Becka DeLaney
I first attended Mosaic back in early 2006 with a friend from another church. We were in search of deeper meaning, change of environment, and looking for a generation of people who knew what it was like to struggle and be broken, and who could relate to us. Our old church had too many politics and a lost sense of who God was. Our college pastor had suggested checking out Mosaic for its diverse and friendly environment. So we went one night to the Mayan service and met some friendly people. After the service, they invited us out to dinner to get to know one another. I had a good time! I don’t remember all the people we met, but I do remember a happy, energetic young Asian woman. She was sweet, playful and just a big ball of joy! Each time I saw this amazing woman, I never thought we would actually get to know each other. I thought I would see her at the café making coffee, casually say our hellos, and that would be it. What I didn’t know was God had a bigger plan for us, a plan of less hellos and more meaning, but this had yet to come.
During that time, I was still drowning in my poor choices and was a wishy-washy church attender for the next year. It was during this time that I sank deeply into alcohol abuse, promiscuity and intense depression that led me to rock bottom. God brought me face-to-face with my decisions through painful heartache, but God knew that was not enough.
Around late 2007, I heard about Heart-to-Heart at the Mayan service and thought I should check it out. I picked up a flyer for the fall session and then chickened out. The next time around, I decided to go. It was now January 2008 and I was left heart broken from a destructive relationship. I knew that now was the time for a change from my broken lifestyle. I attended the orientation and was scared. I didn’t know anyone and started thinking about leaving. But then I thought, “Well I drove all this way to Pasadena and everyone is so nice, so I might as well just see what happens.” I heard Linda and Tami speak about the program, and a former mentee shared her testimony. I thought it sounded awesome. I filled out a profile sheet about myself, sharing everything I was feeling, and praying they would find me an awesome mentor. It wasn’t until I was about to turn it in that I noticed that there was a blank that was left that I hadn’t filled out yet. It asked for someone you would like to mentor you. I stared at it not knowing who to put down and thought that they would just find me someone. But right before I turned it in, I thought about the crazy Asian girl that made me laugh and gave me big bear hugs every time I saw her. I thought, “Well she was cool and really nice. I’ll just put her down”. But I didn’t know her last name so I put, “Amelia – the cute little Asian girl.” I hoped with that description they would know who I was talking about and I left it in God’s hands.
Long story short, Amy Trevino knew exactly who I was talking about and called her up. Amelia Toy verified that she had met me the very first time I attended Mosaic and would see me around but didn’t know me that well. She became my mentor, and we met every week whether it was in person, Facebook, over the phone or through email just talking about our struggles, insecurities, areas we wanted to correct, reading the Bible together and other things that helped us connect. Not only could she relate to me, but for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel judged or looked down on because I wasn’t ‘perfect’. She loved me regardless if I fell or if I was doing great. She saw through my mishaps and accepted me for who I was, the way God saw me. She not only mentored me, but we mentored each other.
We have both changed so much from this five-month experience that it has led Amelia to continue mentoring women, and me to help out as much as possible with what SHE stands for. I’m also anticipating becoming a mentor as well! I love women more now and appreciate how we need to help each other, pray for each other, cry with each other, and just be there for one another. Where would we be as women in Christ if we didn’t have each other? I realized men can only go so far to help us with our needs, but women can understand our needs because, well they are women too. I learned to trust, hope and love more through this experience. Amelia and I still hang out, go to Bible study together, check up on each other and pray for one another in time of need. Because of this experience, I think any woman in any area of life should check out mentoring, because you never know what God has waiting in store for you.
Amelia Toy
One day I got a phone call from my friend, Amy, at Mosaic who proceeded to ask me if I had ever considered being a mentor for Heart to Heart. “Hmmm, gosh that’s such a ‘coincidence’ that she’s asking,” I thought, “because recently, I was telling God that I wanted to do something else more meaningful and intimate along with serving at church.” Amy then proceeded to tell me there was a girl that had asked if I would mentor her. The girl had written on her form, “Amelia (cute Asian girl)” as a mentor request. How funny that Amy knew who she was talking about! I asked Amy who was requesting me. “Becka,” she said.
I had met Becka about a year ago at the Mayan. She came for the first time with another friend and I had invited both of them to go out and have some dinner with a group of us after service. We got to chat for a bit and then I would see Becka here and there at the Mayan. We’d say our hellos, but eventually I stopped seeing her attend the service. So, was I surprised that she remembered me, and even asked for me to be her mentor! I felt excited, but also very nervous. I had never “mentored” anyone before…it sounded so official! What if I didn’t have what it takes? I wish I knew the Bible more! What if she asked me questions I couldn’t answer? Well, regardless of all my doubts and fears, I couldn’t deny that this was not just a “coincidence.”
As it turned out, all Becka really wanted was a listening ear and someone to talk to without being judged, and to have a more intimate relationship with Jesus. Whew… I could do THAT!!! And in the end, I learned so much from Becka as well! She knew the Bible very well, so I was the one sometimes asking her about stuff! I felt we were a great match and we BOTH grew so much; we became more intimate with Jesus throughout our times together! Even though the session is over, Becka and I both still try to meet up one on one, and we even attend the same small group now! I’ve also learned that God strategically puts people in your path, and it’s exciting to see who your companions are at various places in your walk of life!
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