Operation Heal Our Patriots

¿Qué es?

Operation Heal Our Patriots is a project of Samaritan's Purse designed to strengthen the marriages of wounded and injured members of the U.S. military. The project includes a weeklong wilderness retreat at Samaritan Lodge Alaska, which provides physical and spiritual renewal to wounded veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses.

En medio de un escenario singular, acompañado de cabinas individuales para cada pareja y con un personal dedicado, estos matrimonios pueden escapar de las presiones de su diario vivir y enfocarse en renovar su matrimonio. Durante la semana de retiro, estas parejas tienen la oportunidad de participar de estudios bíblicos para enriquecer su matrimonio, así como devocionales y actividades recreativas como pescar, caminatas y paseos en kayak.

Operation Heal Our Patriots is the only program of its kind for wounded military service members and their spouses. Extending beyond couples' stay at Samaritan Lodge Alaska, the program provides ongoing aftercare to connect them with a system of support upon their return home. With a minimum of 10 touch points each year, Samaritan's Purse encourages and equips military couples by providing resources, crisis care and prayer support.

In 2019, Samaritan's Purse launched Team Patriot—an initiative that provides Operation Heal Our Patriots participants the opportunity to volunteer in hard-hit communities following natural disasters. In 2022, 102 U.S. military veterans and their spouses helped families recover from storms on 20 deployments across the country.

¿Por qué?

Coping with an injury can be incredibly difficult for military service members, and the stress of this new reality can significantly impact a marriage. Through Operation Heal Our Patriots, Samaritan's Purse is working to help strengthen and preserve the marriages of those wounded while serving our country.

¿Quién?

Operation Heal Our Patriots is open to current and former military service members who were wounded or injured in combat or combat-related activities after Sept. 11, 2001. Each season, couples are flown to Alaska. All expenses, including accommodations, airfare and activities, are covered by Samaritan's Purse through donations.

Impacto

Since 2012, more than 1,546 couples have participated in the program. To date, 672 individuals made commitments to Jesus Christ, 799 individuals were baptized and 760 couples publicly rededicated their marriages to God.

¿Cuándo?

Operation Heal Our Patriots inició su primera temporada de verano en Alaska en junio del 2012. El hotel y sitio de retiro Samaritan Lodge Alaska permanece abierto actualmente desde finales de mayo hasta mediados de setiembre. Sus huéspedes usualmente tienen una estadía desde el día de su llegada que es en día domingo hasta la tarde del viernes siguiente.

¿Dónde?

El centro de retiro Samaritan Lodge Alaska está localizado en la villa de la ciudad Port Alsworth, en Alaska, aproximadamente unas 150 millas al suroeste de la ciudad principal de Anchorage. El centro está adjunto al Parque Nacional y Reserva Lake Clark, rodeado de montañas, glaciares, cascadas de agua y fauna silvestre. El hotel y las actividades con acceso disponible para personas en silla de ruedas.

¿Cómo aplicar?

Las aplicaciones están disponibles cada año el 1 de febrero. Para más información visítanos en SamaritansPurse.org/Patriots.

Samaritan's Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, is an international Christian relief and evangelism organization working in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org/espanol.