Kinzi Houck rubbed the quarter between her fingers, switching it from hand to hand. In the solitude of her Indiana University dorm room the freshman agonized over a question: Zeta Tau Alpha or Delta Gamma sorority?

She planned to join Zeta—it had good parties, her boyfriend wanted her there and she knew some of the girls. Yet the Delta women were warm and welcoming and left an impression. Kinzi (on right, photo at left) approached Barbie Minner, a senior involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, for some guidance. As a sorority advisor, Barbie couldn't tell her which to choose. But as a Christian, she could pray for her.

"Lord," prayed Barbie, "I just really want Kinzi to be in a place where her faith can grow."

Assigning "heads" to Zeta Tau Alpha and "tails" to Delta Gamma, Kinzi prayed too: "Wherever you want me to be, God, you're in control."

She flipped the quarter, but couldn't believe it. She flipped it again to make sure. Same answer: tails.

As Kinzi entered her new sorority, she unknowingly stepped into a place where she would flourish spiritually. Barbie became a close friend, sorority sister and mentor. Several other girls also involved with Campus Crusade included Kinzi in the house Bible study. Through their friendship, prayers and encouragement, Kinzi grew to know and love God.

Now a senior, leader of the house Bible study and emcee of the Campus Crusade weekly meetings, Kinzi reflects back on the coin-toss prayer: "God knew what He was doing when He made it tails."
—Gabriel de Guia

A look of amazement came over Neptali Chacha's face. Leader of The JESUS Film Project® in Ecuador, Neptali met with American Denny Johnson, founder of Kids Around The World. Neptali and fellow staff members had asked God for a resource to help them gather children after they had seen the film.

Denny offered the answer to their prayers.

Since 1994, Kids Around The World has been building playgrounds in many countries, in partnership with churches, and frequently using the Campus Crusade video The Story of Jesus for Children to tell kids about Jesus.

But the organization had seen the need to develop a teaching tool that would go beyond the video, allowing teachers to explain the stories further and children to ask questions. So they redeveloped the flannelgraph, a fabric board with moveable pictures.

The new flannelgraphs had colorful backgrounds and characters, required no electricity and could be easily transported around Ecuador—from the Pacific coast to the Andes Mountains. The best part was that the characters looked identical to the ones in The Story of Jesus for Children, including the child narrators.

Neptali arranged for two Kids Around The World staff members to train JESUS-film workers and other teachers to use the flannelgraph. With Bible scenes illustrated on the boards, the teachers could ask the children questions about the stories, and allow them to ask questions in return. The flannelgraphs show up to 47 different Bible stories. Since the training, in each place they have used the flannelgraph, 80 percent of the children have indicated decisions to receive Christ.

"The results of the flannelgraph have been such a blessing," says Neptali. "In just a short time, thousands of children have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior."
—Becky Hill

For more information, visit www.kidsaroundtheworld.com, or call (815) 229-8731.

When the young Russian buried the steely needle into his arm, his arms grew heavy like sandbags. As his skin flushed red, Zhenya Murga felt brave, belligerent and extremely relaxed.

Since heroin is immediately addictive, there would be no turning back.

Drug and alcohol abuse has soared among the youth of Russia. In fact, 72 percent of all drug addicts are less than 16 years of age.

To support his heroin habit, Zhenya (left) began robbing apartments. In 2001, he attended a three-month rehab program and quit for 14 months, but later relapsed. "I couldn't stop," says Zhenya, 24. "I tried to work with psychologists, but no one could help me."

During that time, he met a girl named Anya. Zhenya felt a new rush: love. He quit heroin for a month. Then Anya became pregnant and Zhenya began using again in secret. Zhenya's cravings remained an untamable monster. Eventually Anya left him. Later, his son, Egor, was born.

Zhenya felt hopeless until the day he ran into an old friend who had abused drugs until changing through a Christian rehab program called the Salvation Center. Maybe this could be my way out, Zhenya thought.

In February 2005, he enrolled himself in the Salvation Center, located on a rural farm 75 miles south of Samara. Withdrawal symptoms hit him like a freight train—with sleepless nights and wrenching body aches. But at the Salvation Center, the participants look to God for reform. After only two weeks, Zhenya sensed a deep desire to know God—the One who receives society's castoffs. He gave his life to Jesus on March 7.

Participants stay at the center at least a year, often longer. "Even [after seven months], I still have a desire to use drugs," he says. Out his window, the wind blows snow through gnarled tree branches.

Several times a week, Zhenya joins 21 young men and women in a small room for a three-hour discussion. Salvation Center participants sharpen their faith through CrossRoads, a character-training curriculum created by Campus Crusade for Christ. Zhenya credits these discussions as crucial to his faith.

While many drug addicts turn back to drugs, the Salvation Center has yielded astonishing success. Since it started seven years ago, only six out of 115 have turned back to drugs—a success rate of nearly 95 percent.

Zhenya may be on track for lasting change; time will tell. He looks forward to being out in the world again. He hopes to make things right with Anya, to see his son. He hopes he's done with drugs for good.

He hopes.
—Chris Lawrence

For more information about CrossRoads, call (407) 826-2490 or visit www.crossroadslink.org.

Approximately 10,000 college students volunteering with Campus Crusade for Christ spent their spring break helping with hurricane relief. "They are trading the sun, sand, and surf of a beach resort for the mud, muck and mold of the disaster zone," said Campus Crusade staff member Tony Arnold. The Impact Movement, an outreach to emerging African-American leaders, also sent more than 500 students to help. "We believe we can provide unique insight and perspective to the recovery efforts in the predominately African-American city of New Orleans," says Rebecca Gilmer, Campus Crusade staff member and vice president of The Impact Movement.
—Becky Hill


Florida

Inhaling sweaty air with each breath, 11 men in business attire continue their hourlong meeting. At 8 a.m. they adjourn and agree to meet again next Wednesday; same time, same place. They gather their belongings and exit the Blanchard Park YMCA, a convenient meeting place for their Bible study.

Pat O'Bryan, director of Priority Associates in Orlando, Fla., started the group three months ago and has seen it triple in size.

A ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, Priority Associates seeks to present Christ and develop spiritual leaders in the marketplace.

Tom Brinkley, one of the original three group members, doesn't see himself as an evangelist, but according to Pat, Tom has invited over 60 people to Priority Associates events.

"It's a great way to add value to our relationship," says Tom, "and they'll have an opportunity to make their own decisions.

"I've gained a lot of confidence in what I believe."

To find a Priority Associates chapter near you, visit www.priorityassociates.org.
—Gabriel de Guia