Donate
Pay Trip Fees
My Account
About Us
About Us

Financials

Our Team

Employment

Blog

Facebook-f Instagram Vimeo
Our Mission is to transform the lives of children trapped in poverty through Christ-centered, holistic care.

Our Vision is to see people around the world overcome spiritual and material poverty through Jesus Christ.
Programs
Cuba

Ghana

Haiti

Kenya

Kosova

Mexico

Nicaragua

Uganda
Go to serve at one of our programs.
Mission Teams

Give to help children living in poverty.
Donate
Sponsor a Child
Mission Trips
Get Involved
Mission Teams

Global Prayer Team

Sell a Home, Save a Child

Planned Giving

Employer Matching

Corporate Partners

Stock & Crypto
Be the lifeline a child needs.
Sponsor a Child

Join our community of monthly givers.
Join the Verge

Cart 0

Forward Edge Blog

Child Sponsorship

Mission Trips

Resources

Stories

Why Didn’t I Cry?

By Melanie Kruse

Off On a Mission Trip

I’ve never been on a mission trip like this. This was the first time we served with Forward Edge and the first time our two daughters had joined us, but that’s not what made it different. On this trip I didn’t cry.

My husband and I had both been on mission trips before with other organizations, often with many tears involved. As we boarded the plane for Oaxaca, Mexico, I anticipated feeling emotions similar to those I’d experienced on past trips.

The next morning was filled with joy as we finally met our sponsored children. One of the children, Kevin, immediately came running up to our family as soon as we entered the children’s program. He hugged me and I felt like my day was complete. His smile could be seen from across a room.

Intentional Relationships

I watched on the first morning as Victor, the program director, shared from the Bible and led a discussion with the kids. At first it seemed ordinary, but slowly I noticed something different. Victor seemed to know each child by name. They listened closely and were captivated by him.

I thought perhaps they were just really obedient children, but I soon realized: Victor and his wife, Lety, had a personal relationship with each child. They were not merely children attending a program; they were dearly loved by Victor and Lety. They were seen. They were listened to. They were cared for. They mattered. They were important.

Not What I Expected

I found myself in the middle of the week remembering back to those trips with other organizations. I had cried so hard simply at the thought of saying goodbye to my sponsored child. I remember seeing children – living in an abandoned school bus or attending a community program – and feeling so much grief and sorrow. I felt broken.

And now I found myself not feeling these emotions. I wondered what was wrong. Why wasn’t I crying? Had I become less sensitive? Did I not love these children as much? Why wasn’t I heartbroken at the thought of saying goodbye? Had I become calloused over the years and didn’t care as much?

I shared my feelings with my husband and found he too was feeling the same way. As we dialogued about it, we realized something. What we were feeling wasn’t a calloused heart or a lack of love, but instead, it was peace. We had peace knowing these children were not going to be overlooked. They had Victor and Lety standing up for them.

On a previous mission trip, I felt I had to be the one to stand up for my sponsored child when he was being bullied. I was nervous for his future. But here at the Forward Edge children’s program in Mexico, that didn’t happen. They have grandparent-like figures who’ve known them for years. Victor and Lety have been a constant source of dependability for these children having led the program for 16 years.

A Happy Goodbye?

So, as I said goodbye, I felt a little sad, but not because I was worried about the children or their future. I simply felt sad because I had loved my time and would miss them. I had such peace knowing they are being left in amazing hands and will continue to be noticed, stood up for, and personally checked in on.

What a joy to have this peace, knowing these children have the support they need for a beautiful future. To know they will be looked after and are not just a number in the system. To know that I get to have a small part in their lives as well.

I am very grateful that Victor and Lety have chosen to give their lives each and every day for these children and their families. The work they do is not merely a job but rather a lifestyle. It’s amazing the difference two people can make, and it astounds me how they have personal connections with each child.

More Than A Dream Fulfilled

My husband and I had our wish fulfilled as we went on this mission trip with our family. However, instead of tears and returning home feeling broken and worried, we had an incredible peace. We returned home with joy in our hearts. God had not only given us our desire to go and meet our sponsored children, but He’d given us a surprise: the surprise of seeing each child fully known, truly seen, and not forgotten.

Melanie Kruse

Melanie has always had a passion for lives being changed, especially for those in difficult circumstances. Her life has been greatly influenced by the love of Jesus and she desires others to find this hope as well. She and her family sponsor six children in two countries, and they love any opportunity to visit them. Melanie works as the bookkeeper and assists with communications and other administrative roles at Forward Edge International.

Child Nutrition

Nourishing Bodies, Transforming Lives: The Impact of Meals in Kenya

In the heart of Kenya, where many children face the daily struggle of hunger, a simple meal can be life-changing. At Forward Edge, we’re not just filling plates—we’re filling lives with hope, strength, and opportunity. Our programs in Kenya provide nourishing meals that empower children to focus in school, grow in their faith, and dream of a brighter future. Discover how something as simple as a meal is transforming lives and bringing lasting change to communities across Kenya.

mission trips

Teens in Short-Term Missions

One of the most impactful things I learned as a teenager was that God will do extraordinary things through you whether you are 5 or 45, 15 or 52; He has no age restrictions and certainly does not follow the boundaries that we build up ourselves. Even now, at 21,

child sponsorship

Small Notes, Big Impact

Someone Thought of Me? Did you know that a simple note can change the trajectory of a child’s life? It’s true! For children living in poverty, life is challenging and filled with hardships. They may feel overlooked, forgotten, and alone. But when they receive a note, it shows that they

Collaboration

Two Countries, One Purpose

Relationships are everything. And it’s not just those in the U.S. reaching out to other countries; it’s the entire Global Church engaging with and learning from each other. As an organization, we seek to foster and steward those vital relationships. Recently, the director of our Uganda children’s program, Bonny Lugayizi,

forward_edge

Connecting the global church through vulnerable children’s programs, community development, and short-term mission trips

In Ghana, moms are being empowered with knowledge

In Ghana, moms are being empowered with knowledge that can change lives. Our program directors recently hosted a nutrition education session—focused on healthy feeding practices for infants over six months.

They learned about age-appropriate milk intake, food diversification, and the importance of hygiene. And for families in need, baby food and formula were provided.

But it didn’t stop there.

The gospel was also shared—offering hope, encouragement, and the reminder that God sees and cares for every mother and child. This is holistic care in action—meeting physical and spiritual needs, one family at a time.

Alice once dreamed only of finishing high school a

Alice once dreamed only of finishing high school and helping her aunt in the family shop. She never imagined a future beyond that.

But through our sponsorship program—and the steady encouragement of mentors who believed in her—Alice’s story took a different turn.

She not only completed high school with outstanding results, but also earned a place at one of Uganda’s top Health Science Colleges to study clinical medicine and community health.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether child sponsorship really makes a difference… Alice is living proof that it does. 💛

🍽️ In Haiti, hunger isn’t just a challenge—it’s a daily reality. Food disappears within moments of being served, and a simple meal can mean everything to a child.

But even in the midst of such hardship, God is our refuge and strength. 💛 By His grace, our Kid's Club program is now providing nearly 200 children with consistent meals—while also pouring into their futures with education, medical care, discipleship, and a loving community.

Because of this support, these children aren’t just fed… they’re equipped to rise above and step into the future God has for them. 🙌 Thank you for your support!

Meet DaLynn! – Our Events Coordinator & Sell A H

Meet DaLynn! – Our Events Coordinator & Sell A Home, Save A Child Manager!

From a young age, DaLynn witnessed true servant-hearted love. Growing up in a small-town church where her father was a minister, she saw her parents feed, clothe, and shelter anyone in need. This deeply shaped her passion for bringing people together and making them feel cherished—something she now pours into every event she plans.

In 2016, DaLynn and her husband Steve attended a Forward Edge Benefit Dinner, and everything changed. Seeing firsthand the impact of the ministry stirred something deep in her heart—she had to get involved. She prayed for direction, and God opened the door to her role at Forward Edge.

🎉 As the Events Coordinator, DaLynn ensures every gathering is more than just an event—it’s an experience of connection, purpose, and impact.
🏡 As the Sell a Home, Save a Child Manager, she helps real estate professionals transform their industry by linking home sales to life-changing care for vulnerable children.

We’re incredibly grateful for DaLynn—her sacrifice, dedication, authenticity, and the way she reflects God’s love in all she does. If you know her, you are truly blessed!

📸 Steve & DaLynn serving with children in our Oaxaca program. ❤️

Load More… Follow us on Instagram

Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Miredita (hello), my name is Ema Xhevat

Kosova
9 yrs. old

12-21-2015

Entered the program: September 2023

Ema lives with her mother and two older sisters in her grandparents’ home. The house was built many years ago and is in fair condition. Ema’s father passed away in 2022, leaving the family with no means of support so they had to move in with their grandparents. They live on government assistance which basically is only enough to cover utilities for 2 weeks. Ema's mother struggles to provide for the family on her own; housework falls largely to Ema’s sisters and they often lack food. Life is very difficult for them.

Ema's sister, Era, is also in the Corner Stone program.