1 00:00:00,070 --> 00:00:02,850 Speaker 1: Hi friends, Rachel here. I'm excited to share something a 2 00:00:02,970 --> 00:00:06,090 Speaker 1: little different with you. We're featuring a special bonus episode 3 00:00:06,130 --> 00:00:09,630 Speaker 1: from the Bible Explained podcast where host Jen Kokel interviews 4 00:00:09,700 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: Christy Graham from Samaritan's Purse, a Christian organization that provides relief, support, 5 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:17,579 Speaker 1: and hope to people in need around the world. Samaritan's 6 00:00:17,620 --> 00:00:20,700 Speaker 1: Purse is especially meaningful to me because our family has 7 00:00:20,739 --> 00:00:23,829 Speaker 1: supported its ministry for more than a decade. We've been 8 00:00:23,890 --> 00:00:26,970 Speaker 1: grateful to witness how God uses this organization to meet 9 00:00:27,030 --> 00:00:29,770 Speaker 1: both the physical and spiritual needs of people during some 10 00:00:29,810 --> 00:00:33,860 Speaker 1: of life's most difficult moments. In this conversation, you'll hear 11 00:00:33,940 --> 00:00:37,260 Speaker 1: a powerful story of faith, prayer, and how God brings 12 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:42,200 Speaker 1: hope through difficult circumstances. You can learn more at SamaritansPurse.org. 13 00:00:42,420 --> 00:00:43,890 Speaker 1: I hope this encourages you today. 14 00:00:47,570 --> 00:00:49,910 Speaker 2: Good morning, friends and faithful listeners. Thank you so much 15 00:00:49,950 --> 00:00:52,370 Speaker 2: for tuning in to The Bible Explained for this special 16 00:00:52,409 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 2: podcast episode where you guys might remember about a month 17 00:00:55,880 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 2: back that I shared an episode of On the Ground 18 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 2: with Samaritan's Purse on this podcast with Christy Graham. And 19 00:01:03,900 --> 00:01:08,750 Speaker 2: I got the opportunity today actually to interview Miss Christy myself. 20 00:01:08,970 --> 00:01:11,930 Speaker 2: And so I'm excited to have her on the podcast 21 00:01:11,990 --> 00:01:13,930 Speaker 2: this morning for all of you faithful listeners. And so 22 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:16,220 Speaker 2: She is here with us. So if you could say 23 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:18,660 Speaker 2: a few words, Ms. Christy, to the audience. 24 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:21,940 Speaker 3: Hello, The Bible Explained. I am so excited to be 25 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:24,630 Speaker 3: on here. And again, I'm honored. I know they're typically 26 00:01:24,670 --> 00:01:27,429 Speaker 3: tuning in to hear you explain the Bible, to really 27 00:01:27,470 --> 00:01:29,530 Speaker 3: go into it, which we will talk about because that 28 00:01:29,610 --> 00:01:32,030 Speaker 3: is a part of everything that we do at Samaritan's Purse. 29 00:01:32,090 --> 00:01:33,970 Speaker 3: So I am excited to be a part of this 30 00:01:34,010 --> 00:01:34,770 Speaker 3: conversation today. 31 00:01:35,130 --> 00:01:37,620 Speaker 2: And I'm excited to have you as part of this conversation. 32 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:41,539 Speaker 2: So the first question I want to ask, just to 33 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:45,430 Speaker 2: really get to know you and also for My audience 34 00:01:45,470 --> 00:01:48,260 Speaker 2: to get to know you is, what is your relationship 35 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 2: with Samaritan's Purse and with the Graham family? So who 36 00:01:51,820 --> 00:01:52,100 Speaker 2: are you? 37 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:53,100 Speaker 4: So I don't know. 38 00:01:53,140 --> 00:01:55,820 Speaker 3: For people who don't know about Samaritan's Purse, it is 39 00:01:55,980 --> 00:02:00,770 Speaker 3: a Christian, an evangelical humanitarian organization that was founded in 40 00:02:00,770 --> 00:02:06,210 Speaker 3: 1970 by Bob Pierce. But my father-in-law, Franklin Graham, he 41 00:02:06,250 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 3: took over as president and CEO a couple years later 42 00:02:08,740 --> 00:02:12,790 Speaker 3: when Bob Pierce had cancer. And so my father-in-law, Franklin, 43 00:02:13,690 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 3: has been leading this organization for many years, over 50 years. 44 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 3: And my husband, Edward, is his son. So when I 45 00:02:21,740 --> 00:02:25,900 Speaker 3: got married, I knew about Samaritan's Purse. My husband at 46 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:28,100 Speaker 3: the time was in the military. We were in the 47 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:31,339 Speaker 3: army for 16 years, or he. 48 00:02:31,300 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 4: Was, but I was a part of that. 49 00:02:32,740 --> 00:02:35,910 Speaker 3: And so we saw and got to visit and see, 50 00:02:35,930 --> 00:02:39,690 Speaker 3: you know, the ministry throughout the years. But then about 51 00:02:39,750 --> 00:02:43,109 Speaker 3: eight years ago, the Lord called my husband, Edward, to 52 00:02:43,169 --> 00:02:45,690 Speaker 3: come work full time with Samaritan's Purse. So we left 53 00:02:45,730 --> 00:02:50,570 Speaker 3: the military to come serve here. And he is the 54 00:02:50,770 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 3: chief operating officer with Samaritan's Purse. And I get to 55 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 3: work in communications on the podcast called On the Ground. 56 00:02:56,980 --> 00:03:00,060 Speaker 3: And so Again, we've been a part of the ministry 57 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 3: from afar for many years, but now we work here full-time, 58 00:03:04,500 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 3: and I love getting to be a part of this ministry, 59 00:03:06,530 --> 00:03:07,250 Speaker 3: Samaritan's Purse. 60 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:12,549 Speaker 2: That's wonderful. So how has working with Samaritan's Purse shaped 61 00:03:12,710 --> 00:03:13,750 Speaker 2: your family's life? 62 00:03:15,150 --> 00:03:16,410 Speaker 4: It's shaped it in many ways. 63 00:03:17,430 --> 00:03:19,290 Speaker 3: You know, when we moved here, again, I said we 64 00:03:19,310 --> 00:03:21,910 Speaker 3: were in the military, and so I, you know, Lord, 65 00:03:21,950 --> 00:03:23,489 Speaker 3: how can I be a part of this ministry? How 66 00:03:23,530 --> 00:03:25,399 Speaker 3: can I support my husband? You know, and he travels 67 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 3: a lot, and so the podcast is such a wonderful 68 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 3: way for me to get to see what God's doing 69 00:03:32,900 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 3: around the world and kind of get to be a 70 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:38,350 Speaker 3: bridge between our prayer warriors and our donors and then 71 00:03:38,370 --> 00:03:41,250 Speaker 3: the people that are in the field carrying out the work. 72 00:03:42,150 --> 00:03:44,830 Speaker 3: But I didn't expect it to change me personally so much. 73 00:03:45,470 --> 00:03:48,630 Speaker 3: I'm a mom of four, and I think it's even 74 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 3: changed my parenting. It's changed everything because when you watch 75 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,580 Speaker 3: people surrender and say yes to the Lord. We serve 76 00:03:56,620 --> 00:03:59,420 Speaker 3: in some very difficult and dangerous places. And when you 77 00:03:59,460 --> 00:04:02,750 Speaker 3: watch people say yes to serving the Lord, it changes 78 00:04:02,790 --> 00:04:05,210 Speaker 3: my daily life. And I'm sure you see this too. 79 00:04:05,230 --> 00:04:09,230 Speaker 3: The Bible changes our daily life. When we read what 80 00:04:09,270 --> 00:04:13,740 Speaker 3: God wrote thousands of years ago, it is alive and. 81 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:14,500 Speaker 4: Active and living. 82 00:04:14,700 --> 00:04:18,980 Speaker 3: And so I get to see God moving and shaping 83 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,990 Speaker 3: and working. So It changed me in more ways than 84 00:04:22,010 --> 00:04:23,950 Speaker 3: I ever thought I would. But the bottom line is 85 00:04:24,010 --> 00:04:26,180 Speaker 3: I get a front row seat of what God's doing 86 00:04:26,220 --> 00:04:29,159 Speaker 3: around the world and I get to share it with people. 87 00:04:29,260 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 4: So it's a joy and a privilege. Oh, yeah. 88 00:04:32,460 --> 00:04:34,980 Speaker 2: And I fully relate with everything that you're saying there 89 00:04:35,020 --> 00:04:38,300 Speaker 2: about the gospel changing you. You know, when I started 90 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:41,700 Speaker 2: the podcast almost seven years ago at this point, I 91 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 2: really did not think... I believe that I understood the 92 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:48,190 Speaker 2: Bible fully and man, how arrogant I was. 93 00:04:48,610 --> 00:04:48,850 Speaker 1: But.. 94 00:04:49,380 --> 00:04:54,270 Speaker 2: Speaking of you sharing all of this with just your listeners, 95 00:04:54,490 --> 00:04:57,010 Speaker 2: tell us a little bit about your podcast, On the 96 00:04:57,050 --> 00:05:00,230 Speaker 2: Ground with Samaritan's Purse. I know you use the podcast 97 00:05:00,270 --> 00:05:02,870 Speaker 2: to share the stories from the front lines of your 98 00:05:02,910 --> 00:05:05,740 Speaker 2: work to encourage people in their own faith with God. 99 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:09,190 Speaker 2: So how has hosting this show changed you? Well.. 100 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, the podcast On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, it 101 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:15,160 Speaker 3: literally takes you on the ground. And so because the 102 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:18,500 Speaker 3: work of Samaritan's Purse is so varied, our goal in 103 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 3: everything that we do is to share the gospel, to 104 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:24,330 Speaker 3: help people that are hurting and introduce them to Jesus. 105 00:05:24,450 --> 00:05:27,210 Speaker 3: But we do that through many different ways. And so 106 00:05:27,270 --> 00:05:30,669 Speaker 3: the podcast is exciting because I'm sure this is how 107 00:05:30,690 --> 00:05:36,100 Speaker 3: it is for you too. With scripture, everything's different. So 108 00:05:36,250 --> 00:05:39,350 Speaker 3: one day we'll be talking about Children's Heart Project. an 109 00:05:39,390 --> 00:05:43,990 Speaker 3: amazing project where kids get life-saving heart surgery. And then 110 00:05:44,089 --> 00:05:46,770 Speaker 3: one day we'll be talking about our disaster relief. And 111 00:05:46,790 --> 00:05:51,350 Speaker 3: so every episode is different, but there's a commonality because 112 00:05:51,950 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 3: we share scripture and we share the gospel in every 113 00:05:55,180 --> 00:05:58,340 Speaker 3: episode because that is what our work does in the field. 114 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 3: So it's an exciting, ever-changing podcast, but the goal was 115 00:06:05,420 --> 00:06:08,740 Speaker 3: to I think many people get involved with the ministry 116 00:06:08,820 --> 00:06:13,040 Speaker 3: maybe through one of the vehicles, like Operation Christmas Child. Say, 117 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,310 Speaker 3: for instance, many people that are listening might have heard 118 00:06:15,350 --> 00:06:19,350 Speaker 3: about that ministry, which we send shoeboxes to kids all 119 00:06:19,390 --> 00:06:22,140 Speaker 3: around the world. And so maybe you only know about 120 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:25,020 Speaker 3: that part of the ministry, but the podcast, you know, 121 00:06:25,060 --> 00:06:28,020 Speaker 3: we hope to introduce you to even more. And so, 122 00:06:28,190 --> 00:06:30,670 Speaker 3: and like you said, it's like scripture. I mean, you 123 00:06:30,710 --> 00:06:32,870 Speaker 3: think you know about the ministry and I think I 124 00:06:32,910 --> 00:06:35,650 Speaker 3: know about scripture, but the more you dive into it, 125 00:06:35,710 --> 00:06:38,390 Speaker 3: you realize you don't know because God is so big 126 00:06:38,450 --> 00:06:41,750 Speaker 3: and he does exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or imagine. 127 00:06:41,810 --> 00:06:44,500 Speaker 3: And so even there's days where I think I know 128 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,580 Speaker 3: about one of our projects and I realize I don't, 129 00:06:46,940 --> 00:06:50,260 Speaker 3: you know, when I talk to somebody, in Kenya, carrying 130 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 3: it out in the field, I realized that I don't 131 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:55,390 Speaker 3: know anything. And he shares things about what's happening. And 132 00:06:55,870 --> 00:06:59,950 Speaker 3: so I learned something every day. I'm humbled and overwhelmed. 133 00:07:00,070 --> 00:07:02,529 Speaker 3: And I just realized I'm just such a small part, 134 00:07:03,089 --> 00:07:08,660 Speaker 3: that God is the one moving and acting and So 135 00:07:08,700 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 3: it's just exciting to be a part of it. But 136 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 3: I think I'm just learning that I'm a constant learner, 137 00:07:13,580 --> 00:07:17,060 Speaker 3: you know, and same with scripture. We try to put 138 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 3: scripture into every episode as well, because that is, you know, 139 00:07:21,460 --> 00:07:23,460 Speaker 3: the grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word 140 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:25,380 Speaker 3: of the Lord stands forever. And that's why all the 141 00:07:25,420 --> 00:07:28,420 Speaker 3: projects that we do, we hand out Bibles, we introduce 142 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 3: people to the local church. We want them to be 143 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:34,700 Speaker 3: discipled and to grow. And so we study God's word 144 00:07:34,740 --> 00:07:39,770 Speaker 3: as well, which again is... constantly changing piercing my heart 145 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,540 Speaker 3: convicting me which I love so I feel like every 146 00:07:42,580 --> 00:07:47,780 Speaker 3: episode I am overwhelmed by God's love and I'm you 147 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,430 Speaker 3: know changed in the process so it's not about me 148 00:07:50,490 --> 00:07:53,170 Speaker 3: trying to change or do anything it's it's God is 149 00:07:53,230 --> 00:07:54,910 Speaker 3: constantly changing and teaching me. 150 00:07:55,350 --> 00:07:59,090 Speaker 2: I actually um I have a friend who personally was 151 00:07:59,150 --> 00:08:04,230 Speaker 2: very helped by Samaritan's Purse really um with the veterans 152 00:08:04,290 --> 00:08:06,650 Speaker 2: program that you guys do and so you do have 153 00:08:06,690 --> 00:08:10,050 Speaker 2: like a bunch of yeah and and their marriage was 154 00:08:10,130 --> 00:08:14,690 Speaker 2: like really helped through the veterans program and so it's 155 00:08:14,740 --> 00:08:18,220 Speaker 2: amazing how many different things that samaritan's purse does that 156 00:08:18,260 --> 00:08:21,290 Speaker 2: i think people don't really know about so share with 157 00:08:21,370 --> 00:08:24,270 Speaker 2: us like some of the things that you would say on, like, 158 00:08:24,300 --> 00:08:26,980 Speaker 2: do you do encouragement or would you do more of 159 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:31,220 Speaker 2: like a, you know, sharing a inspirational story of somebody 160 00:08:31,700 --> 00:08:34,819 Speaker 2: that might've been helped by Samaritan's Purse? 161 00:08:35,179 --> 00:08:37,979 Speaker 3: We do a little bit of everything. You know, our team, 162 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 3: our communications team, we come in and we try to 163 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,300 Speaker 3: plan out what the next episode is going to be. 164 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:45,210 Speaker 3: But obviously when we either talk to the people or we, 165 00:08:46,179 --> 00:08:49,220 Speaker 3: God rewrites the story. But yes, we try to introduce 166 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 3: a project. And actually what you just shared, Operation Healer Patriots, 167 00:08:51,929 --> 00:08:53,330 Speaker 3: that's one of my favorite projects. 168 00:08:53,530 --> 00:08:53,950 Speaker 4: It is a. 169 00:08:53,970 --> 00:09:00,030 Speaker 3: Ministry to wounded veterans. It is for a couple. So 170 00:09:00,390 --> 00:09:02,250 Speaker 3: we reach out to whether it's the wife or the 171 00:09:02,270 --> 00:09:04,990 Speaker 3: husband that served in the military. The couple gets to 172 00:09:05,010 --> 00:09:07,030 Speaker 3: go to Alaska for a week. It's a marriage retreat. 173 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 3: And so say the episode's on Operation Healer Patriots. I 174 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:16,530 Speaker 3: get to talk to couples or I get to go 175 00:09:16,550 --> 00:09:20,170 Speaker 3: to Alaska and take people in a life. So it 176 00:09:20,210 --> 00:09:24,050 Speaker 3: changes the way we do it. But sometimes we'll take 177 00:09:24,090 --> 00:09:27,069 Speaker 3: people in a day in a life of the ministry. 178 00:09:27,590 --> 00:09:30,089 Speaker 3: And I'll literally walk throughout the ministry, introduce them to 179 00:09:30,110 --> 00:09:32,309 Speaker 3: people along the way. Sometimes it's a deep dive with 180 00:09:32,450 --> 00:09:36,030 Speaker 3: one person, hearing their story or their heart or what 181 00:09:36,070 --> 00:09:40,630 Speaker 3: they're seeing. Sometimes there's multiple voices. So again, the episode 182 00:09:40,650 --> 00:09:43,980 Speaker 3: and the approach is different in every one, but each 183 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:47,730 Speaker 3: episode Our goal is to, one, share the gospel of 184 00:09:47,770 --> 00:09:52,540 Speaker 3: Jesus Christ and study scripture, but then also to help 185 00:09:52,580 --> 00:09:56,630 Speaker 3: people learn about different projects and vehicles that Samaritan's Purse has. 186 00:09:57,990 --> 00:10:01,859 Speaker 3: So they're very different. And I think it's neat. The Lord, 187 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:07,780 Speaker 3: He sometimes writes and carries an episode we had no 188 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:12,290 Speaker 3: intention of covering. But it's, yeah, typically trying to take 189 00:10:12,309 --> 00:10:14,229 Speaker 3: people to the front lines and introduce them to the 190 00:10:14,270 --> 00:10:15,230 Speaker 3: work of Samaritan's Purse. 191 00:10:15,809 --> 00:10:16,710 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's wonderful. 192 00:10:17,490 --> 00:10:19,540 Speaker 2: So I know that you talk about a lot about 193 00:10:19,620 --> 00:10:22,369 Speaker 2: prayer on your podcast. And in fact, I think it 194 00:10:22,410 --> 00:10:25,970 Speaker 2: was the episode that I shared of your guys' podcast 195 00:10:26,010 --> 00:10:30,250 Speaker 2: that did talk a bit about prayer. So how is 196 00:10:30,330 --> 00:10:32,910 Speaker 2: prayer foundational to the ministry? 197 00:10:32,929 --> 00:10:38,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, so Samaritan's Purse, our international headquarters is here in Boone, 198 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 3: North Carolina, but we have offices all throughout the country. 199 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 3: But then we also have country offices all all around 200 00:10:45,660 --> 00:10:49,300 Speaker 3: the world. Sometimes when we respond to a disaster, we 201 00:10:49,340 --> 00:10:51,820 Speaker 3: find that there is long-term work needing to be done. 202 00:10:51,900 --> 00:10:55,559 Speaker 3: So we'll set up a country office. And so all 203 00:10:55,580 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 3: of our offices with our staff, they all start their 204 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:04,199 Speaker 3: day in scripture and in prayer. And here in Boone, 205 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:06,220 Speaker 3: you know, we start our day, we have somebody that 206 00:11:06,300 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 3: shares a devotion and then leads in prayer corporately. but 207 00:11:09,820 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 3: then we break up into small groups at our table 208 00:11:12,660 --> 00:11:15,890 Speaker 3: and we literally have prayer cards on our, you know, 209 00:11:16,110 --> 00:11:20,010 Speaker 3: everybody grabs one in the morning and it has our field, 210 00:11:20,070 --> 00:11:22,689 Speaker 3: our staff that are serving all over the world. So 211 00:11:23,870 --> 00:11:26,449 Speaker 3: we pray for them by name because we know it 212 00:11:26,510 --> 00:11:29,370 Speaker 3: is so important. We do not do this work alone. 213 00:11:30,130 --> 00:11:32,850 Speaker 3: It's like Ephesians six, you know, we, We know that 214 00:11:32,910 --> 00:11:35,170 Speaker 3: we have an enemy and we have to put on 215 00:11:35,190 --> 00:11:37,969 Speaker 3: the full armor of God. And so we pray over 216 00:11:38,030 --> 00:11:41,490 Speaker 3: our staff by name, our country offices, whatever card you have. 217 00:11:41,710 --> 00:11:46,580 Speaker 3: And I love that because every single person at Samaritan's Purse, 218 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:49,700 Speaker 3: wherever you serve, whatever you do, we start at the same. 219 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:52,339 Speaker 3: And it's that dependence on the Lord. You know, it 220 00:11:52,420 --> 00:11:55,800 Speaker 3: is not about us. And I actually just shared a 221 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:58,540 Speaker 3: scripture the other day, and I've seen this in my 222 00:11:58,580 --> 00:12:01,829 Speaker 3: recent interviews. It is every leader here at Samaritan's Purse 223 00:12:01,900 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 3: or person carrying it out, our confidence is in the Lord. 224 00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:08,930 Speaker 3: I just want to read 2 Corinthians 3, 4 through 6. 225 00:12:08,929 --> 00:12:11,610 Speaker 3: It says, such is the confidence we have through Christ 226 00:12:11,830 --> 00:12:15,270 Speaker 3: before God. It is not that we are, it's not 227 00:12:15,290 --> 00:12:16,010 Speaker 3: that we are Christ. 228 00:12:16,030 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 4: Okay, sorry. Let me pull this closer. 229 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,220 Speaker 3: Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God. 230 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 3: It is not that we are competent in ourselves to 231 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,340 Speaker 3: claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is 232 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 3: from God. He has made us competent to be ministers 233 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,770 Speaker 3: of the new covenant. And I think we take that 234 00:12:32,809 --> 00:12:37,090 Speaker 3: very seriously. We realize that we are not competent. We 235 00:12:37,130 --> 00:12:41,050 Speaker 3: are not in charge. Every single person here is so 236 00:12:41,090 --> 00:12:45,270 Speaker 3: reliant on the Lord. And so prayer is foundational. And 237 00:12:46,050 --> 00:12:49,630 Speaker 3: even Bob Pierce, who founded this, he wanted to say 238 00:12:49,670 --> 00:12:52,530 Speaker 3: yes to things that he couldn't do in his own strength. 239 00:12:52,950 --> 00:12:55,290 Speaker 3: And that's what we call the God room principle. We 240 00:12:55,350 --> 00:13:00,230 Speaker 3: say yes to projects and responses and tragedies that we 241 00:13:00,270 --> 00:13:03,150 Speaker 3: as an organization could not carry out without the Lord. 242 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:06,220 Speaker 3: And so it's incredible. We find time and time again 243 00:13:06,300 --> 00:13:08,100 Speaker 3: where we say, we can't respond to that. 244 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:09,980 Speaker 4: We can't do this. It's not possible. 245 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:13,500 Speaker 3: And then the Lord makes a way. And it's because 246 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 3: we're so reliant on prayer. And so we've seen time 247 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:18,220 Speaker 3: and time again where the Lord answered prayers. So I 248 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,380 Speaker 3: ask that often on my, you know, when I have 249 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:21,699 Speaker 3: people on, you know, how have you seen the Lord 250 00:13:21,740 --> 00:13:22,420 Speaker 3: answer prayer lately? 251 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:24,990 Speaker 4: And it's just incredible. You know, sometimes it's so small. 252 00:13:25,070 --> 00:13:29,030 Speaker 3: It's something like a doctor serving at a hospital in 253 00:13:29,090 --> 00:13:31,929 Speaker 3: remote you know, a remote place that needs a Sharpie 254 00:13:31,950 --> 00:13:35,449 Speaker 3: marker and somebody happens to visit and say, here's a marker, 255 00:13:35,490 --> 00:13:38,230 Speaker 3: you know, something so small, but then there's also something 256 00:13:38,309 --> 00:13:41,809 Speaker 3: so big that again, God goes before and he answers 257 00:13:41,890 --> 00:13:44,930 Speaker 3: prayers that I love it, that we have an intercessor 258 00:13:45,190 --> 00:13:49,150 Speaker 3: working on our behalf. So that was a rambly long answer, 259 00:13:49,190 --> 00:13:51,730 Speaker 3: but I think we just learn time and time again, 260 00:13:51,890 --> 00:13:55,190 Speaker 3: the dependence and the need to stay reliant on the Lord. 261 00:13:56,840 --> 00:14:00,020 Speaker 2: Yeah. And I think that that's absolutely great. And so 262 00:14:00,059 --> 00:14:02,920 Speaker 2: speaking of some of the things that you've seen at 263 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:06,579 Speaker 2: Samaritan's Purse, I know that you've been in the field 264 00:14:06,620 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 2: with some families who lost everything after Hurricane Helene. And 265 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:15,980 Speaker 2: you were also in Venezuela, right, after two earthquakes completely 266 00:14:16,020 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 2: devastated that region. So what was it like being on 267 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:23,050 Speaker 2: the ground there after the disaster? Or can you share 268 00:14:23,090 --> 00:14:25,590 Speaker 2: any stories of those times? 269 00:14:26,190 --> 00:14:27,550 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's really hard. 270 00:14:27,690 --> 00:14:29,850 Speaker 3: And like I said, we have so many different vehicles, 271 00:14:29,890 --> 00:14:32,820 Speaker 3: so many different ways that we serve. Sometimes it's, like 272 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:37,460 Speaker 3: you said, through our U.S. disaster relief. We helped with 273 00:14:37,500 --> 00:14:41,260 Speaker 3: Hurricane Helene. We're helping currently in many different parts throughout 274 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:44,300 Speaker 3: the country. I got to see a community that had 275 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 3: been rocked by a tornado. And then, as you said, 276 00:14:48,260 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 3: I got to go to Venezuela and see a earthquake 277 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:56,550 Speaker 3: that just devastated. And so the disaster is different. but 278 00:14:58,970 --> 00:15:03,030 Speaker 3: I think it's the reality that we live in a fallen, 279 00:15:03,050 --> 00:15:05,650 Speaker 3: broken world, right? And so we meet people in the 280 00:15:05,690 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 3: ditches of life. And again, the ditch and the disaster, 281 00:15:08,030 --> 00:15:13,380 Speaker 3: it's different, but there's heartbreak and devastation and hopelessness. And 282 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:16,300 Speaker 3: I love that we, Samaritan's Purse, we always work with 283 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:19,220 Speaker 3: the local church, whether it's domestic or international, we work 284 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:22,170 Speaker 3: with the local church. And so Venezuela, for instance- We 285 00:15:22,230 --> 00:15:24,810 Speaker 3: have so many church partners that we've been working with 286 00:15:24,850 --> 00:15:27,630 Speaker 3: for years. We have a country office in Colombia, but 287 00:15:27,670 --> 00:15:30,450 Speaker 3: we have been working in Venezuela doing feeding programs and 288 00:15:30,490 --> 00:15:35,180 Speaker 3: different things for many years. And so when the earthquake hit, 289 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:37,540 Speaker 3: we called our church partners right away, and they were 290 00:15:37,580 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 3: able to help us and figure out exactly where the 291 00:15:39,860 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 3: needs were the biggest. And so our team got in. 292 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:45,900 Speaker 3: We had an emergency field hospital set up within 48 hours, 293 00:15:47,020 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 3: and we were able to start serving patients. And then 294 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:53,150 Speaker 3: we had water supply. water points and so many different 295 00:15:53,210 --> 00:15:55,250 Speaker 3: things that we were doing through the local church. And 296 00:15:57,370 --> 00:16:00,330 Speaker 3: I'll share one story because I think it highlights the 297 00:16:00,370 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 3: need for everybody. Again, whatever they're coming for, we all 298 00:16:04,620 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 3: have a need, right? We all have a spiritual need. 299 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:11,540 Speaker 3: We are separated from God. And I was at a 300 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:14,700 Speaker 3: water point and this one lady came to get water. 301 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,540 Speaker 3: And she actually had been there before. So when she 302 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:22,050 Speaker 3: greeted one of our staff members. It looked like they 303 00:16:22,070 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 3: were old family friends, but they had prayed together a 304 00:16:25,480 --> 00:16:28,340 Speaker 3: couple days before. And she said, I came first for 305 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:31,740 Speaker 3: the water, but I keep coming back for the prayer 306 00:16:31,820 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 3: and encouragement. And her husband had died in the earthquake 307 00:16:36,220 --> 00:16:39,820 Speaker 3: and she'd lost everything, you know, her home, everything. And 308 00:16:39,900 --> 00:16:43,140 Speaker 3: so when you're at that point of hopelessness here, you know, 309 00:16:43,180 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 3: when here on earth, your circumstances, you don't have any 310 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:53,460 Speaker 3: hope and you're introduced to Jesus, your hope becomes an anchor, 311 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 3: firm and secure. And it's just incredible to see people 312 00:16:57,040 --> 00:17:03,200 Speaker 3: that have literally lost everything find hope in Jesus. Some 313 00:17:03,220 --> 00:17:05,480 Speaker 3: for the first time or some maybe they've known about him, 314 00:17:05,570 --> 00:17:09,030 Speaker 3: but this tragedy brought them back. And so I just love, again, 315 00:17:09,230 --> 00:17:12,770 Speaker 3: getting to watch people in some of their hardest days. 316 00:17:13,850 --> 00:17:17,050 Speaker 3: It's it's humbling and overwhelming that they let you in 317 00:17:17,750 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 3: and they let you, you know, carry that burden. And 318 00:17:21,780 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 3: then again, I love watching our local church because they 319 00:17:24,780 --> 00:17:26,900 Speaker 3: will be there long-term. And so we get to introduce 320 00:17:26,940 --> 00:17:29,740 Speaker 3: them to our church partners and some, many start coming 321 00:17:29,780 --> 00:17:32,440 Speaker 3: to church and they start, you know, it, their lives 322 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:35,619 Speaker 3: are really changed by a bad, you know, a hard, 323 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:39,399 Speaker 3: bad situation, but God uses it for good and, and 324 00:17:39,540 --> 00:17:42,159 Speaker 3: for his purposes and his glory. And so that's just 325 00:17:42,260 --> 00:17:45,580 Speaker 3: one story, but yeah, I, I'm humbled and overwhelmed every 326 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:48,020 Speaker 3: time I get to go into the field and meet people. 327 00:17:48,530 --> 00:17:52,070 Speaker 3: And our paths may have never crossed, you know, until 328 00:17:52,109 --> 00:17:55,570 Speaker 3: this disaster hit. And then we become brothers and sisters 329 00:17:55,630 --> 00:17:59,330 Speaker 3: in Christ and have a bond far greater than this 330 00:17:59,390 --> 00:18:00,470 Speaker 3: earth could give. 331 00:18:01,350 --> 00:18:05,260 Speaker 2: So I'm curious a little bit about the Ebola epidemic. 332 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:09,240 Speaker 2: You recently covered a training where some doctors and nurses 333 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 2: were preparing to deploy to Africa to fight Ebola. I 334 00:18:13,520 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 2: can only imagine the prayer and faith that it takes 335 00:18:16,740 --> 00:18:20,540 Speaker 2: to deploy to an Ebola outbreak, right? When everybody else 336 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:22,640 Speaker 2: I'm sure is trying to get away from it. So 337 00:18:22,700 --> 00:18:24,540 Speaker 2: what stood out to you the most about this? 338 00:18:25,460 --> 00:18:30,770 Speaker 3: Yeah, our teams, we have two Ebola hospitals set up 339 00:18:30,930 --> 00:18:33,889 Speaker 3: in the Democratic Republic of Congo where a huge outbreak 340 00:18:33,930 --> 00:18:37,150 Speaker 3: is going on. And Ebola is a horrific, horrible disease, 341 00:18:37,690 --> 00:18:41,810 Speaker 3: but it is, it is, preventable, you know, with the 342 00:18:41,850 --> 00:18:45,500 Speaker 3: proper teaching. And so our, our, our hospitals do two things, 343 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:48,459 Speaker 3: you know, they educate and train people how to prevent 344 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 3: diseases like this, but then they're also fighting and training it. 345 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:55,699 Speaker 3: And I am always overwhelmed by our teams that go into, 346 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:58,030 Speaker 3: I mean, no, no disaster that we respond to is, 347 00:18:59,250 --> 00:19:05,430 Speaker 3: is easy. But, but Ebola is definitely very scary. And 348 00:19:05,550 --> 00:19:11,510 Speaker 3: I got to go a in advance, but knowing that 349 00:19:11,550 --> 00:19:13,250 Speaker 3: this was coming and we were going to send a team, 350 00:19:13,290 --> 00:19:15,629 Speaker 3: we had a, another training event and I got to 351 00:19:15,670 --> 00:19:17,810 Speaker 3: go to it. I got to put on the PPE, 352 00:19:17,850 --> 00:19:21,570 Speaker 3: which is the protective, you know, equipment and they, they 353 00:19:21,609 --> 00:19:26,950 Speaker 3: run you through scenarios to prepare you. And I'll be honest, 354 00:19:26,970 --> 00:19:30,080 Speaker 3: I'm very claustrophobic. So even putting on that suit, I was, 355 00:19:31,470 --> 00:19:37,490 Speaker 3: I could not think clearly. I So I just kept thinking, 356 00:19:37,690 --> 00:19:39,729 Speaker 3: how do these doctors and how do these, we have 357 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:43,460 Speaker 3: water sanitation and hygiene teams that help clean and prepare 358 00:19:43,740 --> 00:19:47,129 Speaker 3: the rooms for the patients. How do you do and 359 00:19:47,190 --> 00:19:49,850 Speaker 3: how do you work, you know, under these difficult times? 360 00:19:50,150 --> 00:19:50,750 Speaker 4: Situations? 361 00:19:50,770 --> 00:19:53,690 Speaker 3: And that's, again, why we train and prepare so that 362 00:19:53,890 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 3: when you're faced with the difficult situation. But I talked 363 00:19:57,760 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 3: with many of our team members who are preparing to go. And, 364 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 3: you know, many of them are dads, moms, you know, sisters, daughters. 365 00:20:04,740 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 3: I mean, they have family. They have people to take 366 00:20:06,859 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 3: care of. They have a job. They have people that 367 00:20:09,619 --> 00:20:12,780 Speaker 3: rely on them. And yet they're saying, yes, Lord, send me. And, 368 00:20:13,220 --> 00:20:15,560 Speaker 3: and one doctor in particular, she's been on many of 369 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:20,760 Speaker 3: our responses and she just said, she has gifts. The 370 00:20:20,780 --> 00:20:22,980 Speaker 3: Lord has given her gifts and abilities. You know, why 371 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 3: would she not use them? And I thought of that, 372 00:20:25,100 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 3: that parable of the, the man with the, you know, 373 00:20:27,340 --> 00:20:29,640 Speaker 3: that was given the talents, you know, and, and there 374 00:20:29,680 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 3: was the one that buried it, you know, buried the 375 00:20:31,840 --> 00:20:34,460 Speaker 3: talent and, you know, and at the end, you know, 376 00:20:34,500 --> 00:20:39,070 Speaker 3: he said, you, you've what you wicked and, you know, servant, 377 00:20:39,730 --> 00:20:41,910 Speaker 3: you wasted what I gave you. And she just said, 378 00:20:42,030 --> 00:20:45,360 Speaker 3: why would I not give what the Lord gave to me? 379 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:48,900 Speaker 3: And so, again, you asked about power of prayer. Prayer 380 00:20:48,940 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 3: becomes so important, just like in that situation. I mean, 381 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:53,780 Speaker 3: all of our doctors that are treating around the world, 382 00:20:53,820 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 3: I mean, you're always coming across sickness and things. But 383 00:20:58,070 --> 00:21:00,949 Speaker 3: for some reason, you know, Ebola, something like that, you 384 00:21:00,990 --> 00:21:03,070 Speaker 3: take it more serious, right? And so you put on 385 00:21:03,109 --> 00:21:09,940 Speaker 3: your protective equipment. I sealed everything up properly and you're 386 00:21:10,740 --> 00:21:14,639 Speaker 3: adequately prepared to face such a deadly disease. And it 387 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:16,350 Speaker 3: made me think of Ephesians 6 and it made me 388 00:21:16,390 --> 00:21:18,990 Speaker 3: think of the enemy that we have. And I talked 389 00:21:19,010 --> 00:21:21,770 Speaker 3: about that earlier, but we sometimes as Christians, we don't 390 00:21:21,810 --> 00:21:26,270 Speaker 3: take it serious, right? We don't take the reality seriously 391 00:21:26,390 --> 00:21:29,290 Speaker 3: until we're faced with something really hard. And our doctors, 392 00:21:29,330 --> 00:21:35,439 Speaker 3: you It becomes a lifeline, you know, when you're in 393 00:21:35,500 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 3: these situations. And so the one doctor said, you know, 394 00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:42,939 Speaker 3: Psalm 23 becomes, you know, something that they read and 395 00:21:43,020 --> 00:21:45,550 Speaker 3: recite often. You know, the Lord is my shepherd. Though 396 00:21:45,609 --> 00:21:47,150 Speaker 3: I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 397 00:21:47,190 --> 00:21:49,910 Speaker 3: I will fear no evil. Your rod and your staff, 398 00:21:49,950 --> 00:21:53,510 Speaker 3: they comfort me. And so God's equipment, his, you know, 399 00:21:53,530 --> 00:21:57,340 Speaker 3: his power becomes so important in our life. And then 400 00:21:57,460 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 3: she also said Psalm 139.5, you hem me in. behind 401 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:05,020 Speaker 3: him before me. The Lord goes before me. And she 402 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:10,409 Speaker 3: just said, I've learned obedience and saying yes to the 403 00:22:10,470 --> 00:22:14,070 Speaker 3: Lord is far more important than my preferences and my 404 00:22:14,109 --> 00:22:17,590 Speaker 3: desires and my wants and my safety even. And again, 405 00:22:17,850 --> 00:22:21,050 Speaker 3: God's word comes alive when we step out in faith. 406 00:22:21,550 --> 00:22:23,919 Speaker 3: You think of Paul who said, to live is Christ, 407 00:22:23,980 --> 00:22:27,020 Speaker 3: to die is gain. Again, our teams, I just see 408 00:22:27,580 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 3: so much Not that they're more spiritual or a better Christian, 409 00:22:31,900 --> 00:22:34,440 Speaker 3: but I think when we say yes to the Lord, 410 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:36,460 Speaker 3: to whatever he's called us to do, so this can 411 00:22:36,500 --> 00:22:41,050 Speaker 3: encourage anybody. If God's calling you to do something, ask 412 00:22:41,090 --> 00:22:42,930 Speaker 3: a stranger how they're doing or how you can pray 413 00:22:42,990 --> 00:22:45,670 Speaker 3: for them or whatever it is. We might think it's small. 414 00:22:46,290 --> 00:22:48,090 Speaker 3: That's a step of obedience. And when you say yes 415 00:22:48,130 --> 00:22:50,209 Speaker 3: to the small things, I think he equips you for 416 00:22:50,250 --> 00:22:52,330 Speaker 3: the big things. And so that's what I see time 417 00:22:52,350 --> 00:22:56,850 Speaker 3: and time again with our team members. They're not better 418 00:22:56,869 --> 00:23:00,650 Speaker 3: or stronger or, again— the scripture I read earlier, their 419 00:23:00,730 --> 00:23:03,570 Speaker 3: adequacy comes from the Lord and their competence. And so 420 00:23:04,109 --> 00:23:07,340 Speaker 3: they're not different than us. They're just, they've learned to 421 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:10,920 Speaker 3: rely on the Lord in a way that many of 422 00:23:10,980 --> 00:23:14,160 Speaker 3: us don't have the opportunity. So that was a rambly long, 423 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:18,020 Speaker 3: long answer, but I am just overwhelmed by our teams 424 00:23:18,060 --> 00:23:20,440 Speaker 3: that are saying yes to serve in such a dangerous 425 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:24,070 Speaker 3: place right now. And it is a horrible disease. And 426 00:23:24,109 --> 00:23:27,590 Speaker 3: I think when people get Ebola, you have to be 427 00:23:27,730 --> 00:23:30,710 Speaker 3: separated from people. You know, and so our hospitals, we 428 00:23:31,710 --> 00:23:34,060 Speaker 3: want that touch. We want that, you know, and so 429 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:38,120 Speaker 3: they put on the protective equipment and they care compassionately 430 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,540 Speaker 3: for their patients. And I think that is, again, models 431 00:23:41,580 --> 00:23:44,859 Speaker 3: what Jesus did. You know, he came to people and 432 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:47,709 Speaker 3: he touched them. And he wanted them to know that 433 00:23:47,750 --> 00:23:49,990 Speaker 3: they were loved. And that's what we do. We share 434 00:23:50,030 --> 00:23:52,770 Speaker 3: the gospel of Jesus Christ and we love them with compassion. 435 00:23:52,830 --> 00:23:56,150 Speaker 3: And so I'm overwhelmed by our teams that are serving 436 00:23:56,210 --> 00:23:58,310 Speaker 3: in really hard places right now. And it's an honor 437 00:23:58,330 --> 00:24:00,310 Speaker 3: and joy to get to talk to them. 438 00:24:00,750 --> 00:24:02,590 Speaker 4: Before they go or during while they're there. 439 00:24:02,609 --> 00:24:06,649 Speaker 2: And I love that you mentioned obedience because that's something that... 440 00:24:07,859 --> 00:24:10,700 Speaker 2: we've been hitting quite a bit on the podcast because 441 00:24:10,720 --> 00:24:13,150 Speaker 2: we just went through the book of James and, you know, 442 00:24:13,230 --> 00:24:15,790 Speaker 2: faith and obedience, they really do go hand in hand 443 00:24:15,830 --> 00:24:17,330 Speaker 2: in a lot of ways. And so I love that 444 00:24:17,369 --> 00:24:23,760 Speaker 2: you mentioned that, but to close out this interview, you 445 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:27,460 Speaker 2: mentioned that your podcast on the ground with Samaritan's purse 446 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 2: is very rooted in scripture, right? So I've heard you 447 00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:35,000 Speaker 2: share what God has been teaching you personally. So I'd 448 00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:37,640 Speaker 2: love to ask, What is God teaching you right now? 449 00:24:38,580 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 4: So many things. 450 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:44,960 Speaker 3: I think, you know, that verse I just read about 451 00:24:45,040 --> 00:24:47,220 Speaker 3: adequacy and competency, that's what I keep coming back to 452 00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 3: because I think I'm a mom of four kids. Our 453 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:53,300 Speaker 3: oldest just went to college. And I keep coming back 454 00:24:53,420 --> 00:25:00,419 Speaker 3: to Jesus the way that he rested and he took time, 455 00:25:00,609 --> 00:25:04,190 Speaker 3: you know, to to rest and to reset. And that's 456 00:25:04,210 --> 00:25:07,879 Speaker 3: something I'm learning. And when I do that, I find 457 00:25:08,460 --> 00:25:12,080 Speaker 3: that's where the surrender comes and the obedience. And when 458 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:16,780 Speaker 3: you say obedience, I guess I'll just say that we 459 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:20,300 Speaker 3: sometimes just get going and doing and serving. And, you know, again, 460 00:25:20,340 --> 00:25:21,880 Speaker 3: I'm a mom of four. I just get my day 461 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:27,330 Speaker 3: starts filling. And when I'm running on autopilot, and I'm 462 00:25:27,350 --> 00:25:29,510 Speaker 3: not stopping and resting. And that's why I love your podcast. 463 00:25:29,550 --> 00:25:31,810 Speaker 3: We have to read God's word every day. You know, 464 00:25:31,869 --> 00:25:35,560 Speaker 3: we have to, it is alive and active. And when 465 00:25:35,580 --> 00:25:39,020 Speaker 3: we read it, it changes us. It convicts us. It 466 00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:41,679 Speaker 3: opens our eyes. And so I think I'm just learning 467 00:25:41,740 --> 00:25:43,919 Speaker 3: that I have to take that rest. It's not a, 468 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:47,820 Speaker 3: it's not an option. I can't do what I do 469 00:25:47,900 --> 00:25:51,300 Speaker 3: and do it well without resting and relying on the Lord. 470 00:25:51,480 --> 00:25:57,330 Speaker 3: And so I'm just learning that the more I take 471 00:25:57,410 --> 00:25:59,750 Speaker 3: on his yoke. You know, it's, I think that verse 472 00:25:59,790 --> 00:26:03,530 Speaker 3: in Matthew, the, um, my yoke is easy. My burden 473 00:26:03,590 --> 00:26:05,390 Speaker 3: is light. You know, I think that is what he's 474 00:26:05,430 --> 00:26:08,880 Speaker 3: teaching me is to try to do less, you know, 475 00:26:08,900 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 3: try to off ramp some of my things and allow 476 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:13,100 Speaker 3: the Lord to work through me. 477 00:26:13,260 --> 00:26:14,500 Speaker 4: And it is so much better. 478 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:17,850 Speaker 3: Um, so it's a long, long answer, but I think 479 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:20,550 Speaker 3: it's just something that I'm, the longer I walk with 480 00:26:20,570 --> 00:26:24,189 Speaker 3: the Lord, the more I realize I can't do everything. Um, 481 00:26:25,450 --> 00:26:28,510 Speaker 3: And my capacity isn't always high. I need the Lord. 482 00:26:29,170 --> 00:26:31,930 Speaker 3: So that's what I'm learning right now is just dependence. 483 00:26:32,010 --> 00:26:34,370 Speaker 3: And that's why I love your podcast. And I love 484 00:26:34,410 --> 00:26:39,430 Speaker 3: the reminder to study God's word and be reminded that. 485 00:26:39,310 --> 00:26:40,689 Speaker 4: We can't do it all. 486 00:26:41,609 --> 00:26:44,230 Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you for that. I'm going to leave my 487 00:26:44,369 --> 00:26:48,859 Speaker 2: audience with just a psalm, just a short bit of it. 488 00:26:49,619 --> 00:26:50,860 Speaker 2: And it just kind of reminds me of a little 489 00:26:50,900 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 2: bit of what you talked about today, and this is 490 00:26:53,420 --> 00:26:57,710 Speaker 2: Psalm 91, one of my favorite Psalms, which says, verses 491 00:26:57,810 --> 00:26:59,170 Speaker 2: one and two, And the reason I love this Psalm 492 00:26:59,210 --> 00:27:13,100 Speaker 2: so much is because It talks about all of the, 493 00:27:13,380 --> 00:27:15,200 Speaker 2: some of the stuff that you were talking about, you know, 494 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:18,760 Speaker 2: the darkness that we experience in our lives. But God 495 00:27:18,840 --> 00:27:21,960 Speaker 2: helps us through these things when we trust in him 496 00:27:21,980 --> 00:27:25,030 Speaker 2: and we make him our fortress. And so is there 497 00:27:25,070 --> 00:27:27,750 Speaker 2: any closing things that you would like to say, Christy, 498 00:27:27,850 --> 00:27:30,149 Speaker 2: to end out this interview? 499 00:27:31,150 --> 00:27:33,169 Speaker 4: No, I love that passage. 500 00:27:33,190 --> 00:27:35,110 Speaker 3: When my husband was in the military, that's actually the 501 00:27:35,590 --> 00:27:38,710 Speaker 3: Psalm 91 was my lifeline. You know, when I physically 502 00:27:38,750 --> 00:27:40,850 Speaker 3: was so worried about him, I would just say, he, 503 00:27:41,150 --> 00:27:44,290 Speaker 3: you are, He is in the shadow of your wings. 504 00:27:44,410 --> 00:27:47,580 Speaker 3: And that just gives me such... So no, I am 505 00:27:47,600 --> 00:27:50,439 Speaker 3: really grateful for this conversation. I'm grateful for this opportunity. 506 00:27:50,480 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 3: And I guess I would just say to people that, yeah, 507 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:58,880 Speaker 3: study God's word and ask God each day, how can 508 00:27:58,940 --> 00:28:01,419 Speaker 3: I serve you? How can I pour this out? I 509 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:04,179 Speaker 3: love that you encourage people to read God's word, but 510 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:06,959 Speaker 3: we read it to give it away, right? And we 511 00:28:07,010 --> 00:28:10,030 Speaker 3: want to share it with others. And you have no idea, 512 00:28:10,050 --> 00:28:12,010 Speaker 3: even just sharing that scripture.. 513 00:28:12,530 --> 00:28:13,070 Speaker 4: With somebody. 514 00:28:13,090 --> 00:28:17,250 Speaker 3: It is a balm and it encourages. So we have 515 00:28:17,410 --> 00:28:19,830 Speaker 3: such a gift that we can give to others. So 516 00:28:19,869 --> 00:28:20,670 Speaker 3: that's what I would say. 517 00:28:21,359 --> 00:28:21,899 Speaker 4: Absolutely. 518 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:26,760 Speaker 2: Thank you, Christy, so much for coming on this special episode. 519 00:28:26,859 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 2: And I just appreciate you. And I want all of 520 00:28:29,940 --> 00:28:32,900 Speaker 2: the faithful listeners listening to check out On the Ground 521 00:28:32,940 --> 00:28:35,190 Speaker 2: with Samaritan's Purse and maybe get involved with some of 522 00:28:35,210 --> 00:28:36,810 Speaker 2: the things that they do, because I know that you 523 00:28:37,230 --> 00:28:38,730 Speaker 2: have a lot of volunteer opportunities. 524 00:28:38,810 --> 00:28:40,070 Speaker 4: Is that correct? We do. 525 00:28:40,310 --> 00:28:42,030 Speaker 3: Yeah, we could not do what we do without our 526 00:28:42,070 --> 00:28:46,240 Speaker 3: volunteers around the world. So yeah, you can, SamaritansPurse.org is 527 00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 3: a great place to start to find out how and 528 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:51,060 Speaker 3: where you can get involved. There's probably something going on within, 529 00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:53,800 Speaker 3: you know, all over the country for you to help. 530 00:28:53,920 --> 00:28:54,500 Speaker 4: Get involved with. 531 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:57,540 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I know that the Operation Christmas Child shoe 532 00:28:57,580 --> 00:29:01,170 Speaker 2: boxes are coming up as well, which is a wonderful 533 00:29:01,210 --> 00:29:03,170 Speaker 2: thing that my husband and I do every single year. 534 00:29:04,030 --> 00:29:04,850 Speaker 2: It's like our date night. 535 00:29:05,290 --> 00:29:05,850 Speaker 4: Oh, neat. 536 00:29:07,050 --> 00:29:09,450 Speaker 2: Yeah, we go and buy the stuff for the shoe boxes. 537 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:13,500 Speaker 2: And so, yeah, that's always a really special time. So 538 00:29:13,860 --> 00:29:16,600 Speaker 2: thank you, Christy, so much for coming on this podcast. 539 00:29:16,660 --> 00:29:18,660 Speaker 4: I really appreciate you. Thank you, Jen. Thanks for having me. 540 00:29:18,700 --> 00:29:19,560 Speaker 4: Thanks for all that you do. 541 00:29:19,820 --> 00:29:20,350 Speaker 3: Absolutely. 542 00:29:20,610 --> 00:29:22,710 Speaker 2: And thank you too, Christy. I appreciate it a lot. 543 00:29:23,490 --> 00:29:26,790 Speaker 2: Faithful listeners, I hope you enjoyed this special Saturday episode. 544 00:29:27,430 --> 00:29:30,630 Speaker 2: But until Monday, hope you all have a fantastic and 545 00:29:30,770 --> 00:29:33,700 Speaker 2: wonderful weekend. I will see you guys then at the 546 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:36,960 Speaker 2: normal scheduled episode. 6 a.m. or whenever you choose to 547 00:29:36,980 --> 00:29:40,330 Speaker 2: wake up and listen to continue discussing the book of Esther. 548 00:29:40,650 --> 00:29:49,900 Speaker 2: Happy listening, happy weekend, and God bless. I just want 549 00:29:49,920 --> 00:29:51,580 Speaker 2: to take a second to thank the team at Life 550 00:29:51,660 --> 00:29:54,600 Speaker 2: Audio for their partnership with me on the Bible Explained podcast. 551 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:57,760 Speaker 2: In fact, if you go to lifeaudio.com, you'll find dozens 552 00:29:57,800 --> 00:29:59,820 Speaker 2: of other faith-centered podcasts. 553 00:29:59,360 --> 00:29:59,820 Speaker 4: In their network. 554 00:30:00,290 --> 00:30:03,720 Speaker 2: They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more.