From Israel to the front lines of faith
When Maranatha walked into a field hospital near the front lines in Mosul, Iraq, she had already been working far beyond her normal shift. Victims from a suicide bombing were pouring in — women, children, Iraqi soldiers. More than 250 people had been caught in the attack.
Maranatha moved quickly from patient to patient, treating wounds, and trying to save lives. But her path to that moment began years earlier with a Covenant Journey trip to Israel.
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Before traveling to Israel in 2016, Maranatha admits something surprising. “ISIS was my number one fear,” she said. “I was terrified of them.” But while in Israel, God began changing her heart.
Standing in the land of the Bible, she realized something deeper about her faith. “My identity cannot be found in my work or accomplishments,” she said. “It’s found only in Christ — the One who walked on water and bore my sin.” That truth changed everything.
“Suddenly it didn’t matter whether I live or die,” she said. “As long as I am following Christ, that’s what I want to do with my life.”
Just six months later, Maranatha was back in the Middle East working as a nurse with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian humanitarian organization led by Franklin Graham. She treated Iraqi civilians, soldiers — and even wounded ISIS fighters. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she said.
Many of the ISIS fighters were filled with anger and hatred. Yet Maranatha felt God calling her to something difficult. “God was asking me to choose mercy.”
One moment especially stayed with her. A mortally wounded ISIS fighter had been brought into the hospital. Nothing more could be done for him. So, the staff stayed with him as he died — praying, singing, and caring for him in his final hours. As his life slipped away, the man spoke these unexpected final words: “Your God is the living God.”
Even in the darkest places, the light of Christ was shining. Since then, Maranatha has continued serving on medical missions around the world, including treating thousands during a deadly diphtheria outbreak among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Through it all, she says her calling remains simple. “To be able to do this work is a privilege,” she said. “God allowed me to be there.” And the seeds of that calling were strengthened through her experience in Israel.
Covenant Journey trips help young Christians see the Bible come alive — and many return ready to serve Christ in extraordinary ways.
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Maranatha hopes that when she can no longer go to the front lines, others will take her place. With your support, more students can experience Israel through Covenant Journey — and discover the calling God has for their lives. Please prayerfully consider making a generous gift today. Because one trip to the Holy Land can change a life … and through that life, God can change the world.
Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel
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Many supporters choose to give monthly, helping provide scholarships for students to experience Israel through Covenant Journey. Even a small recurring gift can help raise the next generation of Christian leaders.
