MISSISSIPPI – Samaritan’s Purse quickly responded after major flooding hit Desha County, Arkansas, and Bolivar County, Mississippi. More than 20 inches of rain fell in some areas. Some homeowners had to evacuate, and others were rescued by boat.

Volunteers worked hard, serving for weeks in both of these states, bringing physical relief and spiritual encouragement to families overwhelmed by the devastation. Though their work in Arkansas has now wrapped up, Samaritan’s Purse still needs volunteers to help meet the needs of struggling homeowners in Mississippi. Teams continue ripping out waterlogged walls and flooring, removing personal belongings, and spraying for mold.

Joyce Hutton, Homeowner, describes the flooding in her area:

It kept on going and going and going and going. The water just kept on rising. Getting higher and higher. A lot of damage. The commode backed up. Water came in through the tub… everything.

He will never leave me, nor will He forsake me. He would be here with me until the end of time. And sometimes when I can’t walk alone, He’s there to help me to walk. And to know that we walk by faith and not by sight. We call them things that be not as though they were. And I know it. It’s deep down and rooted in me. I can’t help but to know that God is there to take care of me.

Keeth Willingham, Samaritan’s Purse:

Due to a huge amount of rainfall here in the Delta Region, many communities have been flooded. And so volunteers have come in and Samaritan’s Purse has responded.

Roy Williams, Homeowner:

These guys here that do the work for the Lord, that’s awesome. And they come in and help people that’s in distress.

March 7th, I ended up– I had a stroke, and right now I’m still in treatment. I would have never been able to do it without them. I’m serious. I couldn’t ask for nothing no better. No better.

That lets you know that there is a God.

Rachael Miller, Samaritan’s Purse:

I love that we’re able– not only to help with the physical work, taking out drywall, taking out insulation, things like that—but that we’re able to invest in the homeowner, that we’re able to show them that someone that’s never met them before cares for them and to show them the love of Christ. It’s truly a blessing.

Joyce Hutton:

God sent a miracle here to help me. And this is going to be something, a testimony, to tell other people that you can go through the storm, that after every storm will come a great calm.

God takes you through things to make you stronger and better. He don’t take you through things to make you soft and be miserable. But He carry you through things so you can be a testimony to let people know how great He is and how good He is.

Father God, help the victims of the flood, and we praise you for the volunteers that you’ve brought forth. Just pray You comfort them, Lord, that You’d be close to them, that You encourage them to through all of this, that You will do it, in Your precious Name, amen.

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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