DART Newsletter
February 2025
Greetings DART Members,
If you're like me, you might tend to obsess over your mess-ups, mistakes or—can I just say the word?—sin. This is especially true when you were determined to do better and get it right this time. “I'm hopeless.” “I'm such a loser.” This is likely the self-talk in your head. You're living with a sense of disappointment in yourself. I have a hunch that God does not share your disappointment!
In Romans 4:18–25, Paul surveys Abraham's life as our example of faith, and says, “He did not waver through unbelief.” If Abraham's wife, Sarah, could have been transported in time to the Apostle Paul's day and heard this, she would have been shouting, “Objection! What do you mean he didn't waver? That man wavered all over the place. I was there for it!” When we read Abraham's story, his failures as well as his triumphs are recorded. He had his share of ups and downs, including lying about his wife to protect himself—not once but twice! And he didn't wait for God to fulfill His promise of a son through Sarah, instead he had a child with their servant Hagar. But these failures didn't disqualify him. Why? Abraham kept falling forward. Over the long trajectory of his life with God, he kept himself pointed toward the Lord. After every fall, he got up and kept moving in the right direction. In that sense, he didn't waver.
In the grand scheme of your journey, God is not obsessing over every false move, every stumble, every mistake. He is not as focused on those temporary setbacks as you are. He sees the overall trajectory of your life. Despite your ups and downs, He sees that you keep moving toward Him. Ultimately, it is not your ability to get everything right that qualifies you. It's not your own faithfulness, but His, that will keep you on the path. Keep falling forward!
In Christ,
Paul Butler Member Care Chaplain
Hurricane Helene
As families across the High Country continue to face challenges in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Samaritan's Purse has deployed a DART across the region to find and meet critical needs in Jesus' Name. Teams are and have been active in 22 counties, assisting hurricane-impacted households. They are providing campers, vehicles, appliances, and much more, to families that need them most. While meeting with homeowners, they hand out grocery store gift cards, Bibles, and Gospel pamphlets that share the Good News of Jesus Christ. To date, over 8,580 grocery cards, 1,180 appliances, 2,050 Bibles, 45 campers, and 77 vehicles have been provided to beneficiaries.
“It means the world to us. No one has ever helped us like this before,” said beneficiary Reuben Martinez. “This is just a blessing to help us get back on our feet. It goes beyond words.”
Sudan
The Tier 1 Emergency Field Hospital in Gedaref, Sudan, began seeing patients on Dec. 25. To date, over 5,090 outpatients have been treated, 790 inpatients admitted, and 320 babies delivered. The EFH is primarily focused on supporting obstetric and pediatric care—one of the greatest needs for the nation's healthcare system. The third wave of DART staff will be arriving soon to begin handover. Please pray for the DART team's sustainability and that they can continue to be a beacon of light sharing Christ's love to all those they encounter.
As we continue to see DART staffing needs all over the world, please keep your availability up to date!
Preparedness
As a member of DART, it is imperative to have your travel documents ready and prepared so you can leave at a moment's notice.
Here are a few documents we recommend having on hand:
- Passport: Be sure that it is signed, valid for at least six months, and has 4-6 blank pages.
- Additional detached passport photos: May be required for additional travel or visa requirements.
- Vaccination Records: Many countries require vaccination records to enter their country. Be sure your vaccinations are up to date and properly documented.
- Other documents: Medical license, diploma, and resume may be necessary for certain situations.
Pro Tip: Keep digital copies of your documentation in PDF format on your phone to help facilitate quick and easy sharing. The best way to do this is to use a digital scanner to create clear, flat, high-quality color copies of all items with no glare, blur, or obstructions on the documents.
Upcoming Trainings
Distribution: April 14–16, 2025, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Medical Operations and Medical Logistics Training: May 20–23, 2025, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
If you were hired for one of these roles or have the preferred skills/experience listed, express interest in attending here!
