Are you ever frustrated that people from different viewpoints can't get along?  Especially if they are religious leaders?  This week we'll get to know Josue Andre from Haiti and he'll share how he's gotten voodoo priests, catholic priests, and protestant pastors to all sit around the same table together to make a difference in their community.  He'll share his community development work that is happening in communities around Haiti and you'll get to know him a little better.  Visit www.cor.org/bridgingcultures to learn more!

When disasters strike - natural or man made - people want to help.  Sometimes, it's a small disaster that a community can, and should handle on their own.  Sometimes that "help" turns into a secondary disaster.  Sometimes the help lasts too long and turns into dependency.  But sometimes, it's just what a community needs to help them recover and get back on their own two feet.  Join us as we take a glimpse into the good, the bad, and the ugly in disaster response from our friends and partners in Haiti & Puerto Rico.

Sawubona:  "I see you" in Zulu is often used as a greeting, but it's more than just for politeness.  Sawubona means you recognize the worth and diginity of the person you are encountering.  Meet Wil, originally from the US, but has lived most of his life in Costa Rica.  Sawubona is a meaningful word to him and shapes how he interacts with others.

"Lots of organizations have literally killed Malawians by giving handouts to them....what they need is knowledge, not food."  Luwayo Biswick from Malawi says he can end hunger for a family in 3 weeks.  And not only does he say it, he's proven it.  

To learn more, visit www.cor.org/bridgingcultures for Shownotes and join our Bridging Cultures Facebook group!

Only 46% of Malawians live within reach of healthcare.  Mercy, the founder of Wandikweza, works hard to bring healthcare closer to the people by training local leaders in preventative care, overseeing nurses on motorcycles, and mobile medical clinics.  She tells powerful stories on the importance of building strong relationships and empowering local leaders.  

Today you will hear from partners in Malawi, South Africa, and Haiti.  What's wrong with dependency and does it effect progress - personally and community wide?  Take a listen to community game changers as they share stories explaining why dependency is so detrimental to future success.

Meet Hugo - a Malawian that received his degree in economics so that he could work for World Bank or another large international organization to make an impact.  BUT, he felt called to start working for the church coordinating community development projects by bringing innovative Malawian organizations together to make a collective impact.  He is preparing to launch his own holistic community development non-profit called Opulence.  We hope you will learn as much from him as we've been learning!

Check out our Shownotes at www.cor.org/bridgingcultures  and visit our Facebook page to learn more!

Empowerment of local leaders is a game-changer.  We begin by hearing from Carol Cartmill who unpacks what empowerment means in international development work.  Next we'll journey to Malawi where you'll hear stories from Hugo Ngwira and Funny Nkhoma and their perspective as to why empowerment can break generational poverty.  Stories that are inspirational and encouraging, although some heartbreaking.  Overall, these are personal stories of hard work and determination, yet doing both with a sense of humor.  To learn more and see pictures of these amazing local leaders, check out our Shownotes at www.cor.org/bridgingcultures 

Making an impact in someone's life is one of the most meaningful goals you could have.  Take a listen to Milton and see how he strives to bring about good changes in communities around the world by investing in the lives of the people that live there.  Check out our Shownotes to learn more and find ways that you can make a difference too!

Strong & trusting relationships are the foundation of every partnership, whether they be personal or professional.  Without a solid relational foundation, communication can be misinterpreted, partnerships can be fractured, and progress will be stalled.  Join us as we dig deeper into the importance of relationships as we hear from Hugo & Mercy in Malawi, and Milton in Honduras.  Check out our Shownotes to dig a little deeper.