The Bigger Picture

What a joy to be celebrating 20 years of the Shelbyville PRC being open! Setting my
personal goal this year was stretching me a bit. But again, God blessed me by not only
reaching my goal, but by encouraging me by the many family and friends who supported
me both financially and with their words! The Sunday before the Walk I shared my
intentions of raising $2,000.00 in honor of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me
the privilege to serve for nearly 20 years in this capacity. After church a woman came up to
me in tears and gave me a huge hug! She handed me $20 stating that her husband is out
of work right now. But she believed whole heartedly in what we’ve been doing the past 20
years. The cash was wrapped up in a hand-written note that explained her tears. You see,
20 years ago she had found herself in an unplanned pregnancy wanting an abortion. She
went to a Crisis Pregnancy Center in Bloomington and chose to give her son life!
Today he is enrolled in college!! That was one of the BEST donations I’ve ever received!!
I’m amazed at how God reminded me of the bigger picture of this ministry through this life
that was spared 20 years ago through Living Alternatives!

- Diana Litterall, Director of the Shelbyville Pregnancy Resource Center

Two Times the Blessing at Will County PRC!

Well we have had another wonderfully busy and blessed week at Will County and I just have to share the praises with you yet again. God allowed us the privilege to use ultrasound technology again to share the truth of LIFE and dispel the lie of abortion with more mommies and daddies this week. As a result 3 more babies were saved this past week!!! That is now 9 babies saved from abortion since March when we went medical and began performing ultrasounds. The really awesome thing is that AGAIN another one of these mommies is having TWINS!!! (We had our first set of twins spared from abortion just this past April). The client this week came in so afraid and very vulnerable to abortion. She already has a 6 month old baby and just did not want to have another baby yet. After counseling she agreed to an ultrasound. Well much to our surprise I found a double blessing of two babies by ultrasound. She was just over 18 weeks and had no doctor and no insurance nor was she receiving any prenatal care yet. I called our medical director and he agreed to see her the next morning and even take her as his patient if necessary. Before she left the PRC she said she could not possibly have an abortion and was so thankful for the opportunity to be seen so soon by an ob doctor. She met with our HOPE program coordinator and eagerly signed up for the classes. She had her first class today and her countenance showed a look of hope that she did not have when we first met her. Praise be to God!

I had another client this week who is 18 years old who came in for a test. She too was very abortion vulnerable. She is single and expressed concern that her boyfriend was really set on her having an abortion. She was also getting a lot of pressure to abort from her own sister and other friends. She told me she is a believer but had strayed from the Lord and was convinced that God was very mad at her. She spent a lot of time sobbing as she poured her heart out. After listening to her, educating and counseling with her as well as praying for clear direction for her, she agreed to come for an US . I told her to invite her boyfriend and she was sure he would not come. Surprisingly he did come with her. Based on the information which the client gave me I assessed her to be almost 7 weeks along. The ultrasound revealed that she was actually just at 6 weeks but thankfully we were able to see a heart beat! The client cried again when she saw her baby’s heart beating. This time they were tears of joy. Her boyfriend was waiting in the reception room to be called back. Even before he came back to the room she said her mind was made up that she was going to have the baby with or without her boyfriend after seeing the heart beat. She did give him the opportunity to come into the ultrasound room to see for himself what she was seeing via the ultrasound. He seemed very surprised to be able to see a heart beat at such an early stage. After the ultrasound the 3 of us went back into the counseling room. He asked a lot of questions about fetal development, abortion risks and how we could help them. Finally he looked at his girl friend and said, “Well it looks like WE are having a baby. I will stand by you in this…” My heart was already so full of joy and thankfulness to God and yet he still had more to do. God is so faithful to always do more than we can hope or imagine and he is faithful to finish what he starts! I knew the client was a believer but I was not sure about her boyfriend. I began to share the gospel and had a very wonderful spiritual conversation with both of them. In the end they BOTH decided to pray to REDEDICATE their lives to Christ! What a reason to celebrate the goodness of God!! He not only opened this couples’ eyes to truth but he strengthened them for their journey ahead by becoming Lord in their lives again.

Thank you to each of you who partner with us through your prayers, your financial giving and the many other ways you support this ministry. It all continues to make all the difference! I am truly encouraged and greatly amazed at how God continues to open his hand and pour out his grace, mercy and love at our center. What a privilege to be tools in his hands! What a privilege to be on this journey with him guiding our steps so that more mommies AND daddies will choose life and choose Christ!

 

Rosie Williams, Nurse Manager

Will County PRC

Ultrasound at Jacksonville PRC

Here is a letter from our Jacksonville PRC, written to update their underwriters and sponsors.  An ultrasound was done on a model client during their training to be a medical clinic, preparing for their grand opening.   It is so exciting to hear how God is using ultrasounds to be a testimony of His faithfulness and grace!

“We wanted to share a testimony with you about the impact that our ultrasound is already having with our clients.  Recently our Nurse Manager, Kris, did an ultrasound on one of our clients.  After the necessary measurements and initial exam the father of the baby and his parents were brought into the room.  This young father stood in amazement as he gazed at his child on the screen.  He could identify arms, legs, and a heart beat.  The tears flowed down his cheek as he saw his unborn child through the window into the womb.  Right there in the exam room he fell in love with his unborn baby.  As we watched just a moment longer the child appeared to be blowing bubbles.  As we laughed together the grandfather said, ‘And people say there is no God.’  We knew that ultrasound was a powerful tool for helping a young woman choose life, but it has also become a powerful witness to our Creator.

Here’s that image of the baby blowing bubbles:

	Ps. 139:13 For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Very soon our country will celebrate the freedom that was won over 200 years ago when we became an independent nation.  Unfortunately in this land of the free nearly 64% of abortions involve coercion.  The women in these situations are robbed of their true freedom of choice.  Recently at the PRC we’ve been praying that our center would be a place where women would find freedom-freedom to know the truth-freedom to be supported in their decision for life-freedom from the pain and guilt of a past abortion-and ultimately the freedom that Christ won for us over 2,000 years ago.  Freedom is not free-it cost Jesus his life- we’d like to thank you for your sacrificial giving that has enabled us to be that place of freedom for those who are being pressured to have an abortion and for those that have been wounded by the trauma of abortion.  Your support of the Pregnancy Resource Center has made a lasting impact on our ability to offer our clients the hope, healing, and freedom found in Christ.  We are grateful to have your partnership in ministry!”

Twins in Will County

I have a wonderful story to share with you and I know you will rejoice with us at the PRC. I had a young client come in for a pregnancy test on Tuesday as well as a possible ultrasound. I already knew she was abortion vulnerable and had put out a prayer alert to our prayer team to be interceding for her and the baby as we waited for her appointment date. She and her boyfriend actually sat in the car for about 20 minutes in our parking lot before coming into the center yesterday. I and the volunteers who were there were praying for her as she sat outside our door in a valley of indecision.

When she finally came inside the PRC and was in the counseling room, she immediately told me and the client advocate volunteer that she had made up her mind already to have an abortion. I did her test and it was positive. Her boyfriend was with her and was in the counseling session for awhile and then excused himself to take a phone call. When he left the room the client began to cry and admitted she was very scared and confused about what to do but that her boyfriend was insistent on the abortion. I discussed the risks of abortion with her. She was also very worried about how she would get supplies and care for her baby. I told her about our HOPE support services and she seemed very interested in that information. She told me that she was a new Believer and she knew that God did not want her to have the abortion. We prayed for her to have the strength to make the right decision and give her baby life. We spent about 45 minutes together talking, sharing, praying. She was already scheduled for an ultrasound that same afternoon at an obstetrician’s office so I did not do an ultrasound on her. Before she left she told me and the client advocate that she did not want to have the abortion and that talking with us made her realize that she really did want to be a mommy and felt better about the support she would get from the PRC. We hugged her and told her that we would be praying for her. I told her I would like to follow up with her and she agreed.

Today I called her to see how the ultrasound went. She sounded much more at ease and told me that all had gone well at the doctor’s office but that she had received a “surprise”.  She proceeded to tell me in a very excited voice that she was going to have TWINS!!! I asked her how she felt about that and she said she was more certain than ever that she would carry these babies and be their mommy. She made her first appointment to enroll in our HOPE program next week.  :)

Even though the ultrasound was not done at the center, I know two things. First I have no doubt that PRAYER was a key factor in this client choosing life. Secondly based on her exit survey she felt very safe and accepted without judgment of her situation while she was at the PRC. I believe that people will not care what you know until they first know that you care. Before she was willing to listen with her ears to the facts about abortion she had to listen and realize with her heart that she mattered to us as an individual and that our desire was to do nothing more than help her in anyway we could. Through our actions and our words she experienced the love of God and we know that His love does not fail! Because of this love not one, but TWO unborn lives were saved from abortion this week. Praise be to God!

Stories from Frankfort

Frankfort Pregnancy Resource Center has had two young women in the last few days who walked in to verify pregnancies and to inquire about an abortion. We gave them the information they needed to come to the decision that they were pregnant with a baby, NOT an accident. They both decided to carry their babies to term. While one is considering adoption, the other admitted that she really didn’t “believe in abortion” but didn’t know how to tell her Dad who would be so disappointed and angry with her. After spending time with her and role playing with her about how to tell her parents, she admitted she didn’t want an abortion.  She and her mom just came in to enroll in HOPE. They had the biggest smiles on their faces. Mom wanted to bless us and thank us for being here for her daughter. They recognize that this will not be easy and is not the future they had planned, but with all of us helping, it will be ok, even more than ok.

Praise to God for His Mercy and Grace!

Sometimes this job is soooooooo terrific!

Thanks to all who make this mission field possible through prayer and financial support.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Betty’s Story

Betty is young, but has already seen numerous trials in her life. After having 4 children by the age of 20, she found herself in an immensely difficult situation. Thinking she was pregnant once again, she came to the PRC for a pregnancy test to confirm her suspicion. At the time she got to our center, she had convinced herself that abortion was her only option. But after hearing the other options we presented to her, and recognizing the HOPE she has available to her in Christ, she changed her mind.  During her appointment, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior for the first time.

Now involved in our Parenting Education Program, she is receiving support in the form of education and one-on-one interactions. In fact, she has even begun going through an introductory Bible study. It has only been one week, but she is really enjoying what she is learning and is searching for a church to attend and get involved in.  We pray we can continue helping her grow in her walk with Christ, as we connect her to others who can disciple her.

 

*name was changed to protect the identity of our client

Client Testimony

It was around 9:00 at night and we found ourselves in the bathroom staring at a positive result on a pregnancy test. Unable to hold our emotions we cried together tears of joy.

After a restless night, a day of sharing the news of our new arrival followed. We quickly made a doctors appointment to confirm our result. Receiving the same positive result quickly brought more tears. With all the excitement no one expected what would happen next. I received a frantic phone call from my father-in-law. He called to let me know that my husband would have to have surgery on his hand. After his accident at work things began to snowball down hill. With my husband out of work we began to panic. Unable to pay our bills or put food on the table things began to get rough. Se we went with the only option we had which was to move back into my husband’s parent’s house.

The news that we were living with his parents and had a baby on the way quickly alarmed our family and friends. We were given a great deal of advice and information on places that we could go to for help. What we really needed was to start preparing for the baby. We were told about the Pregnancy Resource Center and decided to go ahead and check it out.

Upon our arrival we were given a warm greeting. From there we were informed about everything that they had to offer. They offer educational videos, counseling sessions, inspiring and educational homework, parenting classes and many other things. For everything we participated in we would receive Mommy Money and Daddy Dollars. This money we could spend on things that we will need for the baby, and once a month we could visit the free clothing room. So not only are you learning you are also earning money to buy anything you wanted for your baby.

I thank God for the day we found the Pregnancy Resource Center. Without those wonderful people that are willing to donate their baby items and the generosity that the Pregnancy Resource Center staff had for us, I just don?t know how we would have been able to prepare for our new baby. I have been able to get a lot of things such as diapers, wipes, blankets, lotions and many other things, even clothing for me and my baby.

Since I started going to the Pregnancy Resource Center I have learned many things. One thing I am especially appreciative for is them teaching me how to include God in my life everyday not just on Sundays. They have all showed me what a big role God can play in my life if I just let him in. I have already decided that when my baby has no use for any of the baby items I am going to donate them to the Pregnancy Resource Center. Only so that they can keep doing what God has put them here for and that is to help other families the way they have helped mine.

I thank God everyday for the Pregnancy Resource Center and the wonderful staff they have. To the staff at the Pregnancy Resource Center, thank you for all that you do and continue to do for my family and me. May God keep blessing you so you can continue to bless others.

Samantha’s Story

My experience with the Pregnancy Resource Center began early on in my pregnancy. When I first arrived at the center, I wasn’t planning to receive counseling. However, the first person I met was the Director and, after sharing my story and praying with her, I knew that meeting with her weekly was something that would be essential to my getting through this time in my life.

When I shared with her that I was considering an adoption plan for my baby, she said that this would ultimately be my decision to make and that God would show me what to do. Although I am a Christian, I made poor choices in the past that eventually resulted in my getting pregnant.

Before I came to my first weekly appointment, I had already experienced God’s forgiveness and a change in my heart. I had a strong desire to be obedient to Christ and to do His will. I knew that this baby was no mistake and that God had an awesome plan for this little one. So I prayed fervently about what I should do: whether I should raise this baby myself or whether I should place the baby with an adoptive family. The Lord gave me my answer just a few days later; He made it very clear to me that He wanted the baby to be adopted.

When I went to my appointment the next week, I shared with her what the Lord had told me. I knew that this would not be an easy thing to do, but I also knew that God would give me the strength I needed if I just depended on Him. During our weekly meetings, we had been working through a book, which basically helped to prepare me for some of the emotions and struggles I might face while doing an adoption plan. I feel that this book really helped me to address why exactly I had made this decision.

I know to this day that the true reason I decided to place my son in an adoptive family is that I want the very best for him and I know that this is what the Lord wants for him. I know that God has great plans for my life also and because of the love and acceptance I experienced here at the Pregnancy Resource Center, I desire to work in a ministry to young women in crisis pregnancy situations.

-Samantha

Felicia’s Story

The Pregnancy Resource Center is a great place to go for first-time parents. They have helped me out in so many ways. I have learned so many things there; more than what I thought I would have. The classes have taught me what to expect before delivery and after, and what to do when taking home my baby. They have also helped me with getting things I need for my son. The staff that work there are great people. I am very thankful for their help!

- Felicia

Jacksonville Testimony

A couple of weeks ago I received a message that a teenager wanted to come in and talk to someone about the possibility that she was pregnant. To my dismay this was someone I personally knew, as well as her family. I called her back to schedule the appointment and she felt relieved to be able to talk to someone she knew and was comfortable with. She had grown up in a good Christian home and accepted Christ at a young age but was going through a stubborn rebellious phase and made some foolish choices. She was very upset to learn that she was pregnant. She was enrolled in college and she and the father of the baby had mutually agreed to end their relationship. I asked if her parents knew. She replied,”No and I don’t ever want to tell them! They will not be happy with me.” I replied with “If you want, I can talk to them. They need to know so that they can help you. You don’t want to put them through the shock of finding out at the hospital when you go into labor.”

Thankfully she was not abortion minded. She had been well informed about the Sanctity of Human Life and even remembered filling a baby bottle at her church. However, she was very scared to tell her parents and admitted that she did not want to go back to church for fear of what they would think of her. She also felt as though she couldn’t face her younger peers in youth group as she had been looked up to by them.

I am so glad that she came to the PRC and that because we are a Christian organization we can minister God’s love and truth to women and girls like her. I told her that God still loved her and had a good plan for her life and the life of her child. I was able to minister 1st John 1:9, John 8 and Col. 3:12-14. Basically what I was sharing with her is that Jesus loves her and was asking her to repent of her sin and make a change. We as Christians don’t have a right to throw stones at her. Some of our sins are not as obvious as hers but God views them the same. Sin is Sin. As Christians the Bible exhorts us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. The good news is this girl was receptive and encouraged by Gods truth. She has since repented and has recommitted her life to the Lord. She hasn’t fallen away from God or her church but instead is experiencing His unconditional love, forgiveness and hope for her future! She plans to parent with her families help, and continue her education as well as get help from the PRC’s HOPE parenting education program.

Aren’t you glad that there is a Pregnancy Resource Center here in our community that offers women like her God’s message of HOPE!