Memorial Day weekend marked the start of the 2018 Operation Heal Our Patriots summer season. From September 9-14, a group of 10 wounded Canadian veterans and their spouses will arrive in Alaska for a time of Christ-centered marriage enrichment.
Military couples are flown to our wilderness lodge where veteran chaplains teach marriage classes focused on Biblical solutions, lead daily devotions from God’s Word, and offer private spiritual counsel. Our patriot couples also have opportunities for physical refreshment as they participate together in activities such as kayaking, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
“For real, long-term healing, wounded service members need a sound foundation,” says retired Marine Brigadier General Jim Walker, who serves as the project’s executive director. “That foundation has two parts: a strong marriage and a strong faith in Christ. That’s it. That’s the whole program. That’s what we’re doing in Alaska.”
We also invite you to see more photos and read some of previous year’s stories of combat-wounded service members and their spouses who have experienced God’s healing love.
2018 Stories: Military couples come together for Operation Heal Our Patriots 2018 reunion • Lives changed forever through Operation Heal Our Patriots • 2018 Photo Gallery
2017 Stories: Remembering 9/11 and the sacrifices that followed • Lives changed forever through Christian military ministry Operation Heal Our Patriots • Week of transformation begins at Operation Heal Our Patriots • Military couples find healing in Alaska • Marriage saved, faith restored at Operation Heal Our Patriots • Lives changed forever through Operation Heal Our Patriots • Operation Heal Our Patriots reunion provides refreshment for Canadian military couples
2016 Stories: Canadian week of Operation Heal Our Patriots begins with a surprise • God moved powerfully in the final week of Operation Heal Our Patriots • Couple hurt by child’s death and PTSD find new hope
2015 Stories: Chris and Lisa • Military members find hope and healing in Alaska • Chris and Paula • Christine and Louis-Philippe • Martin and Caroline • Healing our military outranks all else
Samaritan’s Purse started Operation Heal Our Patriots in 2012 to strengthen the marriages of U.S. and Canadian military personnel wounded in combat or combat-related activities after 9/11. Over the past six years, our staff has welcomed nearly 850 couples to Alaska to participate in the project—by the end of this year the number will top 1,000. We praise God that so far more than 340 individuals have made commitments to Jesus Christ, 428 have been baptized, and almost 400 couples have publicly rededicated their marriages to the Lord during their stay at Samaritan Lodge. And we are thankful that there is more good news to report week-by-week each summer.
“It has been amazing to see what God is doing in the lives and marriages of these American heroes. These husbands and wives have sacrificed so much for the sake of our liberty, and we are now seeing many of them find true freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham.
“These husbands and wives have sacrificed so much for the sake of our liberty, and we are now seeing many of them find true freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ.”—Franklin Graham
Our ministry to these couples does not end in Alaska as we follow up with them over the long term through our aftercare program. Our staff connects couples with local churches, engages families through regular personal contact (phone calls, emails, social media, visits), and meets with them at regional get-togethers. In addition, Operation Heal Our Patriots reunions and regional training events benefit couples by providing more Christian teaching and tools to fortify their marriage. Many of the participants have also developed deep relationships with one another and support each other directly in a variety of ways.
The 2018 summer season runs from May 27 to Sept. 14. The first 15 weeks are for wounded U.S. service members and their spouses, while the 16th week is reserved for those representing the Canadian armed forces.
Please pray for our staff and the couples they are ministering to. Pray for safety in travel as couples arrive and enjoy a busy schedule of activities and classes. Ask God to give them open hearts and minds, so they can draw closer to Him and to one another.
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