The Cross Family in Spain

An update from the Cross family – April 2026
 

 

Taking an hour & a half to take out the trash…
 
We first met Ivan when we arrived to Spain. He came with his grandfather, who was our landlord at the time, to help interpret. His grandfather passed away during Covid and his grandmother passed last spring. This has left Ivan, who is only 23 years old, with the full responsibility of overseeing this rental property, where we live.
We do not often see Ivan, even though he lives with his parents one street over from us. However, this last weekend, while taking out the trash, Sean ran into him on the street. When Ivan saw Sean, from a distance, Ivan called out to him to say hello. Sean then asked him how life has been and Ivan went on to tell him how life has been difficult and how poorly he feels because so many things in our home needs fixing. He also shared how he lost a very close friend to suicide over these last months. Ivan is burdened, saddened and is really struggling with the reality that he doesn’t have “life all together”.
We have had several spiritual conversations with this young man over the 7+ years we have lived here. He is unlike other young men his age. He desires to work hard and see things are done right and people are treated well. He is very tenderhearted and doesn’t understand how young people his age can be living the lives they live. Unfulfilling, and empty with very little purpose.
During their conversation together Sean laid out where our hope lies. How we and he can have hope in Jesus. The author and perfect of our faith. Of course, Sean explained everything in simpler terms. Their conversation on Jesus lasted for about an hour and a half. Sean encouraged Ivan to read the book of John. We are praying he is doing so. Would you pray for Ivan, that the Lord would speak to Him and that His voice would be heard? Would you pray for wisdom for Sean as he will be reaching out to Ivan soon to check up on him, to see how he is doing.
 
Our bonus family member…
You’ve been praying for Sarah—a girl from California/Tennessee, who came with the Grand Canyon University College of Education in May 2025 for a short-term trip, and who came back to live with us for about six months while she teaches at ECA. I have been wanting to say something about Sarah since her arrival back in February, but I am seriously at a loss for words. This blessing from the Lord is too great! Sarah is an accomplished musician, she has brought music back to our home. (Shameless plug: You can listen to her music in all platforms. Just look up Sarah Renay.) She has been a huge blessing to her students. (7th and 8th graders as well as 3rd and 4th graders) They have felt loved and listened to by her. She has blessed Evi with having a, never before, big sister. I never knew that there could be THAT much giggling in the home. She has blessed me in numerous ways. Her simplicity of honesty, her love for others, the music that is always upon her heart and voice praising our Lord…not to mention the sourdough starter she brought with her in her luggage. The blessing of her mere presence is far too great, our God has been so gracious to us.
It is not lost on me that this blessing would have never happened if we weren’t in charge of coordinating short term teams and interns to come to Spain and serve. If we didn’t take the time to get to know those team members and continue those relationships and conversations after they have left Spain and return back to “normal life” in the states. If we hadn’t said, “yes” to the Lord’s leading when He placed Sarah upon our hearts to invite her into our home to live with us while she serves here at ECA. Our Lord is so gracious and giving of beautifully perfect gifts when we take the time to just say, “yes”.
 
Taking Sarah to see the aqueducts in Segovia
 
 
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 “4000-213” 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.
 
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
 
 
 
 
Our mailing address is:
Cross Family
C/de Ntra Sra del Rosario 39
28816 Camarma de Esteruelas
Madrid, Spain
 
Our email addresses are:
Sean: s.cross@worldventure.com
Ruthann: r.cross@worldventure.com or ruthanncross@hotmail.com
Praise & Prayer…
  • Praise for a prolonged time of taking out the trash & the Lord’s perfect timing.
  • Pray for Sean as he reaches out to Ivan and has the opportunity to continue to share Jesus with him.
  • Pray for Ivan, that the Lord would move in his life and he would realize his need for salvation.
  • Pray for Sarah as she continues her time here at ECA. Pray for wisdom as she considers her future. Pray for her as she teaches and mentors students.
  • Praise for Grand Canyon University’s Global Outreach Team and their time in Spain serving at the Friendship House and visiting ECA. May God continue to plant desires to live on mission within these young adult’s hearts.
  • We have our yearly team from Grand Canyon University’s College of Education coming out in the beginning of May. Pray for the team as they prepare for their time here in Spain serving at the Friendship House as well as ECA.
  • Pray for us as the end of the school year is quickly approaching and the calendar is FULL. Pray that we can be intentional in all the busyness.
GCU’s Global Outreach Team visiting ECA
Induction ceremony into ECA’s NHS
Induction ceremony into ECA’s NHS
 
 
Date to Pray Over…
May 2nd – Ethan’s Graduation from Azusa Pacific University
May 2nd – SAT Testing for Evi
May 2nd – Grand Canyon University’s College of Education arrives to serve in Spain
May 2-11 – GCU’s COE serves at the Friendship House & Evangelical Christian Academy
May 8th – ECA’s Sports Day
May 22nd-23rd – ECA’s Musical Performance of The Music Man (Evi is playing Zaneeta)
June 2nd – 4th – ECA High School Finals
June 5th – Last Day of School & Graduation

Family news…
Sean is just two classes away from finishing his time with Liberty University where he is earning his bachelor’s degree in Christian counseling with a minor in global studies. It has taken quite a bit of time, but poco a poco, he is almost done. We are also super proud of him as he has been accepted into the master’s program for clinical counseling with Columbia International University. Sean has worked so hard and has exhibited so much patience as he has faithfully chipped away at his education. Giving 100% to his schooling, his family and ministry. We are blessed by such a faithful man in our lives giving so much to so many.

Speaking of schooling, we are quite proud of Evi as she was invited to join the National Honor Society because of her excellence in academics. (Her official induction ceremony occurred on March 17.) She too has been working hard and seeing all the work pay off.

Lastly, how can we be at another college graduation! Ethan is getting ready to wrap up his time at Azusa Pacific University and will be graduating at the beginning of May. Would you continue praying for him as he considers what he will be doing next and where he may apply to continue his master’s degree in christian ministries?
 

Much love & many blessings,

Sean & Ruthann

 
 

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