On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

Parenting 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 YouTune into a miracle story about three generations of women impacted by Children’s Heart Project.

Dr. 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 MissionLearn more about God’s love and how you can accept Jesus ChristListen to Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word

Bev 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.

Scripture 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: Listen to Hope Is Where the Healing Starts For further study, below are sources that Randy Bishop used in his devotion: 1. Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton The Swans Are Not Silent, Book Five By John Piper, Crossway, 2009 2. The Legacy of the King James Bible Celebrating 400 Year of the Most Influential English Translation By Leland Ryken, Crossway, 2011 3. The Origin of the Bible By various authors including F.F. Bruce, J.I. Packer, Philip Comfort, and Carl F. H. HenryTyndale House Publishers, 2012

God 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 storyHear about three generations of women whose lives were changed through Children’s Heart ProjectRenewing Lives by Healing HeartsCheck out our episode Healing Hearts: Children’s Heart Project

Country 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 VillagesLearn how Livelihood Projects Open Doors for Women in CambodiaListen to last week’s episode

Operation 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: Watch the video and read more about the recent Operation Heal Our Patriots reunionListen to last week’s episode

Samaritan’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 CongoRead about Liya's JourneyListen to Serving as a Spouse in Ministry

Joy 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 GodListen to Ministering in the Hard Places

Pastor 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

Francis, 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 womenListen to Renewing Lives by Healing HeartsHealing Hearts: Children’s Heart Project

Description: 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: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/samaritans-purse-provides-ambulances-in-honor-of-fallen-israeli-medics/ https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/first-responders-in-israel-the-morning-of-october-7 https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/gods-providential-hand-a-conversation-with-jim-dailey

The 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 MinistriesFind out more about the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response TeamRead Seeing God’s Hand in the Tornado’s WakeGod is at Work in the Lives of Liberia Burn PatientsListen to God’s Providential Hand: A Conversation with Jim Dailey

Jim 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’ NameHave You Heard the Good News of Salvation?Listen to Franklin Graham: God’s Faithfulness in 2023

Kristy 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: Visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association websiteListen to our recent episodeListen to Rushing Aid to Turkey: Inside the Command CenterListen to Families Who Lost Everything Find New Hope: Mississippi Home Dedications

Steve 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: volunteering with North American MinistriesSteps to Peace with God.Listen to our latest episode

Watch this video about the Appalachian State University football packing partyOperation Christmas Child shoebox onlineLearn more about how you can host your own packing party in 2024Listen to Banding Together as the Body of Christ: Hurricane Otis

With 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 episodeFearless Listen to “Banding Together as the Body of Christ: Hurricane Otis”

When 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 AcapulcoHave you heard the Good News?hear testimonies from both sides of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift

Operation 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 storyBuild an Operation Christmas Child shoebox onlineA brief glimpse at both sides of a shoebox gifthear from two Israeli first responders who were serving on the ground when Hamas attacked Israel on the morning of October 7