Voices from Africa

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VOICES FROM AFRICA God’s love, transforming deepest need into thriving joy

THRIVING KIDS INITIATIVE | FALL 2023

Partnering together, we can help struggling children and families move from deepest need to thriving joy

VOICES FROM AFRICA

Throughout 2023, we at Cross International have visited tens of thousands of children and their family members in the four African countries we work with — Zambia, Malawi, Kenya and Uganda. We broke bread with them. We prayed with them. We laughed and we cried with them.

Voices from Africa reflects the deepest needs and greatest joys from these recent encounters. May these stories deeply resonate with you as you realize that furthering God’s Kingdom on earth is within your reach.

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Dear Frien

In Christ,

Kelly Miller CEO President & ational Cross Intern

MALAWI

AFRICA

CURRENT PROJECTS: 4 CURRENT PARTNERS: 2 - Ambuya Development Center

THANGANYIKA VILLAGE

- CURE Children’s Hospital

ESTIMATED BENEFICIARIES:

BLANTYRE

- Children - 4,480 - Adults - 7,170

Population: 19.13 million (2020) Literacy rate: 65.75% (99% U.S.) Infant mortality: 30.9 deaths per 1,000 live births (5.69 in U.S.) Population below poverty line: 50.7% (11.4% in U.S.) Primary religions: Protestant 33.5%, Catholic 17.2%, Other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 18.8%, Other/None 8.8% Sources: World Bank, UNESCO, Statista

PARTNER PROFILES AMBUYA DEVELOPMENT CENTER Ambuya Development Center is a ministry of rural Malawians helping rural Malawians. Led by three close relatives — Dr. Victor, Pastor Leonard and Paxcina — this ministry instills hope in a new generation of marginalized children growing up in and around their home village of Thanganyika. Their connection to the land gives them an open door to serve with the full support of the tribal chief and other local leaders.

Cross International is committed to helping Ambuya live out its mission to demonstrate God’s love and lift families out of poverty.

CURE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL CURE Children’s Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, performs over 1,200 reconstructive and orthopedic surgeries each year. They treat children suffering from treatable disabilities such as clubfoot, contractures, knock knees, bowed legs and other disabling conditions. Cross partners with CURE on their mobile clinic outreach. We also minister to the emotional and spiritual needs of children with disabilities and their family members.

VOICES FROM AFRICA | THRIVING KIDS INITIATIVE | FALL 2023

D L E I F E H T N I N E R ILD

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Journal Entry: Wednesday / 2:15 pm Thanganyika Village, MALAWI CHRIS MCINTYRE Cross International Director of Communications

I’m traveling from house to house along with our ministry partner, Edwin, who works with Ambuya Development Center, our local partner here in Thanganyika. Located nearby are some fields that had recently been planted, and out of the corner of my eye I see a group of kids pounding at the ground with little sticks. My immediate thought is, “Something isn’t right.”

They aren’t playing. They aren’t planting. They certainly aren’t harvesting, as this field wasn’t ready for harvest. I ask Edwin, “What’s growing here?” He says, “Sweet potatoes.”

I then look closer and am shocked at what I see.

The little children are digging up the immature sweet potatoes and eating them raw right out of the ground. I approach one of the children, who is barely 6 years old. His name is Moses. “Are you hungry?” I ask. He says, “Yes, I am hungry.”

How is that possible, I wonder? We have a feeding program. That’s when Edwin says, “Remember the last house we visited, with the empty plates along the wall?” He explains how these children are taking home the meals they receive from us and sharing them with their mothers and their grandmothers. And then it dawns on me just how giving and selfless these children are. They sacrifice their meals by taking them home and sharing them with their family. That’s why this little boy is hungry.

God is sending me a clear message today.

“Do more,” He is saying. Especially in this particular region of Malawi that is so entrenched in poverty.

In speaking to little Moses, I discover that he hasn’t eaten today, or yesterday for that matter...

Journal Entry: Thursday / 9:30 am Thanganyika Village, MALAWI ZACH OLES Cross International VP of International Programs

ith our I’m here w a, m Ambuy o fr rs e n part artharing he s re a o h w ts of g accoun reddy wrenchin Cyclone F f o th lawi a act on Ma the afterm p im g n ti t vasta until I me ’t n s a and its de w it However, r-old in March. nt 34-yea ie il s re a the , uti grasped ly Falasi Dz u tr I t a the f five, th faced by mother o s ip h s rd a the h a. extent of anganyik h T f o rs e. village us courag o d n e m e e bodies tr e first to b Falasi em th g n o m ite was a ddy. Desp Her home re F e n lo c

by Cy ce the ravaged onths sin m r u fo f ins in go use rema o the passin h r e h t, ucted, nslaugh nreconstr storm’s o u d n ta s walls en the ruins. The bsent. Wh a is f o ro fuge and the y seeks re il m fa r e h ts, y take wind gus infall, the ra g n ri u D . the in corners or rely on e e tr a neath cover be ors. of neighb s s e n d in k eren’t llenges w a h c e s e alasi As if th ed that F rn a le o ls as Ia usband w h enough, r e H . w t wido ing is a recen hile return w d re e murd ords, tragically er own w h In . rk o mw My heart home fro ith pain.” w d e ll e fi ray that th “My life is p y tl s e rn soon. d I ea lleviated a is aches, an g n ri f her suffe burden o

A HOME DESTROYED With your help, homeless villagers such as Falasi could receive a safe, stormresistant new house.

Each of these basic, cinder-block homes built by Cross has a sturdy metal roof, a secure wood door and a cement floor.

E R Y T N A L B N I E R A LC

CRITICA Journal Entry: Saturday / 10:20 am Blantyre, MALAWI

DAVID BURBACH Cross International Director of Marketing and Media

A short two-hour drive from Thanganyika Village finds me in the heart of Blantyre — a large city of about 1.6 million people. It is here I find our ministry partners at CURE Hospital — a 50-bed facility that provides free medical and surgical care for children, treating maladies such as clubfoot, cleft palate, cleft lip, knock knees as well as injuries and other conditions requiring surgery.

I’m talking to four-year-old Maxwell and his mother, who are from Lilongwe — the largest city in Malawi — 150 miles north of Blantyre.

Maxwell was born with a bowed leg and has never been able to walk. He attended a mobile clinic provided by Cross International near his home. Maxwell was invited to get the treatment he needed here in Blantyre. He and his mother were provided with transportation, and the treatment he is now receiving is all free of charge.

After he gets his surgery, which will probably happen early next week, Maxwell and his mom will stay at the hospital during his recovery.

They will both receive food, discipleship, counseling and Maxwell will get the care he needs to heal. Soon brave young Maxwell will finally be able to walk!

IN THE OPERATING ROOM

Where the Miracles Happen

In a subsequent visit, we are blessed to witness the talents of the CURE Malawi surgeons, who are operating on a young clubfoot patient. Last year, CURE Malawi surgeons performed 2,560 successful operations. Your partnership will help these medical professionals change these young lives!

ZAMBIA

AFRICA

CHIPATA

CURRENT PROJECTS: 6 CURRENT PARTNERS: 2 - Kachere Development Program

LIVINGSTONE

- Hope Walks

ESTIMATED BENEFICIARIES: - Children - 17,900 - Adults - 5,250

Population: 18.38 million (2020) Literacy rate: 86.7% (99% U.S.) Infant mortality: 42.4 deaths per 1,000 live births (5.69 in U.S.) Population below poverty line: 54.4% (11.4% in U.S.) Primary religions: Protestant 75.3% Catholic 20.2%, Indigenous religions 2.3%, Muslim 2.2, No religion 1.8% Sources: World Bank, UNESCO, Statista

PARTNER PROFILES KACHERE DEVELOPMENT CENTER Kachere Development Program is a faith-based organization based in Chipata, Zambia, and is the social arm of the Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia. It was established in 2012 with the aim of fighting poverty by focusing on rural women and children through sustainable programs that bring about long-lasting change. These programs include microenterprise programs for women, sustainable agriculture, and safe water and sanitation systems for rural villages.

HOPE WALKS Hope Walks operates in 16 countries through 136 partner clinics and has worked in Zambia since 2008.

The ministry provides treatment for children born with clubfoot so the disability can be eliminated before the child takes their first step. In addition, Hope Walks offers compassionate care and support through the local church, providing parent advisors who support families while their children undergo treatment.

VOICES FROM AFRICA | THRIVING KIDS INITIATIVE | FALL 2023

S R E H T O M G N I R E OW

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Journal Entry: Wednesday / 2:05 pm Mafuta Village, ZAMBIA MARIE WHITE Cross International Director of Development

I feel incredibly blessed to personally witness the tangible impact of God’s work unfolding before my eyes.

Thanks to the unwavering support of Cross’ dedicated donors, a sewing project was initiated through the Kachere Development Program in Eastern Zambia. Observing these women diligently sewing at their machines is truly a captivating experience.

There was a time when these same women struggled to provide even one meal a day for their families. But with the introduction of sewing skills, everything changed. It’s been six months since the funds were allocated for sewing machines and a trainer, and the progress is remarkable. They’ve not only mastered sewing but are also selling their creations at the market.

Today, they can provide two to three meals a day for their families. The transformation is nothing short of astonishing. What’s even more heartwarming is that many of these women have enrolled their children in school — a blessing they hadn’t dared to dream of before.

Many of the women are so dedicated, they come to the training sessions with their babies strapped to their backs.

The depth of poverty never ceases to amaze me, regardless of my tenure at Cross or the number of partners we collaborate with. The sheer lack of everything is a stark reminder of the work that remains. I am humbled that God brought me here and equally humbled by the remarkable individuals, like you, who recognize a need and are resolute in their mission to uplift and transform lives.

R E T A W E F A S R O F EED

THE N

I am here at Agripa Village, where a group of women are washing clothes at an open stream. This stream used to serve as the main water source for the village. One of the women, the village headman’s sister, is named Chuma. She tells me that open water source is “very bad” to drink.

“If you use the water from there,” she says, “your stomach will hurt.” Thankfully, Chuma and her family are now able to access a community water system that was built recently by Cross and Kachere Development Program.

Now, for the first time in her village’s history, safe water was available on demand! She also stressed that she and her neighbors were committed to maintaining the new well in good working order. Chuma and other family leaders also participated in water and sanitation training, which has not only changed the way families use water but has also changed their hygiene habits, and the way they cook and clean.

“Our life has changed,” she says. Life is as different as you can imagine. We have no more water problems.”

Now thanks to the new well at Agripa Village, the water is safe to drink. This is just one of the 91 community water systems built by Cross and Kachere Development Program as part of our Water Is Life program, impacting 35,500 villagers.

Journal Entry: Wednesday / 11:45 am Agripa Village, ZAMBIA DAVID BURBACH Cross International Director of Marketing and Media

Journal Entry: Wednesday / 11:45 am Agripa Village, ZAMBIA ZACH OLES Cross International VP of International Programs rming y heartwa n a m e th ss One of ce at Cro n e ri e p x Ie at moments bration th le e c e g sfully is the villa e succes w n e h w r to a unfolds safe wate , n a le c is r delive . During th d e e n in y communit e have ccasion, w o t n a n g ig po distributin f o e g e il the priv rved newly se e th to s Bible ey. marking a their journ villagers, in el Last year, as the e n to s the Gosp culmination of ou mile t h n it a w c ifi ly n p r Water Is Life sig s dee pr te t og a a ra n m n o , a 50 s 1 Bibles were dist om t re W e th f rib o ut This even ed, so that rable these families will ave nd the pa im, “We h experience the gl la c ro p of John a to ory of God us in their own nativ ; now allowing e tongue. u to drink o y the Well, r fo r no safe wate t you will a th provided o s r lly ing Wate at beautifu th t n e here is Liv m mo irst.” It’s a longer th . the circle s te le p m nded. co me astou ft le t u o istribute oon’s turn ared to d p re This aftern p y ll gers had initia an 30 villa th re o m While we s, ord or 15 Bible eive the W around 10 c re to d htfully athere en thoug e b eagerly g s a h age. ach Bible wa langu e h of God. E ic h C l t had the loca faith, mos n a ti s ri h printed in , C villagers’ ad a Bible e re th to e h it g p Des te enou n fortuna e e ds. b r e v ne their han in e n o hold let alone was moment g in h c r, u ed village icularly to rt a e -h d in One part ,ak ever ry Vickers aying, “I n when Ma s er t, n e m ti ther villag r sen o e n h A d .” re le a sh n a Bib Bible.” would ow I t h g u ly seen a o re th ra e v a d, “We h nly expresse typically o ’s it , a p ri e Ag ever, village lik ible. How B a m o In a small fr ds very r who rea ned their e p o the pasto rs e g the er 30 villa ding. And a re today, ov n a g s and be own Bible joiced! people re

THE GIFT OF THE GOSPEL

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VOICES FROM AFRICA God’s love, transforming deepest need into thriving joy

Now that you’ve heard their voices, it’s time to act.

RECOMMENDED GIFTS $21,500 helps build homes for impoverished families $11,250 helps build a community water system $6,700 helps provide critical medical care $4,200 helps provide nutritious food Or whatever amount God places on your heart

Your generosity will lead to a sustainable, better world in which children can thrive.

For he w ill de the afflic liver the needy w ted who have no ho cry out, one to he lp.

PSALM 7 2 :12

C r o s s I n t e r n a t i o n a l . o r g / Vo i c e s f r o m A f r i c a