As the nation’s attention continues to focus on the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, Samaritan’s Purse has stepped in to minister to migrant families on both sides of the border who are suffering from the heat, hunger, and exhaustion.
Samaritan’s Purse explained their work at the border in a recent press release and announced they are working with churches and partners in Del Rio, Laredo, McAllen, and other communities on the U.S. side of the border. They have been giving those who cleared U.S. Customs and Border Protection food, water, hygiene kits, diapers, and other emergency supplies.
The ministry, headed by Franklin Graham, also highlighted the help they have offered to a pastor in Laredo who opens his home to more than 100 migrants each day. They gave them mattresses and a refrigerator and set up tents on their property to provide more shade.
They also brought a kitchen trailer to Del Rio, where they are partnering with Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition. Officials estimate that 70 to 120 migrants pass through Del Rio each day.
Graham told CBN News that, “We have been asked by churches in the area to help and that is what we are doing.” He added, “Many of these migrants they’ve been traveling for as much as six months. They’re tired. They’re dirty. They’re frustrated and they’re coming into our country.”
The announcement by Samaritan’s Purse came just weeks after Christian singer/songwriter Nicole Nordeman shared a New York Times article about the conditions at migrant detention centers and tweeted, “Hey, @Franklin_Graham, every Christmas you speak so convincingly about your heart for innocent children…the least of these…which is why I knew you would be floored to learn about a place that so desperately needs some of those shoeboxes. I’ll hand deliver.”
Hey @Franklin_Graham, every Christmas you speak so convincingly about your heart for innocent children...the least of these...which is why I knew you’d be floored to learn about a place that so desperately needs some of those shoeboxes. I’ll hand deliver. https://t.co/ElCcjIEe8j
— Nichole Nordeman (@nicholenordeman) June 22, 2019
A week later, Nordeman posted an open letter to Graham in the Washington Post in which she asked him to use his influence with President Trump to encourage him to take action to care for those suffering at the border. She implored him to intervene, saying, Rev. Graham, you are in a unique position to do more than watch. You can intervene in the border emergency. President Trump respects and listens to your counsel, and you have a demonstrated record of influence with the President.”
Graham said outside pressure did not influence their decision to act. According to CBN News, he said, “We respond to need and no question the need on the border has been building for some time.” He expressed his frustration with Congress, saying they created the situation on the border, but that “We have a President now who’s at least trying to solve some of these problems.”
Samaritan’s purse also sent chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to the border to pray with those who are providing care and to share the Gospel with those who are receiving aid.
Scott Slayton writes at “One Degree to Another.”
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Mark Wallheiser/Stringer
