LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — Thousands of people in Pasadena have been left in ruin as the California wildfires have destroyed over 9,000 structures in just a few weeks. Despite the devastation, Samaritan’s Purse has deployed volunteers to help  victims in LA find their sentimental items that survived the fire.

For people like Scott Nishizaki, who thought they had lost everything, recovering something as simple as the wedding cake from his wedding can bring peace to such a distressful time. Small, beautiful moments like these are one of the ways that we remind each affected person that no matter how much they’ve lost in a disaster, God is still there for them.

Aaron Richards – Samaritan’s Purse:

We’re in Altadena, California where over 9000 structures have been burned. We’re day one with volunteers here, doing personal property recovery.

Scott Nishizaki – Renter:

We lived here for ten years. It’s the house we brought my son home in from the hospital. In fact, the only place my kids know is home.

Aaron Richards:

We’re here to, not only do the physical, but also the spiritual and emotional. We want to be able to pray for them, and we want to be able to have them have someone with them so they know that they’re not alone and that we come in Jesus name.

Scott:

We found some China pieces from our wedding China set with a pair of ceramic lovebirds, that were our wedding cake toppers.

To have some of these pieces back is beautiful. You don’t necessarily realize how much sentimental value some of these things have until you’re finding them in the literal ash.

Lin Burroughs – Volunteer:

But for the grace of God, it could be any one of us. But to come alongside and say, you’re not alone, and God loves you enough to send this group of people willing to put on Tyvek suits and love on you as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Scott:

It’s beautiful. It’s beautiful to have some help. The thought of trying to do this by myself is overwhelming. I probably honestly wouldn’t have tried. And, it’s given a lot of peace in this moment. And so, thank you to Samaritan’s Purse, but for those who are needing help, reach out. It’s definitely worth it. And then I’m so grateful.

Aaron Richards:

Continue to pray for a home-owners and for our volunteers. It’s day one but it’s going to be a while. There’s been a lot of homeowners affected. And, you know, we’re in it for the long haul. And, we’re just waiting for homeowners to ask for our assistance, and we want to help them off. We can.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. The DART specializes in providing water, food, shelter, and medical care while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT: Gabrielle Bouquet, news@samaritan.org

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