The daughter of Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham saw the work of Samaritan’s Purse on the ground.
In the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s devastation, Cissie Graham Lynch and her husband Corey traveled to the Bahamas on Sept. 13 to see the work of Samaritan’s Purse on Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands.
The Lynches met with patients at our Emergency Field Hospital where medical teams have helped alleviate the strain on regional medical facilities crippled by the storm. Our teams have already seen hundreds of patients, many of them critically ill, since the mobile hospital opened Sept. 9.
“We come here and we serve those with the greatest need in some of their most desperate moments and we’re able to do it with the love of Jesus,” Cissie said. “We’re able to wrap our arms around them and comfort them.”
Corey and Cissie talked with patients throughout the emergency room, intensive care unit, and inpatient wards. Some patients have broken legs, some just went through surgery, and some are suffering with severe infections in this vast tented space that only days ago was a fenced-in field of grass in Freeport.
“We serve those with the greatest need in some of their most desperate moments and we’re able to do it with the love of Jesus.”—Cissie Graham Lynch
“It’s impressive to see a medical team so dedicated to hurting people and to sharing the love of Jesus with them,” Corey said. “At the end of the day it’s about sharing Christ with people, and that’s what Samaritan’s Purse does.”
Relief Getting to Abaco
The couple also surveyed the devastated communities of the Abaco Islands where Samaritan’s Purse is providing shelter materials, water filters, hygiene kits, and other supplies to many people who’ve lost loved ones and everything they own. Many are still missing in the areas where homes and other structures were obliterated by 185 mph winds and powerful storm surge.
Ken Isaacs, Samaritan’s Purse vice president of programs and government relations, joined the Lynches and saw the devastation in Man-O-War Cay, including a church that is barely standing. They also met with a community group to hear their needs and encourage them with Scripture.
“You’ve got a rich history,” Ken said. “You’ve got a strong spirit. And we’re going to help you.”
Our team heard that residents do not have power, and water is limited—most essentials are nonexistent. The whole community is wiped out. A small group of residents have banded together to help their neighbors recover.
“We’re here in the Name of Jesus to help. You want to rebuild, and we want to help you,” Cissie said.
Martha Roberts was among the residents that the group met. Born and raised on the island, Martha stayed through the storm. Her house is damaged but livable. Cissie was able to comfort her and encouraged her not to give up hope.
Martha, like many Bahamians, has a strong faith and thanks God for sparing her and giving her the energy to help her neighbors. Amazingly, she’s using a power generator and a wash bin to bake bread for her neighbors in the midst of this crisis.
Please pray for Samaritan’s Purse teams in the Bahamas and for local residents as they try to recover. Ask God to open doors for us to share the Gospel in all we do.
