We started contributing to Liberty Trust in the mid 1990’s. It was a new idea for us, even though we had heard some convincing evidence that the concept would work and had been successful in Whakatane. 

Our future circumstances were uncertain. We were recent arrivals into New Zealand. Bobby had no work and was a new immigrant from a blacklisted country, (which brought its own dimension as we battled through the system). We were newly married and expecting a baby. Our plans at that time were to return back into mission work after our baby was born overseas. Home ownership was not on our list. Yet we felt strongly that joining Liberty Trust was something the Lord wanted us to do. 

Now eleven years on we have three children Joshua, Joel and Aimee. We ended up staying in NZ and entering into a different ministry. The Lord spoke to us to open our home for those that were in need. A friend experiencing severe depression was the first to live with us. We have since had in our home others struggling with mental illness, intellectually handicapped, or other behavioural issues. Sometimes we have had ones just arrive on our doorstep. We haven’t sought out anyone, but have been called or approached. Currently we have an adult intellectually handicapped lady and a young teenager with us. 

When it came time for us to buy a home a few years ago, we could confidently purchase knowing that Liberty Trust would release us from debt well before we retired. Receiving our Liberty Trust Loan last year has meant that we will save an incredible amount of time and money paying of a bank loan. We have chosen to set up another contribution with the goal of our children being able to own their own homes, something that is becoming more and more difficult to do. We want our children to be blessed in the same way we have been. 

Bobby and Evelyn Aranas

25 June 2007