The following stories have been written by mentors, mentor coordinators, and mentees. All of the names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.

A Poem For My Mentor

Keep your eyes upon me,
          Keep me in your sight.
Help me down the crooked road,
          Lead me to the light.
The road I’m on is dark,
          I’m not sure I know the way,
But with you beside me,
          I know I won’t stray.
Protect me from the world I’m in,
          I’m certain we’ll make it through.
Let me hold your hand,
          Let me lean on you.

(Written by Jenny, the mentee in the next story)

Chris & Jenny—A Redeemed Life

Jenny was matched the beginning of December, and at the time of the match, she was 14 years old and she had shoplifting and truancy charges against her. She lived with her grandmother, but her mother (who had various issues she was dealing with; drugs, auto theft, etc.) often used her as a babysitter for her younger brothers—even keeping her home from school at times. There was a lot of contention between Jenny, her mother, and her grandmother.

Jenny’s mentor, Chris, came to MentorKids through an article in the newspaper, and when I interviewed her, she said that she had always wanted to mentor and she seemed open to a challenge; so I sensed that she would be good for Jenny. They connected very well initially and bonded quickly, but the relationship was often tested when Chris would drive miles to pick her up and she was not there. Chris did not give up. She learned where Jenny’s friends lived and often tracked her down. She continued to pray for Jenny, and with her whenever possible.

This summer Chris invited her mentee to go to family camp with her and she agreed to go. Jenny thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. She enjoyed the youth group and fully participated in the activities with the kids. Toward the end of the weekend, she went up for prayer and by the end she had committed her life to the Lord and committed to going to church every week with Chris. She was also eagerly reading the Bible that she had received at their six-month review.

Since then, Jenny has attended church regularly, and her grandmother has commented on the change she has seen in her. This is truly cause for praise.

John & Ryan—From Trouble to the Truth

Ryan and I spend the bulk of our time together at his school. Once a week, during school, I check in at the school office, Ryan is called out of class, and we spend time together in the teacher’s lounge, on a picnic table on the playground, or just shooting baskets. I like to review fractions and math facts; Ryan likes to shoot baskets. Somewhere along the line a compromise is struck.

After spring break, I think Ryan spent more time in the office and at home, suspended, than he did in class. He was losing hope, and those around him were losing hope, as well. He had gotten in trouble once again, and this time it resulted in yet another meeting with the assistant principal. By God’s grace Ryan owned up to what he needed to do. Additionally, he will be able to spend some time in the afternoons tutoring kids in younger classes, passing on his strengths in reading and spelling. We spent time together that evening, and at then end of our time together prayed for God to work in his life.

Two days later Ryan and I made plans to get together after school, and I went by with basketball in hand. “Let’s go shoot some baskets,” I said. Ryan quickly replied, “I don’t want to shoot baskets, let’s read the Bible today.” He ran into the house, found his Bible, and we had the best time reading about Samuel in the Old Testament. Ryan was open, engaged, and full of questions.

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