As Christmas approaches and we come to the end of 2009, we thank God for the opportunities He has given us to shine the light of the Gospel in a world darkened by sin and suffering. I want to thank you for your prayers and support, and share some highlights of what God has done through Samaritan’s Purse this year.

Most recently, we launched a massive relief effort in response to a series of major disasters that struck the Asia-Pacific region— typhoons in the Philippines, earthquakes in Indonesia, and a tsunami in the Samoan islands. Some 100,000 survivors have received emergency food and other aid in the Name of Jesus Christ. In the Philippines, where we worked with more than 100 churches in 30 towns, hundreds of people responded to the Gospel with public commitments to Christ.

During 2009, Samaritan’s Purse also responded to a number of emergencies, assisting victims of a killer cyclone in India and powerful earthquakes in Italy and Costa Rica. Dozens of wells were built or repaired to help drought-stricken villages in eastern Africa. Emergency food and supplies were provided to hundreds of thousands displaced by fighting in places such as Pakistan, Iraq, Colombia, Uganda, Ethiopia, the Darfur region of Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here in the United States, our disaster relief volunteers cleaned up, repaired, or rebuilt 1,485 houses in nine states, including several in New Orleans and Alaska that we constructed for families in dire need.

All our work is designed to strengthen the local church and advance the Gospel. In Sudan, this has been our biggest year yet for rebuilding churches destroyed by radical Islam, with 130 opened in 2009 and 357 since 2005. In a few weeks, I am planning to return to Sudan for the first graduation ceremony at the Nuba Mountains Bible School, established by Samaritan’s Purse to train pastors and evangelists to replace those martyred during the civil war.

In war-ravaged Liberia, Samaritan’s Purse helped to repair dozens of churches, train hundreds of pastors, and rebuild the premier Bible college in western Africa. We also assisted with the construction of church buildings in Bolivia and Alaska. By God’s grace, thousands have been saved through evangelistic outreaches we supported in Mongolia, Honduras, Mozambique, Liberia, and other nations.

Medical ministry continues to be one of the most effective tools for evangelism. Samaritan’s Purse is expanding or upgrading hospitals in Kenya, India, Bangladesh, and North Korea. Through World Medical Mission, we have sent over 320 doctors and dentists on short-term assignments to 27 nations. This year, the Children’s Heart Project has provided life-saving surgery for 90 boys and girls, more than ever before. Our HIV/AIDS ministry reached a milestone this year with one million people trained in Biblical ways to prevent the spread of the disease.

As you read this, a flood of gift-filled shoe boxes collected through our Operation Christmas Child project are on their way to millions of children living in desperate conditions in over 100 countries. For most of the boys and girls, these boxes will be the first Christmas presents they have ever received. More importantly, our church partners will use Gospel storybooks and Bible lessons provided by Samaritan’s Purse to reach these children and their families with the Good News of salvation.

There is nothing more urgent than telling the world about the incomparable love of Jesus Christ and the saving grace of God. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5, NIV).

We give God all the glory for the great things He has done in 2009. Thank you again for your faithful prayers and generous support for Samaritan’s Purse, as we continue to meet physical and spiritual needs in the Name of Jesus. May God richly bless you in this special season.

Sincerely,


Franklin Graham
President
Samaritan's Purse

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