Miracles After Miracles

The dictionary describes a miracle as

"a surprising and welcome event that is not explainable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency."

It means something only God can do.

This season of moving to Chilliwack, beginning a new job, support raising for my salary, being in a car accident, and moving to a new house, and so many other changes has put me in a posture of leaning on God in a whole new way.

Many of these circumstances seemed impossible, something I wouldn't see happen by my own strength. But over the past month, I have seen miracle after miracle take place, God being my provider, strength, and peace in the waiting and in the unknown.

I wanted to share the miracles God has done, to share the story of His faithfulness and encourage you to trust Him with all things because He is a good father.

A New-To-Me Car

Back in November, I was unfortunately in a car accident going through an intersection on a yellow light. Both myself and the other driver were physically okay other than some bruising, but both vehicles were written off. It's taken 3 months to get my vehicle inspected, negotiations with insurance to decide what the amount of damage was and agreeing on a settlement amount. Emotionally recovering from the accident has taken its time, on top of dealing with the other logistics of this whole process. I was blessed by the use of a rental car for a month as well as a friend's vehicle.

Last weekend I was able to purchase a new-to-me vehicle. A used 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe in pretty great condition for an amazing price. This car was exactly what I was looking for and the purchasing process was relatively seamless. I felt really blessed that Caleb was able to help me organize the financing for this vehicle, and help me with the purchasing of it. Having this situation behind me and a new car to drive is a beautiful miracle.

A House To Call Home

In July last year, I knew I would move to Chilliwack in the late fall so began looking for housing. Vancouver and the surrounding area is one of the most expensive places to live in Canada, especially for housing. There is such limited space and a need for housing that prices are extreme. I looked online at apartments and basement suites that fit the space I needed but were double my budget. I prayed and trusted God with a solution. A week later I had one of Caleb's friends text me saying her roommate was getting married and moving out in December and she was looking for a new roommate.

I now call home, our cute 2 bedroom carriage house suite on a farm 5-minutes outside of Chilliwack that backs onto a nature reserve with lots of pathways and trails. The best blessing is I only pay $600 a month in rent which is incredibly cheap for this area, a third of what I was finding in other places. Me and my roommate Stacey have had a lot of fun designing and thrifting to find some pieces to make our space homey and welcoming.

Hungry For Life

So excited to share that I have officially started working at Hungry For Life. Although I've been hired for a few months, I haven't begun working at the HFL office because I've been focused on support raising (more on that in a minute..). As of a few weeks ago, I hit a significant milestone toward my support goal which means I could begin office hours. I'm only part-time right now, but the first few weeks have been a really incredible beginning. I'm learning SO much every day, coming home with a full brain but also a full heart after hearing stories of impact almost daily, seeing the work that we do in the office have a ripple effect on people around the world. As Executive Administrator, I help provide central admin assistance to our Leadership Team and board as well as assisting our Executive Director. I've made my home at the front desk, answering the phone and greeting people who stop by our office. Overall my first few weeks of work have been really good.

Support Raising

As I have shared previously, HFL holds the 100% model meaning that 100% of the funds designated for international projects, go directly there. This leaves our operational funds as well as staff salaries to be raised separately to cover those costs. Each staff commits to raising support for their own salary goal, with HFL matching 20% of staff support. Fundraising your salary is not easy, it requires a lot of trust, patience and faith, but God has again been incredibly faithful and used the people around me to help me hit 85% of my total fundraising goal!

This monthly goal continually felt like a big mountain in front of me and I didn't know how I was going to climb it. But one step at a time, one donor at a time, one conversation or ask or update at a time, I now see myself so close to the top of this mountain.

I want to thank each one of you that have partnered with me in this way and enabled me to be a part of this mission and vision of seeing global communities thriving.

That being said, I still have a little way to go. I'm still trusting for a few hundred dollars of monthly support to make up the rest of the way to my monthly goal. I invite you to pray about being a part of this and if it's something you're interested in you can email me at cwatkins@hungryforlife.org or see the HFL website and find my name in the staff drop-down box. https://www.hungryforlife.org/donate#staff

Community

Moving to a new place I was unsure about finding people, a community to belong to and invest in. I'm thankful to have found a group of incredible friends, who weekly hang out and have bible study together. I'm now helping out with high school youth group on Tuesday nights and it's been so much fun! I've been enjoying getting to know the youth more and forming connections with them week to week. The people around me have honestly helped to carry me through these past few months when the way forward wasn't always clear. Through many prayers, tears, encouragement, and practically helping me, I have to say this community is a beautiful example of life-giving friendships and for them, I am so thankful. I'm especially thankful for Caleb in this season and how much He has supported me through the good days and carried me in the days that were really challenging to hold on to hope and faith. He's been a gift and a blessing in my life and I'm excited to continue building our relationship together.

I know I have shared a lot, but I wanted to take time to recognize and give testimony to all that I have seen God do in these few months. God is so faithful, He has never failed and is consistently teaching me and reminding me to have greater trust and faith, that He loves me and wants the best for me. I pray that this is an encouragement to you, with whatever you are going through or challenge you are facing, that God does the impossible and we get to trust Him with it.

I would love to talk more or pray for you with whatever you are facing right now. Please reach out if you want to talk more about this.

Thanks for reading,

Love always,

Char

P.S. If you're in the Chilliwack area and want to know more about Hungry For Life, We are hosting a fundraising movie-premier event to show our new Ukraine Documentary called "With Them", highlighting the work HFL has been a part of in Ukraine these past 2 years of the war. The funds raised go towards HFL operational budget so we can continue to do the incredible work God has called us to. The first night is sold out but if you would like to join me in attending the second night please see the HFL website for tickets. It's February 21st at the Grand Hall in District 1881 beginning at 6:30 pm. Would love to see you there.