BRAZIL — Crossworld donor Dave Hutton first journeyed to the Amazon jungle from California in 2000 to visit his cousin Jane Burns and her coworker, Miriam Abbott. While there, Dave was especially impressed with Crossworld’s discipleship of national believers to take over their own churches. Jane and Miriam’s school prepared children to attend a Brazilian Bible college that trained them to be missionaries.

“The ultimate goal is to turn the work back over to the Brazilians,” Dave explained. “As the nationals themselves get more and more involved in [the church], then ultimately they should be able to take over…, and the American missionary moves on.”

Dave was already supporting his cousin’s ministry, but going to Brazil motivated him to give even more. “Visiting the field changed my giving entirely,” Dave said. “As I saw the needs up close and personal, I increased my giving dramatically.”

But Dave did more than donate money; he sprang into action. After his first trip to the Amazon, he returned to the U.S. and convinced his cousin, Ed Hutton, to join him for a second trip. While there, they saw a need for church buildings in the villages Jane and Miriam worked. Dave and Ed went back to the U.S. and raised money to build the churches. By their fourth trip to Brazil, both churches were complete.

This opportunity to make a difference spurs Dave on not only to keep returning but also to encourage others to get involved.