals, and been a part of Disaster Assistance Response Teams. Learn more about how they have been able to meet physical and spiritual needs around the world. Resources: Sign up to attend this year’s Prescription for Renewal conference.Find out more about how you can serve with the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team.Learn more about World Medical Mission.Check out our episode about cataract surgeries in South Sudan where after years of darkness, patients received their eyesight.Listen to The Greatest Love, an episode about a Samaritan’s Purse maternal-child health clinic near the Colombia-Venezuela border that provides needed medical attention for moms and babies.
- 159One Week in AlaskaFor 17 weeks every summer, military veterans and their spouses are invited to Operation Heal Our Patriots for a week-long marriage retreat. Kristy Graham takes listeners behind-the-scenes to experience what these military couples do day by day, immersing them in what life is like at Samaritan Lodge Alaska. Hear how the Lord transforms marriages through Biblically based marriage classes, excursions in the beautiful Alaskan wilderness, and intentional conversations with chaplains, staff, and volunteers. Resources:Learn more about Operation Heal Our Patriots.Read “Forgiveness and Forgiving” to hear how God changed lives last season during Operation Heal Our Patriots season.Listen to “Our Ultimate Healer” to hear from members of our medical staff who have led teams providing cleft lip and cataract surgeries in remote corners of the world, served in mission hospitals, and been a part of Disaster Assistance Response Teams.
- 160Leading in Humble Confidence: IsraelJohn Silkman, the country coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse in Israel, spoke with Kristy Graham about how he strives to walk in humble confidence and reliance on the Lord as he leads in a complex, tense region of the world. John shared what he is seeing on the ground in Israel and how Samaritan’s Purse programs build bridges in communities, providing hope to those hurting. Resources: Read more about how Samaritan’s Purse provided brand-new ambulances in honor of fallen Israeli medics.Listen to “First Responders in Israel: The Morning of October 7” where Kristy talked to two Israeli first responders who were serving their communities when Hamas attacked.
- 161An Anchor of Hope: Brazil Flood ResponseIn response to major flooding across southern Brazil last month, Samaritan's Purse sent a Disaster Assistance Response Team to help in Jesus’ Name. Hear stories from Leslie Klein, a member of our Disaster Assistance Response Team, and testimonies from pastors on the ground, who have witnessed the body of Christ come together in the wake of this tragedy. Resources: Read more about how Samaritan’s Purse is partnering with local churches to meet overwhelming needs in Brazil.Have You Heard the Good News of Salvation?Listen to “Leading in Humble Confidence: Israel” where Kristy Graham talked to John Silkman, the country coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse in Israel, about how he strives to walk in humble confidence as he leads in a complex region of the world.
- 162Suffering Well: Pastor Skip HeitzigKristy Graham talks with Pastor Skip Heitzig, who pastors Calvary Church in Albuquerque and serves on the board of directors of Samaritan’s Purse. Pastor Skip shares how he came to know Christ through a Billy Graham sermon and talks about what it has been like to travel the world with Franklin Graham, witnessing Samaritan’s Purse projects in action. You will also hear how we can persevere amid suffering through a Biblical lens. Resources:Learn more about God’s love and how you can accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.Listen to “An Anchor of Hope: Brazil Flood Response” where you will hear from Leslie Klein, a member of our Disaster Assistance Response Team, and pastors on the ground, who have witnessed the body of Christ come together in the wake of this tragedy.
- 163The Next Generation of Volunteers: U.S. Disaster ReliefVolunteers are the lifeblood of Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief, and the next generation is here to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ when homeowners are at their lowest. In this week’s episode, Bruce Poss with North American Ministries shared how he has seen God’s faithfulness through this next generation of servant leaders. Kristy Graham also spoke with two young volunteers about their recent experiences serving in Arkansas and Florida. Resources: Come serve with us!https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/nam/#volunteer-now Learn how God can bring comfort in the wake of a storm.https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/knowing-god/Listen to “Suffering Well: Pastor Skip Heitzig” to hear how Pastor Skip came to know Christ through a Billy Graham sermon and what it has been like to travel the world with Franklin Graham.https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/suffering-well-pastor-skip-heitzig
- 164Goodness of God: Hurricane Beryl ResponseHurricane Beryl roared through the Caribbean, leaving total destruction in its wake. On Grenada’s Carriacou Island, nearly all structures were destroyed. Less than 24 hours after the storm hit, Samaritan’s Purse began serving those in desperate need of help and hope. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear from Kaitlyn Josten, who joined the first wave of responders, about what it was like to partner with the local church in Grenada. Also, you will hear from Operation Christmas Child and North American Ministries about their roles in the response. Resources: Read more about how Samaritan’s Purse is helping those hurting in Grenada.Come volunteer with U.S. Disaster Relief.Have you heard the Good News of Salvation?
- 165Remembering the Liberia Ebola Response: 10 Years LaterTen years ago, Samaritan’s Purse responded to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. Kristy Graham spoke with our staff who were on the ground from the beginning about their experiences fighting the deadly disease and the suffering they witnessed daily. Hear from the hearts of our team members about how they witnessed God’s faithfulness even as they walked through the deepest valley and how they learned to fully rely on the Lord through it all. Resources:Learn more about God’s love and how you can accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.Listen to “Goodness of God: Hurricane Beryl Response” to hear what it was like for Samaritan’s Purse to partner with the local church in Grenada.
- 166Bearing Each Other's Burdens: Liberia Ebola Response Part 2When they didn’t feel like they could take another step, the Samaritan’s Purse team fighting Ebola in Liberia encouraged each other with Scripture. The verses they shared suddenly became a lifeline even though they had heard them countless times over the years. Kristy Graham talked with John Freyler and Dr. Lance Plyler about how they were able to lift each other up and bear one another’s burdens through the trials that took place a decade ago. Resources:Have you heard the Good News of Salvation?Listen to “Remembering the Liberia Ebola Response: 10 Years Later” to hear from the hearts of our team members about how they witnessed God’s faithfulness even as they walked through this deep valley.
- 167Spreading Hope on the Island of CarriacouThis week, hear directly from residents of Carriacou, who are picking up the pieces after the devastation of Hurricane Beryl. Kaitlyn Josten was on the ground from the beginning of the response. She spoke with beneficiaries, pastors, and Samaritan’s Purse partners about how they are finding hope in the heartache. Resources: Read more about the medical teams at work in our Emergency Field Hospital on Carriacou.Listen to “Bearing Each Other's Burdens: Liberia Ebola Response Part 2” about how staff were able to lift each other up through the trials that took place a decade ago.
- 168Step Out in FaithHolly Silkman talks with Kristy Graham about a new project in Israel that will impact people physically, mentally, and spiritually: an equine therapy center. Hear how the Lord opened the doors for this incredible leap of faith and what her prayer is for this program. Resources:Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse is bringing relief to Israel and Gaza.Listen to “Leading in Humble Confidence: Israel” to hear from John Silkman about how he strives to walk in humble confidence and reliance on the Lord as he leads in a complex, tense region of the world.Hear from John Silkman at the beginning of Samaritan’s Purse response in Israel.
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