Franklin Graham Update | July
Franklin Graham Update | July
‘Why Am I Here?’
Patriots Discover God's Answer
Dear Friend,
When Marine Lance Corporal P.J. Kehs came home from his tour of duty in Iraq, not only was he battle-toughened, but he also had what he described as "a heart of rock."
A veteran of Operation Phantom Fury, which liberated the city of Fallujah after one of the bloodiest battles of the Iraq War, Kehs refused pleas from his wife, Chelsea, to seek counseling to deal with the trauma and anger. "I survived battles that I probably shouldn't have," he said. "I was living with my own guilt of me surviving and why my friends did not. And when I was battling PTSD, it was another reason to be angry with God, with myself, and with everybody. Asking myself: 'Why am I here?'"
Thankfully, the Lord promises a cure for hard-heartedness: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
Friends who had participated in Operation Heal Our Patriots recommended our ministry to P.J. and Chelsea to help them find hope and save their marriage. As we opened our 12th season, they were among the guest military couples that we welcomed to Alaska on Memorial Day weekend for a week of spiritual refreshment, physical renewal, and marriage enrichment. Our team, led by retired military chaplains, will be serving more than 180 couples this summer, helping them deal with wounds suffered in the war on terror as they rekindle their love for each other and discover how much God loves them.
Before the week was over, P.J. and Chelsea prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and they were baptized together in the icy waters of Lake Clark—having come a long, long way from the murky Euphrates River in Fallujah.
Chelsea was grateful for the Biblical lessons taught by retired military chaplains. "Coming here has given us tools to enable us to dive a little deeper and not just get through the day but help us work through whatever the issues are for that day." She was afraid that her husband might not be ready for a relationship with God. "But he surprised me," she said. "He changed. We got everything we needed this week."
Army veterans Jacob and Rasheedah Garza were among 17 couples in the first three weeks who renewed their wedding vows as they dealt with the emotional and physical toll of injuries. "From the moment we got off the plane, we felt Jesus' love all over us," Rasheedah said. "I needed that. We needed that."
José Valencia, another Marine veteran of Fallujah, was in the eighth grade during the 9/11 attacks, and he decided that day that he would enlist as soon as he finished high school, so he could defend our nation. But after his tour in Iraq, José struggled to leave the war behind, and it took a toll on his relationship with his wife, Julie. "Operation Heal Our Patriots has saved our relationship," she said.
ON THE GROUND: This Memorial Day, Kristy Graham invites listeners into a conversation with Operation Heal Our Patriots’ chaplain Luis Anda. He served in both the Navy and the Army so this day is very personal to him. He shares about the cost of freedom, and how we can only find true, lasting freedom through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Ben Nicholson, an Air Force senior master sergeant who served in Iraq and Libya, said his week in Alaska showed him that God is real, and he also was baptized as he began a renewed walk with Christ. Ben's wife, Amy, said, "This is the beginning of a fresh start with my husband. God said, 'I'm not done yet.' I'm grateful for all the love that we've been shown this week. Veterans and their families face unthinkable wounds and sufferings, but this week was soothing to my soul."
Jacob and Jill Eaves both served in the Air Force, and he served on the frontlines in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Kuwait. As they completed their week in Alaska, she said, "I've learned Bible strategies for coping with stress, improving my overall well-being, and developing lifelong habits for success. I'm confident that these will help me become a better partner, a better parent, and ultimately a better person."
It's always an honor for me to meet these couples and personally thank them for their patriotism. Please keep our veterans in your prayers, and ask God to protect those who are now serving to protect our nation.
FRESH START: Ben Nicholson, an Air Force Senior Master Sergeant who served in Iraq and Libya, was baptized in Lake Clark.
LAKESIDE MINISTRY: I had the opportunity to meet Katie Kidd as she departed for a fishing trip with her husband, Patrick.
Rescuing Ukrainian Families from a Flood
The war in Ukraine took a terrible turn when a massive dam collapsed and the Dnieper River flooded towns and cities downstream. Even as the water was still rising, our DC-8 cargo jet airlifted 20 tons of emergency supplies—including water filters, medical supplies, tarps, and blankets—so that our church partners can meet the needs of their neighbors. In the aftermath of a flood, clean water is vital to prevent outbreaks of disease.
We supplied inflatable boats that our church partners used to navigate the flooded streets and rescue more than 300 residents, while delivering emergency supplies to others who were stranded. Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and for an end to the fighting. Samaritan's Purse has been working in Ukraine for more than a year, and our teams and church partners have helped more than 9 million war victims with food, clean water, and other assistance.
Thank you for your prayers and support for the ministry of Samaritan's Purse, as we work to bring the hope of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to a hurting world. May God bless you.
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham
Ways You Can Help
Pray
As we celebrate our nation's independence and freedom, lift up our active military personnel and remember our veterans. Pray for peace in Ukraine and ask the Lord to protect our church partners in places like Ukraine as they work faithfully in hostile locations.
- Operation Heal Our Patriots®
- Samaritan's Purse offers Operation Heal Our Patriots free of charge to wounded veterans and their spouses, with deep gratitude for their service to our nation. Your gift will help fund this ministry—including transportation, lodging, activities, and ongoing Family Care.
- UKRAINE RESPONSE
- Your gift will enable Samaritan's Purse to work through church partners to provide tons of food, safe drinking water, medical care, and encouragement to desperate Ukrainians.
- Where Most Needed
- Samaritan's Purse is working in more than 100 nations to help relieve suffering, save lives, and share the hope of the Gospel. Your gift to Where Most Needed equips us with the resources—including personnel, materials, supporting services, and equipment—to fulfill our mission of relief and evangelism.
