Participants Share

From a One by One participant:

"When I was asked to write down what the One by One program has done for me, I have to admit I was a little scared about it.  I'm not very good at writing but I figured since the program has done so much for me, I could at least do this. My mentor, Diane, is one of the nicest women that I have ever met in my life. When we met it was like an instant connection. 

Even though we only had two meetings before my son was born, she still came to visit me in the hospital and treated me as if I was a part of her family.  This was very helpful to me especially since my mother is in the service.  During my very complicated pregnancy, my mom was stationed away from where I live.  It was nice to have someone there to help me through the birth like my mentor who had been through the whole baby thing. 

I just think that One by One is great for first time mothers, and even for young mothers who might have more than one child.  I feel very blessed to have been surrounded by Christian women who helped me pray my way through the hardest times of my life.  To the founders of this program I just want to say that I appreciate the fact that people care enough to do something like this to help people who really need it.
Alice  (name changed to protect privacy)

From Alice's Mentor:

"Being a mentor has blessed me in many ways!  I have met so many wonderful people in and through this ministry.

About this time last year, I knew God was calling me to volunteer.  My youngest child had started college and I was feeling the empty nest.  God knew my heart's desire would include children.  I saw the information about One by One in our church's newsletter and knew I wanted to be a part of this ministry.

After the mentor training, I was feeling anxious about being a mentor.  Could I really do this?  God said yes, and that He would lead the way.  I knew also that I would have so much prayer support from One by One and my own prayer partner.

Alice and I met for the first time in June.  We started talking and getting to know one another with such ease.  I knew that God had brought us together.  Alice was due to have her baby in mid-October, but her baby, Hank, was born early.  At birth he weighed only 2 lbs. 4ozs.  The doctors told Alice and her husband all that could go wrong with a premature baby.  During the 2 ½ months the baby was in the hospital, we prayed for his health.  God has shown us all that can go right through Him.

The baby now weighs in at 12 lbs and is such a beautiful baby boy!  I look forward to my visits with Alice.  When her husband is off work, he joins us for my visits.  I am greeted with a smile and a hug.  I have also had the privilege of meeting Alice's mother, grandmother, and brother.

I am so thankful God has allowed me to become a mentor with One by One; and to also have Alice and her family in my life.  I am blessed indeed."
Ellie  (name changed to protect privacy)

More Stories:

LUCIE
When Lucie* was only 12 years old she became pregnant through rape. We found out about Lucie when someone in her family called a neighborhood church which had recently begun One by One Ministries.  Anne*, the mentor assigned to Lucie, began to make home visits. She found that Lucie's family was in serious financial difficulty and about to be evicted from their home.  This mentor took her Christian commitment seriously and knew she had to help Lucie and her family. Anne contacted her church and they responded with the support needed to keep Lucie and her family in their home. During one of the home visits, Lucie prayed to accept Christ as her personal Savior. The journey of healing for Lucie is changed forever and there is hope.

DEBBIE & NICKIE
One of our single mothers was close to her due date when her own mother had to go out of town.  This was a frightening time for Debbie* who had experienced deep depression in the past. She called her mentor, Nickie,* often. While the family was gone, Debbie went into labor. She called Nickie who told Debbie she would meet her at the hospital. When she got there, Nickie was there and stayed with her in the labor and delivery room all the way through to the baby's first cry. Debbie and Nickie now share a very special bond. Their bond has helped Debbie weather several big storms in her life.

MARIE
Marie*, a retired college professor, mentored two teenage deaf mothers.  Marie and these young moms work through the curriculum and put together the One by One Baby Book and never a word is spoken! What a blessing that Marie is trained in sign language and is a gifted interpreter.  Marie has been able to help both sets of mothers and their extended families (many of whom are also deaf) handle some of the daily logistical challenges of being deaf yet caring for babies in a sound-oriented environment.

JUAN AND STEPHANIE
Juan* and Stephanie* already had one child when Stephanie became pregnant again.  When told about One by One at a pregnancy care center, Stephanie signed up to have a mentor. Their extended families were not getting along.  As the mentor introduced the One by One Baby Book pages, the grandmothers on both sides of the family found common ground as they helped to fill in some of the family pages. The young mother was grateful to the mentor for introducing a way for the two families to come together for the sake of the baby.

A Few Words from Mentors

Katie

"It's easy to talk about my experiences as a mentor with One by One Ministries.  One by One bridges a gap between those who need guidance and those who have been through motherhood or are going through it.  When I started working with Mary* (my participant), she was seeking someone to run things by, maybe get a reassuring statement, or helping set the facts straight.  I can do that for her!

One by One opens the door to being transparent in a time of life that can be so difficult and wonderful at the same time.  I can share my heart and the blessings I have come to realize with a mother who needs to hear it!  I have the opportunity to share how Christ makes my life complete and gives me the strength I don't have on my own. This then allows me to share with my participant that she can also have this certainty.  Also, I can help her see that if she knows Christ, she can keep growing in the midst of some crazy times!

I think mentoring is the key to reaching many generations of parents and children.  With One by One, we are taking mothers where they are, in a time of life where they are ready and far more willing to make changes as a baby enters their world.  Parenting is a huge responsibility that requires a support network that teaches as it reaches.  We as a church body need to embrace the change we can make for Christ by coming side by side with these new families.

I find this ministry challenging and encouraging. It has helped me grow in my walk with the Lord.

Joanna (name changed to protect privacy)

My experience as a One by One Mentor is a very rewarding one.  When I first heard about the program, I knew that it was for me.  The Lord had been calling me to a ministry and I knew that this was an opportunity for me to serve.  I have grown children now, but remember that as a young mother I yearned for the companionship of others who had been through the journey.  My mother provided invaluable assistance to me during the first year of my children's lives.  I want to be able to turn around and share my experience and knowledge with a young mother and also be able to influence her spiritually. 

I was a little apprehensive at first, but the training provided by One by One gave me abundant information and a manual to use on how to get started, prepare for each visit and share activities with the mother and baby.  I find it so easy now to prepare for each visit.  Another mentor, Theresa (name changed to protect privacy), attends the visits with me.  Having Theresa there is such a blessing.  She and I have become friends in the process.  And, my prayer partner is a Godsend.  She prays with me for my mentee and her family.  As we pray together for them and for the specific requests for each visit, we can see God's hand working in our lives and in the lives of the mentee and her family.

At first, our visits were a little awkward, but now they are filled with anticipation and much sharing.  We recently got to share a visit with the entire family, including the baby's father.  My participant is a very good mother and we always take time to praise her for the job she is doing with the baby.  We enjoy putting together the baby book.  My participant and I share the same hobby -- stitching --- and we've enjoyed planning and making stitching projects for the baby. 

As we go through this first year of the mentorship, I feel that with all the prayers and support of the One by One ministry, my prayer partner and my family, the life of my participant and her baby will be impacted by the sharing of God's love with them.  I praise God for the opportunity to serve Him in this ministry.