I SAW JOHN WEAVER for the first time in October 2001 on ABC NEWS’s World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. When John’s face appeared on the screen, I knew there was something special about him. I could see it in his eyes, his smile, and his interaction with the Afghan people. Through ABC and CNN news stories, many came to know him as the last active American relief worker in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks.
Impressed by this young North Carolinian, I informed my project director about John’s activities in northern Afghanistan. Following a meeting with him in Tajikistan, John blazed the trail for Samaritan’s Purse to do a distribution of gifts to Afghan children through our children’s project, Operation Christmas Child.
In December of 2001, I had the privilege of meeting with John in my office. We shared our mutual vision of spreading God’s love by providing aid to hurting people around the world.
To me, John is a modern-day Good Samaritan. He truly models that the greatest in the world is the one who serves, which sometimes means helping the poorest of the poor in very difficult and dangerous settings. Filled with God’s love and compassion for people he gladly ministers with all his heart and strength. John is a shining example of following in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ
—Franklin Graham
President, Samaritan’s Purse