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Pence crosses into Ukraine with Samaritan’s Purse to pray with fleeing citizens; Biden admin unaware

March 13, 2022 | | Print Article

As Vice President Kamala Harris was stumbling through a Warsaw press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda, former VP Mike Pence was only a couple of hundred miles away, praying with Ukrainian refugees in the border village of Korczowa.

According to a new report from RealClear Politics, Pence, along with wife, Karen, were volunteering with Christian evangelical charity Samaritan’s Purse, whose mission is to help “meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ,” when the former second couple crossed over the border into Ukraine.

A source told RCP that, as Mr. and Mrs. Pence were traveling as private citizens on a humanitarian mission, they did not inform the State Department or anyone inside the Biden administration of their dangerous trip to the war-torn nation.

A press release on Samaritan’s Purse website says that Mr. and Mrs. Pence visited with the organization’s Disaster Assistance Response Team before journeying into Ukraine to listen to the stories of Ukrainian citizens as they prepared to flee the nation as refugees.

“He held their hands and provided words of comfort,” the statement reads.

“I want the Ukrainian people to know that Americans are standing with them in prayer,” Pence said. “I appreciate that Samaritan’s Purse is always on the frontlines with help in Jesus’ Name. Where there is suffering, you are there.”

Pence described the scene in Ukraine as one of “unspeakable violence,” with Russian aggression “driving an immense humanitarian crisis.”

To date, more than 2 million refugees have crossed the border to escape the conflict.

“We’re very grateful that Vice President and Mrs. Pence care so much about the Ukrainian people,” said Edward Graham, VP of operations for Samaritan’s Purse. “They were a great encouragement to our team today. This situation is heartbreaking, and we are here to do all we can to help relieve suffering.”

To that end, Samaritan’s Purse has established a Medical Stabilization Point in Ukraine, at the Lviv train station, and is seeing patients 24-hours a day.

Additionally, the ministry is sending a 747 loaded down with approximately 100 tons of relief materials from the United States to Poland.

“This is our third major airlift in response to the Ukraine crisis,” Samaritan’s Purse states. “The plane will hold extensive medical supplies, including the final equipment to complete our nearly 60-bed Emergency Field Hospital being set up outside Lviv, Ukraine. Also onboard are hygiene kits, winter coats, blankets, and other items to help those who are fleeing the escalating conflict.”

On Twitter, Pence urged followers to pray and to contribute to Samaritan’s Purse and organizations like it.

“The impact of the Russian invasion on these families is heartbreaking and the need for support is great,” the former vice president tweeted. “We encourage everyone to pray and contribute to Samaritan’s Purse and other relief organizations today. Let’s stand together as one with the people of Ukraine.”

Melissa Fine
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