I recently had the privilege of hosting the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, at our international headquarters in Boone, North Carolina. Our efforts in that war-torn nation began with emergency medical relief teams in 1993. Over the years, Samaritan’s Purse has provided countless thousands with food, shelter, agricultural aid, medical care, and other assistance. After the peace accord was signed in 2005, we launched a massive project to rebuild hundreds of churches destroyed during the war.

“We are very thankful to Samaritan’s Purse and all those staff that have been working with us,” President Kiir said during his visit. “We will never forget about you.”

One of our first priorities in South Sudan was to help provide quality medical care, which included rebuilding and equipping two hospitals. Today, through our ongoing support of Kurmuk Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse continues to advance medical missions in an area where healthcare is virtually non-existent. The hospital, under the leadership of Dr. Evan Atar, provides a population of more than 220,000 with life-saving care in the Name of
Jesus Christ.

When we first met Dr. Atar seven years ago, he was using a rusty tractor to transport the few small boxes of medical supplies he could find from a village about 60 miles away. The hospital was run-down and overloaded with war casualties. Because Kurmuk was on the frontlines, most organizations were unable or unwilling to work there. The staff labored around the clock, often without pay, performing surgeries with equipment ingeniously pieced together from scavenged parts.



“Someone once asked me why I chose to serve in Kurmuk,” Dr. Atar says. “The decision to be here was easy because I know my life doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to God.”

When we learned of the hospital’s desperate situation and the staff’s dedication to the Gospel, we knew we had to act quickly.

“Samaritan’s Purse came to help us when others would not step foot here,” Dr. Atar says. “They slept on the ground with us. They treated us like brothers.”

Our team immediately began rehabilitating the crumbling facility by flying in equipment and supplies. We sent in doctors to help with surgeries and to provide advanced training for the staff. The hospital became the only modern facility in the area, and people began coming from miles away for treatment.

“We are so thankful to Samaritan’s Purse for giving us a real hospital,” Dr. Atar says. “We tell our patients that this place is proof that Jesus is real, and He did not forget them during the war.”

In the past year, wildfire has destroyed parts of Kurmuk Hospital. Medical equipment, vehicles, and tools were consumed by the flames along with several buildings. Rebuilding will take time and hard work. Please pray for our team as they overcome these difficulties and continue their compassionate ministry to the lost and suffering.

Lifting Up Christ in Ethiopia

In neighboring Ethiopia, we are seeing many people put their faith in Jesus Christ through our ministry partner, Soddo Christian Hospital. Samaritan’s Purse has helped support this facility by regularly sending volunteer doctors, supplies, equipment, and biomedical technicians through our medical arm, World Medical Mission. Soddo is now one of the premier hospitals in Ethiopia.

Most importantly, the director, Dr. Duane Anderson, and his staff are committed to sharing the Gospel message with all of their patients. Many not only make decisions for Christ but go on to share their new faith with their family and neighbors when they return home.

“It’s the blessing of God that we get to see our patients come to know the Lord,” Dr. Anderson says.

Before he came to Soddo Hospital, Biniyam (name changed for security reasons) had never even met a Christian. There were none in his small village. Throughout his stay at the hospital, the staff told him about God’s offer of eternal life through His Son. Before his discharge, Biniyam repented of his sins and prayed to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. The excited young man then went home to share what he had learned. His community now has a church of about 60 people, and that little congregation has sent three evangelists into neighboring villages. These dedicated servants work half days in the fields to feed their families, then travel by bicycle to bring the Good News to others.

“We’re really excited about using this facility to plant churches all over Ethiopia,” Dr. Anderson says.

Good News for Kenya and Beyond

Samaritan’s Purse also supports seven evangelical hospitals in Kenya with World Medical Mission volunteers and much-needed resources. The staff at these facilities treat everything from arrow wounds to serious illnesses like HIV/AIDS and cancer. Two of the hospitals are located in Kijabe, a town that sits at an elevation of 7,500 feet on the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Kijabe Hospital provides care for over 100,000 patients each year, and faithful chaplains there lead hundreds to Christ. Next door is the AIC-CURE International Children’s Hospital, where children suffering from cleft palate, club foot, spinal bifida, and other disabilities can receive life-changing surgery and treatment.

Although our ministry partners are free to share the Good News in Kenya, there are other places in this region that are hostile to the truth of God’s Word. These are often the areas where people most need medical assistance because of war, famine, or disaster. Samaritan’s Purse supports trips by Christian physicians who defy the danger of bombings and armed attacks to care for the sick and injured in the Name of Jesus Christ. Through their compassion and courage, these doctors are a tremendous witness to those they serve.

While Samaritan’s Purse has been able to help many thousands of hurting people find healing for their bodies, our primary mission is to point them to the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins and purchase our eternal salvation. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24, NIV).

Your faithful prayers and support enable us to carry this message to East Africa and around the globe. Thank you, and may God bless you.

Sincerely,

President
Samaritan's Purse

CONTINUE READING:

A Life Transformed

Helping Young Doctors Answer God’s Call to Missions

Ways You Can Help