PrayerPoint is a bimonthly prayer digest of Samaritan's Purse that was created so you can join us in this essential aspect of the ministry. A subscription to PrayerPoint is free with your gift of any amount.

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PrayerPoint archive

Mari lost more than a house when the Tungurahua volcano erupted and wiped out her village.

“I was devastated and lost hope,” she said. “I did not understand how a loving God could do this.”

Mari was in the depths of despair. The future looked bleak without a house or a means to earn a living. She didn’t know where to turn for help.

Samaritan's Purse responded in the immediate aftermath of the eruption with food, water, medicine, and other emergency supplies. We then decided to help families most in need with a house construction project. We have completed 58 homes in the village of Penipe, and another 44 are being built.

Mari’s family received one of the houses after the first phase of construction.

“Thanks to them I have a house and have hope for the future,” she said. “I am happy.”

Mari received something much more important than a house. After seeing Samaritan's Purse workers come in the Name of Jesus Christ, and hearing about His great love for her, she now has a clear understanding of God’s love.

“I have seen that God is good and generous,” she said. “I pray more now and go to church to thank God for everything that He has done and everything that He is doing.”

Mari is like many people in the remote, rural highlands of Ecuador. They know of God and even consider themselves Christians, but lack a true understanding of His goodness and compassion. Many don’t understand that God loved them so much that He sent His Son to die for them, and that by believing they can have eternal life.

By word and by deed, Samaritan's Purse staff and church partners are changing that.

“I have seen a side of God that I did not know about,” said Flor, one of Mari’s neighbors who also received a house.