Cross International

Focus on Medical: (See Schedule O for description.)From July 2019 to June 2020, Cross International medical aid focused on needs in five countries - Malawi, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This outreach has had a wide-ranging impact. For example, Cross shipped medical goods to Guatemalan ministry partner Friends for Health and Life for distribution among free community medical clinics as well as hospitals that use these needed medicines to treat the poor. In another case, Cross supported the Friendly Hand Foundation in El Salvador with medical supplies and medicines, which were distributed throughout a distribution network of 20 different medical institutions that includes hospitals, rural clinics, and remote medical brigades. Ministry partners such as these rely on Cross donations to keep their medicine shelves stocked, their equipment up-to-date, and their professional staff employed. By equipping medical outreach programs with resources necessary to provide services to their communities, Cross helps thousands of families who would otherwise go without quality medical care. The Organization performs this activity in connection with the Organization's mission to meet the needs of the poor for the glory of God.

Focus on Orphans: (See Schedule O for description.)Cross International responded to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in 11 countries - Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guyana, Guatemala, Haiti, Lesotho, Malawi, Nicaragua, Uganda, Zambia and El Salvador. Efforts in Haiti have brought quality Christian education, nutritious food, and safe shelter to children who would otherwise live in squalor. In Nicaragua, one of the Organization's supporting ministries provides a safe home for court-appointed children that have suffered from domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and abandonment. The support of the Organization and its collaborative churches and ministries allows these children to receive daily Christian devotions, professional counsel, shelter, education and a future.

Focus on Food: (See Schedule O for description.)Fighting malnutrition and feeding children are priorities for Cross International in connection with the Organization's mission to meet the needs of the poor for the glory of God. In keeping with this mission, the Organization gave monetary or material aid to feeding programs in nine countries including Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Malawi, Nicaragua, Peru, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic. Many food shipments were specifically earmarked for distribution to children, who are vulnerable to long-term developmental effects from chronic malnutrition. One of the best ways to get food into the mouths of the hungry has been to partner with Christian churches and organizations that are already established in developing countries. A large percentage of Cross International's nutritional aid was sent in the form of "Vitafood" - prepackaged, nutrient-rich meals that are easy to cook and serve and are scientifically developed to meet the needs of malnourished children. Additionally, locally purchased food, including vegetables and culturally appropriate foods, are priorities for the Organization's programs.

4d Additional Program Services - EducationCross International provided education support in eight countries: Ecuador, Nicaragua, Haiti, Guatemala, Malawi, Nicaragua, Peru and Uganda. Although educational opportunities are technically offered by the governments in many developing countries, the quality of those services is often substandard, and the education is not really free because the schools charge small fees which are too high for poor parents to pay. Government-run schools may also require students to purchase supplies and uniforms that many families cannot afford. As a result of these costs, dropout rates are enormous. To reverse this trend, Cross International collaborates with Christian schools and Christian educational outreaches that focus on meeting the needs of poor children who would otherwise be left behind. With Cross' support, these schools have provided a quality, gospel-centered education at minimal or no cost to the students.4d Additional Program Services - Water ProjectsFrom July 2019 to June 2020, Cross International funded water projects in Zambia. The Organization partnered with the Kachere Development Program to install clean water wells in rural Zambian villages where children and families were suffering constant illness from drinking disease-infested water from hand-dug ditches. The results of such projects are dramatic. As clean water becomes more readily available, waterborne illnesses decrease and women no longer need to walk long distances to fetch small amounts of water from contaminated rivers. By establishing new sources of safe water that can serve communities for years to come, Cross International's projects are saving lives for the glory of God. 4d Additional Program Services - HousingFrom July 2019 to June 2020, Cross International supported housing programs in two countries: Guatemala and Malawi. These efforts involved, for example, the funding of Rainbow Network, a Christian charity in Nicaragua that builds safe, durable houses for families who would otherwise have to live in crude, dirt-floor shelters built from whatever scraps they can find. In Guatemala, a Christian charity built homes for families that were living in severe poverty that were identified after rescuing their children from malnutrition. The Organization collaborated with these Christian churches and ministries in connection with their shared mission of meeting the needs of the poor for the glory of God. 4d Additional Program Services - ShippingIn connection with the Organization's biblical mandate to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the poor, Cross International's shipping program uses monetary donations to transport and distribute donated goods that meet the exempt purpose of providing food, providing clothing, providing medicine, facilitating medical treatment, providing water, facilitating clean water, providing housing, facilitating housing development, facilitating self-help programs, facilitating education programs and/or addressing needs in a disaster relief and recovery situation. Through this approach, a donor's contribution can be multiplied ten times or more, as it places goods valued higher than the donation amount into the hands of the poor by the ministries serving them. Another benefit of shipping goods rather than sending funds is that Cross can provide crucial medicines and medical supplies that are not locally available physically or financially. This support keeps hospitals and clinics stocked with the needed resources so doctors do not have to turn away patients untreated. From July 2019 to June 2020, Cross shipped goods to churches and ministries in 4 countries: the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti and Nicaragua.4d Additional Program Services - General Support & Disaster ReliefCross International is uniquely positioned to help overseas churches and ministries with their specific or unexpected needs. Cross' targeted responses enable ministry partners to obtain a specific resource quickly and effectively, allowing them to continue their work without disruption. In response to the global pandemic of Covid-19, Cross assisted numerous churches and ministries with providing emergency food support and supplies, staffing essential workers, medical equipment, purchasing of PPE equipment, improve hygiene and sanitation and access to clean water. 4d Additional Program Services - Mission EducationCross International's overall mission includes educating Christians in the United States about the needs of the poor overseas and highlighting a biblical basis for responding to that poverty. This is important to the Organization's goal of developing stronger relationships between the church in the U.S. and the church in the developing world. Cross achieved this goal by communicating directly to American Christians through Christian radio. The ministry's radio presentations were made to the public on radio stations throughout the country. Along with conventional radio, Cross International also educates through satellite radio, speakers, musical performances, events, online promotions, mailed materials and other forms of communication. The Organization desires that churches from around the world would be united in meeting the needs of the poor for the glory of God.4d Additional Program Services - Project DevelopmentIn order to ensure the proper use of donated funds and goods, Cross International continuously monitors and meets with overseas churches and ministry partners. The International Programs staff made regular visits to local churches, reviewing requests for assistance and budgets, monitoring the use of previous gifts and providing professional assistance with accounting or project development issues. These project development services help Cross International's partners grow more effectively, provide better outreach to the poor, and maintain greater stability in the community. In addition to the project development services provided by the Organization to cooperating churches, the Organization also regularly engages in prayer support for the churches and ministries with which it serves.