In May 2022, Sweetness and Truth made a life-changing decision. Together with their children, all under the age of ten, they left Gloriavale to begin a new life, on the outside.

Looking back, Sweetness describes the move as both daunting and necessary.

“Walking away from everything we had ever known was incredibly difficult and frightening. We were stepping into a world that was unfamiliar to us in almost every way.”

Despite being in an intense time of uncertainty, the couple’s motivation remained clear. God was leading them into something new, and they hoped to create greater opportunities for their children.

“Two things remained at the very centre of our hearts: our faith in God, which meant everything to us, and our desire to give our children the better life and opportunities that we ourselves had never had.”

The first year brought its share of challenges as the family adjusted to life on the outside. Truth secured work on a farm, providing both income and accommodation while they established themselves. But their circumstances changed suddenly when his employment was terminated.

The loss was significant. Not only had the family lost their income, but they had also lost their home. With winter approaching, Sweetness and Truth faced the daunting prospect of finding both accommodation and financial stability for their young family.

The months that followed were difficult. The family moved through three short-term rentals, each available for only a matter of weeks, while trying to maintain a sense of normality for their children.

“We were trying to keep our family together, care for our children and find some stability, while trusting God through circumstances that often felt completely overwhelming,” said Sweetness.

Just when the situation seemed most uncertain, help arrived from an unexpected source. Friends from church saw both the family's need and Truth's remarkable gift with horses. Rather than simply offering encouragement, they proposed a practical solution.

They suggested Truth and Sweetness establish their own equestrian business, with Truth focusing on horse training and farrier work while Sweetness looked after the administration, bookings and day-to-day operations.

The friends then offered to help them purchase a property where they could live and operate the business; with the intention that Sweetness and Truth would eventually refinance and repay the investment.

“It was an extraordinary act of kindness and generosity, and we saw it as a very clear blessing from God.”

Several years on, the couple had built a growing business and established a strong repayment record. Yet despite their hard work and financial discipline, mainstream banks remained unwilling to refinance them.

At the same time, the circumstances of the friends who had helped them purchase the property had changed. They now needed their funds returned, creating an urgent need for a long-term solution.

“We wanted to honour the commitment we had made and ensure our friends could access their funds when they needed them,” said Sweetness.

After unsuccessfully exploring a range of options, the family was finally introduced to Christian Savings.

For Sweetness and Truth, it was an answer to years of prayer.

“Throughout the process, we continued to pray fervently, trusting God to provide a way forward.”

Christian Savings was able to look beyond the circumstances that had caused traditional lenders to decline their application and recognise the strength of the business they had built, their proven repayment history and their vision for the future.

The resulting loan enabled the family to refinance the property, repay their friends and secure the future of both their home and business.

For Sweetness and Truth, the outcome represents far more than a financial transaction. It is another chapter in a journey marked by faith, perseverance and God's provision through the support of others.

“We know where we have come from, we know how far God has brought us, and we are trusting Him with where He is taking us next.”

Their story is a powerful reminder that even when doors seem closed, new opportunities can emerge through faith, community and the support of organisations committed to helping people build a brighter future.
Christian Savings’ ability to support this family is only possible because of the support we have from our wonderful investors. It’s a great picture of the wider Church working together: a friend willing to help a family get started, a family working hard to build a new life, and Christian Savings’ lenders providing the funds that allow us to support people and organisations across the Christian community.

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