In rural Malawi, many children wake each day unsure if they’ll eat, relying on water that can make them sick. For families living in deep poverty, this isn’t an occasional hardship—it’s daily life. Yet even in these conditions, there is hope.

Today, we were joined by Aaron Griggs of Cross International, a Christian humanitarian and development ministry, to talk about how lives are being changed in places like Malawi through practical help and the hope of the gospel.

Life in Rural Malawi: A Daily Struggle for Survival

In remote villages like Tanganyika, life revolves around meeting the most basic needs. Families often don’t know where their next meal will come from, and many children go to bed hungry.

Access to clean water is one of the greatest challenges. Most families rely on open water sources contaminated with bacteria, leading to frequent illness—especially among children who are already malnourished. These illnesses not only weaken their bodies but also rob them of the nutrients they desperately need.

Housing is fragile and unsafe, medical care is scarce, and education is often out of reach due to cost. Add to that years of severe drought that have devastated crops, and the cycle of poverty deepens.

And yet, as Aaron shared, these families are resilient—working hard, doing their best, and holding onto hope for a better future.

The Hidden Cost of Unsafe Water

Contaminated water doesn’t just affect health—it disrupts every part of life.

Children, especially girls, often spend hours each day walking long distances to collect water. That’s time they could be spending in school. At the same time, women are unable to pursue income-generating work, making it even harder for families to afford school fees.

Even when children attend school, frequent illness makes it difficult for them to focus and learn. Over time, they fall further behind, limiting their future opportunities.

A Long-Term Approach to Breaking the Cycle

Cross International doesn’t just meet immediate needs—they focus on lasting transformation.

Their approach is built on a partnership with local ministries. Rather than imposing outside solutions, they work alongside community leaders to create sustainable, long-term change.

This model has proven effective. Many of their ministry partners have been serving their communities for over a decade, allowing them to witness real transformation—physically, economically, and spiritually.

Bri’s Story: A Life Transformed

One powerful example is a young girl named Bri.

After her father passed away, Bri’s family lost everything. Her mother, Ines, was left to raise three children alone, struggling to find work and provide even basic necessities. They lived in a fragile, unsafe home, and Bri often went to bed hungry and sick from drinking unclean water.

School wasn’t even an option. But everything changed when Bri joined Cross International’s after-school program.

Her school fees were covered, allowing her to return to the classroom. She now receives a daily nutritious meal, academic support, and the chance to simply be a child—playing, learning, and building friendships.

Most importantly, she is learning about Jesus.

Bri’s favorite Bible story is Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10). She loves how he was determined to see Jesus—and how Jesus responded by coming to his home. Now, Bri understands that Jesus sees her too, loves her, and is always with her.

More Than Aid: Restoring Dignity and Hope

The impact extends beyond children.

Bri’s mother, Ines, has received support to start a small business, creating a sustainable way to provide for her family. The after-school program has become a community hub—offering not just education and meals, but also encouragement, prayer, and spiritual growth.

Facilities built through this partnership are used for worship services and community gatherings, strengthening both families and the broader village.

By addressing physical needs—like food, water, housing, and education—doors are opened to share the love of Christ in meaningful, lasting ways.

An Invitation to Make a Difference

While stories like Bri’s are encouraging, many more children are still waiting. The need is great—but so is the opportunity.

As Aaron reminded us, God doesn’t call us to solve everything. He simply asks us to be faithful with what we’ve been given (Luke 16:10). Like the boy who offered his five loaves and two fish (John 6:1–13), what we place in God’s hands can be multiplied far beyond what we imagine.

Through this partnership, just $62 can provide a child with school fees, daily meals, clean water, and biblical teaching that points them to Christ.

If you’d like to be part of this work and help reach children like Bri, you can give at FaithFi.com/Cross.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I understand how QCDs work and have been using them through my IRA. My question is about documentation—do QCDs require the same ‘contemporaneous’ receipt as regular charitable gifts? And if the IRS questioned it, what proof should I have, especially if the checks are sent directly to charities?
What’s the difference between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA? Can someone open a 401(k) without being an employee? And what are the contribution limits for each?

Resources Mentioned:

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