“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
-Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers)
At Hope Clinic we are helping! We are still here ministering to those who need us as unplanned pregnancies continue. Our dedicated staff is continuing to reach out by providing phone consultations, medical services, and baby needs.
As we carry on through days of uncertainty, we remain committed to stay the course by being here for our clients as an essential service. We’ve had to adjust some of our daily operations in response to the changing environment, and as of March 16th, 2020, we began providing services on an appointment basis only in conjunction with working from home to keep a safe distance in the office.
Did you know that historically abortions rise when economy is in a downturn and drop when times are good? This has been the case as well during our current pandemic. We have ministered to young women highly considering abortion both locally and from neighboring states (where abortion clinics and pregnancy centers have been mandated to close). There are two things to pray for regarding the pressures these women are facing. First, please pray for those women who under normal circumstances would have been more approachable and just thinking about abortion. Pray for them to hear God’s truth, to believe in His hope, and to sense the calm within the storm. Second, lift in prayer those young women who may consider self-managing a chemical abortion since some abortion clinics are either closing or not taking appointments because they are booked up. There was already evidence of a trend toward self-managed abortions according to the Guttmacher Institute. Self-induced methods could come through various home remedies or by “purchasing the abortion pills on-line.” (Guttmacher Institute, Policy Review, Volume 21). Ingrid Skop, OB-GYN and Chair-elect of the American Association of Pro-Life OBs, states that, “a women is further along in the pregnancy than she realizes---and that happens frequently,……..the failure rate is much, much higher.” (NPR, September 19, 2019). Such practices may present a threat to the health of women not to mention the taking of her unborn baby; if the abortion does not result in termination, damage to the fetus can occur. As you can see Hope Clinic is essential to these women. We are needed to both educate and to minister to those who find themselves desperate for their pain to end quickly. Please pray for the staff of Hope Clinic as well. We covet your prayers as we serve those in crisis with compassion and clarity.
Together, we as Christians have an incredible opportunity to show people, especially those who do not know our Lord and Savior, the love of Christ. We should not look forward to returning to where our life was, but we should look forward to a new beginning. Remember that the pain of birth brings new life (Isaiah 66:9).
I look forward to sharing with you the lives that have been touched at Hope Clinic as well as hearing your stories as we both serve as salt and light in our communities.
Please remain safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones. I leave you with this blessing,
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26).
Serving Him for Life,
