Sowing Hope

At New Mercies Ministries, our volunteers don’t just help meet immediate needs—they faithfully share the hope of the Gospel and the love of Christ. This is often most powerful in relationship, as volunteers build rapport with parents. The ongoing relationship between Jeanne, a Family Coach, and Ja'Ryah*, a mother seeking stability, is a good picture of how this can look.

We shared a bit about Jeanne and Ja’Ryah back in the spring – Jeanne first met Ja'Ryah while her child was being hosted. Jeanne and Ja'Ryah built a deep, trusting relationship during this hosting, which lasted over a year (you can read about that first hosting here). Jeanne would give Ja'Ryah rides and offer support, to be there when she needed a helping hand.

For a while, things seemed to be turning around for Ja'Ryah. She had been successful in remaining sober for a year and was working toward stability. But then she had a difficult relapse—a heartbreaking setback. Despite this, Ja'Ryah continued to reach out to Jeanne and expressed the desire to make changes in her life.

Jeanne was able to go through a Bible study on the book of John with Ja'Ryah and shared the Gospel with her several times. They often prayed together at Ja'Ryah’s request. Her openness to the Gospel was evident, but Ja'Ryah struggled with believing that her own efforts were enough to overcome the challenges in her life.

Her openness to the Gospel was evident, but Ja'Ryah struggled with believing that her own efforts were enough to overcome the challenges in her life.

Recently, Ja'Ryah called and asked if Jeanne could take her to a local women’s shelter, hoping to enter a program there. Though she didn’t get into the program, she found a temporary place to stay at another shelter, and Jeanne invited her to church. Ja'Ryah decided to come. That Sunday was a powerful experience for her. She was fully engaged—taking notes, sharing prayer requests, and soaking in the message.

That Sunday was a powerful experience for her. She was fully engaged—taking notes, sharing prayer requests, and soaking in the message.

Ja'Ryah attended church again the following Sunday, sharing another prayer request for her journey out of addiction. Though Ja'Ryah hasn’t been back to church since then, Jeanne is confident that her experience of the Gospel is not over. Ja'Ryah is still going through some challenging circumstances – Jeanne talks about reminding herself that real change is impossible without Christ. She adds, “Someday, she may remember these seeds. Others may come and build on this foundation.” Jeanne is ready to support Ja'Ryah whenever she reaches out again, continuing to pray for her and trusting that Gospel truth will take root in her heart in God’s timing.

She adds, “Someday, she may remember these seeds. Others may come and build on this foundation.” Jeanne is ready to support Ja'Ryah whenever she reaches out again, continuing to pray for her and trusting that Gospel truth will take root in her heart in God’s timing.

We pray that one day Ja'Ryah will fully surrender her life to Christ, finding the hope that only He can bring. In the meantime, Jeanne continues to pray, knowing that God is faithful, even when the road to recovery is long and difficult.

Volunteers like Jeanne plant seeds of hope, pray for transformation, and trust in God's plan. It’s this faith in action that empowers New Mercies’ mission and impact every day.

*Name changed to protect privacy.