Franklin Graham Update July
Dear Friend,
It was an honor for me to be in Alaska on Memorial Day weekend to open the 11th season of Operation Heal Our Patriots. We launched this ministry in 2012 to help strengthen the marriages of veterans who defended our nation in the war on terror.
As soon as the veterans arrived in Alaska, we saw the Lord doing just that, saving families by healing marriages. “This trip saved us,” said Brandy Karpf. She and her husband, Sean, were on the verge of a breakup before they arrived, and she was worried about their children. “This means our kids get to keep Mom and Dad.”
Sean Karpf was an Army sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division who was on patrol in Afghanistan when he stepped on an enemy mine. Surgeons worked diligently to try to save his mangled left leg but eventually had to amputate below the knee.
Sean struggled with the trauma and loss. He found a post-military career as a strength coach with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Yet he locked down emotionally at home, shutting out Brandy and their two teenage children.
This past January, Brandy feared their marriage was beyond saving. Then she cried out to the Lord in prayer and heard God telling her, “Don’t give up yet.” The next day, a friend recommended Operation Heal Our Patriots to her.
Sean said this was the first time he had ever been to an event “where you’re listening to the Word of God, and that’s your focus.” As he heard the Gospel from our chaplains, Sean realized that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, so he prayed to receive Jesus Christ and was baptized in the icy waters of Lake Clark. He and Brandy renewed their wedding vows. “The only way I can repair our relationship is to live through Christ,” he said.
All summer, Samaritan’s Purse arranges trips for 10 military couples each week to come to our lakeside lodge in Alaska, where they can be refreshed by wilderness adventures like hiking and fishing, while also attending classes to learn Biblical principles for stronger marriages to help them grow closer to God and closer to each other.
Martin and Courtney Lucero, like the Karpfs, felt that Operation Heal Our Patriots “was our last hope. We didn’t have God in our lives,” Martin said. Martin considered himself an atheist growing up, but God has been working to soften his heart, which he likened to a military siege to soften a target. As soon as he and Courtney arrived in Alaska, welcomed by flag-waving local residents, they were ready to meet with a chaplain and set things right with the Lord.
That Sunday night, they prayed in repentance and faith to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. On Friday, they renewed their marriage vows and were baptized. We give God the glory.
Martin served 11 years with the Marines, including a tour as a sniper in Afghanistan, and became a marksmanship instructor who now serves in the Marine Reserves. He now reads a children’s Bible to his daughter, not just for her sake but also to acquaint himself with the Word of God. “This is the extra glue to hold us together,” Courtney said.
We were able to invite Joe and Sarah Miller (inset at right)(pictured above) at the last minute after another couple was unable to attend. Joe joined the Army in 2014 and was a military policeman in Afghanistan, where he guarded Bagram Airfield and endured mortar attacks and suicide bombers. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and deals with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and headaches. Later, working as a policeman in Pittsburgh, he suffered a panic attack that he thought was a heart attack. “I decided I needed help,” he said. “It took a lot of willpower. I’ve come here to restore our marriage. We’re blessed to be at this retreat to learn the tools to be better soulmates and parents.”
Joe said he believed in God but did not have a relationship with Christ until he arrived in Alaska. “I dedicated my life to the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “It was a big weight lifted off my shoulders. Just leaving the chapel, I felt like I was a new person.”
We praise God that five veterans and three spouses gave their hearts to the Lord during the opening week of the season.
We have extended Operation Heal Our Patriots to 17 weeks this year, so we can offer this life-changing ministry to even more military couples. Our chaplains also offer ongoing Family Care to serve couples who are beginning their walk with Christ or still struggling to deal with daily challenges.
Americans are looking forward to July 4, when we celebrate our national freedom, even as we are reminded that freedom is not to be taken for granted, especially when it is paid for in sacrifice. That’s also the heart of the Gospel: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Please join me in asking God to protect our military personnel and reveal His love in special ways to our wounded veterans.
Bringing the Compassion of Christ to the Eastern Front
We've all been inspired by the courage of the people of Ukraine as they defend their nation against invasion. Among the heroes of this crisis are the pastors and other Christian workers who are laying their lives on the line to feed their neighbors in the Name of Jesus Christ.
One pastor volunteered to drive a truck to the eastern front to deliver food and medical supplies from Samaritan’s Purse to those who were trapped and under siege. When asked if he worries about the danger, he answers, “I am not scared because there is something that moves me more than my personal fear.”
While millions of refugees have fled from Ukraine, even more people have remained in the conflict zone. Many have been displaced from their homes and have no access to food, clean water, or electricity.
Even as our medical airlifts and evacuations continue, Samaritan’s Purse has provided 6,000 metric tons of food, 25,600 hygiene kits, 11,000 blankets, and 17,100 solar lamps, and more—which our church partners have distributed in the Name of Jesus Christ.
One woman named Oksana said the food delivered by our church partners was a life-saver. “I can’t even imagine what would happen if we didn’t receive these supplies,” she said.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May God bless you.
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham
Ways You Can Help
Pray
As we celebrate our nation's independence and freedom, lift up our active military personnel and remember our veterans. Pray for peace in Ukraine and ask the Lord to protect our church partners as they work boldly in a conflict zone.
- Operation Heal Our Patriots
- Samaritan's Purse offers Operation Heal Our Patriots free of charge to wounded veterans and their spouses, with deep gratitude for their serve to our nation. Your gift will help cover the costs of this ministry—including transportation, lodging, activities, and ongoing family care.
- Ukraine Response
- Your gift will enable Samaritan's Purse to work through church partners to provide tons of food, water, and medical care and encouragement to desperate Ukrainians.
- Where Most Needed
- Samaritan’s Purse is working in more than 100 nations to help relieve suffering, save lives, and share the hope of the Gospel. Your gift to Where Most Needed equips us with the resources—including personnel, materials, supporting services, and equipment—to fulfill our mission of relief and evangelism.