On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

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: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  

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 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.  

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 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.

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:  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.

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 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.

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 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.   

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, not only through a young boy named Francis, but in the lives of his parents and his entire community in Uganda.

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 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.

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: 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 

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 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.

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’ 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.

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: 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.

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: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. 

Watch 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. 

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 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

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 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.

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 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.

Kristy 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. 

God 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.