MFI's "Missionary Spotlight":
showing the people who are sharing the Gospel in the West Indies,
and around the world

September Spotlight - Samaritan's Purse,
"Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ through Emergency Relief and Evangelism"

"Who is my neighbor?"  Luke 10:29b

Jesus' reply to this question was to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan, making it clear that we are to reach out to all those around us who are in need.  It was in this spirit that the ministry of Samaritan's Purse was begun in 1970.  Bob Pierce's prayer, "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God", was the beginning of a ministry to meet emergency needs in crisis areas through already existing evangelical mission agencies and churches.  He dedicated himself to finding and supporting Christians who were caring for the poor and suffering in the distant corners of the world.  In 1973, Bob met Franklin Graham, who began to travel with him to some of the neediest areas of the world.  After Bob's death in 1978, Franklin succeeded him as President and Chairman of the Board of Samaritan's Purse.  For the last 20 years, Franklin has led Samaritan's Purse to respond, following the example of the Good Samaritan, through earthquakes, wars, famines and natural disasters of every kind.  As they travel and minister to the physical needs of the people around them, they also offer hope and true healing through the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Whether they are building churches in the Sudan, providing medical equipment and aid through the short-term missions work of World Medical Missions, helping to rebuild after a hurricane, providing Bible training to pastors and house church leaders in China, or delivering a box full of gifts through Operation Christmas Child, the missionaries and staff of Samaritan's Purse is hard at work bringing help and hope around the world. 

Samaritan's Purse and MFI work together to respond to natural disasters in the Gulf, Caribbean, and surrounding areas. 

During the active hurricane season of 2004, Samaritan's Purse and MFI responded to Hurricane Jeanne in Gonaives, Haiti, where flooding devastated the city (above left).  Large quantities of personal hygiene kits were flown to Port-au-Prince (above right), and then trucked to the disaster area.

Hurricane Ivan hit the distant island of Grenada.  Since Grenada was too far away to reach by aircraft, shipping containers were used to send roofing materials that were needed (photos above).

When Grand Cayman was also devastated by Ivan (photos above), several loads of roof tarps were brought there.  It was necessary for MFI to get permission to fly over Cuba to get there.

In 2005, Samaritan's Purse and MFI were involved in Hurricane Katrina relief.  In the above two photos, a work team from MFI and Hobe Sound Bible Church cleared trees and covered roofs with tarps provided by Samaritan's Purse.

August 2007 brought Hurricane Dean, which churned close to Jamaica before slamming into the Yucatan Peninsula.  Samaritan's Purse brought in truckloads of tarps, water purification supplies, and generators to the hangar at Fort Pierce.  An MFI plane, with a team from Samaritan's Purse, was in the air before the storm had fully cleared, bringing help and hope to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.  Over the next several days, two flights also brought tarps and water purifications kits to Jamaica, and another flight full of tarps went to Mexico.

A large water purification kit being delivered (above left).  Loading tarps to head out (above right). 

Unloading in Mexico (above left).  Unloading in Jamaica (above right).

Flying in to Jamaica, the destruction could be seen from the air.

Update:  This month, Samaritan's Purse and MFI also teamed up to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Felix in Nicaragua (see photos below).  Samaritan's Purse sent in water purification kits, roof tarps and tons of food and other emergency supplies, as well as working to set up temporary housing for the thousands left homeless from the storm.

"Go and do likewise".  Luke 10:37b

Samaritan's Purse has spent over 30 years serving the Lord around the world.  To learn more about this ministry, friends and supporters are encouraged to contact them at the following address and phone number, or visit the Samaritan's Purse website:

Samaritan's Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 262-1980
Website: www.samaritanspurse.org

There are many ways in which the Lord can use His people to share the love of Christ.  MFI's "Missionary Spotlight" shows how different people and missions organizations have answered His call and have gone forth to share the Gospel in the West Indies, and around the world.