Standing with Our Military Families

US Navy Sailor, Elijah, works in combat support operations and has deployed twice to Southeast Asia. When he’s away from his family, he knows he leaves everything in the capable hands of his wife, Victoria.
      
Elijah says, “There's a level of peace that comes with that. Because I know things are gonna be taken care of. I know the bills, the kids are going to be taken care of.”

When Elijah received new orders for his next duty station in Virginia, they knew the cost of living would be much higher and planned accordingly. They started an emergency savings fund and cut out everything from their budget that they could. However, their financial situation spiraled when their family van needed over a thousand dollars in repairs.  

Victoria explains, “It cost exactly what was left in our savings. That means we could take care of it. It is what it is.”

A week later, their water heater broke. Victoria says, “I broke down crying. Because we didn't have savings anymore. And I had been saving money for the kids' birthdays, like cash in an envelope for their birthdays. I was like, I'm gonna have to use their birthday money to pay for the, sorry, to pay for the water heater.”

As if things weren’t hard enough, the biggest financial blow came when their roof started leaking. They learned they needed a new one and their insurance didn’t cover it. 

Elijah admits, “It’s scary because I don’t know what to do with it. Even if I pulled all my resources together, I couldn’t afford it.”

The only thing the couple could do was pray for a solution. Victoria says, "We can't do it alone. He is always protecting us and there for us, even when things go wrong.”

Their prayers were answered through a partnership with Coastal Community Church and Helping the Home Front. Pastor Trabelus Whitfield invited Elijah and Victoria over to tell them CBN was reimbursing them for the van repair.   

Elijah says, “That’s huge. Thank you!”

Victoria adds, “We are going to be able to go back and start our savings again!”

Pastor says, “Well, that’s not the only surprise though. They're going to reimburse you for the cost of your water heater.”

Victoria says, “That's amazing.” Elijah adds, “That's amazing. Thank you!”

Pastor continues, “There's actually one more thing. They're going to take care of putting a new roof on your home."

Elijah asks, "Really?” 

Pastor answers, “Absolutely! Absolutely.”

Elijah says, "I'm speechless. Yeah.” 

Victoria adds, “I don't even know what to say. Just thank you.”

CBN hired Better View Roofing to replace the roof. When the company learned how Helping the Home Front helps military families, they replaced the roof for less than cost. Owner John explains why, saying, “We want to be there to support our military families. We want them to know that there are people in their community that love them, want them to be here, and want them to be part of our lives.”

With the roof replaced, and the van and water heater paid for, this family’s financial future is looking brighter.

Victoria concludes, “God has definitely put each of the CBN partners where they are for, for these moments. And I'm just so thankful that God has put them in that path.”