Giving Back for Faithful Service

Corporal John and his wife Leela called Camp Pendleton in southern California home when John served as a US marine. Both are proud of his service.

“I think part of it is the way my parents raised me. I guess our family was pretty patriotic," John says. "So, I always had kind of an attraction to that, you know, to serve my country in some way."

“I think it’s a very honorable thing. When I see him in his uniform, it just makes me so proud of him,” Leela says.

John transitioned out of the military to use his GI bill to go to school. The couple knew it would be financially tight. It would take a few months for John’s school benefits to kick in. Meanwhile, the couple purchased their first home and closing costs depleted their savings. The only house they could afford was one without appliances and they didn’t have money to buy them.

“Sometimes I do get worried, and I get really stressed out and I’ll cry about it," Leela says. "John will remind me that we’re partners, that I’m not alone, that we’ll figure it out, and that God will always provide where he leads us.”

“If she has something that she wants to pray for, I can pray for her as well. Like we can pray together," John says.

Pastor Dave Townsend of Faith Warrior Ministry invited the couple over to tell them CBN’s Helping the Homefront was paying for their first three mortgage payments.

“I’m speechless,” Leela says.

And he had another surprise.

“Today, we have the opportunity for you guys to go to Home Depot and pick out your new appliances.”

“Praise God!” Leela says.

“That will definitely help us out a lot,” John says.

Pastor continues, “I just appreciate you guys. The Lord bless you."

“I feel like I’m dreaming,” Leela says.

The couple headed to Home Depot to pick out the appliances for their new house. This newlywed couple can begin their new life together without financial strain.

“I’m so overwhelmed with thankfulness and gratefulness and just, I feel so loved right now. And I can feel God’s arms wrapped around me,” Leela says.