MERCED COUNTY, CA — Samuel Gomez gives thanks for the Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who helped clean up his home in Merced County, California, after it was severely damaged by floodwaters.

Rachael Miller – Samaritan’s Purse:

California has been so affected by flooding in the past few weeks.

Samuel Gomez – Beneficiary:

We were not expecting it to come and it suddenly arrived. It rose and it came inside through the door.

Al Schaap – Senior Pastor Gateway Community Church:

One of things about Merced County is we are one of the poorer counties in the state. And you get this widespread of flooding, this many families displaced, this many families in great need.

Samuel:

I felt bad because my son was telling me to leave, but I did not want to.

With God’s help everything here will be fixed.

Rachael:

Samaritan’s Purse is showing people in this area that Jesus loves them, that He cares for them, and that He hasn’t forgotten them.

Paul Singer – Volunteer:

Getting to meet Mr. Gomez brings a little bit more understanding of what we’re doing here. This man’s lived here for 60 years in this home, and we have an opportunity to come in here and maybe make his life better in one small way.

Daniel Gerardo – Team Lead:

Samuel says that the beds were destroyed, the flooring, the carpet, the walls– pretty much just things that were on the floor from the flood. We’re going to go ahead and bring down the drywall from the ceiling and from the walls, the paneling. We’re lifting up the floors that were destroyed from the rain and the flood.

Kimm Smith – Volunteer:

This part is fun, when you can go in and just tear up stuff and haul it all out and get it all cleaned up. And it just helps out the homeowner so much.

Samuel:

I want to thank all of you, the entire organization, to everyone for this big help. I am very grateful. I will never forget I was given this help, I will never forget it.

The Samaritan’s Purse organization presents you with this Bible.

Kimm:

Being able to present that Bible to Mr. Gomez and to see the look on his face– I don’t even have words to describe it.

And that everything we say and do, Lord, that it just glorifies You, and–

Daniel:

Our main goal is to be here and just helping, and just like our logo says, helping in the Name of Jesus, and just reminding them that God does love them, and that they’ve established a relationship with Him, or just increased that relationship with God is behind the work that we do.

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: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

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