Army Sergeant Brian Matters and his wife Rebecca left Alaska last year with hope. The week they spent there through Operation Heal Our Patriots helped lift a dark cloud from their lives. They even recommitted their marriage to God. Despite his years of faith in Jesus Christ, Brian had long struggled with doubt and hopelessness—especially…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Military Couples Celebrate Renewal in Christ
Mike Beaulieu experienced a life-changing encounter with God during a week of marriage training in Alaska through Operation Heal Our Patriots. His faith and resolve to live for Christ were strengthened like never before. “Everything feels great when you leave Alaska, but the battle isn’t over,” he said. “Alaska course corrected me back toward God’s…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Military Couples Press Forward with God
Here’s what military couples said they were leaving behind in Alaska: Their anger Their doubt Their excuses Their resentment Their negativity Their isolation Their old self Their regrets Their pain Their anxieties Operation Heal Our Patriots Week 16 ended with this emotional time around the camp fire pit as ten husbands and ten wives shared—often…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Operation Heal Our Patriots Reunion Celebrates Victory in Christ
“Is your soul safe and secure in the hands of God?” Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham asked military couples to consider that question during the 2026 Operation Heal Our Patriots Reunion. He kicked off the event in Orlando, Florida, with a powerful message from Luke 19 about Jesus’ encounter with a rich tax collector named…
Operation Heal Our Patriots Celebrates God at Work in Military Marriages
Samaritan’s Purse recently welcomed our final group of military veterans and their spouses to Alaska for the close of the 2021 Operation Heal Our Patriots summer season. Nine couples experienced the wilderness of Alaska, participated in Biblically-based marriage classes, and had the opportunity to connect with God and each other. Former Army Staff Sergeant Mike…
Media
Operation Heal Our Patriots Photos
Operation Heal Our Patriots These photographs are available for news media outlet use in coverage of Samaritan's Purse-related stories. If your news outlet uses a photograph, please credit: "Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse." These photographs are not for commercial use. Alaska At the heart of Operation Heal Our Patriots is the desire to see couples grow closer…
Operation Christmas Child
Reminded of God’s Faithfulness after Helene
Letis Avila lifted her hands to the Lord in prayer as Hurricane Helene bore down on her western North Carolina home last September. Though the storm took a lot from the Salvadoran mother of two, Letis is still praising God today. Soon after the sky cleared and waters receded, two Samaritan’s Purse staff members arrived…
Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods
Refugee Mom Tailors New Life in South Sudan
Mary focuses deeply as she makes another attempt at stitching a straight line across a long strip of fabric. This is her third week in a Samaritan’s Purse tailoring class at a local church in the town of Mankien, South Sudan. Each week for five weeks she kisses her children and leaves early in the…
Crisis & Disaster Response
A Long But Blessed Road Home
Sadhia, Wilson, and Doreen—the three ‘miracle’ children of Tanzania—experienced an emotional rollercoaster ride this past weekend as they returned home after months of medical care in the United States. These three survivors of a deadly May bus crash were transported back to Africa in the same way they left the continent—via the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8…
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Clean Water Comes to Remote Villages in Kenya
Every day Eunice woke up early with the same worry pressed on her heart—would she find water today for her children? From her home in a remote village in Kenya, she walked two hours each way to the nearest water source and could only bring home what she was able to carry. Sometimes, during severe…
