God Provides:

Johann & Bettina's Story

How God Meets Our Needs and Exceeds Our Expectations

In the summer of 2022, we were visited by friends from Switzerland who, like us, had attended a Bible school in the USA. We engaged in conversations about God, the world, and their experiences living in the USA. They shared stories about their one-room apartment and how they stored their suitcases in the trunk of their car year-round due to space constraints. As they spoke, Johan couldn't help but envision our living situation mirroring theirs.

Curious, we researched housing options in Colorado on Google and soon realized that anything beyond a one-bedroom apartment was beyond our budget. As Johan began to play out scenarios in his mind, the Holy Spirit intervened: "Don't confine me to your notions of apartment size and budget! I have something different in store for you than what you're currently imagining."

That same evening, Johan shared this revelation with me. We repented of our limiting mindset and resolved not to restrict the Holy Spirit in our housing search. So, we let time pass until spring 2023, putting the matter aside. Then, in February, a former German student tipped us off to post on the official Charis Facebook page, stating our apartment search. We introduced ourselves, attached a photo of us as a family, and eagerly awaited responses.

While continuing to scour online listings for apartments, we remained open to the idea of shared housing. Most offers in Woodland Park exceeded our budget, and finding shared accommodation for a married couple with a baby wasn't easy. Despite numerous rejections, I persisted, reaching out to various listings to inquire about our suitability. Among these efforts, I connected with a young Canadian couple to explore shared housing in Woodland Park. However, despite our efforts, nothing materialized. Each closed door threatened to dampen our spirits.

Though we held onto the word we received from the Holy Spirit, trusting God wasn't always easy amid setbacks. Ultimately, we decided to broaden our search to Colorado Springs to minimize the commute to school. As I scrolled through the Facebook group once more, I stumbled upon a shared housing ad explicitly targeting married couples. Despite its age, I reached out to Kimberly, inquiring about the room availability and whether it accommodated a baby. To our delight, Kimberly responded, describing a spacious house with a garden, swings, and, importantly, the availability of the largest room suitable for our growing son.

After prayerful consideration, we confirmed our interest. Kimberly, after consulting with other tenants, welcomed us, affirming our decision. Grateful for the opportunity, we eagerly anticipated meeting Kim and the other couples in person. Little did we know, until we arrived, the full extent of how God had orchestrated our journey to this house. We recognized the importance of not limiting the Holy Spirit and realized that God had a grand plan for our shared housing. Our resolve now is to remain open to His leading, ensuring we don't miss out on His

divine guidance.

Johann & Bettina