"If You Paint It They Will Come..."
"That's what it sounds like to me!", came the words of encouragement from a local pastor.
Indeed, it seems that the new coat of paint is more than just a change of color. I was just following an "urge" to "neutralize" the Center. Instead it seems that God is preparing a place and people for a ministry to men here at Another Way Pregnancy Center.
I never would have THOUGHT of it - but God obviously did!
With the new coats of paint - going from pink and mauve to beige and white - the phone started ringing. Men calling to volunteer - speaking of "a burden on (their) heart to work with men at the pregnancy center!"
Men coming to the door asking for pregnancy information. "Is my wife experiencing "normal" symptoms?" "What happened to her?" Checking out books and videos... Returning days or weeks later, with or without her, and sometimes more questions!
More men coming with partners for pregnancy tests. Questions. Fears. Hopes.
Teen guys coming to the door asking for a pregnancy test - NO KIDDING! - to take to their girlfriends... Instead we invite him (them) in and talk about healthy sexuality...
A regional training session planned for volunteers - a cancelled presenter - a substitute with a specialized topic...
The topic: Men and Abortion (And I am surprized!)
I expect to hear a man talk about how to talk to men (clients?) about NOT pushing abortion on their pregnant partners. Instead, I hear a man's grief over an abortion decision made decades earlier - the impact on their relationship, later their marriage, and then their young children. My heart grieves with him - and turns to gratefulness in hearing how he and his wife found healing in Jesus Christ.
An entire population we have missed. 53+ Million abortions in the U.S. Lost children. Hurting women. And yes, hurting men. Then there are the dads who want to be dads - good dads - but don't know how because their own father was absent. Men with questions. Men needing encouragement and mentoring.
How JUST LIKE our GOD to direct men to Pregnancy Centers - where often Life or Death questions are addressed.
We now have two men (counselors) in the Center on a weekly basis, (three that rotate on a weekly basis one evening per month) and we'd like to have a few more - to be open more evenings. Perhaps we can start a support group for Dads, or maybe a quarterly "Boot Camp" for new Dads for instruction on feeding, bathing, burping, swadling, etc.
Thanks to generous donors, we have purchased "Men's Fraternity: The Quest for Authentic Manhood" - a curriculum designed for men.
Here's what one participant wrote about the program:
"I was 21 years old, a new husband and expecting our first baby. I came out of drugs and other problems. This program was just what I needed. I wanted to be the best husband and father I could but didn't know what that looked like. Men's Fraternity answered my questions and helped me create a plan of action for my life. It was cool meeting with other guys and talking about what we learned. This is an awesome program."
- Tory
We have also offered a workshop titled "Why Knot?" - a program offered by National Fatherhood Intitiative to look at the value of marriage, and how to prepare yourself to be(come) a good husband, and what to look for in a life-long relationship.
We are grateful for the Lord's guidance regarding the ministry He wants to offer at Another Way Pregnancy Center. As we prepare to move into our new facility, we are looking for ways to engage fathers even more.
Please keep the men's ministry in your prayers! And thank you for the support that helps make it possible!
Another note of thanks to Sherwin Williams on Orchard Lake and 10 Mile Road - who donated the paint to "nuetralize the walls" of our "pink pregnancy center". The change really was MORE than a fresh coat of paint! Thanks guys!