DART Newsletter
August 2025
Greetings DART Members,
“My feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”
Life is full of needs—physical, emotional, professional—and the pressure to succeed can feel overwhelming. It often seems people who cut corners or act selfishly are getting ahead, and the psalmist doesn't hide from this tension, asking what many of us feel but don't say out loud: "Why am I trying so hard to live with integrity, when others seem to win by doing the opposite?" But then something shifts. The psalmist says everything changed when he entered God's presence. His perspective was renewed. He realized true success isn't found in quick wins or temporary wealth but in walking faithfully with God. "You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory…God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:24, 26, NIV).
Here's the truth I'm holding on to: My job is to follow Jesus as a first priority, which means always striving to do the right thing. God's job is the outcome. Whether anyone notices or not, whether it benefits us immediately or not, we're called to live as God's children. We are to trust God in all things and surrender our lives to Him. We are responsible for our heart attitude, our thoughts, and the choices we make. He handles the rest.
At Samaritan's Purse we are called to go to the hard places and do the hard things to share the hope found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I've observed that most people, when faced with difficult and seemingly impossible obstacles, fall into one of two categories. Those in the first one try but when they don't succeed they give up. Those in the second category try, and when they don't succeed they cut corners or do something underhanded. But God calls us to a third way, which is to pray and work with a deep hope that, when we encounter impossible situations, it is the beginning of a God room moment. It's then that we see Him working in and through our lives to accomplish something seemingly impossible.
When I read Psalm 73:24, "You guide me with your counsel," I understand that God's counsel is beyond all that man can ask or think. So, let's choose the third way, and do the right thing, no matter the outcome, and trust God to be at work in us to accomplish His good will.
Grace and peace,
David Phillips, Deputy Director, International Projects
Gaza Response
Samaritan's Purse has airlifted over 130,000 pounds of life-saving food supplies for suffering families in Gaza. Twenty DART members are on the ground assisting in the response.
Please pray for peace in the Middle East and for those caught in the crossfire of the conflict. Also, pray for our staff as they serve in Jesus' Name.
Air Shows
The Samaritan's Purse DC-8 will receive a well-earned retirement at the end of 2025. This summer, the public had one of its last opportunities to see the cargo plane up close. It was featured at both the 2025 Dayton Air Show in Ohio and at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, two premiere aviation gatherings that, combined, drew hundreds of thousands of visitors.
DART members led guided tours of the DC-8 and a portion of an Emergency Field Hospital, which gave them unique opportunities to share the life-saving work we carry out in Jesus' Name and how the aircraft serves as a vital part of our global disaster response—transporting critical medical supplies, relief materials, personnel, and more to crisis areas.
At the Dayton Air Show, 3,400 people toured the DC-8, and at Oshkosh, that number increased to 6,006. Through these interactions, we raised awareness of our mission and highlighted the importance of aviation to allow us to quickly respond to crises around the world.
Mystic Lake, Alaska
The Law Enforcement Appreciation Program, hosted by Samaritan's Purse at Mystic Lake, Alaska, is a marriage resiliency week for law enforcement officers and their spouses. It offers them the opportunity for spiritual refreshment, physical renewal, and marriage enrichment. Couples participate in Biblically based sessions that help strengthen their relationship with God and one another, and enjoy the beauty of God's creation with outdoor activities at our Alaskan wilderness lodge.
Over the past several seasons, a select number of DART members have served as on-site medical support, ready to respond in case of emergencies.
“My husband Mark and I have been privileged to serve at Mystic Lake,” said DART member Regina Randolph. “We've worked alongside an amazing group of people and have seen lives and marriages changed by the love of Christ. Every week there have been salvations, baptisms, and rededicated marriages. We're honored to be a part of this mighty work that God is doing.”
Preparedness
Keep a Deployment Readiness Checklist! Before every deployment, take time to thoroughly review your readiness. Make sure your gear is packed, identification and credentials are current, and emergency contacts are updated. Confirm that your medications are stocked, and that you have sufficient food and hydration supplies packed. Double-check your communications tools and navigation devices, gather all required documentation, and prepare for both the emotional demands of deployment and the logistical needs back home. Consistent preparation ensures you are mission-ready at a moment's notice.
Pro Tip: Keep a laminated version of a checklist in your go-bag or vehicle. Use dry erase markers to track items/tasks before each call up!
Prescription for Renewal Is Coming!
The Prescription for Renewal Medical Missions Conference will be held Oct. 2-5 in Orlando. There will be two full days of medical lectures—over 60 in all—for physicians, dentists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. This is a great way to earn CE credits.
Active DART members can save $200 on registration by using discount code PFR200DART.
We look forward to seeing you in Orlando!
Upcoming Trainings
- Program Manager & Ministry: October 14–17, Blowing Rock, North Carolina
- DART in Conflict: October 21–23, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
- Information Officer & Medical Information Officer: October 27–31, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
