Multiple times this year, I have found myself saying, “Ain’t God good?” As I look back over this year, there have been many difficult moments of varying degrees, but again and again the Lord has shown his faithfulness. Let us never tire of testifying, of sharing how God shows up and shows off.

God's Goodness through Financial Provision

Last year, we did not meet our funding goals. We started the year having to make cuts and adjustments so we could steward this ministry well and put our resources where they most mattered, into the women we employ and mentor. 

Then this happened!

We were chosen to be one of 3 nonprofits on Mission Triangle’s Shark Tank event. We presented the organization, a need we have, and made a request to the audience to help us reach it with people and finances.

Even though we didn’t get the full amount we asked for, which felt like shooting for the stars, we sure came awfully close! 

Ain't God good! 

 

God's Goodness through Work Space

Part of that funding was to pay for additional space.

Within the past two years, we had outgrown our space. We needed extra room to complete work such as sewing, heat pressing,  and pouring candles. Most importantly to be able to hire additional women.

Then this happened!

I went to our landlord and told him the situation. Generously, he said he would let us use the space for free until June, at which time we had the necessary funding.

Ain't God good!

God's Goodness through Skilled Labor

In July, we had our second annual Widow Project. This is where we raise financial support to provide mental health services and mentoring for the women who are a part of HV. 

The widow we served needed significant help with her 2 acre yard. A deck needed to be removed, sheds cleared out, and bush-hogging to clear out overgrowth. Some of it we could do ourselves. A lot we could not. We had businesses donate dumpsters, and volunteers signed up. But the job ahead was still daunting. 

But then this happened…

Ted, a pastor at Celebration Church which was a sponsor for the event emailed the event coordinator, asking if there was anything else we needed. She said, “Yes, Actually. We need more hands and equipment.” Ted replied, “I was planning to reach out to a friend of mine who owns a landscaping business. Let me see what he can do.”

Ted then calls his friend, and not getting much past saying hello, his friend says, “I cannot get this dream I had out of my head. In this dream, I’m working on a service project…” 

So Travis and his crew at Little Squirrels Landscaping show up multiple days, with heavy equipment, clearing out her property at no cost. 

We were just going to go and clean up her yard by pulling out ivy. But God, being a God of abundance, went above and beyond what we could ever have imagined. And because of your generosity, we raised over $7500 dollars!

Ain’t God good?

God's Goodness through Practical Means

For all of us, our phones are a crucial part of our day. It’s how to stay in touch, conduct business, and complete projects. The same is true for our participants. Without a phone they are unable to accomplish necessary tasks so that they can apply for school, jobs, or services. We have one participant whose phone was completely useless, and another whose phone wasn't going to last much longer.

But then this happened…

On a random Thursday, Kayla - one of our volunteers and supporters - sent me a text about a text from a friend saying that she had 2 factory reset iPhones and was wondering if the women in the organization she helped with could use them.

Ain’t God good?

God's Goodness through Housing and Community

Earlier this year, one of our participants found herself without a job. Due to medical reasons, she was not able to find employment. Without employment, there is no apartment. Us, along with PathChangers were trying to find a solution. PathChangers covered her rent for 3 months, but it still left us needing one more month.

Then this happened…

One of our church partners, COH, sent us additional financial support designated for “apartment help”. They had never done this before, but being as it was the exact amount she needed for another month’s rent, we were able to say, “we gotchu, girl”

Ain’t God good?

But this story is so good, it keeps going.

We were still concerned about what her long-term plans were going to look like. Rene and I sat on the phone contemplating worrying. At a complete loss, we began to pray. And sob. We prayed, “Lord, we love this girl, but we know that you love her even more, so Lord we need you to show up, and show off. But could you please show up quickly?”

And then this happened…

Our participant began visiting this church down the street from her that she could walk to. And this church wrapped their arms around her. And one of the families in the church said, girl- we gotchu. You don’t need to be afraid, you don’t need to be alone. We will be your family and will love you and take care of you. They have given her a home.

Ain’t God good?

There are other stories that have happened this year. Staff that was hired at the right moment, furniture that was donated, and unexpected grants that were received. 

God's Goodness in the Numbers

• Your financial support has provided over 100 mental health appointments, we are on track to double the number of appointments from last year
• Your shopping habits have provided 1700 hours of employment this year. And we are on track to hit 2000. This is double of last year, which was almost double of the previous year!!
• You have also brought lunches, baked cookies, gave diapers, helped move and unpack, clean, and drove them to appointments. 
• You have prayed and prayed and prayed.

You are the community that is giving these women the tools to thrive. 

Let us never tire of testifying, of sharing how God shows up and shows off!