Happy National Volunteer Week!

In this edition, we are highlighting a volunteer using Cross Exchange to serve children halfway around the world from his home, addressing a common dilemma hosts and volunteers face when starting a conversation, and more!

Volunteer Spotlight: Morgan in Nairobi, Kenya

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we’re changing things up by highlighting Morgan, a volunteer who’s serving in Nairobi, Kenya.

Morgan traveled over 8,800 miles (14,000 km) to work with children in need, serving them physically and spiritually. As with any work exchange, Morgan has faced unexpected obstacles and new challenges, which ultimately serve as a testament to his character, adaptability, and heart of service.

Way to go, Morgan!

Interested in joining him? View this work exchange or search all opportunities

Mailbag Q&A

A reader recently asked:

I’ve received a message from a volunteer and I think we’d like to host her, but I’m not 100% certain. What should I say since I’m not sure yet?

This is a common situation hosts find themselves in. Everything might appear positive in a traveler’s initial message, but the host isn’t sure yet whether they will open up their home/ministry/project to them. A similar situation often applies to volunteers: a host’s profile might look interesting, but the listing alone often isn’t enough information to decide whether to agree to a work exchange.

Here are some best practices when navigating a new connection:

1. Don’t Feel A Need to Decide Right Away

Instead of feeling like you need to say yes or no immediately, we recommend starting with something like “This sounds interesting, let’s chat more so we can get to know each other and see if we’re a good fit.”

2. Schedule A Call

A video call goes a long way toward identifying whether a volunteer would be a good fit. Take a few minutes to ask them about themselves, share what’s important to you, and see how you feel. Remember, the person on the other end is trying to decide if they want to do a work exchange with you, too.

3. Trust Your Gut

If you’re still not confident about a potential work exchange after a video call, that might be a sign that y’all are not the right fit. Tell the other person you respectfully decline and wish them the best on their journey!

Have a different question about Cross Exchange? Let us know - we’re happy to help.

Join Us on Instagram

We’re excited to announce that our Instagram is officially up and running! Check out all the countries Cross Exchange users call home (so far), why we started this platform, and more. We’re excited to use this medium to share more about Cross Exchange and the behind-the-scenes of building a global Christian platform.

If you haven’t already, please follow us :) We’re also sharing this content on Facebook.

A Note from the Word: The Heart of a Builder

When considering the call to service, the example of Nehemiah in the Old Testament stands out as a testament to the power of dedicated, selfless labor. In the book of Nehemiah, we find a man who was comfortably established in a position of prestige, yet he was deeply moved by the needs of his people in Jerusalem.

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’” (Nehemiah 2:17)

Nehemiah did not just offer sympathy from a distance; he left his security, traveled to a place of hardship, and organized a community to accomplish a daunting task.

Volunteering embodies that same willingness to step into the “ruins” - the places where help is needed most - and to offer one’s time, skills, and heart. Like those who stood beside Nehemiah, may we all be encouraged by the example of the builders before us to commit our hands and hearts to the work of restoration wherever we are called to serve.

Explore, Serve, Grow,

Trent & Bethany

Further Reading

A miscellaneous collection of what we’ve been chewing on.

• Should Christians Looksmaxx? Peptides, Bonesmashing, and LIES Told In Christian Dating ( / )

  Taylor may be best known for his Christian mega-church comedy sketches, but he knows how to provoke thought as much as laughter.

• Were Past Christians Unthinking Supporters of Colonialism? It’s Actually The Opposite. ()

  Will continues to shed light on the imperfect (but largely sanctified) history of missions.

• Dragon Slaying IV ( / )

  Slaying the beast of gluttony, in its many subtle forms, points us back to the cross.

• The Shape of a Human Life ( / )

  Looking forward to New Jerusalem.

Share With a Friend

We have a big reason to celebrate this month: Cross Exchange has officially reached 100 users! Thank you to everyone who’s joined us in these early days. Whether you’ve listed your work exchange opportunity or are dreaming of your first trip, we are so grateful you’re here.

This month, we’re spotlighting a very special host in Indonesia and launching a brand-new section to answer your travel questions.

Host Spotlight: Faith and Family in Bali, Indonesia

This month, I’m excited to feature a host who is very close to my heart. A few years back, I had the opportunity to stay with this orphanage in Bali, Indonesia for a few weeks, and it was a truly life-changing experience.

View the Full Listing Here

The Mission:

Located in beautiful Bali, this isn’t just an orphanage; it is a loving family environment. Their mission is to provide a stable, Christ-centered home for children in need, teaching them about the love of Jesus through daily life and intentional care.

The Experience:

My time there was filled with energy and joy. Some of my personal highlights included lots of activities with the children: playing sports (especially soccer and baseball), going for afternoon runs, and exploring the local area on field trips. It is a place where “sharing life” happens through action - both on the soccer field and at the dinner table!

What they’re looking for:

They are currently looking for volunteers who want to pour into these kids’ lives.

• English Teaching: Help the children practice and improve their English skills.

• Mentorship: Spend quality time being a positive, Christian role model.

• Active Participation: If you love sports, outdoors, and high energy, you will fit right in!

Reader Mailbag

We’re experimenting with a new section in this newsletter addressing questions we’ve received from our wonderful users. We want to make sure you feel equipped as you head out on your exchanges. Hope this helps!

This month, we’re answering a question we received recently: “What should I pack, how much money do I need, and how do I handle the logistics once the exchange is agreed upon?”

Here is some practical advice based on my own travels:

1. The Money Situation

When traveling to an area that doesn’t transact in your normal currency, I recommend bringing somewhere in the range of $100–$200 USD (or ~€90–€175), but your most important tool is a debit card, and make sure you know your PIN! ATMs are everywhere, but they’re useless without that code. I made that mistake while traveling, and I promise it makes life very challenging!

• Pro tip: Travelers from the US may want to consider a Charles Schwab debit card; it has historically charged no ATM fees worldwide.

• In countries that don’t primarily transact in USD, many local shops offer currency exchange services. You can use the cash you withdraw from an ATM to convert to the local currency.

2. Packing Essentials

For long trips, I used a 70L backpacking backpack and the bundle wrap method to maximize space. However, if you’re only visiting one destination, a standard suitcase and carry-on are usually more convenient.

• The Basics: One pair of active shoes, one pair of casual shoes, one week’s worth of clothes, and gear appropriate for the local climate.

3. Resources & Support

I’ve made some YouTube videos showcasing my travels and the challenges I faced. This video highlights some of those challenges and how I managed to solve them. Remember, travel always comes with hurdles—that’s just part of the adventure!

What else are you wondering about Cross Exchange? Please reach out - my team and I are here to help.

- Trent

A Note from the Word: Growing Together

As we hit the 100-user mark, I’m reminded of how the Lord grows His Kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul writes: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

We are planting seeds of connection across borders, and we are so encouraged to see God giving the increase. Thank you for being part of this growth!

Share With a Friend

Explore, Serve, Grow,

Trent & Bethany

Further Reading

A miscellaneous collection of what we’ve been reading lately.

• Everybody Wants to Rule the World ( / )

  I haven’t seen Marty Supreme, but it’s now on my watch list!

• Missions is Colonization? It’s Actually the Opposite. ()

  Refreshing to hear this perspective.

• Discipleship Does Not Scale ( / )

  A good reminder in a culture where bigger is de facto better.

Welcome to the very first edition of our monthly newsletter. If you missed it, check out this piece we shared last week that explains what we’re up to. This space is all about pulling back the curtain on what’s happening in the Cross Exchange community. This month, we have a new host in Germany and a practical tip to make work exchanges smoother for everyone.

Let’s dive in!

Host Spotlight: Faith, Family, and Royal Rangers in Germany 🇩🇪

This month, we are thrilled to highlight our newest host! Located in a peaceful village near Limburg an der Lahn, this lively family of five (with three boys aged 11 to 15) is the perfect example of what it means to “share life” through Cross Exchange

The Atmosphere:

Their home is down-to-earth, full of humor, and deeply shaped by faith. They love games, music, laughter, and play!

What they’re looking for:

• English Mentorship: The boys would love a traveler who can help make learning English fun and relational rather than a chore.

• Hands-on Help: If you enjoy gardening, playing with cats, or small hands-on projects around the house, you’ll fit right in.

• Royal Rangers: One parent is a leader in the Royal Rangers (think Christian scouting!). If you love the outdoors, teamwork, and being a role model for teens, there’s likely a place for you to jump in.

The Experience:

You’ll have your own private room to retreat to, but you’ll also be included as part of the family at the dinner table. They are looking for a student or young adult who shares their passion for Jesus and wants a real family connection, not just a place to sleep.

Curious about this stay? Log in to Cross Exchange to view and message all of our hosts!

Pro-Tip: The One Week Rule

By Trent Sikute

Committing to stay for multiple months (or welcoming a traveler for that long) can feel like a huge leap of faith. Even with proper due diligence, it can be hard to know if both parties will mesh well.

Our Recommendation: Agree to a “Trial Period.”

Before you lock in a long-term exchange, suggest a one-week trial period. Think of it as the “first date” of a work exchange. It gives both parties an easy off-ramp if the vibe isn’t right, and it takes the pressure off everyone. If the volunteer and host are both happy, you can extend the stay seamlessly. And if it isn’t a good fit, you have an easy way to address a challenging conversation.

I did this a few times during my travels, and even though I never had an issue where the off-ramp was needed, it was good to have just in case!

- Trent

A Note from Acts: Kingdom Connections

The Cross Exchange ethos is written all over the early church. In Acts 18, we meet Priscilla and Aquila—a couple who opened their home and their lives to a traveler named Paul. What started as a shared trade (tentmaking) quickly turned into a deep partnership for the Gospel.

That’s exactly the kind of Kingdom work we’re seeing through Cross Exchange today. Whether you’re welcoming a traveler into your home or tutoring English in a remote village, you’re stepping into the same kind of Spirit-led rhythms that defined the early church.

Like Priscilla and Aquila, our hosts are opening their doors to let the word of God increase, and like Paul, our travelers are finding that the best way to share the love of Jesus is through real, everyday relationships.

Spread the Word

Cross Exchange is growing! We’re grateful that an increasing number of people are finding this platform through Google and AI searches. But, we don’t have a big marketing budget, so we grow when you tell your friends, your family, and that adventurous cousin about what we’re doing.

If you know someone who might be interested, would you forward this email to them? Every share helps our goal of connecting the global body of Christ.

Explore, Serve, Grow,

Trent & Bethany

When we first dreamt up Cross Exchange, we didn’t just want to build a website or a piece of tech; we wanted to build a bridge. A bridge that connects faith-driven travelers and hosts, often from different corners of the world. A bridge that helps believers go from “I wish I could do something meaningful” to actually stepping into real service and real community.

Since launching, we’ve been excited to see that the ‘bridge’ is growing. But we know that bridge isn’t just built from an increasing number of signups—each traveler and host who joins our platform is a real person who shares our vision for cross-cultural Christian connection. And we don’t just want to connect you to one another—we want to connect with you, too. That’s why we’re launching this Substack.

What is this space?

While our website is where the logistics happen (the matching, the messaging, the maps), this newsletter is where the stories live.

We aren’t interested in being overly formal or corporate. We’re still a family-run business, after all, and we want this to feel like a conversation between friends. Once a month, we’ll be dropping into your inbox to share a bit of what’s happening on our platform, what we’ve learned, and what we think you should be aware of.

What’s in it for you?

Every month, you can look forward to:

• Pro-Tips: Whether it’s advice on how to pack for a three-month adventure or how to set clear expectations for your first guest, we’re sharing our best tips for a great exchange.

• Platform Updates: You’ll be the first to know about new features, new host locations, and where we’re headed next.

• Stories from our Map: Real updates from volunteers and hosts. Expect honest and inspiring accounts of what God is doing through these exchanges, and what they learned along the way.

Join the conversation

While we’re always available to help (conveniently at help@crossexchange.org), these newsletters can serve as a forum for conversation that could benefit from community input. If you have a story to share, a question you’ve been dying to ask, or even a photo from a recent trip, you can hit reply or leave a comment. Replies will be sent to our team, and comments will be visible to the public. We’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for being part of this journey from the very beginning. We’re grateful you’re here, and we’re looking forward to building this bridge with you.

Explore, Serve, & Grow,

Trent and Bethany