The Cross Family in Spain

An update from the Cross family – October 2024
 
 

 

 

October 2024
 
Ministry Update
 
So many things to be thankful for…
Since we just had a team in town, this will be a short and very sweet family & ministry update.
 
This really has become a beautiful season of thankfulness for our family. The end of September & most of October has been chock full of encouraging things. Here is a quick bullet point list of exactly what we are so thankful for.
 
  • Branching out in another area of ministry that is taking Sean & me back to the days of when we were dating. During our dating years and even in our first few years of marriage Sean and I enjoyed playing volleyball. Whether that be in sand or on a court, we love playing and watching the sport. At the beginning of this school year we decided to offer our time to lead an after school club of advanced volleyball. We currently have 14 students participating. With some weeks we get bonus students above our 14 that are signed up. We look forward to this activity each week and getting to come alongside students to discuss a few important life skills. Some of these skills being communication with and encouragement of teammates.
  • Jack received his first college acceptance letter and it happened to be from his number 1 choice. Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He has also received acceptance to attend Colorado Christian University as well. No final decisions have been made yet, but we would appreciate your prayers for Jack as well as Sean and myself as we want to make the wisest decision for him. (See pic below)
  • Do you remember Lucia and Paco? Several years ago we requested prayer for both of them. We repeatedly asked you to be in prayer for softening of hearts and a surrendering to Jesus. Over the last several years both had made a profession of faith and together they were baptized before our church family. Showing even more commitment to their new lives in Christ together, they decided to remarry in a small ceremony and recommit their marriage to each other with the foundation being firmly in Christ. What a wonderful celebration to witness! (See pic below)
  • At the beginning of October, Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA) hosted their annual Fall Festival. Fall Festival is a time when ECA opens their campus to ECA families, invited guests as well as families within our town to come and enjoy fun fall activities. There was everything from line dancing, face painting, a pie eating contest and chili cookout. Typically the family members of the current senior class plan the different activities at the festival. Since Jack is a senior, we were fully involved. Not surprisingly, I was in charge of the bake sale table. It was such a blessing to share typical American desserts with visiting Spanish families from our neighborhood. (See pic below)
  • Another piece of exciting news for Jack…He was encouraged to try out for ECA’s honors choir. Those who try out and are accepted are invited to attend and perform with other Christian high schools in an all Europe choir concert. Out of 30+ students who tried out, Jack was one of 13 chosen to represent Evangelical Christian Academy. In the spring he will be heading to Budapest, Hungry.
  • Probably one of the most exciting pieces of news…y’all have heard about our visa woes over the years. What a journey it has been & what a blessing to watch the goodness of God in action. We started our renewal process back in January. In mid October we picked up the last of our family’s visas. We finally received our 5 year visa!!! Woohoo!!! (See pic below)
  • To finish out the month of October we were blessed to have our sending church, Palmcroft, come and visit us. We are always so thankful when we have “family” come to visit and work along side us in the ministry. This particular group had the honor of facilitating our very first week night Bible club at the Friendship House. Going in to this event, we had no idea how many, or if any, kiddos would show up. What a beautiful surprise for everyone when EIGHT children arrived for the event to learn about Jonah. It is our prayer that this would be a first of many more clubs to offer to the children in our neighborhood. (See pic below)
** Friendship House English student update: I have asked for prayers of wisdom as I come alongside one of my students. Thank you for praying for me. We have had several short faith based conversations over the lessons we have had. Although she has not directly asked me about what I believe, when I ask her questions for clarification of her faith, I will usually follow up with a comment of what I believe. Please continue to pray for boldness of speech and wisdom for me as I look for open doors to share the Truth with her.
 
 
 
Would you please pray for…
 
  • Praise for the Lord’s blessings these past few months. Most importantly, praise the Lord for allowing us to see and take notice of these blessings.
  • Praise for a new-ish area of ministry in being able to come alongside youth through the sport of volleyball. Pray for our hearts to have opportunities to encourage the youth in their walk for Christ.
  • Praise for the spiritual growth of both Paco & Lucia and the example they are to their family members. Pray that they would be able to continue to shine their lights for Him and be able to give a testimony of God’s goodness in their lives to their family members.
  • Praise AND prayer for another son getting ready to launch and leave our nest.
  • Praise & a hardy hallelujah for our 5 year residency visas!
  • Praise for the Lord’s blessing of having our partnering church family come and visit us.
  • Prayers of wisdom and boldness as I (Ruthann) continue to work with my English student.
 

Much love & many blessings,

Sean & Ruthann

 
 

Our mailing address is:

Cross Family

Calle de Ntra Sra del Rosario 39

28816 Camarma de Esteruelas

(Madrid)

Spain

 

Our emailing addresses are:

Sean: sean4031@gmail.com

Ruthann: ruthanncross@hotmail.com

 
 
ONLINE MONTHLY GIVING:
 
1. Click on the “Cross Family Partner” button below.
2. One on the website, click “Create a Partner Account” or login to your existing account using your email.
3. Select the type of donor (ex. person, organization)
4. Enter your personal information.
5. Enter “213” or “Sean and Ruthann Cross” when asked about the worker you’d like to support. This will ensure you are supporting our family.
 
 

GIVING BY PHONE: Call (720) 283 – 2000

GIVING BY MAILING A CHECK:
1. Make the check payable to “WorldVenture”
2. Add our families account number “213” on the memo line.
3. Mail the check to WorldVenture 20 Inverness Place East Englewood, CO 80112.
 
Thank you to each of you who has so generously given to our family. We thank the Lord for you daily and can feel your prayers that sustain us.
 
Our current level of support is at 90% of our monthly goal.
 
If you would like to join our team or give an end of year tax deductible gift, click the blue “Giving” button above.
 
Before clicking the link we ask that you would first bathe this consideration in prayer. We so greatly appreciate each of you and are humbled by your gifts.

 

 

Blessings,

Sean and Ruthann Cross

WhatsApp +34 646 303 319  Sean

WhatsApp +34 676 495 880  Ruthann