On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

Latest Episodes:

The Miracles of God and the Power of Forgiveness May 09, 2025

Show notes

Seeing family members killed right in front of him, spending months on the run, ending up in an orphanage—this was Alex’s life after the Rwandan genocide began. Yet, despite all this hardship, Alex can look back and see the miracles of God throughout his life. And when Alex received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift, a seed of hope was planted that would later bloom into a deep love for the Lord. Hear about the miracles of God in Alex’s story and how the power of forgiveness set him free.

God’s Providential Hand: A Conversation with Jim Dailey May 02, 2025

Show notes

Jim Dailey, vice president of communications at Samaritan’s Purse, spoke with Kristy Graham about how he has witnessed God’s sovereign, providential hand throughout his 25 years of working in the ministry. Jim shared about perseverance in times of trial, and what it has been like taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Restoring Hope in Tigray Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

In Tigray—a region of Ethiopia once ravaged by conflict—God is using Samaritan’s Purse to equip local churches to change lives, mend hearts, and restore hope in Jesus’ Name. Meeting the vulnerable where they are and addressing physical and spiritual needs, we are together pouring into the next generation—a generation whose childhood was stripped away. By creating safe havens, these kids are able to play, laugh, and learn about how there is a God who cares for them.

Resources:

Read more about the Tesfa for Tigray program.
Listen to “The Fragrance of the Lord After Helene” to hear stories of how Samaritan’s Purse has been able to meet unique needs in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

The Fragrance of the Lord After Helene Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

The storm may be out of the news, but it's not out of God's sight. Kristy Graham takes listeners to her own backyard in western North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene hit in September of 2024. Months later, the storm is not over—people's lives are still turned upside down. Kristy talks with Kendell Kauffeldt, the response manager during this disaster response, and he shares stories of how Samaritan’s Purse has been able to meet unique needs. This has included the replacement of critical items lost during the storm, such as cars, work vehicles, campers for temporary housing, and even mules for a local supply transport team. Kristy also speaks to a DART member named Jazmin Ortiz, who had the privilege of witnessing many salvations while serving.

Resources:

Learn more about Samaritan’s Purse rebuild projects that are continuing after Hurricane Helene.
Volunteer with U.S. Disaster Relief.
Find out more about our Disaster Assistance Response Team
Listen to “God’s Incredible Provision: Myanmar Earthquake Response” to hear how Samaritan’s Purse is helping the people of Myanmar.

God’s Incredible Provision: Myanmar Earthquake Response Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Samaritan’s Purse is helping the people of Myanmar in the wake of a deadly earthquake by providing clean water, shelter, and medical care at our Emergency Field Hospital. It is only by the Lord’s provision that our Disaster Assistance Response Team received access into Myanmar, showing once again, just how powerful prayer is. Hear directly from our staff who are on the ground in Myanmar, demonstrating God’s love.

Resources:

Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse is performing life-saving surgeries in Myanmar.
Listen to “Updates From Around the World with Edward Graham” to hear how you can be praying for Samaritan’s Purse ministry after manmade and natural disasters.

Updates From Around the World with Edward Graham Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

Kristy Graham sits down with her husband and Samaritan’s Purse Chief Operating Officer Edward Graham to hear updates of our work around the world, including the Myanmar earthquake response. Edward shares what is on the hearts of the organization’s leaders and how we can be praying for Samaritan’s Purse ministry of helping in Jesus’ Name after manmade and natural disasters.

Resources:

Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse is rushing relief to Myanmar.
Serve with U.S. Disaster Relief!
Listen to “Does Prayer Matter?” to hear from Anabel about how receiving a shoebox gift as a child taught her about God’s love and the power of prayer.

Does Prayer Matter? Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

As a child, receiving a simple shoebox gift made Anabel realize the power of prayer and how much God loved her. Throughout her life, Anabel kept the Lord’s promises hidden in her heart. So when tragedy struck, He reminded her of the answer to her prayers in the form of a shoebox with a note that was written in love.

Resources:

Learn more about Operation Christmas Child.
Read how we shared great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ in Ethiopia.
Listen to “Ministry Behind the Scenes” where Kristy Graham introduces you to some of our Samaritan’s Purse flight attendants, who fly all around the world on our DC-8 combi aircraft.

Ministry Behind the Scenes Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

No matter what you do, where you work or how you serve, God can use it for His Kingdom. This week Kristy Graham takes you behind the scenes and introduces you to some of our Samaritan’s Purse flight attendants, who fly all around the world on our DC-8 combi aircraft. These highly skilled and experienced members of our Mission Aviation Services staff share how, as believers, we can faithfully serve the Lord wherever He has called us.

Resources:

Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse rushes help and hope worldwide.
Check out “Sharing God’s Light in a Dark Place” to hear from Shannon Hamilton, who led the disaster response team that put up an Emergency Field Hospital in Sudan.
Listen to “Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word” to get a behind-the-scenes experience at Samaritan’s Purse staff devotions where Randy Bishop talks about the history of the English Bible and how important it is that we not only read God’s Word, but enjoy its riches daily.

Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

Scripture is alive and active, and no matter the circumstances we face in life, God’s Word can help lift our eyes beyond our current situation and towards our eternal hope in Jesus Christ. This week, we are taking you behind the scenes to Samaritan’s Purse staff devotions, where Randy Bishop talks about the history of the English Bible and how important it is that we not only read God’s Word, but crave it daily. Hear Kristy Graham and other members of the podcast team share Scripture that has impacted them in their walk with the Lord.
Resources:

Have You Heard the Good News of Salvation?

For further study, below are sources that Randy Bishop used in his devotion:

1. Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ
The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton

The Swans Are Not Silent, Book Five

By John Piper, Crossway, 2009

2. The Legacy of the King James Bible
Celebrating 400 Year of the Most Influential English Translation

By Leland Ryken, Crossway, 2011

3. The Origin of the Bible
By various authors including F.F. Bruce, J.I. Packer, Philip Comfort, and Carl F. H. HenryTyndale House Publishers, 2012

Listen to “Sharing God’s Light in a Dark Place” to hear from Shannon Hamilton, who led the disaster response team that put up an Emergency Field Hospital in Sudan.

Sharing God’s Light in a Dark Place Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

More than 11 million Sudanese people have been internally displaced by violence from ongoing civil war. Amid this turmoil, many people are feeling hopeless. In one particular city where the medical infrastructure is overwhelmed, Samaritan's Purse set up an Emergency Field Hospital to offer help in Jesus’ Name. Kristy Graham sat down with Shannon Hamilton, who served as the team lead for this disaster response team in Sudan.

Resources:

Read stories of brave moms in Sudan who have been helped by Samaritan’s Purse.

Learn more about how Samaritan’s Purse is bringing medical care to Sudan's displaced women and children.

Listen to “How to Hold Things Loosely,” where you will hear from Dr. Seth and Rebecca Mallay, who share their daughter’s testimony and talk about how we should hold things with open hands before the Lord.