OREGON — In the wake of wildfires in Jackson County, Oregon, Samaritan’s Purse seeks to be the hands and feet of Jesus to devastated homeowners. Their teams are sifting through ashes in search of items precious to each family. Every homeowner also receives a Bible signed by the volunteers who worked on their property.

Lynda LeCuyer, Homeowner

We had less than an hour. The sheriffs came by and said, “You have to leave now.” So we just started grabbing stuff. Total destruction. Everything was gone.

Frank Jones, Homeowner

We were all out in the street here on the corner looking at the smoke, and about five minutes later he comes around and said, “Well, the police are coming in, get ready to get out.”

Kristin Holben, Samaritan’s Purse

We are here in Jackson County, Oregon where the Almeda Fire came through a couple of weeks ago, destroyed 3,500 structures, and many of them are homes. Samaritan’s Purse is here sifting through the ashes of the home to recover salvageable belongings for the homeowner and renter.

Not only are we able to encourage them physically by finding their belongings, but we’re able to encourage them spiritually. We’re able to pray for them, and share the love of Christ with them, that they are not alone in their suffering, and that we love them and that God loves them.

Katy Fox, Homeowner

I was expecting one or maybe two people, and there was what? 12 to 14 people.

Ken Patterson

I couldn’t believe the amount of people. And then when everybody was saying where they were from, I was like, “You’re from where?”

Cesar Partida, Volunteer

So we’re helping in the Name of Jesus, really. This is all about helping these homeowners and just kind of lavishing them with the love that Jesus gave us and how He commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Shelley Rixon, Volunteer

At Samaritan’s Purse, we use the concept of being the hands and feet of Jesus in order to share a Gospel of caring and love for the communities that are affected by these disasters.

Janet Ainsworth, Volunteer

We’re here to give them a hand, and to give them some encouragement, give them closure. Often, when we pray with our homeowners, I can just see Jesus putting His arms around them.

I can tell you, it is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. And the things I have learned will go with me into heaven.

Katy Fox

From the bottom of my heart, words like thank you, they do a poor job of expressing my real appreciation for the Samaritan’s Purse organization because it’s a really hard time. And you guys are lightening that load with compassion and caring.

Kristin Holben

Hundreds of families are still in need of assistance. To find out more about how you can get involved, go to our website, samaritanspurse.org and click on the volunteer link to find out how you can get involved.

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 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: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

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