A Financial Crisis Left Them Crushed. Then Hope Stepped In

“I'm pretty proud to be in the military. It's been challenging at times being deployed, being away from the family. But, I don't regret joining the Army for once second.”

Sergent Richard has served 17 years in the Army.  And that means long separations away from his wife Brittney and 5 kids, including an 11 month deployment to the front lines in Afghanistan.

Brittney explains, “he walks out that door and the kids know he's going to be gone and I know that I have to help them through it, as well as try and get through it myself and so, it's not easy.

Britnney stays at home and homeschools all five kids. Budgeting on Richard’s single salary isn’t easy.
        
Brittney says, “we grocery shop with a list and, we just do the best we can to make everything stretch.”

Their situation became a financial nightmare when they received an electric bill for nearly $1,000 after record-setting temperatures in upstate New York. Right when, their family van needed new breaks.  

You don't always get the best of sleep”, explains Brittney. “A lot of stress and worry. How are going to pay things sometimes?

That’s when their pastor with Covenant Church contacted Helping the Home Front.  Pastor Steven Bryant says the assistance is essential.

“To have someone come in from outside to help fill that gap is kind of like a great intercessory prayer, but Jesus' actions in works.      

Pastor Steven came by to tell the couple financial help was on the way from CBN. he started by giving them $1,5000 in gift cards.

Then he continued.

“They also want to help you today with your utilities and pay that bill up so you guys are current and, everything's good with you with that.”

Brittney says, “that's amazing!”

Richard adds, “that's awesome!”

Pastor Steven continues by saying, “they are going to fix your van and your brakes today as well.”

Brittney responds, “it’s a huge thing for us because it, you know, trying to come up with that money to be able to replace those breaks, it was probably something that we've been putting off for some time now. Yes. So, it's more than needed and I’m so grateful.”

The couple took their family van to Bob Johnson’s Auto Dealer to fix the breaks.  When they heard about Helping the Home Front, they were happy to provide a military discount.  The next day, the utility bill was paid.  This family is back on financial track, thanks to CBN.

Brittney concludes, “it’s really incredible. It's unbelievable. Helping the Home Front is really going to give us an opportunity, I think, to catch up and to give us that weight off of our shoulders just a little bit, enough that we can, take a deep breathe.”