Books filled Vasyl’s* home in the Kherson region of Ukraine. His collection included nearly 3,000 titles that he treasured and held dear. Each one told a story and expanded his knowledge of the world. When the Kakhovka Dam broke in early June, however, his library was lost. Floodwaters rose more than four feet up the…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Veteran Couples Find Spiritual Renewal in Alaska
The last thing Natalie heard was a mortar round exploding and her husband shouting, “We’re taking incoming.” Then, the phone line went dead. Natalie wondered if that was the last time she’d hear his voice. Natalie endured many restless days and nights while her husband, Army Sergeant Eddie Shanks, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.…
A Veteran Couple Finds Hope for Their Marriage in Alaska
Evan Benton joined the Army in 2010 with lofty expectations and planned to make the military a career. When he reported to boot camp as a teenager, he couldn’t have been more excited. “There aren’t too many places that let an 18-year-old kid shoot automatic weapons and play with explosives,” he said. Evan was deployed…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Remembering 9/11, Strengthening Military Marriages
As the world marks the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Samaritan’s Purse continues to strengthen the marriages of wounded military veterans and spouses who’ve sacrificed so much to defend the freedoms our nation enjoys. The September 11 attacks are what led many to armed service, which included combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and…
Forgiveness and Forgiving
Army Sergeant James Sizemore and his wife, Krystle, were already best friends when they were married 10 years ago. James had already left the Army, but he struggled with post-traumatic stress after deploying during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Krystle encouraged him to seek help, and this allowed James to work on his mental health so the…
More Than They Bargained For
Retired Army Staff Sergeant Ray Davis and his wife Rebecca applied to attend Operation Heal Our Patriots because they wanted to see Alaska: the Last Frontier. It wasn’t until the end of their week at Samaritan Lodge though that they realized just how desperately they had needed the time together. Yes, they expected to reconnect,…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Refugees Receive Backpacks in Macedonia
Samaritan’s Purse has already distributed more than 1,300 backpacks to women and children at locations along the border between Macedonia and Greece. Distributions are ongoing. Refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern and African countries have recently been pouring into southeastern Europe. Most arrive in Greece by boat from Turkey. They…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Voyage to a Second Life
A small, nine-meter boat approached slowly from the Turkish coast. As it moved closer to Lesbos Island, it seemed to speed up a bit. Orange blobs turned into human forms. Babies could be heard wailing. Mothers too. Suddenly, men were also yelling for help. Thirty, 40, or sometimes as many as 70 people are crammed…
Crisis & Disaster Response
A Tough Journey Fueled by Hope
Humans were made to hope. Even in the worst situations, we have an exceptional capacity to look forward, press on, and believe there are better things ahead. It’s hope for a brighter future that has motivated so many refugees to flee conflict-torn homes in the Middle East for Europe. As the situations in countries such…
Crisis & Disaster Response
An Unsettling Frontier
Bahark had heard the sound of bulldozers before. When she heard that sound in Idomeni camp she knew it meant that she, her husband, and her daughter soon would be moving again. They had been smuggled into Greece on a rubber raft a few months ago and arrived in this northernmost Greek region only days…
