Samaritan’s Purse chief operating officer surveys damage in Mexico and points residents to the hope of Jesus Christ.
Edward Graham, Samaritan’s Purse COO, visited Acapulco, Mexico, on Nov. 16 to encourage storm survivors and view some of the relief work our organization has provided in response to Hurricane Otis’ surprise strike on the popular tourist city in late October.
“Hurricane Otis came through here and destroyed massive amounts of the city,” Graham said. “Every building, every home, every business is affected—either their roof is off or its completely destroyed.”
Graham met with North American Ministries volunteers who are hard at work serving the residents of Acapulco in Jesus’ Name.
Graham visited Cumbres de Llano Largo, a lesser-known part of Acapulco, to view one of four community water filters that Samaritan’s Purse has set up. This water system provides up to 10,000 people a day with clean drinking water—a much needed resource since downed power lines in the area prohibit the pumps in the Mexican system from delivering freshwater to its residents.
Also in this hard-hit community, Graham visited one of 23 sites where Samaritan’s Purse volunteers have placed tarp on roofs and cleaned up yards damaged by the Category 5 storm. In a manner similar to our U.S. Disaster Relief work, volunteers prayed with the homeowners and presented them with a Bible when they finished working on their property.
Edward Graham surveyed the damage in Acapulco and some of Samaritan’s Purse relief efforts in the city on Thursday, Nov. 16.
During his visit, Graham took time to meet with military leaders and local pastors to express his gratitude for their assistance in Samaritan’s Purse work, which is all done in Jesus’ Name.
“Samaritan’s Purse is here working because we love Mexico, but more importantly Jesus Christ does,” Graham said. “We want them to know that Jesus has not forsaken them. Jesus has not forgotten them and that’s why the church is out boldly serving.”
Our Response by the Numbers
Samaritan’s Purse has airlifted three cargo planeloads of relief supplies to Mexico and nearly 50 tons of these items have already been distributed to its people who were devastated by the storm. This includes over 2,900 tarps, 3,200 solar lights, 10,200 household water filters, 1,400 hygiene kits, and 480 cooking kits as well as more than 26,000 pounds of food (in the form of food packages and hot meals) that have been distributed in partnership with 16 local churches. An additional airlift is planned for next week.
Residents fill up at the water taps Samaritan’s Purse provided in Cumbres de Llano Largo.
Most of all, we praise God that nine individuals have made decisions for Christ, as reported by Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains who are working alongside Samaritan’s Purse in Acapulco. Please pray for these new believers and the rest of the residents of this city as they work to rebuild.
