God is in Control

Lise, 63, first visited Center of Hope during the fall of 2025 while her husband was undergoing cancer treatment. She needed assistance with a utility bill due to the medical expenses they had incurred. After a 14 month-long battle, he passed away last November. Lise explained that during the course of her marriage, their roles had been clearly defined – her husband tended to their land and finances, while she raised their kids and took care of their home. For the first time, Lise found herself alone, scared, and lacking any understanding of how to assume his responsibilities.

Lise returned to Center of Hope in February seeking additional support. Her advisor enrolled her in Financial Management, a five-week course that teaches participants how to create and manage a budget. Through the class, she learned to budget for savings and tithing—something she never thought possible on a limited income. After creating her budget, she began working on an income tracker and gained greater clarity on how she could plan for expenditures. Earning her certificate, she said, “gave me a sense of freedom and power.”

With her advisor’s guidance, she has since opened her first savings account. She is also helping her son create a budget using the skills she learned. Looking ahead, she is eager to enroll in our computer courses and is hopeful that she will be able to gain employment. As she looked over the budget she helped her son create, she said, “God is in control of your money – you’re just managing it!”