Rejoicing with Lahaina Residents: Maui Rebuild

One of our podcast correspondents, Stephen, was on the ground in Maui just days after the wildfires. What he saw was unbelievable—Lahaina looked like a war zone. People's homes and livelihoods were completely destroyed. Stephen got to talk to several Lahaina residents, including Evangeline, who shared with him what happened in her community.

“Through prayer, through outreach, through community, we will be healed.”—Evangeline, Maui Resident

During Samaritan’s Purse relief and recovery work, volunteers helped sift through more than 900 properties, combing through ashes in search of keepsakes for devastated families. Most importantly, our volunteers and chaplains ministered to those who had lost everything, sharing the hope of the Gospel. Then, Samaritan’s Purse transitioned into a rebuild phase, and two years later, families are receiving brand-new homes which allow them to start afresh.

While in Maui, Stephen attended home dedications for several families. He sat down with Chris and Gina, who did not know where to turn when they suddenly lost their home. They began questioning God and His plan for their lives, until one day, they got a call.

“Then when [Samaritan’s Purse] told us that, ‘Congratulations, we’re going to build you a house.’ We looked at each other. It is like, ‘Is this for real?’ God is real.”—Chris Palacio

Chris and Gina encouraged those who may be going through their own storms in life right now, imploring them to put their trust in God no matter what. It may not be in the way we expect it or the timing we want, but the Lord always provides.

Stephen also heard more of Carol’s story right before she received her new home. Samaritan’s Purse had been with her throughout the whole process: sifting after the fires, praying with her, giving her a Bible, and getting her connected with our rebuild program. Carol wants to use her home as a place of ministry—a place where people can gather, learn about the Lord, and find community.

“All I needed was a roof over my head, but I got this three-bedroom, amazing house that they built. And it's not only that, it's Scriptures that they wrote on the wall for me … A lot of love went into this house.”—Carol Santos

Please pray for these families in Maui as they start over in their new homes. If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org.