Every day for seven decades, Damba tended to his herd to provide milk, wool, and meat for his family. But this year an unusually harsh, snowy winter—called a dzud—killed all but seven of his 69 yaks. His family, along with 150,000 others, was left destitute.

Samaritan’s Purse arrived at the 78-year-old Mongolian herder’s doorstep with food and warm blankets just when he needed it. He was told we were there to help in the Name of Jesus.

Damba had heard about Jesus Christ once from his grandson, but there were no churches for him to attend on the vast, desolate plains where he lived. His understanding of the Gospel faded with time, just as his eyesight did after years of herding yaks.

Members of our staff reminded him of the Good News. After learning about Jesus, the Son of God sent to redeem sinners, and seeing evidence of His great love, Damba accepted Christ as his Savior.

Now Damba’s faith and knowledge of the Lord are growing as his granddaughter reads to him every night from the Bible provided.

As Samaritan’s Purse distributed aid to his neighbors, Damba publically proclaimed, “Jesus is real and deserves all of the credit for the compassion we have received!” He has been encouraging all of his neighbors to read about Jesus as well.

Livestock losses due to the dzud are expected to increase throughout the summer, but Samaritan’s Purse is meeting needs and providing comfort for those whose lives have been shaken by the tragedy. We have given food and other emergency relief items to 700 families in eight remote communities.

For the next few years, Samaritan's Purse will be working to restore the livelihoods of the victims of this disaster through the Livestock Recovery Project. The project will include animal distributions to 70 families, fencing and irrigating pastureland in preparation for the next winter, and monthly training sessions on veterinary care and pasture management for the herdsmen.

The trainings will also be a bridge to build relationships, teach Biblical values, and provide opportunities for evangelism. God has already given our team many opportunities to share the hope of Christ with the suffering families.

A Mongolian Christian named Adiya helped deliver relief items in one hard-hit region. Three children prayed to receive Jesus when he was allowed to share the Gospel with students at a local school. The three then shared their newfound faith with their parents, who also became Christians. Two home Bible study groups have been formed in these communities as a result.

Tumero is another church volunteer working with Samaritan’s Purse during the dzud relief project. He had been praying for God to open the door for him to start a church in the remote village of Bulgan, one of the hardest hit areas.

Samaritan’s Purse introduced Tumero to the village’s government officials and asked for their support in allowing him to start a church. They granted permission for Tumero to move to Bulgan and start a home group Bible study.

While many herdsmen and their families have received physical and spiritual aid, significant challenges remain for those that have lost their livelihoods.

“Please join us in praying that God would intervene in the lives of people affected by this disaster, and that He would use these circumstances to draw people closer to Himself,” said Tom Mangham, the Samaritan’s Purse country director. “We need God’s wisdom in addressing these ongoing needs.”

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Samaritan's Purse , Mongolia , Emergency Relief , “Jesus deserves all the credit!”