I wanted to do something similar to what my spiritual parents did. Because of my own story of growing up in an immigrant family and a single parent household with financial struggles, I wanted to bring positive impact into someone else’s life.
Peilei came to faith through a friend who brought her to church, where she met the people who would become her spiritual parents. Her experience with her spiritual parents and the ways they loved and cared for her motivated her to look for a place where she could also exemplify God’s love in action.
In 2018, Peilei took an accounting job in the Bay Area and through her church, she heard about BCM’s mentoring program for teens. As a BCM volunteer, Peilei helps foster a safe community for students who are going through difficult life circumstances. She gets to be part of their breakthrough moments as well as everyday life. There are a few students she has developed deeper relationships with, and she has also served as a math tutor, providing academic support.
At times, it has been hard to hear some of the stories of what students have gone through. I see a lot of brokenness. The students experience a lot of difficult things. Sometimes they ask ‘why is this happening to me; why do I have to go through this?’ I don’t have an answer. Life is hard and everyone goes through trials, but what makes Christians different is that we have hope in the Lord, the eternal hope that cannot be taken away by this world, the ultimate redemption through Christ Jesus. Trusting God will fulfill our deepest needs; He is there and will carry us through.
As the students open up, Peilei sees them becoming more aware of how God has shown His grace and brought them fulfillment and support. She sees their willingness to ask for prayer or turn to God in prayer themselves. Through BCM, they have been introduced to a God who knows and loves them intimately.
Peilei saw one student gain confidence and grow tremendously during his time at BCM. When she first met him, he never started a conversation. He would sit along the edge of the table and not talk, trying to avoid conversations. Slowly he became more comfortable and now he shares his thoughts and even asks others how they are doing.
At BCM, God has also been at work in Peilei’s life.
God has taught me to be uncomfortable and helped me to see blind spots. I’ve learned that I often go into a situation with an assumption about culture and there are times I have come across as offensive or said or done dumb things. One time, a student brought to my attention that something I said was offensive. I appreciated her courage in speaking up, it was a big indicator of her growth and it allowed me apologize, learn and grow.
As Peilei looks ahead to a new year of ministry, she shares, “I hope to be more bold in sharing the Gospel. There are a lot of challenges the students face that point to the needs of the soul and knowing a Savior. I want to share about the eternal hope we have in God. I hope that I can serve with wisdom and sensitivity to God’s timing.”
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