1 00:00:31,708 --> 00:00:34,188 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, this is doctor Zach Clinton from The Built 2 00:00:34,228 --> 00:00:36,187 Speaker 1: Different Podcast and I want to share with you an 3 00:00:36,188 --> 00:00:39,988 Speaker 1: episode of On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse. I think 4 00:00:40,028 --> 00:00:43,548 Speaker 1: you'll appreciate this conversation with host Christy Graham, as this 5 00:00:43,588 --> 00:00:46,187 Speaker 1: week she talks with her husband Edward Graham. On the 6 00:00:46,228 --> 00:00:49,628 Speaker 1: Ground shines a light on the work of Samaritan's Purse, 7 00:00:49,708 --> 00:00:52,507 Speaker 1: the ministry founded by the late Reverend Billy Graham, as 8 00:00:52,507 --> 00:00:55,548 Speaker 1: it continues to serve across the globe wherever there is 9 00:00:55,628 --> 00:00:59,708 Speaker 1: crisis or disaster, wherever people are hurting and in critical need. 10 00:01:00,108 --> 00:01:02,148 Speaker 2: I hope you will enjoy. 11 00:01:03,908 --> 00:01:06,348 Speaker 3: Let's get out of the boat. Let's be part of miracles. 12 00:01:06,428 --> 00:01:08,948 Speaker 3: You've got to challenge yourself. You got to put yourself 13 00:01:08,948 --> 00:01:12,708 Speaker 3: out there sometimes. And maybe it's your church, maybe it's 14 00:01:12,747 --> 00:01:16,068 Speaker 3: your family, maybe it's your job and career. Somewhere you're 15 00:01:16,148 --> 00:01:19,868 Speaker 3: safe in the boat. What do you do to take 16 00:01:19,948 --> 00:01:23,068 Speaker 3: that step and go walk on water and go be 17 00:01:23,148 --> 00:01:23,988 Speaker 3: part of a miracle? 18 00:01:26,628 --> 00:01:29,148 Speaker 4: Welcome back to another episode of On the Ground with 19 00:01:29,228 --> 00:01:31,708 Speaker 4: Samaritans Purse, or we take you to the front lines 20 00:01:31,708 --> 00:01:32,428 Speaker 4: and behind. 21 00:01:32,148 --> 00:01:33,668 Speaker 5: The scenes of our work around the world. 22 00:01:34,508 --> 00:01:37,148 Speaker 4: I'm your host, Christy Graham, and this week I'm talking 23 00:01:37,188 --> 00:01:38,148 Speaker 4: with my husband. 24 00:01:37,988 --> 00:01:40,748 Speaker 5: Edward Graham. Edward is the chief. 25 00:01:40,468 --> 00:01:43,828 Speaker 4: Operating officer at Smaritan's Purse, and he shares what God 26 00:01:43,868 --> 00:01:47,628 Speaker 4: has taught him in leadership, both in the military but 27 00:01:47,708 --> 00:01:51,468 Speaker 4: also in the ministry. And we talk a lot about 28 00:01:51,508 --> 00:01:53,868 Speaker 4: God's word and what He's taught us throughout the years, 29 00:01:54,068 --> 00:01:57,148 Speaker 4: and we talk about how as a believer, God often 30 00:01:57,188 --> 00:02:00,188 Speaker 4: calls us out of our comfort zone. He's done that 31 00:02:00,228 --> 00:02:02,468 Speaker 4: in my own life, and I'm sure he's asked you 32 00:02:02,508 --> 00:02:05,588 Speaker 4: to step out in faith too. That is where true 33 00:02:05,628 --> 00:02:09,748 Speaker 4: growth happens. And we see in the Bible time and 34 00:02:09,788 --> 00:02:13,868 Speaker 4: time again that suffering produces character, and character produces hope. 35 00:02:14,268 --> 00:02:17,748 Speaker 4: And this hope does not disappoint. We shouldn't want to 36 00:02:17,748 --> 00:02:21,107 Speaker 4: get comfortable and complacent as believers. We should want to 37 00:02:21,188 --> 00:02:24,388 Speaker 4: step out in faith and obedience to the Lord whatever 38 00:02:24,428 --> 00:02:27,028 Speaker 4: he has for us. I know you're going to be 39 00:02:27,108 --> 00:02:30,428 Speaker 4: challenged and encouraged today. You're going to love this episode. 40 00:02:30,588 --> 00:02:30,828 Speaker 1: Well. 41 00:02:31,028 --> 00:02:32,028 Speaker 5: At s Maarn's Purst. 42 00:02:31,868 --> 00:02:34,468 Speaker 4: You know, we always leave God room and we want 43 00:02:34,548 --> 00:02:37,068 Speaker 4: him to be able to move and stir our hearts 44 00:02:37,348 --> 00:02:38,988 Speaker 4: in as heart. A man plans this course, but the 45 00:02:39,028 --> 00:02:41,787 Speaker 4: Lord directs his steps, and that is exactly what's happening today. 46 00:02:42,108 --> 00:02:44,387 Speaker 4: We asked you to come on to give ministry updates 47 00:02:44,428 --> 00:02:47,108 Speaker 4: and share what you've seen in the field, which we 48 00:02:47,228 --> 00:02:49,428 Speaker 4: might do if we have time, but we just feel 49 00:02:49,428 --> 00:02:52,748 Speaker 4: a deviation, you know, just to talk about spiritually what 50 00:02:52,868 --> 00:02:55,668 Speaker 4: God's doing in your heart, and I think it encourages 51 00:02:55,708 --> 00:02:59,268 Speaker 4: people to hear from our leaders just the dependency that 52 00:02:59,268 --> 00:03:01,947 Speaker 4: we have. We want God's wisdom in our lives. So 53 00:03:02,588 --> 00:03:04,188 Speaker 4: I think to start, you know, when the world's in 54 00:03:04,228 --> 00:03:06,548 Speaker 4: chaos and you think of Romans eight, the groanings in 55 00:03:06,588 --> 00:03:07,067 Speaker 4: this world. 56 00:03:07,428 --> 00:03:08,428 Speaker 5: We've always had groanings. 57 00:03:08,468 --> 00:03:11,108 Speaker 4: We always will, like for instance, in the Middle East, and 58 00:03:11,108 --> 00:03:14,787 Speaker 4: that's maybe what's on my heart. So from someone who's 59 00:03:14,828 --> 00:03:17,988 Speaker 4: been and lived there, I just want to talk about 60 00:03:18,028 --> 00:03:20,548 Speaker 4: what God's taught you over the years. I think you 61 00:03:20,708 --> 00:03:23,188 Speaker 4: have stepped in in devotions for people who don't know 62 00:03:23,228 --> 00:03:26,308 Speaker 4: smarn Spurts. We start our day in God's word. One 63 00:03:26,348 --> 00:03:28,988 Speaker 4: of our staff members shares from God's Word, and then 64 00:03:29,028 --> 00:03:32,507 Speaker 4: we pray for our staff by name. And you felt 65 00:03:32,548 --> 00:03:35,348 Speaker 4: called to step in this week. You had some things 66 00:03:35,348 --> 00:03:37,148 Speaker 4: on your heart that the Lord was stirring. So maybe 67 00:03:37,228 --> 00:03:37,988 Speaker 4: let's just start there. 68 00:03:38,908 --> 00:03:43,148 Speaker 3: When the bombing started in Iran and the US military 69 00:03:43,228 --> 00:03:47,468 Speaker 3: began action along with the Israeli government and military and 70 00:03:48,188 --> 00:03:49,948 Speaker 3: taking out military targets. 71 00:03:51,428 --> 00:03:52,228 Speaker 2: I just had a. 72 00:03:52,108 --> 00:03:56,068 Speaker 3: Feeling based off my previous life and what I did 73 00:03:56,068 --> 00:03:59,308 Speaker 3: in the military and within special operations. I saw what 74 00:03:59,468 --> 00:04:02,028 Speaker 3: was coming, and then God stirred my heart. So I 75 00:04:02,068 --> 00:04:03,748 Speaker 3: called Dad and I was like, Dad, at this point, 76 00:04:03,788 --> 00:04:07,348 Speaker 3: it's not if, but when, and I'm going to start 77 00:04:07,388 --> 00:04:08,268 Speaker 3: moving staff. 78 00:04:08,468 --> 00:04:09,868 Speaker 2: And Dad said okay, and. 79 00:04:09,788 --> 00:04:13,068 Speaker 3: We started moving our samars Pur stats that we had 80 00:04:13,108 --> 00:04:14,148 Speaker 3: around the Middle East. 81 00:04:14,388 --> 00:04:15,508 Speaker 2: I knew it was time to move. 82 00:04:15,548 --> 00:04:20,468 Speaker 3: So I appreciate our security staff, our projects that moved 83 00:04:20,548 --> 00:04:23,588 Speaker 3: quickly to move our families and team members, and we 84 00:04:23,628 --> 00:04:27,227 Speaker 3: got everyone out really the day before the missile struck, 85 00:04:27,587 --> 00:04:30,188 Speaker 3: but it happened over the weekend, and so I came 86 00:04:30,268 --> 00:04:33,628 Speaker 3: in knowing that the staff had some questions, maybe some 87 00:04:33,707 --> 00:04:36,667 Speaker 3: were concerned, people would be scared. I also wanted to 88 00:04:36,668 --> 00:04:39,707 Speaker 3: share with the staff what I knew to be of 89 00:04:39,748 --> 00:04:42,707 Speaker 3: the Iranian regime and the evils that I saw, and 90 00:04:42,748 --> 00:04:46,188 Speaker 3: that I have shrapnel in my body because of. 91 00:04:46,108 --> 00:04:47,148 Speaker 2: The Iranian regime. 92 00:04:47,228 --> 00:04:50,508 Speaker 3: And I shared a story or I was going out 93 00:04:50,508 --> 00:04:53,828 Speaker 3: one night in Ramoding and then how I was blown up. 94 00:04:54,668 --> 00:04:59,908 Speaker 3: And you know, I that night I'd been reading through 95 00:04:59,948 --> 00:05:03,347 Speaker 3: scripture through James, the Book of James, during that deployment, 96 00:05:03,428 --> 00:05:05,348 Speaker 3: and I've always liked James. I read through James a 97 00:05:05,388 --> 00:05:08,428 Speaker 3: lot when I need wisdom and discernment. I did that 98 00:05:08,468 --> 00:05:11,508 Speaker 3: when we were transitioning out of the military and I 99 00:05:11,548 --> 00:05:15,147 Speaker 3: was struggling, you know, really with the decision, and I 100 00:05:15,188 --> 00:05:18,707 Speaker 3: went back and read James. But what I read with 101 00:05:18,788 --> 00:05:22,508 Speaker 3: the staff that day, and I started off saying that 102 00:05:24,628 --> 00:05:27,748 Speaker 3: you know, consider pure joy, my brothers, when you face 103 00:05:27,827 --> 00:05:30,468 Speaker 3: trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing 104 00:05:30,548 --> 00:05:36,268 Speaker 3: your face develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work. It 105 00:05:36,388 --> 00:05:39,908 Speaker 3: must finish its work so that you may be mature 106 00:05:40,148 --> 00:05:44,868 Speaker 3: and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, 107 00:05:45,148 --> 00:05:48,308 Speaker 3: he should ask God, who gives generalists to all finding fault, 108 00:05:49,348 --> 00:05:52,068 Speaker 3: and it would be given to them. And I was 109 00:05:52,108 --> 00:05:54,788 Speaker 3: telling the staff that often I would pray going out 110 00:05:54,827 --> 00:05:58,628 Speaker 3: on mission, that Lord, I want wisdom tonight. 111 00:05:58,108 --> 00:05:58,988 Speaker 2: More than anything. 112 00:05:59,108 --> 00:06:01,428 Speaker 3: Not safety and discerned, but I want wisdom as I 113 00:06:01,548 --> 00:06:04,868 Speaker 3: lead my rangers into combat. And so I shared this 114 00:06:04,948 --> 00:06:07,707 Speaker 3: story about one night when I got blown up, and 115 00:06:07,708 --> 00:06:09,668 Speaker 3: then later I had to call you from the hospital 116 00:06:09,908 --> 00:06:11,988 Speaker 3: to let you know I was okay. But as I 117 00:06:12,028 --> 00:06:15,548 Speaker 3: shared this story about where my hope and trust and 118 00:06:15,548 --> 00:06:18,108 Speaker 3: faith come from, but more importantly, where I asked for wisdom, 119 00:06:18,868 --> 00:06:20,868 Speaker 3: And so I gave the rest of the story and 120 00:06:21,068 --> 00:06:24,228 Speaker 3: what you have to keep reading. In James, it says, 121 00:06:24,348 --> 00:06:28,068 Speaker 3: starting in verse six in chapter one, but when. 122 00:06:27,948 --> 00:06:31,707 Speaker 2: He asked, he must believe and not doubt. 123 00:06:31,708 --> 00:06:34,308 Speaker 3: So again it just said, if any of you lacks wisdom, 124 00:06:34,628 --> 00:06:37,308 Speaker 3: he should ask God, who gives generalousy to all without 125 00:06:37,308 --> 00:06:39,868 Speaker 3: finding fault, and it would be given to him. But 126 00:06:40,108 --> 00:06:44,147 Speaker 3: when he asked, he must believe and not doubt, because 127 00:06:44,228 --> 00:06:46,908 Speaker 3: he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, 128 00:06:47,228 --> 00:06:50,467 Speaker 3: blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not 129 00:06:50,628 --> 00:06:54,068 Speaker 3: think that he will receive anything from the Lord. He's 130 00:06:54,108 --> 00:06:57,827 Speaker 3: a double minded man, unstable in all that he does. 131 00:06:58,628 --> 00:07:01,948 Speaker 3: And so a few nights later, after I've been blown 132 00:07:02,028 --> 00:07:05,228 Speaker 3: up and I had to recover in the hospital, I 133 00:07:05,267 --> 00:07:07,027 Speaker 3: had to call you. I was only in there for 134 00:07:07,028 --> 00:07:10,227 Speaker 3: a couple hours getting IVS. As they pulled the shroup 135 00:07:10,228 --> 00:07:11,588 Speaker 3: and a lot of me, some of it's still in 136 00:07:11,588 --> 00:07:14,548 Speaker 3: my body. I would go and recover and they wouldn't 137 00:07:14,588 --> 00:07:16,708 Speaker 3: let me go out on mission again for about a week. 138 00:07:16,748 --> 00:07:18,588 Speaker 3: The whole batoon had to stand down for about a week. 139 00:07:18,628 --> 00:07:20,908 Speaker 3: But when they were going to go back out, the 140 00:07:20,988 --> 00:07:23,308 Speaker 3: doctor wouldn't let me, and they were going to send 141 00:07:23,308 --> 00:07:25,788 Speaker 3: my patune without me, and I was not going to 142 00:07:25,868 --> 00:07:27,588 Speaker 3: let that happen. And the doc said, we have to 143 00:07:27,668 --> 00:07:30,508 Speaker 3: run two miles with full kit at thirteen minutes and 144 00:07:30,508 --> 00:07:31,348 Speaker 3: I'll put the on. 145 00:07:31,388 --> 00:07:31,988 Speaker 2: And I did it. 146 00:07:31,988 --> 00:07:34,268 Speaker 3: It opened up all my wounds and I started bleeding again, 147 00:07:34,308 --> 00:07:35,708 Speaker 3: and the doc was mad at me, and I was like, 148 00:07:35,748 --> 00:07:36,428 Speaker 3: it's your fault. 149 00:07:36,548 --> 00:07:37,388 Speaker 2: But that was the deal. 150 00:07:37,428 --> 00:07:38,788 Speaker 3: And I went out that night and I was in 151 00:07:38,868 --> 00:07:42,108 Speaker 3: excruciating pain. But when we went out, we went back 152 00:07:42,148 --> 00:07:45,828 Speaker 3: to the same location. This time it's trash everywhere because 153 00:07:45,868 --> 00:07:48,388 Speaker 3: of the flood, and we brought the strikers to us, 154 00:07:49,148 --> 00:07:51,228 Speaker 3: and when they were driving over the trash coming by me, 155 00:07:51,268 --> 00:07:53,508 Speaker 3: I kind of tensed up because they're driving over rocks 156 00:07:53,508 --> 00:07:55,668 Speaker 3: and debris and I could have been an ied under there. 157 00:07:55,788 --> 00:07:58,068 Speaker 2: So I had PTS. 158 00:07:58,268 --> 00:08:03,828 Speaker 3: You know, I'm realizing, I'm jerking, I'm flinching. My guys don't. 159 00:08:03,868 --> 00:08:06,228 Speaker 3: I don't think they saw it, but I was real tense. 160 00:08:06,828 --> 00:08:10,028 Speaker 3: And the guys will feed off that, and so I 161 00:08:10,068 --> 00:08:12,268 Speaker 3: just prayed right there again. I was like, Lord, I'm 162 00:08:12,268 --> 00:08:15,588 Speaker 3: doubting you. I've asked for wisdom. I need to lead tonight. 163 00:08:15,708 --> 00:08:19,268 Speaker 3: I need your discernment guide my steps. I believe it, 164 00:08:19,788 --> 00:08:23,068 Speaker 3: and so I go back. You can't doubt. And so 165 00:08:23,108 --> 00:08:25,308 Speaker 3: I wanted our staff to understand that if we trust 166 00:08:25,308 --> 00:08:27,188 Speaker 3: God during this time, we asked for wisdom how to 167 00:08:27,268 --> 00:08:29,428 Speaker 3: lead as a ministry and how to do ministry during 168 00:08:29,428 --> 00:08:32,068 Speaker 3: the time of war, God will direct our path and 169 00:08:32,627 --> 00:08:34,708 Speaker 3: right now is a time for samaranas purs to be 170 00:08:34,828 --> 00:08:38,068 Speaker 3: out and serving in the face of this. 171 00:08:38,188 --> 00:08:38,348 Speaker 2: Now. 172 00:08:38,348 --> 00:08:41,628 Speaker 3: I had to pull staff back for safety reasons, but 173 00:08:42,028 --> 00:08:44,188 Speaker 3: there is time to do work right now, and there's 174 00:08:44,228 --> 00:08:46,228 Speaker 3: time to do ministry. And we still are. We haven't 175 00:08:46,308 --> 00:08:49,908 Speaker 3: left these locations. Some staff in certain locations are pull 176 00:08:49,948 --> 00:08:52,468 Speaker 3: them back into areas where we can do work. And 177 00:08:52,508 --> 00:08:55,308 Speaker 3: I'm not going to disclose those, you know, to keep 178 00:08:55,348 --> 00:08:58,308 Speaker 3: our staff and team members and our partners safe. But 179 00:08:58,428 --> 00:09:01,068 Speaker 3: we have partners about every country in the world that 180 00:09:01,107 --> 00:09:03,508 Speaker 3: we can operate. And so right now is the time 181 00:09:03,548 --> 00:09:06,388 Speaker 3: to love our neighbors that are hurting, that are scared. 182 00:09:06,468 --> 00:09:08,588 Speaker 3: But we do it in the name of Jesus Christ, 183 00:09:08,948 --> 00:09:11,787 Speaker 3: we do it boldly and unapologetically. 184 00:09:12,907 --> 00:09:15,668 Speaker 4: I just read yesterday Isaiah sixty six too. It says 185 00:09:15,708 --> 00:09:18,267 Speaker 4: I will look favorably on this kind of person, one 186 00:09:18,268 --> 00:09:21,627 Speaker 4: who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word. 187 00:09:22,348 --> 00:09:25,428 Speaker 4: And I think everybody that I get to talk to you, 188 00:09:25,508 --> 00:09:27,028 Speaker 4: I mean, when I ask how can we pray for 189 00:09:27,068 --> 00:09:28,868 Speaker 4: you and your leadership, they say, pray for wisdom. 190 00:09:28,988 --> 00:09:29,868 Speaker 5: You know, I want discernment. 191 00:09:29,948 --> 00:09:32,388 Speaker 4: I want to tremble at God's word and what he 192 00:09:32,468 --> 00:09:34,107 Speaker 4: has for me, because you're right, we don't want to 193 00:09:34,147 --> 00:09:37,068 Speaker 4: live in fear, but we want to we want to 194 00:09:37,107 --> 00:09:40,348 Speaker 4: keep our stuff safe. So there's a balance of doing 195 00:09:40,387 --> 00:09:43,508 Speaker 4: things with wisdom and we want to have discernment. But 196 00:09:43,627 --> 00:09:45,588 Speaker 4: in this world we will have trouble, you know. But 197 00:09:45,667 --> 00:09:47,868 Speaker 4: Jesus says, take heart, I've overcome the world, and so 198 00:09:47,907 --> 00:09:50,948 Speaker 4: we don't stop. We run into the fire. So so 199 00:09:50,988 --> 00:09:53,227 Speaker 4: how to have that balance is tricky, But I think 200 00:09:53,268 --> 00:09:56,788 Speaker 4: you're right. We have to seek God and his word, 201 00:09:57,468 --> 00:09:59,748 Speaker 4: and we have to do it when things are good, 202 00:10:00,348 --> 00:10:03,788 Speaker 4: so that we have it in there when the hardship will. 203 00:10:03,667 --> 00:10:05,708 Speaker 3: Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope 204 00:10:05,748 --> 00:10:08,588 Speaker 3: inside us and I agree with you. It talks about 205 00:10:08,667 --> 00:10:11,667 Speaker 3: scripture about training, and you know, we had a saying 206 00:10:11,667 --> 00:10:13,747 Speaker 3: in the ranger, you know, train like you fight, and 207 00:10:14,308 --> 00:10:18,468 Speaker 3: we always trained deer in peace, and we trained realistically. 208 00:10:18,508 --> 00:10:21,868 Speaker 3: We trained hard, I mean we were you were this 209 00:10:22,147 --> 00:10:26,388 Speaker 3: close to the danger. And how we trained, I mean 210 00:10:26,468 --> 00:10:29,987 Speaker 3: this close just such like just those bullets grazing by 211 00:10:30,028 --> 00:10:31,908 Speaker 3: your head and your faith, so that when you do 212 00:10:31,988 --> 00:10:35,148 Speaker 3: it in combat, it's second nature, because you can always 213 00:10:35,147 --> 00:10:37,988 Speaker 3: have a great plan. When that first round goes off, 214 00:10:38,028 --> 00:10:40,708 Speaker 3: that plan goes out the window. There's going to be adjustments. 215 00:10:40,948 --> 00:10:43,068 Speaker 3: But if you have a plan, you know where to start. 216 00:10:43,508 --> 00:10:45,588 Speaker 3: And then when you train real hard, you have standard 217 00:10:45,588 --> 00:10:50,547 Speaker 3: out operating procedures and everybody knows how to respond and maneuver. 218 00:10:51,107 --> 00:10:53,947 Speaker 3: And so here at Samara's Purse, we'll have a plan 219 00:10:54,028 --> 00:10:57,387 Speaker 3: and we plan to take prudent risk. I think risk 220 00:10:57,428 --> 00:11:01,788 Speaker 3: taking is scripture. From scripture. It talks about in scripture 221 00:11:01,828 --> 00:11:04,708 Speaker 3: the talents that the servant could be entrusted with the 222 00:11:04,788 --> 00:11:06,788 Speaker 3: bags of gold. And if you remember the one that 223 00:11:06,867 --> 00:11:09,627 Speaker 3: got five bags, the one that got two, But there's 224 00:11:09,667 --> 00:11:13,108 Speaker 3: the servant that got one bag that didn't invest. You 225 00:11:13,188 --> 00:11:17,148 Speaker 3: buried it and he was called an evil, wicked, lazy, 226 00:11:17,188 --> 00:11:20,508 Speaker 3: depending on your translation, but the wicked one is the translation. 227 00:11:21,028 --> 00:11:24,867 Speaker 3: I harp on you, wicked servant. God expects us when 228 00:11:24,867 --> 00:11:27,747 Speaker 3: he entrusts us with his widow's might or with his people, 229 00:11:28,508 --> 00:11:30,388 Speaker 3: to take prudent risk, to go out. 230 00:11:30,268 --> 00:11:31,708 Speaker 2: And multiply and the gospel. 231 00:11:31,828 --> 00:11:35,107 Speaker 3: So we do all this time training and preparing so 232 00:11:35,147 --> 00:11:39,787 Speaker 3: that when the bullets start flying or the famine comes, 233 00:11:40,788 --> 00:11:42,588 Speaker 3: when everyone else is running. 234 00:11:42,508 --> 00:11:46,348 Speaker 2: That's where we'll go to. More than likely we're already there. 235 00:11:47,068 --> 00:11:49,348 Speaker 3: And so when the plans start going out the window, 236 00:11:50,147 --> 00:11:52,028 Speaker 3: our teams know how to respond. We know how to 237 00:11:52,028 --> 00:11:55,348 Speaker 3: respond here. We're getting better at it, I think all 238 00:11:55,387 --> 00:11:57,668 Speaker 3: the time. But we've got stats that want to stay. 239 00:11:58,228 --> 00:12:00,668 Speaker 3: We got local nationals that stay and keep doing, and 240 00:12:00,708 --> 00:12:03,188 Speaker 3: that's what we need to pray for. You know, having 241 00:12:03,228 --> 00:12:05,907 Speaker 3: a Westerner there will put our team in churches even 242 00:12:05,948 --> 00:12:08,028 Speaker 3: and more at risk, So that's something you have to 243 00:12:08,068 --> 00:12:10,868 Speaker 3: be smart about. Doesn't mean our local national staff and 244 00:12:10,948 --> 00:12:14,068 Speaker 3: teams stop. They keep doing the work, and so we 245 00:12:14,107 --> 00:12:16,908 Speaker 3: need to pray for them. I can't be more thankful 246 00:12:16,948 --> 00:12:20,108 Speaker 3: for the talent that's prepared and trained hard. But as 247 00:12:20,228 --> 00:12:22,828 Speaker 3: hidden the word in the heart, they speak the word 248 00:12:23,867 --> 00:12:25,348 Speaker 3: when the bullets start flying. 249 00:12:25,828 --> 00:12:28,588 Speaker 4: And sometimes God asks us to stay, but sometimes he 250 00:12:28,627 --> 00:12:30,508 Speaker 4: does ask us to step away. And God asked you 251 00:12:30,508 --> 00:12:33,787 Speaker 4: to step away from the military. Sometimes he asked us 252 00:12:33,828 --> 00:12:37,067 Speaker 4: to move. But we want to be listening and dependent 253 00:12:37,188 --> 00:12:40,068 Speaker 4: and reliant on Him. In this world, as I said, 254 00:12:40,107 --> 00:12:42,268 Speaker 4: we will have trouble. And we have gotten to meet 255 00:12:42,308 --> 00:12:44,948 Speaker 4: people and pastors that live in persecuted countries. 256 00:12:45,548 --> 00:12:46,348 Speaker 5: They're not afraid. 257 00:12:47,028 --> 00:12:49,188 Speaker 4: We always want to be mindful of what is needed 258 00:12:49,228 --> 00:12:51,988 Speaker 4: on the ground. So how can we be praying? Because 259 00:12:51,988 --> 00:12:53,707 Speaker 4: I love that we work with our church network and 260 00:12:53,828 --> 00:12:56,788 Speaker 4: you know, pastors and people in very difficult places. 261 00:12:57,147 --> 00:12:58,348 Speaker 5: How have they encouraged you? 262 00:12:58,788 --> 00:13:02,908 Speaker 3: So today in devotions, you know, one of our chaplains 263 00:13:02,948 --> 00:13:08,028 Speaker 3: shared from Jeremiah talked about the roots and that it 264 00:13:08,068 --> 00:13:13,548 Speaker 3: doesn't say if, but when the trials come, we know 265 00:13:13,548 --> 00:13:15,428 Speaker 3: there'll be good times, but we know there's going to 266 00:13:15,428 --> 00:13:15,988 Speaker 3: be trials. 267 00:13:16,788 --> 00:13:19,547 Speaker 2: And I think a lot of these pastors, because. 268 00:13:19,788 --> 00:13:22,308 Speaker 3: They're bold in the faith and in the Bible, the 269 00:13:22,428 --> 00:13:24,068 Speaker 3: very word of God, they believe every word of it 270 00:13:24,068 --> 00:13:28,668 Speaker 3: to be truth. But going back to Jeremiah and the roots, 271 00:13:28,828 --> 00:13:31,228 Speaker 3: you will also bear fruit. And we talk of about 272 00:13:31,308 --> 00:13:33,588 Speaker 3: your foundation on the rock. But you also talk about 273 00:13:33,627 --> 00:13:37,267 Speaker 3: the roots. If you're not living, if you're not bearing fruit, 274 00:13:38,028 --> 00:13:41,428 Speaker 3: you're dying. And so these pastors have been bearing fruit 275 00:13:41,548 --> 00:13:45,188 Speaker 3: during the peacetime. They live it, and so when the 276 00:13:45,228 --> 00:13:48,867 Speaker 3: war comes, they're not fake the people that maybe even 277 00:13:48,907 --> 00:13:54,148 Speaker 3: had doubted them, or they're working in communities that persecute them, 278 00:13:54,748 --> 00:13:56,867 Speaker 3: that when the time of troubles come and they see 279 00:13:56,907 --> 00:14:00,147 Speaker 3: these pastors have not run, they have not fled, they're there, 280 00:14:00,268 --> 00:14:03,908 Speaker 3: they're leading, and many of them are poor themselves, and 281 00:14:03,948 --> 00:14:08,268 Speaker 3: they're loving and serving the poor with compassion. I think 282 00:14:08,308 --> 00:14:10,508 Speaker 3: about today again that was shared about the roots and 283 00:14:10,548 --> 00:14:12,947 Speaker 3: bearing fruit, and I think there's a lot of truth 284 00:14:12,988 --> 00:14:15,788 Speaker 3: to that, even with me and my former life. When 285 00:14:15,828 --> 00:14:19,548 Speaker 3: I see guys struggle with PTSD in PTS, I think 286 00:14:19,588 --> 00:14:22,548 Speaker 3: many of them they never built their house on the rock. 287 00:14:23,028 --> 00:14:26,588 Speaker 3: They never had that faith. But another one, even with believers, 288 00:14:26,667 --> 00:14:29,947 Speaker 3: is maybe they were dead or dormant. And you can't 289 00:14:29,988 --> 00:14:33,188 Speaker 3: be dormant. There's no such thing in your face. You 290 00:14:33,348 --> 00:14:35,708 Speaker 3: have to be marching forward. And it's a good reminder 291 00:14:35,708 --> 00:14:38,308 Speaker 3: to me to be in the word, to be sharing, 292 00:14:38,388 --> 00:14:42,228 Speaker 3: to be boldly proclaiming, to have that testimony with others 293 00:14:42,308 --> 00:14:46,827 Speaker 3: and encouragement, the discipleship with others. These pastors have that 294 00:14:47,428 --> 00:14:49,508 Speaker 3: and they go out and they live their faith. 295 00:14:49,588 --> 00:14:50,588 Speaker 2: They live the Word of. 296 00:14:50,548 --> 00:14:54,108 Speaker 3: God, and they bear fruit even deer in the trials. 297 00:14:54,588 --> 00:14:56,828 Speaker 3: And I think because of that, they don't struggle with 298 00:14:56,907 --> 00:14:59,428 Speaker 3: the things they see. They've learned to surrender that and 299 00:14:59,428 --> 00:15:00,748 Speaker 3: put at the foe of the cross. I had to 300 00:15:00,748 --> 00:15:02,948 Speaker 3: put my trials at the foot of the cross, and 301 00:15:02,988 --> 00:15:07,388 Speaker 3: I've never really struggled with it. And so I love 302 00:15:07,468 --> 00:15:10,668 Speaker 3: this morning's devotions. We are very fortunate to gather as 303 00:15:10,667 --> 00:15:14,788 Speaker 3: the staff every day and to encourage one another in prayer. 304 00:15:15,228 --> 00:15:18,188 Speaker 3: I just want those listeners to know that you know, 305 00:15:18,308 --> 00:15:22,348 Speaker 3: it's just not something we're saying. We believe it, and 306 00:15:22,708 --> 00:15:25,388 Speaker 3: we encourage our staff in prayer each day. So I 307 00:15:25,428 --> 00:15:27,148 Speaker 3: ask that you pray too. You can always go to 308 00:15:27,188 --> 00:15:29,228 Speaker 3: the Samaranesspurse dot org and see where we are in 309 00:15:29,268 --> 00:15:32,668 Speaker 3: the world, whether it's here domestically or overseas, and that's 310 00:15:32,667 --> 00:15:35,787 Speaker 3: your prayer. List lift it up and because we need it, 311 00:15:36,988 --> 00:15:38,108 Speaker 3: we can't do it without it. 312 00:15:39,988 --> 00:15:43,028 Speaker 4: And as you were talking, I love Jeremiah too, and 313 00:15:43,868 --> 00:15:46,868 Speaker 4: anybody listening. You may not be in a persecuted country, 314 00:15:46,907 --> 00:15:50,028 Speaker 4: but we are all as believers. This is not our home. 315 00:15:50,428 --> 00:15:53,588 Speaker 4: We are all homesick for heaven, and we are all living. 316 00:15:53,667 --> 00:15:56,708 Speaker 4: We're sojourners and foreigners. But the Israelites, they were in Babylon, 317 00:15:56,828 --> 00:15:59,708 Speaker 4: you know, they were exiles, and God told them Jeremiah 318 00:15:59,708 --> 00:16:03,228 Speaker 4: twenty nine, bloom, you know, invest. 319 00:16:02,828 --> 00:16:04,708 Speaker 5: In this land. When they prosper, you'll prosper. 320 00:16:04,788 --> 00:16:04,868 Speaker 1: You know. 321 00:16:04,948 --> 00:16:06,268 Speaker 4: He wanted them because they were going to be there 322 00:16:06,308 --> 00:16:08,348 Speaker 4: about seventy years, so he said, just go ahead and 323 00:16:08,907 --> 00:16:10,268 Speaker 4: be a part of your community. So that's why I 324 00:16:10,268 --> 00:16:12,668 Speaker 4: want to encourage people. Wherever you are, wherever God's called you, 325 00:16:13,388 --> 00:16:15,628 Speaker 4: be all in. And I think I want to read 326 00:16:15,667 --> 00:16:18,508 Speaker 4: Jeremiah thirty one. It says the people who survived the 327 00:16:18,588 --> 00:16:21,548 Speaker 4: sword found favor in the wilderness. Like we said, the 328 00:16:21,588 --> 00:16:24,748 Speaker 4: people that have been through suffering, they shine the brightest 329 00:16:24,907 --> 00:16:27,548 Speaker 4: because they know Jesus so deeply. And I think, but 330 00:16:27,667 --> 00:16:30,067 Speaker 4: when we survive the sword, when we go through hardships, 331 00:16:30,428 --> 00:16:31,427 Speaker 4: it does give us grace. 332 00:16:31,708 --> 00:16:33,348 Speaker 5: We get to know God in a deeper way. 333 00:16:33,548 --> 00:16:36,428 Speaker 4: So maybe how would you challenge and encourage people that 334 00:16:36,508 --> 00:16:41,908 Speaker 4: think I haven't experienced that. So there's two ways you. 335 00:16:41,868 --> 00:16:42,428 Speaker 5: Can answer it. 336 00:16:42,468 --> 00:16:45,388 Speaker 4: One, where has God met you in your hardest times 337 00:16:45,828 --> 00:16:47,588 Speaker 4: and how does it translate in normal life. 338 00:16:47,948 --> 00:16:50,868 Speaker 2: Well, there's various kind of trials. 339 00:16:51,708 --> 00:16:55,028 Speaker 3: You know, your family can be attacked with cancer, medical issues, 340 00:16:55,508 --> 00:16:56,508 Speaker 3: death in the family. 341 00:16:57,308 --> 00:17:00,628 Speaker 2: Those are all very real, painful struggles. 342 00:17:00,628 --> 00:17:02,268 Speaker 3: And you and I have a lot of friends right 343 00:17:02,308 --> 00:17:06,548 Speaker 3: now that have struggled with either cancer or with death, 344 00:17:06,988 --> 00:17:08,667 Speaker 3: and we pray for them often. I was on with 345 00:17:09,108 --> 00:17:12,188 Speaker 3: a friend this morning who lost to her husband, and 346 00:17:12,268 --> 00:17:14,748 Speaker 3: I just was encouraging her and asking how we could 347 00:17:14,748 --> 00:17:17,947 Speaker 3: pray for But I look at trials that I've had 348 00:17:17,948 --> 00:17:20,148 Speaker 3: in my own life, where like, you know, there's no 349 00:17:20,308 --> 00:17:24,588 Speaker 3: secret I was not an academic powerhouse, and West Point 350 00:17:25,108 --> 00:17:27,868 Speaker 3: was a trial for me. You know, I failed a 351 00:17:27,907 --> 00:17:29,628 Speaker 3: class for the first time in my life, and I 352 00:17:29,628 --> 00:17:32,427 Speaker 3: didn't think. I remember the first time I watched the 353 00:17:32,468 --> 00:17:34,548 Speaker 3: west Point graduation in my freshman I was like, I'll 354 00:17:34,548 --> 00:17:34,908 Speaker 3: never know. 355 00:17:34,828 --> 00:17:35,308 Speaker 2: What that's like. 356 00:17:35,948 --> 00:17:38,828 Speaker 3: And then you know, the day I'm walking across the stage, 357 00:17:38,908 --> 00:17:40,548 Speaker 3: it was like surreal for me. I was like, I'm here, 358 00:17:40,588 --> 00:17:43,068 Speaker 3: I made it. And then I look at even the 359 00:17:43,148 --> 00:17:46,388 Speaker 3: trials in combat, but the preparations. You know, we put 360 00:17:46,428 --> 00:17:50,667 Speaker 3: ourselves in the military end trials and we test ourselves 361 00:17:51,108 --> 00:17:53,828 Speaker 3: so that the first time we're tested is not in combat. 362 00:17:54,548 --> 00:17:58,148 Speaker 3: And so I think often, especially here in Western culture 363 00:17:58,148 --> 00:18:02,228 Speaker 3: and churches, we look for a life of ease and luxury, 364 00:18:02,468 --> 00:18:05,268 Speaker 3: and my whole life. For some reason, I've always made 365 00:18:05,268 --> 00:18:08,708 Speaker 3: decisions to go where I was scared, and so I 366 00:18:08,748 --> 00:18:12,028 Speaker 3: think about you know, I was at Liberty University playing soccer. 367 00:18:12,068 --> 00:18:14,148 Speaker 3: I was comfortable, but I knew that's not where God 368 00:18:14,188 --> 00:18:16,908 Speaker 3: wanted me. You know, my life dream and the posters 369 00:18:16,908 --> 00:18:18,628 Speaker 3: on my wall growing up were West Point and an 370 00:18:18,708 --> 00:18:20,948 Speaker 3: Army Ranger. I wasn't going to be an Army ranger 371 00:18:20,948 --> 00:18:23,588 Speaker 3: at Liberty, and so I started all over and I 372 00:18:23,668 --> 00:18:27,907 Speaker 3: went to West Point, and I struggled, but I always 373 00:18:27,988 --> 00:18:29,388 Speaker 3: chose those things that I knew I was going to 374 00:18:29,428 --> 00:18:29,708 Speaker 3: be tested. 375 00:18:29,708 --> 00:18:31,308 Speaker 2: That's why I went to the Ranger regiment. I wanted 376 00:18:31,308 --> 00:18:32,108 Speaker 2: to test myself. 377 00:18:34,668 --> 00:18:37,268 Speaker 3: But I think often in this culture we look for 378 00:18:37,348 --> 00:18:41,028 Speaker 3: the easy way. And I think of Peter, and I 379 00:18:41,068 --> 00:18:43,748 Speaker 3: realized when I read Peter Walking on Water, I've been 380 00:18:43,788 --> 00:18:46,348 Speaker 3: reading that passage probably wrong. 381 00:18:47,348 --> 00:18:47,548 Speaker 2: You know. 382 00:18:47,588 --> 00:18:50,428 Speaker 3: I grew up with flannel graph days when the Sunday 383 00:18:50,468 --> 00:18:52,148 Speaker 3: school teacher would put the little figure in on a 384 00:18:52,148 --> 00:18:55,868 Speaker 3: piece of cloth, and the flannel graph lessons story from 385 00:18:55,908 --> 00:18:58,148 Speaker 3: that is, if you take your eyes off Jesus, you 386 00:18:58,308 --> 00:19:02,108 Speaker 3: sink in the water. I don't think that was necessarily 387 00:19:02,148 --> 00:19:04,868 Speaker 3: the lesson God was sharing that day, and that's a 388 00:19:04,908 --> 00:19:08,348 Speaker 3: good lesson. But I realized, we only talk about Peter today, 389 00:19:08,948 --> 00:19:10,148 Speaker 3: not the other disciples. 390 00:19:10,628 --> 00:19:12,548 Speaker 2: Peter walked on water. He was a part of a 391 00:19:12,548 --> 00:19:13,468 Speaker 2: miracle twice. 392 00:19:13,668 --> 00:19:16,228 Speaker 3: First he walked on water and he sank, and Jesus said, oh, 393 00:19:16,268 --> 00:19:18,707 Speaker 3: you little faith, but he rescued him. He rebuked him, 394 00:19:18,748 --> 00:19:21,428 Speaker 3: but he rescued him. And then they walked on water again, 395 00:19:21,468 --> 00:19:24,188 Speaker 3: hand in hand. And so I realized, and why I 396 00:19:24,268 --> 00:19:26,468 Speaker 3: left the military. I was in my comfort zone. I 397 00:19:26,548 --> 00:19:28,788 Speaker 3: was in the boat with the rest of the disciples 398 00:19:28,828 --> 00:19:31,308 Speaker 3: in the military. I was surrounded by a bunch of 399 00:19:31,308 --> 00:19:33,828 Speaker 3: angry rangers. There's no where, even in combat, there is 400 00:19:33,908 --> 00:19:37,828 Speaker 3: nowhere safer. Ministry scared me and it was time for 401 00:19:37,868 --> 00:19:39,748 Speaker 3: me to get out of the boat. And so for 402 00:19:39,828 --> 00:19:41,588 Speaker 3: many of our listeners, if you want to be a 403 00:19:41,628 --> 00:19:43,508 Speaker 3: part of a miracle, you got to get out of 404 00:19:43,548 --> 00:19:46,068 Speaker 3: the boat. You got to be uncomfortable. There's nothing comfortable 405 00:19:46,068 --> 00:19:49,028 Speaker 3: about getting out on a stormy sea and setting foot 406 00:19:49,068 --> 00:19:51,868 Speaker 3: on water. When you're out over your head you're going 407 00:19:51,948 --> 00:19:53,748 Speaker 3: to sink and you're going to drown if you fail, 408 00:19:54,828 --> 00:19:57,428 Speaker 3: And so don't be afraid to fail. Don't be afraid 409 00:19:57,468 --> 00:19:59,788 Speaker 3: to take prudent risk. Going back to the story about 410 00:19:59,828 --> 00:20:03,908 Speaker 3: the talents and the back of golds, taking investments, investing 411 00:20:04,028 --> 00:20:06,588 Speaker 3: what the Lord's entrusted to you. It should be scary. 412 00:20:06,868 --> 00:20:09,467 Speaker 3: So I've always gone to where I was afraid. That 413 00:20:09,508 --> 00:20:11,707 Speaker 3: meant I was on my knees. And God gets all 414 00:20:11,788 --> 00:20:15,748 Speaker 3: the credit and all the glory. So let's get out 415 00:20:15,748 --> 00:20:18,068 Speaker 3: of the boat. Let's be part of miracles. You've got 416 00:20:18,068 --> 00:20:21,348 Speaker 3: to challenge yourself. You got to put yourself out there sometimes. 417 00:20:21,748 --> 00:20:24,948 Speaker 3: And maybe it's your church, maybe it's your family, maybe 418 00:20:24,988 --> 00:20:28,667 Speaker 3: it's your job and career. Somewhere you're safe in the boat. 419 00:20:29,468 --> 00:20:32,348 Speaker 3: What do you do to take that step and go 420 00:20:32,468 --> 00:20:35,268 Speaker 3: walk on water and go be part of a miracle. 421 00:20:35,308 --> 00:20:37,388 Speaker 3: I don't know what it is for individual lives, but 422 00:20:37,508 --> 00:20:40,068 Speaker 3: right now as I look, I'll think of Matthew. And 423 00:20:40,108 --> 00:20:42,427 Speaker 3: we'll read another verse that's in twenty four and it 424 00:20:42,508 --> 00:20:45,508 Speaker 3: says you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, 425 00:20:45,948 --> 00:20:48,708 Speaker 3: but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such 426 00:20:48,748 --> 00:20:53,068 Speaker 3: things must happen. But the end is still to come. 427 00:20:53,788 --> 00:20:58,148 Speaker 3: Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. There will 428 00:20:58,188 --> 00:21:02,628 Speaker 3: be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are 429 00:21:02,668 --> 00:21:06,588 Speaker 3: the beginning of the birth pains. We know it's coming. 430 00:21:07,468 --> 00:21:11,788 Speaker 3: We're living in the end times. I look at there's 431 00:21:11,908 --> 00:21:15,348 Speaker 3: no better place to be than it's Samaritan's Perse. We 432 00:21:15,548 --> 00:21:18,708 Speaker 3: need to share that gospel now. So I need people 433 00:21:18,708 --> 00:21:23,188 Speaker 3: that are willing to get uncomfortable and ready to march 434 00:21:23,348 --> 00:21:26,348 Speaker 3: wherever it's called. What it's here in the US following storms, 435 00:21:26,388 --> 00:21:29,468 Speaker 3: chasing tornadoes and hurricanes and going to these communities and 436 00:21:29,468 --> 00:21:32,908 Speaker 3: telling homeowners that lost every they're not forgotten, they're not forsaken. 437 00:21:33,108 --> 00:21:34,188 Speaker 2: Because it says there'll. 438 00:21:33,988 --> 00:21:36,948 Speaker 3: Be earthquakes, there's gonna be wars. That's why we're in 439 00:21:36,988 --> 00:21:40,308 Speaker 3: the Middle East, serving where no one else will go. 440 00:21:41,388 --> 00:21:43,708 Speaker 3: Let's get uncomfortable, Let's go walk on water. 441 00:21:44,348 --> 00:21:46,187 Speaker 4: I know it's a different kind of episode, and I 442 00:21:46,188 --> 00:21:48,068 Speaker 4: think it's good to just talk about. You know, here 443 00:21:48,188 --> 00:21:50,828 Speaker 4: people hear your heart and hear the posture of our leaders, 444 00:21:50,868 --> 00:21:53,628 Speaker 4: because the grass withers and the flowers fade, but the 445 00:21:53,628 --> 00:21:54,828 Speaker 4: word of the Lord stands forever. 446 00:21:54,868 --> 00:21:56,348 Speaker 5: I mean nothing, none of this is new, and none 447 00:21:56,388 --> 00:21:57,268 Speaker 5: of the surprises God. 448 00:21:57,308 --> 00:21:59,148 Speaker 4: We live in a fall and broken world, but that 449 00:21:59,308 --> 00:22:02,467 Speaker 4: is why we're called to share the Gospel to our 450 00:22:02,548 --> 00:22:07,268 Speaker 4: enemies and to those you know that we help throughout 451 00:22:07,268 --> 00:22:09,708 Speaker 4: the ministry. So I guess just to close, you know, 452 00:22:09,748 --> 00:22:12,708 Speaker 4: how can we be praying? You have traveled, You've seen 453 00:22:12,908 --> 00:22:15,308 Speaker 4: you know, some of our disaster relief teams, You've seen 454 00:22:15,348 --> 00:22:17,788 Speaker 4: a lot of ministry. So you can either give like 455 00:22:17,828 --> 00:22:19,628 Speaker 4: a little bit of a update of what our ministry 456 00:22:19,668 --> 00:22:20,467 Speaker 4: is doing on the ground. 457 00:22:20,508 --> 00:22:21,708 Speaker 5: But how can we be praying. 458 00:22:21,948 --> 00:22:25,388 Speaker 2: Let's let's be praying for North American disaster. 459 00:22:25,028 --> 00:22:29,068 Speaker 3: Relief, and then are rebuild and our construction teams. Helene 460 00:22:29,108 --> 00:22:32,588 Speaker 3: made us grow so quickly. We realized that we had 461 00:22:32,628 --> 00:22:35,828 Speaker 3: to adjust and be able to respond differently as a 462 00:22:35,868 --> 00:22:39,468 Speaker 3: ministry with different capabilities. There's more and greater needs out 463 00:22:39,468 --> 00:22:42,868 Speaker 3: there that we necessarily want addressing. And we've always what 464 00:22:42,908 --> 00:22:45,628 Speaker 3: I loved about the ministry stay until the jobs done 465 00:22:45,708 --> 00:22:47,668 Speaker 3: and thus the rebuild, but we need to be able 466 00:22:47,668 --> 00:22:50,548 Speaker 3: to do it quicker, more efficiently, and so we're growing. 467 00:22:51,388 --> 00:22:54,508 Speaker 3: We've grown a lot considerably in the disaster relief and 468 00:22:54,548 --> 00:22:58,548 Speaker 3: also the rebuild, and then looking at international projects and 469 00:22:58,588 --> 00:23:00,788 Speaker 3: we respond around the world. I look at our mission 470 00:23:00,828 --> 00:23:05,108 Speaker 3: aviation services. We recently acquired a seven sixty seven cargo plane. 471 00:23:05,588 --> 00:23:08,308 Speaker 3: We took the lessons from Helene with our helicopter response. 472 00:23:08,548 --> 00:23:12,148 Speaker 3: So when Jamaica happened in the hurricane, we responded so 473 00:23:12,228 --> 00:23:15,108 Speaker 3: quickly and logistically in ways that we never had before 474 00:23:15,188 --> 00:23:18,427 Speaker 3: that it was incredible. I was impressed with what God 475 00:23:18,548 --> 00:23:22,148 Speaker 3: can do through his local church there in Jamaica and 476 00:23:22,508 --> 00:23:26,427 Speaker 3: how quickly we covered that island with the Ministry's resources. 477 00:23:26,428 --> 00:23:29,908 Speaker 3: There are the Lord's resources, the water filtration systems, the tarts, 478 00:23:29,908 --> 00:23:33,748 Speaker 3: the food hygiene items, you know, the hospital that we 479 00:23:33,788 --> 00:23:34,748 Speaker 3: had down there set up. 480 00:23:35,188 --> 00:23:39,148 Speaker 2: Those are because of the aircraft and so a large part. 481 00:23:39,228 --> 00:23:41,748 Speaker 3: And then the disaster assistant response team that comes a 482 00:23:41,828 --> 00:23:45,588 Speaker 3: talent that God has assembled. There's not many places around 483 00:23:45,588 --> 00:23:47,708 Speaker 3: the world with disaster and CHRISTI as we're not saying 484 00:23:47,788 --> 00:23:51,588 Speaker 3: no to so again, I just ask that the listener 485 00:23:51,628 --> 00:23:53,828 Speaker 3: and those that support the Ministry to continue to lift 486 00:23:53,908 --> 00:23:57,668 Speaker 3: us up in prayer, wisdom, discernment, how to grow appropriately 487 00:23:58,188 --> 00:23:59,708 Speaker 3: because it has to be maintained. 488 00:23:59,708 --> 00:24:01,828 Speaker 2: It's the widows might. It's built off the widows might. 489 00:24:02,948 --> 00:24:04,948 Speaker 3: I don't want to be careless with it, but Also, 490 00:24:05,188 --> 00:24:08,148 Speaker 3: I think God is preparing us for bigger and greater 491 00:24:08,228 --> 00:24:11,548 Speaker 3: storms and disasters and wars, and so these hard lessons 492 00:24:11,548 --> 00:24:15,228 Speaker 3: and pruning with other disasters only helps us refine and 493 00:24:15,308 --> 00:24:18,708 Speaker 3: get sharper, respond quicker, and to how to be more 494 00:24:18,748 --> 00:24:20,988 Speaker 3: tender with the local church and work through that church. 495 00:24:21,508 --> 00:24:23,348 Speaker 3: So I just asked the prayer for that. That's been 496 00:24:23,348 --> 00:24:25,708 Speaker 3: an incredible season. I couldn't be more proud of the 497 00:24:25,828 --> 00:24:29,908 Speaker 3: staff and what they are will accomplish in the name 498 00:24:29,988 --> 00:24:30,508 Speaker 3: of Christ. 499 00:24:31,068 --> 00:24:34,028 Speaker 2: But I just it's not man. This is the Lord. 500 00:24:34,308 --> 00:24:37,308 Speaker 3: And Dad taught me that one you know, to God 501 00:24:37,388 --> 00:24:40,388 Speaker 3: be the glory, and I just think we've been entrusted 502 00:24:40,468 --> 00:24:41,708 Speaker 3: with a lot. So we've got a lot of work 503 00:24:41,748 --> 00:24:41,907 Speaker 3: to do. 504 00:24:43,068 --> 00:24:45,508 Speaker 4: Thank you so much for joining us today. I hope 505 00:24:45,548 --> 00:24:47,708 Speaker 4: this spurs you on as you pray for the work 506 00:24:47,748 --> 00:24:51,548 Speaker 4: of Smaritan's Purse and also our partners around the world 507 00:24:51,548 --> 00:24:55,508 Speaker 4: that are serving in Jesus' name. It always humbles me 508 00:24:55,788 --> 00:24:58,268 Speaker 4: to hear these stories and the way that our staff 509 00:24:58,268 --> 00:25:01,188 Speaker 4: are willing to sacrifice everything for. 510 00:25:01,108 --> 00:25:02,188 Speaker 5: The sake of the Gospel. 511 00:25:03,428 --> 00:25:05,748 Speaker 4: And so I just want to leave this episode asking 512 00:25:05,788 --> 00:25:09,468 Speaker 4: you what is God calling you into today? Is there 513 00:25:09,508 --> 00:25:11,788 Speaker 4: something that he's been prompting your heart that you've been 514 00:25:11,788 --> 00:25:15,308 Speaker 4: ignoring or are dismissing. Is there something that he wants 515 00:25:15,388 --> 00:25:18,468 Speaker 4: you to do or maybe not to. Are you supposed 516 00:25:18,468 --> 00:25:23,068 Speaker 4: to be joyful and all in to whatever He's called 517 00:25:23,108 --> 00:25:25,748 Speaker 4: you to? When God calls us to do something uncomfortable, 518 00:25:26,188 --> 00:25:29,548 Speaker 4: it's important to be obedient. And I want to close 519 00:25:29,628 --> 00:25:32,788 Speaker 4: with Hebrews thirteen twenty through twenty one. I just read 520 00:25:32,828 --> 00:25:35,868 Speaker 4: this yesterday and I think it just speaks to what 521 00:25:35,988 --> 00:25:40,108 Speaker 4: we talked about today. It says, now, may the God 522 00:25:40,148 --> 00:25:43,788 Speaker 4: of Peace, who through the blood of the Eternal Covenant, 523 00:25:43,828 --> 00:25:47,388 Speaker 4: brought back from the dead, our Lord Jesus, that great 524 00:25:47,428 --> 00:25:51,428 Speaker 4: shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for 525 00:25:51,468 --> 00:25:54,948 Speaker 4: doing his will. And may he work in us what 526 00:25:55,068 --> 00:25:58,548 Speaker 4: is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be 527 00:25:58,628 --> 00:26:00,268 Speaker 4: the glory forever and ever. 528 00:26:00,508 --> 00:26:00,868 Speaker 5: Amen. 529 00:26:02,028 --> 00:26:04,748 Speaker 4: If you love this episode, search on the ground with 530 00:26:04,788 --> 00:26:09,308 Speaker 4: Smaritan's Purse wherever you're listening. We release episodes every week 531 00:26:09,548 --> 00:26:11,427 Speaker 4: and we encourage you in your walk with the Lord. 532 00:26:11,788 --> 00:26:13,628 Speaker 4: We take you to the front lines and behind the 533 00:26:13,628 --> 00:26:16,308 Speaker 4: scenes of our work around the world. So make sure 534 00:26:16,348 --> 00:26:19,628 Speaker 4: you subscribe. You'll be challenged and encouraged in your faith 535 00:26:19,708 --> 00:26:23,348 Speaker 4: as you hear how God is actively changing lives. And 536 00:26:23,388 --> 00:26:25,667 Speaker 4: I'm so excited about an episode that we're working on 537 00:26:25,748 --> 00:26:29,427 Speaker 4: right now. It highlights our staff who are faithfully serving 538 00:26:29,468 --> 00:26:32,907 Speaker 4: and sharing the Gospel in hard play like conflict Zones, 539 00:26:33,588 --> 00:26:36,228 Speaker 4: and I've learned so much from their perseverance and their 540 00:26:36,308 --> 00:26:40,388 Speaker 4: endurance to run the race even when it's hard again 541 00:26:40,548 --> 00:26:43,228 Speaker 4: to find the show. Search on the ground with Samaritans 542 00:26:43,268 --> 00:26:47,588 Speaker 4: Purse wherever you're listening, or by going to Samaritanspurse dot. 543 00:26:47,508 --> 00:26:50,868 Speaker 5: Org slash explore. Thank you so much for tuning in. 544 00:26:51,068 --> 00:26:51,708 Speaker 5: God bless you.