“Because you prepared the way for me, now I’m preparing the way for others.”
Hear from Jade on how a local church helped her in her time of need, and how she is now doing the same for others.
There are many people in Australia, just like Jade, who are feeling lost, broken and alone in financial distress. But this Christmas, you can help.
Through your generosity, more churches can be equipped with resources, skills, support and training from CAP Australia so they can walk alongside people in financial distress both through the festive season, and for the long term. Click here to donate.
The support of a local church and CAP-trained volunteer, Warren, made such a difference in Jade’s life. It meant that she could enjoy Christmas again with her children, and could go on to support others over the holiday season and beyond. Read on to find out more from Jade.
My first Christmas alone with my four-year-old and one-year-old, I had no job and no money to buy them presents. I had nothing. It weighed on my chest. My babies weren’t going to have Christmas. I felt worthless and depressed. But one day, I came home and there was a hamper on my doorstep. I cried! It was a simple hamper, but it was massive for me – I was seen. I felt like someone cared.
I had no idea who it was from, but it ended up being from Coast Community Church. They’ve been helping me all the way through.
Warren also gave me my very first Bible. I was so thankful for the way he’d supported me, so I didn’t want to be rude and say no to it, even though I didn’t want it. I kept this Bible for four years and one night, in my deepest, darkest depression, I heard an audible voice telling me to open the Bible. I started reading it and for the next few days, I was like a washing machine bubbling over with the Holy Spirit!
I met Jesus in my despair. And when I gave everything to Him, that’s when things started to change.
I started attending Coast Community Church and to come out of what I’d come out of, and to meet the church community and just have love, support and encouragement was so beautiful.
During one Sunday service, I heard about Better Days Cafe – the cafe at Coast Community Church – and how it helped people in the community get jobs after being out of work for so long. Having to think about getting a job again gave me anxiety, but I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this is for me.’
I did a trial and then a few months later, I became the manager. The job is wonderful. I love to talk and I love coffee. It was my dream job, and I didn’t even know it was my dream job. It has been amazing for my confidence.
I say to people all the time, ‘There is magic in that place, and the magic is Jesus.’ You can just feel it when you walk in there. There’s just love and healing in the walls.
Because I was locked away and isolated for so long, and I didn’t have a voice, I make sure to say ‘hello’ to everyone who walks through the door at the cafe. And everybody that walks out of that door, I say ‘goodbye’ to. Because I never want anyone to feel like they’re not seen. There’s so much power in acknowledging someone – saying hello and giving them a smile. I want people to be seen and heard.
The church, CAP Australia and supporters prepared the way for me. And now, I’m preparing the way for others.
God blessed me by giving me this job at Better Days Cafe and years after that first Christmas alone, I was able to give back. Once I found Jesus and found the church, I was able to help pack those hampers and deliver them to people in my street. And then, last year, I was able to sponsor two hampers myself! The hamper I received helped me on my journey and was a mustard seed being planted. Hopefully, the hampers I sponsored did the same for others.
What supporters of CAP have done for me is not a small thing. It is a massive thing. I am proof that their support helps people.
Thank you for preparing the way.
In 2025, CAP Australia plans to partner with 25 more churches
and train 100 more Money Mentors to walk alongside people in
financial distress. Your gift today can help make this happen.