The eMentoring team just recently had an off-site meeting to gear up for the push to our full “launch” in May. I put launch in quotes because we’re already doing a good bit of mentoring (almost 800 messages in February) but as yet we have not put an application online to allow people to apply as mentors. That is the last major hurdle to put in place. After that, we will simply be in a mode of adding resources and growing the # of mentors and mentees in the system.
It is so exciting to see what God is already doing through mentoring. Take a look at this mentoring request that I personally got a few weeks ago:
Hello. My name is ____. I have never done anything like this before, reaching out to strangers but from reading articles on your website, I feel inspired and want to reach out to you guys to talk about my problem.
I myself, am not a christian. I was raised semi-Buddhist. I dated a christian girl for about 2 years. She is a wonderful person. In the beginning of my relationship, she told me upfront that she does not want to date anyone outside her faith because it would be complicated and difficult. She wants to be able to share the spirituality and beliefs with her husband. I told her at that time that I would begin reading the bible.
When she agreed to date me, I stopped reading the bible. I respected her religion but i made no effort to become a faithful christian for her. During our 2 years together, I did some very terrible things. I was addicted to Porn. I lied to her. I even cheated on her, although I never actually slept with another woman. I had lust for another person and even went ahead with flirting and pursuing this other person while dating my girlfriend at the time. I was not faithful to her in every way.
Through many chances, she gave me opportunities to change and finally i broke the last straw. She left me for good because she could not take the hurt anymore. She is dating someone new now and seem to be happy. I on the other hand have realized that I really do love her. I did not show it when i was with her but without her, my entire world does not seem happy or fun at all. I fell like I have lost my soul mate.
Recently, I have turned to God. I am reading the bible and reading articles in becoming a better person. I am trying to fix things so that if I ever get that chance again with her, I would be ready. I would be the man she wants.
I am finding it is difficult to live a christian life. There are many temptations. I am trying very hard to stay aware from porn, drugs and lying. I guess I am writing to share my story with someone.
I know that she might never ever come back. I want to be a better person.
Thank you.
Can you imagine a greater evangelistic opening? And it came because someone was wandering on the Internet looking for relationship help, found FamilyLife’s web site and saw our eMentoring program. Since then, we’ve exchanged 14 emails and I’ve had the opportunity to share the gospel with him and begin exploring his life issues in more detail. Though he has not yet expressed faith, he is seriously seeking to learn and grow. And I don’t even know his name!
Pray for this new friend and for the countless other conversations like it that are already happening through FamilyLife eMentoring. Also, pray for the launch so that many more can be engaged in this vital need.
