Karina knows what it’s like to receive an unexpected gift from strangers. One year around Christmastime, a pre-teen Karina and her seven siblings were surprised to see stacks of colorful shoeboxes ready to be distributed to children at their church. Her large family was used to sharing what possessions they had and celebrating Christmas without…
Walking Together in New Life
Army Staff Sergeant Chad Hindal doesn’t talk to many folks about his two deployments to Iraq where he helped protect convoys along roads lined with IEDs and sniper fire. His job was to clear these threats from the desert thoroughfares and provide safe passage for supplies and soldiers. And Chad was eager for the opportunity.…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Veteran Couples Find Spiritual Renewal in Alaska
The last thing Natalie heard was a mortar round exploding and her husband shouting, “We’re taking incoming.” Then, the phone line went dead. Natalie wondered if that was the last time she’d hear his voice. Natalie endured many restless days and nights while her husband, Army Sergeant Eddie Shanks, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Ukraine Response
Overview Photos Additional Content Four Years into Conflict, Ukraine Continues to Suffer Samaritan's Purse Is Providing Relief in Jesus' Name Watch this powerful, two-part documentary about our work on the frontlines. More than 10 million conflict-weary Ukrainians have received food, water, shelter, medical care, fuel, and more from Samaritan's Purse in the last four years. Ukraine…
Operation Christmas Child
Press Release Important COVID-19 Updates 7-30-20
Important COVID-19 Updates The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted everyday life in some way for nearly everyone on the planet. Yet, Samaritan’s Purse continues to share the eternal hope of the Gospel and to serve in Jesus’ Name. Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, delivers shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun…
50 Years of Ministry
100 Million Shoebox Gifts Collected
Evilyn Pinnow, a then 12-year-old from Wisconsin, traveled more than 5,000 miles across the United States collecting items to place inside Operation Christmas Child’s symbolic 100 millionth shoebox before she headed to the Dominican Republic to place it into the hands of a precious child in need. In California, friends of the ministry added socks…
Rescuing Military Marriages in Alaska
Army Sergeant Ian Hunt and his wife Maria were desperate for healing and for change when they arrived in Alaska this year for Week 5 of the Operation Heal Our Patriots summer season. There were moments during their time in Alaska that were filled with tears and turmoil, but God was at work in all…
Operation Christmas Child
Devon and a Slinky
Devon and a Slinky “Devon received a shoebox at a church in Grenada as a child.” My gift was very unique because the person took the time to wrap the box in fabric. What stood out to me were all the toys. My mother was a single parent with four children. She made tremendous sacrifices…
Hope Restored for a Hurting Marriage
Even from his youngest years, Lorenzo Richardson had dreamt of becoming a musician—or at least of joining his high school band in Albany, Georgia. Then two great floods hit his hometown—both times forcing his family to evacuate. “After the 1994 flood, it took us four years to get our home back. When the 1998 flood…
Wounded Veterans and Spouses Find God’s Healing through Operation Heal Our Patriots
When Army Sergeant Joe and Brittany Gray arrived at Samaritan Lodge Alaska on Sunday, July 21, they had been separated several weeks and were on the verge of getting a divorce. In fact, the very day they got there they had originally planned to go to dinner and discuss next steps—possibly giving up on their…
