Author Archives: Tony M
Dr. Tran Thanh – a model of selfless giving
I don’t give enough. That’s the hard truth I took away from a conversation I just had with Dr. Tran Thanh, a Cross partner who graciously traveled all the way from Vietnam to meet our ministry staff. Dr. Thanh and a group of Vietnamese Christians have been spearheading an effort to help neighbors with medical … Continue reading
To drink or not to drink
When traveling in the developing world, the first rule you learn is “Don’t drink the water!” I can attest from personal experience that our pampered first-world immune systems don’t stand a chance against the parasites and bacteria that infest everything from drinking fountains to that bad piece of lettuce you ate for lunch. That’s why … Continue reading
Quenching Their Thirst
God is doing great things in Nicaragua! Since last fall, 551 families have been rescued from chronic dehydration and the threat of waterborne illness – thanks to the tireless work of Cross ministry partner Amigos for Christ. And now, trenches are being dug and pipe is being laid so that hundreds more will enjoy virtually … Continue reading
Progress in Haiti
In light of the many setbacks experienced by international aid organizations that rushed into Haiti after the 2010 earthquake to rebuild the country, it’s refreshing to hear a positive report from a ministry who got it right. Last week, I met with Dan Shoemaker, a house-construction contractor who worked with Cross partner MEBSH to provide … Continue reading
Good News to the Poor (Luke 4:18)
In Jubilee – a dry and barren slum on the outskirts of Gonaives, Haiti – children are reading God’s Word in their native Creole language and learning about Jesus’ love for them, thanks to the efforts of Cross International partner MUCH Ministries. Together, we are transforming this desolate slum into a place of prosperity and … Continue reading
A Heart Change
You’d never guess these men – well-groomed and fervently worshipping God together at a meeting of Cross International ministry partners in the Philippines – had once been homeless. You’d never guess some had spent their whole lives on the streets, begging and picking pockets. But now here they were, standing before us as living examples … Continue reading
Helping Haitians Help Themselves
In a show of support for MUCH Ministries’ self-help program for poor families in Jubilee, Haiti, Cross ordered a shipment of 5,000 journals from their trade school, where local Haitians have been learning to make various items by hand so they can earn a small income. The ministry responded with this email: Dear Cross, I … Continue reading
Changing hearts in the Philippines
Whenever I see the results of Cross’ Gawad Kalinga house construction projects in the Philippines, my first thought is, “Wow! This used to be a slum?” The newness, the cleanliness, the bright, cheerful colors are a visual repudiation of poverty. This is the tangible part of ministry. It’s also, in some respects, the easy part. … Continue reading
Thank You from the Philippines
Cross has been working with Gawad Kalinga in the Philippines to transform the slums of metro Manila into thriving communities. The difference is like night and day, and you can see the change not only in the landscape but also in the hearts and minds of the families who now have so much hope. Here’s … Continue reading
