Walk with me...

Carolyn Ocheltree and Laura Marziale, celebrating successful completion of all four quarters at Rescue The Children!

My flowers from Dia Martinez

Our gift from Mentor Appreciation Night, made by the mentor and disciple who shared their story

Walk with me, friends--

One of the greatest joys I have experienced these past two years has been walking alongside women who are recovering from addiction and its effects in their lives. Yesterday, my friend, Laura Marziale, finished her fourth quarter at Rescue The Children. She now has a job, working in information technology. Laura and I have spent a great deal of time together over these last months, she has been a student in various classes I have taught, and we have made and sold jam and salsa together.

Dia Martinez and I have walked together for two years now. Dia started the Rescue The Children "Life Transforming Community" in July of 2012. She met me as one of her teachers in a class called "Standards of Cleanliness" that I co-taught with Pam Vogel, a Registered Nurse Practitioner. She asked if I would be a "mentor" for her. I was scared to death to be a mentor when she asked. I had been given a handbook for mentors by the RTC staff. I read it and re-read it, trying to memorize all the things I needed to do to be a good mentor. I interviewed friends who had worked in prison ministries, so I glean from their experiences.

Then, Dia and I began meeting once a week.  And it was as natural as--making a new friend! Mostly we attended Wednesday night church dinner and church service together. She got acquainted with a variety of our church family and received a great deal of encouragement from them. She encouraged them, as well.

Last Friday night, June 27, we had a Mentor Appreciation Night. Dia bought me a lovely bouquet of flowers. Another mentor and disciple shared their story--of spending time together, taking walks on the lovely walking trail behind Rescue The Children, so both of them could pay attention to their health, playing board games with the mentor's whole family, being together.

Yesterday, on Wednesday, July 2, Rescue The Children hosted a promotion ceremony. Each of the disciples moved to the next quarter in the four-quarter system, and received a lovely gift. This mentor and her disciple were there. Laura Marziale was glowing as she accepted her gift for finishing all four quarters successfully.

I have to be honest. Being a mentor can be awkward at first. Like going on a first date. You have to get to know each other. And not all stories have great endings. Some disciples leave and return to their old ways. Others lose their footing temporarily and have to start their entire rehabilitation process over, from the beginning. But, every one of these women needs encouragement and love. And, even those women who return to their old lifestyles may choose to return to rehabilitation sooner if they have someone loving them, encouraging them and praying for them and with them.

Walk with me, my friends. Pray about becoming a mentor for one of these women. Rescue The Children truly is a "Life Transforming Community". It will transform your life, as well. I guarantee it.

--Posted by Mama O.