I’ve always been pro-life so when I heard about The Life Initiative, my husband and I joined the ministry to help those in need. I didn’t want to just say I was pro-life and not actually do something to make an impact. After going through the mentor training, my husband and I joined the team even though I was nervous of the unknown and what could come my way.
My journey started when I was connected with Jackie through a friend who works with her at Trader Joe’s. Jackie was seven months pregnant and willing to meet with me. We met for the first time in March and planned to meet up the following week, but COVID hit and shelter-in-place orders were given.
Our relationship grew mostly through text messages after that, but Jackie has always been open with her situation and very thankful for prayers and encouragement. There were times when I felt like our relationship was fading and just when I thought she was done, she would respond again.
A couple months ago, her daughter’s child care shut down for a week due to a COVID case, which meant she couldn’t go to work and get paid, but she still had to pay for childcare that week. This put Jackie in a tough spot financially, and I was able to point her to several ministries and resources in Dallas to help with food assistance and other expenses.
This relationship has shown me how being consistent and faithful to walk alongside someone, even if they aren’t always responsive, can make a difference. Hearing Jackie share it means something to her that I cared about her and want to help her reminds me of God’s love for us. He calls me to love others with the same never-ending love He shows me.
I now see that same love at play in Jackie’s view of her daughter, which she relayed to me. She said, “I see my daughter as the greatest gift from God, and I want to care for, protect, and provide for her!”
I am so thankful for the privilege to serve women and walk with them through tough times. The Life Initiative has been such an encouragement to me as well as my husband and Community Group. We call this mentoring, and for as anxious as I was about the unknowns of caring for a woman with an unexpected pregnancy, it is as simple as being willing to develop a friendship.
1 John 4:18-19 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.”
My name is Serah Luu, and this is my mentoring story. If you need help or want to get involved, email us at thelifeinitiative@watermark.org.