Why do you give?
The Sheridan Family’s Story
Samaritan Aviation started out of personal connections, normal people who wanted to accomplish big things. Today we are grateful to say our community has grown, and we would be nowhere without your collective hearts and passion. In 2018, long-time supporters Rex and Michelle took their children and visited our operations in Papua New Guinea. They shared the importance of that experience with us and we would love to share it with you.
Two years ago, our family had the most meaningful and special Christmas experience of our lives. When we visited Papua New Guinea, we were able to experience first-hand the culture and people of this beautiful country and the tremendous impact that Samaritan Aviation is having there as the hands and feet of Jesus. During our time in PNG, we were able to catch a glimpse and get a small taste of the lives changed, hearts saved, families touched, and communities impacted by the work that God is doing through Samaritan Aviation.
While we had been long-time champions and supporters of the organization, being there in flesh and blood provided a whole different perspective for the breadth and scope of ministry that happens there on a daily basis.
We witnessed and joined rescue flights and medical deliveries nearly every day (even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), we participated in the hospital ministry, organized events for community youth, hosted a Christmas party for the in-country S.A. staff and their families, and we shared in worship and fellowship with the Palm family.
Processing the experience as a family, our oldest daughter shared a newfound passion for serving God as a nurse, our son found happiness and meaning in serving others, and our youngest daughter gained a whole new appreciation for the needs of others and a fascination for a very different culture. We still talk often about the contentment and joy that we re-discovered in the simplicity and slow pace of life in PNG and the singular focus of serving others in their time of need.
We wanted to share because this is what is happening EVERY day through the ministry of Samaritan Aviation. Real people, with real names, from real families, in real communities are experiencing the love, peace, healing, and restoration that is only found in Jesus through this ministry.
Samaritan Aviation is just as active now, even in the middle of this pandemic, as they were when we visited. As supporters, we offer prayer, share donations and ongoing financial sponsorship, and have the chance to talk about this organization with others; all of which provides the engine that drives the essential work being done there. During this holiday season, when we see the gifts of God all around us and are reminded of words like peace, joy, hope, and love, let us not just speak these words but live them through our actions.
