It's TIME!
Fri, May 11, 2012 at 4:51 PM It’s time!
“Time for what now?” you may reasonably ask. After all, this past year has been quite eventful!
The GRAND Grand Opening was celebrated May 4th; what a wonderful opportunity to THANK all of our supporters and friends, and to invite them (you!) into their (your) new pregnancy center. In addition, over 300 invitations went out to local college professors, high school and junior high counselors, history teachers, and administrators. Civic and community leaders were invited as well. And while the showing was very small – the outreach impact was very positive. (For photos, please follow links below.) A HUGE thank you to the volunteers who baked, served and worked with us to make it all possible.
Even though there are still tasks to complete our move-in [handy men welcome!], and while we deal with some not-so-minor inconveniences (like plumbing repairs), the important work of your PRO-LIFE PREGNANCY CENTER goes on. And On. AND ON! Already we are seeing 28 – 32 clients on a WEEKLY BASIS. In 2011, the AVERAGE number of clients served MONTHLY at our previous facility was 50. We’ve only been here 10 weeks! Our sign (announcing we are “here”) went up 6 weeks ago. We have done NO ADVERTISING; people are just starting to FIND US.
It’s not “just numbers”. As we focus our efforts more and more on abortion minded women – our walk-ins continue to increase as well as our scheduled appointments. Our biggest notable increase are TEENAGERS – some coming in with their mothers. One mother told me, “Whatever she wants to do, I’m here to support her.”
In reality, we saw two clients in that one visit. “Mom, ‘whatever she wants’ may not be what’s best for your daughter - in the long term, nor best for your grandchild. ALL responses to pregnancy have LIFELONG consequences, no matter how “easy” a so-called “choice” may sound at the time.”
We read, out loud, two of the abortion procedures outlined in a medical booklet we have available to clients. “Do you want to know more?” I asked. “No. I am NOT doing that!” came her determined, tearful answer. (How many women “choose” without knowing, even without reading the required medical consent form?)
Another Mom brought her young teen for a pregnancy test. The daughter was withdrawn and unresponsive to questions. Her mom did nothing to urge responses. The test was negative. “I KNEW THAT!” was the first complete sentence Daughter blurted out angrily.
I invited mom to step into the hallway with me. “Is there something you want me to say to your daughter?” And then came the explanation; followed by the opportunity to impress on a very young woman the importance of waiting until marriage, how to resist peer pressure, and issues pertaining to her health, future relationships, and possible future family. (Let’s plan Mother / Daughter Workshops on this in the future!)
We are enormously blessed DAILY by the outpouring of love, compassion and dedication of our volunteers. The three of us on staff are being stretched beyond what we thought we were capable of accomplishing in a day. And God continues to be with us, so real we can almost touch Him. Certainly He touches us. Here's just one example:
A mom (one of our clients) calls distressed that her baby was born 5 weeks prematurely. Surely this wasn’t planned. She knew he was a "special needs child", but not that he would arrive so small. “I have nothing for him. Everything I have is too big. Can you help me?” We had just a few items for a very tiny boy. Less than an hour later, Sherry called to volunteer. “I decided to stay home from work to raise our preschoolers, but I want to do something to help you. Can I be a ‘shopper’ for AWPC? You could call me if a client needs something you don’t have, and I can shop garage sales, resale shops, or bargain shop the local stores and bring it in for you.”
“You mean, like preemie clothing?” “Yes, exactly.” “Could you start today? Specifically for a 4 pound boy?” “Absolutely. And I will ask my church to support this work by providing the funds for me to shop. Would that be ok?” Her church was unknown to us, and I offered any materials needed to acquaint them with our ministry. The clothing was brought to the Center just a few days later.
God knew our needs before we did. He ALWAYS has an answer. And His timing is just right!
So, you may ask – WHAT IS IT TIME FOR?
It is time to dig deeper into prayer, commitment and service. It is time to get firmly established in solid practices and procedures, and in the training, equipping and support for those who serve here so there will be neither HINDERANCE nor accusations against His work and ministry. It is time to promote the standard of EXCELLENCE in all that we do, as we work in the Name of the Lord, to honor Him and those He brings through our doors and into our lives. It is time to begin a new chapter in the ongoing legacy of the Life Affirming Work of Another Way Pregnancy Center that was founded in 1984, and continues today because of the Grace of God and the conviction that leads to action in the hearts of His people.
It is NOT time to just “get by.” Nor is it time to grow weary!
If you thought the physical move was impressive, IT WAS. But it was another beginning in the serious work God wants to accomplish in and through us. This truly is a FACILITY to be proud of. PLEASE PRAY constantly that we will become - even moreso - the MINISTRY God desires and leads, with His Spirit evident in and through us, so that all who come in contact with Another Way Pregnancy Center will know His Love, Power and the purposeful LIFE He has for each and every one of those He has created and calls by name!
God's Best to you, and blessings upon those you love. We appreciate YOU!
Photos of Dr. Alveta King's Presentation
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