Posts Tagged With: housing
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
If God is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?
Recently I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting with Jean-Gilbert Altidor, a warm-hearted husband and father of four, who is also a recent Cross International housing beneficiary living in Les Cayes, Haiti. Beneath lush banana trees and the hot Caribbean sun, I sat in front of his new home and listened as the smiling 52-year-old … Continue reading
Happy Homeowners
On our way through Nicaragua, we dropped by Villa Catalina to see how things have been going at the Cross International homes from our recent Amigos for Christ house-construction campaign. When we last visited the village in February for the dedication ceremony, the fields were a sea of dust under the punishing midday sun that … Continue reading
How to be a good neighbor
At the remote village of Mina de Agua, I came across a dilapidated house that looked as if it might collapse into a pile of sticks before my eyes. Beside the house, an old woman lay on a mat in the sweltering midday heat, weak and struggling to speak coherently. The villagers explained to me … Continue reading
Haiti under construction
It’s been almost a year and a half since the Haiti earthquake. If you’ve been watching the news, you know there’s still a lot of rubble to clear and a lot of survivors living in tents, and that many Haitians are pinning their hopes on the newly elected president, Michel Martelly, to bring the change … Continue reading
From Hurting to Healing
“I wish my mother was alive today to see this house.” That’s what David Massinga said through his tears when he and his sisters first moved into a new home given to them by Cross International and its generous benefactors through one of our ministry partners in Mozambique. The Massinga children were hurting — badly! … Continue reading
A Life Lesson from Joseph and Mary
When God told Joseph and Mary about the forthcoming birth of Jesus, they could have resisted the news. After all, conceiving a child out of wedlock was a serious matter. But we know they each accepted the noble assignment with tremendous faith and trust. Joseph “did what the angel of the Lord commanded” (Matthew 1:24) … Continue reading
Shelter from the cold
You know it’s going to be a cold winter when south Floridians kill the A/C and drag their furnaces out of retirement. Last night, our Florida office experienced temperatures around 30 degrees – frigid for us, but mild for those of you enduring heavy snow and strong winds up north. While Florida worries about damage … Continue reading
The All-in-One ‘Perfect’ Project
When a single project can house the homeless, create jobs for the jobless, protect the planet, and be self sustaining—all at the same time—Cross International would consider it to be just about the perfect project! That’s why we’re so excited about a special enterprise being launched in Haiti. It’s an all-in-one housing program, vocational training … Continue reading
Housing Brings Hope
After more than two years of waiting and praying, Ana Briceño’s dreams came true. Her family was one of 50 to receive a sturdy home through a housing project we support in Nicaragua. “This is such a blessing from God,” Ana said. “Before our family was suffering because we were constantly moving from place to … Continue reading
