Samaritan's Purse joined families to celebrate finished houses provided through our rebuild program in the Hawaiian community, which was destroyed by fire in 2023.
Almost two years ago, Carol Santos watched her home go up in flames as August 2023 wildfires raged through the paradise of Lahaina, an idyllic and historic Hawaiian town on the island of Maui.
The Santoses gathered with volunteers and staff to celebrate God’s goodness and provision.
She and her family were forced to evacuate, and in just a matter of minutes the wind-driven flames consumed everything they owned. Lahaina lay in charred ruins.
Now, though, the Santoses are celebrating and returning to a brand-new home.
“I feel so blessed. The love that I feel in this house … this is how I always want this house to be.”
On Saturday, June 28, the family gathered with friends, family, and Samaritan’s Purse volunteers, praising God in their new living room. They sang songs to the Lord, praising Him for His goodness as they reflected on all that had been lost—and rebuilt.
“I feel so blessed,” Carol said as she received the keys to her new home at the special dedication ceremony. “The love that I feel in this house … this is how I always want this house to be.”
The Santos family is home again in a new house constructed by Samaritan’s Purse.
Carol’s new home is one of three newly constructed houses dedicated by Samaritan’s Purse over the weekend (June 27-28) for Lahaina families who’d lived through and lost so much during their state’s deadliest wildfire.
“Now I have a home and security for my children,” Carol said, with tears in her eyes. “We can now come back together. Samaritan’s Purse brought my family home. This is God’s house.”
A Day of Rejoicing in Lahaina
The dedication ceremony included remarks from Luther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries for Samaritan’s Purse.
“Now I have a home and security for my children. We can now come back together. Samaritan’s Purse brought my family home. This is God’s house.” —Carol Santos
“This is a great day, seeing this family rejoice. While the grief is still heavy in this community, the church is standing beside them,” Harrison said. “I thank God for our volunteers who are here giving of their time and talents. Our help comes from the Lord, and we ask that you continue to pray for the families who are still recovering.”
These latest home rebuilds are part of our ongoing efforts in Maui. Immediately following the wildfires in 2023, Samaritan’s Purse deployed an army of volunteers and disaster relief staff along with 41 tons of relief supplies and equipment to Hawaii aboard its 757 and DC-8 cargo planes. Over the course of the response, more than 700 volunteers assisted upwards of 900 families, helping them recover cherished belongings from the ashes. More than 100 individuals professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“We can now come back together. Samaritan’s Purse brought my family home. This is God’s house.”
In the months following the disaster, our efforts shifted from immediate disaster response to long-term rebuilding in Maui. So far, five homes have been completed, with 16 more under construction and an additional 24 approved for rebuilding. Samaritan’s Purse is also providing an additional 18 families with building materials.
Learning to Sing Again
Carol said the experience of the fire and the blessing of her new home she is learning to wait on God and that He is always faithful.
“Never ever give up on God because He will never give up on you. It might take a little time, but you need to hang on,” she said, encouraging our teams to continue praying for Lahaina. “Ask God to strengthen us—we need to lock arms, love one another, and help each other. … With prayers comes peace and joy in our hearts. We need to sing again, sing praises to the Lord.”
Please continue to pray for the Lahaina community and surrounding areas, that God would strengthen them as they continue to recover and rebuild their lives.
