Vinette began mentoring Anna (not her real name) in April of 2019. Anna expressed what she most was to know God more and understand his word. Anna began attending church and was baptized on May 12th. She candidly shared with her mentor that she was plagued with the fear of losing parental rights of her two older children because of the choices she made in the past. Vinette promised to pray with Anna in the weeks leading to the court hearing. She reminded Anna regularly of her new identity and printed a list of Bible verses for her to post as a daily reminder.
On June 7th Vinette and her husband drove Anna and her infant son to the court hearing which is an hour and a half drive from the rehab facility where she lives. Anna sat nervously awaiting the hearing while she endured the judgmental stares from the foster parents of her two older children. Vinnette waited silently for Anna to appear before the judge. Curiously the foster father asked Vinette, “So do you get paid to be a mentor to Anna?” Vinette replied that she does not get paid, but that she feels like everyone deserves a new start. She explained that believes Anna can change her choices and rewrite her future.
God answered Anna’s prayers at the court hearing that day, and she retained her parental rights. Anna is preparing to become a medical assistant and looks forward to getting her own apartment one day where she can live with her children.