One of our local church partners reported: “The community was excited to see the new school building being constructed and brought their children to watch us work. The children played wonderful games, including a rousing game of soccer, prior to the distribution. As the shoeboxes were handed out, the Good News of Jesus Christ was shared, and each child received a beautifully illustrated book containing the story of Jesus.

“A few hours after the distribution, we were delighted to receive a visit on the school grounds by a mother with her beautifully dressed 3-year-old daughter, Srey.* The shoebox she received contained a gorgeous satin white skirt, pink blouse, a lot of wonderful necklaces, and a silver tiara. When Srey was dressed up at home with this beautiful ensemble, she was so joyous that she asked her mother, ‘Please take me back to the strangers so that they can see me with my new clothes and take a photograph.’”

Operation Christmas Child brings Good News, Great Joy—and that is what truly happened for one small Cambodian village.

*Name changed for her protection

But since October 2015, a community centre has been offering traumatized Iraqis hope in Jesus’ Name. Classes in carpentry, computers, sewing, photography, and art are offered to build skills needed for employment. There are child-friendly spaces and a playground to help children deal with the pain they’ve experienced from witnessing the horrors of war and violence. And a medical clinic onsite provides general medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and pharmaceutical services to the community.

Leyla,* 20, was part of a sewing class of eight women aged 17 to 50. She is thankful for the strong sense of community that came from the class.

“We were just like sisters,” Leyla said. Learning a skill like sewing was also “a benefit for us psychologically.”

Through the Northern Iraq Community Centre, God is also providing opportunities for Christian staff to show the love and compassion of the One who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NKJV)

*Name changed for her protection.

HIV-related deaths in the local area had resulted in nearly 900 orphaned children. Malnutrition and disease were rampant.

Samaritan’s Purse came alongside Pastor Samson and local churches to begin Raising Families, a program designed to inspire community leaders to reach out to the suffering through Scriptures and other practical teaching. As a result, 54 children were adopted, farmers in the community were trained to grow maize, beans, and sweet potato to provide more nutritious food, and malnutrition has been completely eradicated.

“We were able to fully understand the depth of the real problems in our community,” Samson said. “We discovered that we were able to do something about it. We were taught how to identify the most vulnerable in our community and how to address them and engage the church.”

The Raising Families program has been nicknamed ‘Thembelilhe’ by the community, which means ‘Beautiful Hope’.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away,” (Revelation 21:4, NKJV).

A grenade fell in the middle of their table and permanently changed their lives.

Asim’s wife, son, cousin, aunt, and uncle were all killed in the blast—only Asim and his 6-year-old son, Farhan,* survived.

They arrived at the Samaritan’s Purse emergency field hospital covered from head to toe in shrapnel wounds. Farhan’s young eyes were haunted as he remembered seeing his mum die right beside him.

“It’s such a burden,” Asim said. “Now I am a father and a mother.”

When nurse Jonie Smitley reunited the father and son, Asim visibly sighed with relief. Tears poured down his cheeks as he cradled his little boy—now his only living family member.

“Thank you,” he uttered over and over again as he took in the severity of his son’s injuries.

As Jonie watched the love of a father unfold, she asked if she could pray for him. When he agreed, she had the opportunity to speak the truth of the Gospel over his life, reminding him that God promises to never leave us. Despite the tragedy and sorrow, a seed of hope was planted.

Samaritan’s Purse medical staff members are a light in a dark place. As they provide life-saving trauma care on the front lines, they are spreading hope by reminding patients that God has a purpose for their lives, even in the tragedy.

*Names have been changed.