God has been using Love Your Neighbor’s Life Skills Program to transform lives for countless individuals and families in our community for a long time. Going back more than a decade, this transformation was happening through the same vehicle used today – relationship! Here’s a story from 2013 about Nadine and Duane.
Sitting down with Nadine & Duane, one sees two incredibly regular people, which is said with no ill-will. Rather, what it means is that the couple is your typical family who happened to be experiencing financial difficulty. A family who could be anyone: your neighbor, friend, or part of your family.
When the recording device was turned on, they are told that their names will be kept anonymous. “We don’t care if you do share our names, we are proud of what we have done,” Nadine says with a big smile.
Their story starts as many often do: health issues and no insurance. After a number of procedures, medical interventions, and medications, the bills piled up. With little communication of the finances to each other, Nadine did not know the weight of the situation – a weight that Duane fully felt. In order to push back against the crushing medical debt and accumulating late bills, Duane took on multiple jobs. Meanwhile, Nadine was questioning why there was an apparent lack of funds. She became distrustful of Duane, suspecting he was hiding the money for himself, which ultimately resulted in immense stress in their relationship. The bills, the stress, and never having enough “brought us to our knees,” says Duane.
They turned to the only place they could: their church. Their church helped Duane and Nadine connect to Love’s Life Skills Program. Nadine was admittedly scared to begin with Love. She felt like she was in a “hopeless” situation. “What’s the good of learning budgeting if there is not enough (money) coming in,” she had thought at the time.
However hopeless the situation felt, the couple did begin attending the Life Skills Program. They received budgeting education through classes and one-on-one peer support. They were intentionally matched to a trained volunteer whose job is to encourage and coach individuals on their path to financial freedom. Nadine and Duane’s peer support was Deb, a fairly new volunteer through Love.
“I saw a feisty woman (in Nadine) which is why we were such a good match. It really was a God thing because I can communicate well with feistiness,” Deb recalls while sharing some laughter with Nadine. “Duane took the bull by the horns and they were committed to it. I was just along-side.”
Duane and Nadine participated with the program for a year, though they both had to admit it was difficult at times. “Lifestyle change takes persistence,” says Duane. “It’s hard, but (the program) works, not just because of the accountability, but because of the teaching. I think that is most important. There are programs out there willing to help manage your money for you, to help out those in trouble, but it does no good because there isn’t any teaching. It is the education I received that will make me not go back to old (financial) habits.”
After a year of working with Love’s Life Skills Program, Duane and Nadine were able to pay off 17 outstanding bills and they were also able to purchase a modest, yet reliable vehicle to ensure Duane could make it to work on time.
As wonderful as those results are, the most important part of the ministry is found in the relationships developed. On this, the night Nadine and Duane will complete the program, Deb with glistening eyes says, “They have become very dear to me. It has been an honor and privilege. This is not just about learning how to manage money; it’s also about building relationships.”
In John 13:34-35 Jesus says, “So now I am giving you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
All of us desire to follow this commandment of Jesus. The question is how to best do that. You could give a quick hand-out to someone in need, or you could empower someone while holding them accountable and building a relationship.
Nadine and Duane are on their feet again. They have less stress. They have less debt. They are now committed to living within their means. They have support structures, confidence, and more education. There are hundreds more typical families in need of help in our communities. We are commanded to love them. So let’s take action and transform our communities in the name of Christ.
Will you get involved in our Life Skills Program? With 5 programs running, it takes over 100 volunteers. We’d love for you to be part of this team. Email [email protected] to learn more, no strings attached.