Max has already shared many ways his time at Water Street Mission has changed and impacted him.

But now, he has some exciting news. Max has paid down $39,000 in debt! He’s working to transition out of the Residential program and looking for a new home. He can do all that because he’s finally on solid financial ground, and in a place he feels good about.

What’s incredible is that Max didn’t always plan to take this path. Like many in America, he planned to declare bankruptcy and try to move on without debt. But his plans were interrupted when COVID shut the courts down. His paperwork expired and Max found himself staying at Water Street a little longer.

All that turned out for the best according to Max. While attending a class at Water Street, he came across this verse:  “Give to everyone what you owe them.” Romans 13:7

Simply put, and so clear, Max had never realized paying debts was instructed in the bible. He went to Joe, one of Water Street’s financial coaches, and asked, “How can I make this happen?”

Together they created a plan, contacted debt collectors, and found the best way to pay it all back. Now he can see the light at the end of the tunnel. “I am just so happy I have the opportunity to do it. At one point I thought I was never going to get out of debt. I thought that was going to be something that would be there until the day I passed,” he says. Even though he’s put in a lot of work to get to where he is, in the end, Max gives the credit to God, saying “We’re very close to paying it all off…and that’s by God’s grace.” 

We’re so excited to share all the progress Max has made already. Keep praying for his journey as he rounds off his final payments and works towards finding his own place near his daughter!