First, came drought, and then, sudden winter. Almost overnight, extreme cold and heavy snow consumed the Mongolian steppe.
“In Mongolia, winters are usually cold and harsh, but I have never experienced such a cold winter as this,” said Jochi,* a local farmer and herdsman.
What he and his community had just experienced is known as a Dzud, a weather phenomenon unique and devastating to Mongolia. Livestock already weakened by meager grazing during a hot, dry summer are suddenly without food on rapidly frozen ground.
And the animals die in their hundreds of thousands.
Jochi lost 70 percent of his herd in a matter of weeks—more than 450 yaks, sheep, and goats. His family’s main source of income was nearly wiped out. Then began a life-and-death struggle to save what was left.
Jochi and his family spent all of their income and savings to buy fodder and hay for the animals, even going without food themselves. But it was a losing battle.
The local churches sprang into action. Working with Samaritan’s Purse, they brought desperately needed relief to these families in Jesus’ Name. Prayer and support from partners like you made it possible to send deliveries of food and fodder to 100 families in two especially hard-hit villages.
Each family received 50 kg of flour, 10 kg of rice, 1 liter of cooking oil, 1 kg of green tea, five sacks of fodder, and three bales of hay to get them through the worst of winter.
This urgent help came just in time for Jochi.
“My family have received food, fodder, and hay assistance and I am very happy because now we can save our remaining livestock,” Jochi said.
“My mother was very surprised by this help and asked me, ‘They don’t know us, why are they helping us?’” Jochi continued. “I could not answer her, but the believers of the local church answered her questions. Now, my mom and I know that Canadian Christians have helped us because of God’s love and I have never heard of Jesus before, but now I want to know more about Him.”
Meeting these practical needs opened doors for the local churches to share the Gospel with 86 of their neighbors. They were able to provide 120 people with Gospel booklets and pray with many more.
“Now I know what is God’s love, and my family has hope for the future,” Jochi said. “We are very grateful for the food, fodder, and hay assistance to my family and other herder households in our village. On behalf of our village herders, I am expressing my gratitude to the community of Samaritan’s Purse Canada and the people of Canada.”
Thank you for your continued prayers for Jochi’s family and others—that they will be able to recover from their devastating losses and know the Good News of Christ’s love.
*Names changed to protect privacy
Samaritan's Purse responds to humanitarian crises with physical aid and a message of spiritual hope for victims of natural disasters, famine, poverty, and war. Your gift will allow us to share Jesus' love through clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies, personnel, and other aid.