Samaritan's Purse is providing life-saving nutrition and the Word of God to those in need through a health and nutrition program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sarah never imagined she’d be left alone to raise six children or watch her 16-month-old son, Michael, weaken from lack of food. As he grew listless and continued to lose weight, his 38-year-old mother prayed for help to come.
Being left by a husband for a second wife broke Sarah’s heart and left her economically stranded in the conflict-crippled Congolese community of Gety. Provisions were scarce in Ituri province and there were few opportunities to support her family.
Our health and nutrition teams identify children threatened by acute malnutrition and provide supplements and other treatments.
A community health worker quickly diagnosed Michael during a visit to the family’s home. His acute malnutrition, caused by a diet deficient of essential vitamins and minerals, is a life-threatening condition that impacts many families in the region.
He was immediately sent for further monitoring, medication, and daily servings of fortified milk at a local health center supported by the Samaritan’s Purse health and nutrition program.
“During my stay at the hospital, Samaritan’s Purse provided us with food,” Sarah said, recounting their week at the facility where she watched Michael improve every day.
Sarah also met with Samaritan’s Purse chaplains who visited her daily to encourage her from the Word of God and remind her of God’s presence in her suffering. Speaking of one of them, she said, “He told me about Jesus’ love for me in all of life’s circumstances.”
During the early and late hours of each day, Sarah feared for her future and grieved her husband’s betrayal. The chaplains had encouraged to trust, in those moments, that the Lord will never abandon her, even if her husband did.
Even after hospital staff released Michael to continue treatments at home, the mother and son returned to the facility often for regular checkups. With each visit, Michael was stronger in body, and Sarah was stronger in her faith that God provides.
“Now my son is doing well and playing with his friends. Glory be to God,” Sarah said. “I thank God for my son and for the prayer and encouragement during our stay at the hospital. I am continuing to trust God. Glory be to God.”
Through Samaritan’s Purse health and nutrition programs, children like Michael are receiving critical medical care in a region where conflict has deepened hunger and hardship. At the same time, mothers like Sarah are hearing the Gospel and being reminded that they are not alone.
Please pray for families in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo who are struggling to find food and suffering from ongoing conflict in Ituri Province. Pray that God would continue to use Samaritan’s Purse to bring both physical healing and the hope of Christ to those in desperate need.
Training events like this help mothers ensure their children eat a balanced diet with the right vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
