Good News Florida

Juan Ramon is one of the many children living in devel- oping countries who carries the visible and invisible marks of malnutrition. Weighing just 4 pounds at birth, he has been plagued by pneumonia and poor health for most of his short life, and when Juan began attending preschool at age 4, he still weighed only 25 pounds. Always hungry, he would often faint in the classroom and suffered horri- ble, recurrent headaches. Malnutrition is a terrible burden for children, and in extreme cases, it can forever disable a boy or girl with vi- sual and hearing impairment, stunted physical growth and neurological disorders. In Juan’s home country of Nicaragua — and else- where in the developing world — Cross Internation- al works with local Christian leaders to provide solutions. Many pastors and ministries are eager to help children like Juan, but they lack the food and financial resources nec- essary to tackle the problem. By empowering these Chris- tian leaders with commodi- ties and cash grants, Cross International links the affluent and struggling churches of the world to evangelize and bless the poorest of the poor. In Juan’s town of La Paz Centro, Christian leaders re- ceived support from Cross In- ternational to set up a feeding outreach to hungry children and nursing mothers. Juan Ramon and many other at-risk children in the area no long- er suffer daily hunger or the threat of lifetime disabilities. “What we did for the peo- ple of La Paz Centro was only possible because concerned Christians in the United States stepped up and sponsored the outreach. They gave gen- erously so their brothers and sisters overseas could be helped,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Internation- al. “Our mission is to mobilize the global Church to transform the poor and their communi- ties materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ, and since 2001, thousands of American Christians and scores of U.S. churches have rallied to support that cause.” Cross International’s strategy of working through Christian churches and min- istries already serving over- seas adds to its appeal. The method empowers local pas- tors in their work of evange- lism and keeps administrative and staff costs low. Another thing that draws Christians to join Cross In- ternational is the charity’s unique ability to connect do- nors to very specific, tangi- ble projects in a wide range of developing countries. Through Cross International, a church or Christian fami- ly in the U.S. can support a feeding program in Central America, a school benefiting illiterate children in Haiti, a medical clinic in El Salvador, a home-building initiative in Vietnam, a project for AIDS orphans in Africa or one of many other life-changing out- reaches. The donor can know exactly how their gift will be used and can celebrate the wonderful impact it achieves. Options are available year- round and can be found at www.CrossInternational.org/ projectcatalog. Among the most popular projects for donors to sponsor are houses for single mothers, orphaned children and the homeless elderly. Through the program, donors have spon- sored houses ranging from $2,500 to $8,000 in Haiti, Nic- aragua, Guatemala, the Phil- ippines and elsewhere. Many churches also sup- port Cross International’s mission by sponsoring larger projects (Christian schools, clinics, orphanages, etc.) and by taking Vision Trips. Today, the charity is rec- ognized by the Evangelical Council for Financial Account- ability, has been featured on scores of Christian radio stations nationwide and is planning its next stage of ex- pansion. Disaster relief is also an area Cross International addresses professionally and cost-effectively. “Our current focus is on Africa, where a long drought has created a disastrous fam- ine. Though news reporters have yet to cover the topic appropriately, world leaders are saying this drought has the potential to be the worst human disaster since World War II,” Cavnar said. “We’ve been in touch with the Chris- tian leaders in Kenya and oth- er drought-ravaged countries in Africa, and we’re doing what we can to bring in food and sustain the children and vulnerable elderly, but the needs exceed our resources. We’ve established a shipping system and a church-based network for distribution, so we’re ready to respond with shipments of life-saving food if Christians will contribute to the cause.” Christians Are Evangelizing and Blessing the World Through Cross International To learn more or contribute, visit Cross International’s website at www.CrossInternational.org. Tax-deductible contributions can also be made by using the tear- off, postage-paid envelope in the Cross International brochure inserted in this issue.