A pri l/ May 2006 Executive Director Update Kelley Wesley Our scripture theme for 2006 is “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 Always abounding in the work of the Lord…yes, I believe this well describes the hearts of the staff, board, and volunteers who work in Alexandria, Fairfax, and LifeChoices. Last week 4 clients from our Fairfax and Alexandria offices made commitments to Jesus Christ! LifeChoices is seeing sexually active students in the office and we are taking advantage of opportunities to speak about abstinence on campus—GMU Health Fair, sorority meetings, club and ministry meetings.. God has blessed us by expanding the opportunities to reach those in our community with the gospel. We are so appreciative of all those who share their resources with SLM! Our annual banquet on March 31st was a wonderful event of fellowship and inspiration. It was our best attendance to date-664 people who generously gave over $204,000. Randy Newman was our gifted keynote speaker and the client testimonies were filled with the grace of God. Here are excerpts from these admirable women. Alexandria Pregnancy Help Center— Center—Ruthlyn. In 2005, I got pregnant. It had been years since my last pregnancy and not wanting another child, abortion seemed the best option for me. One day at the bus stop, I spotted an APHC flyer. I called the number and the counselor I met gave me MISSION STATEMENT Sanctity of Life Ministries is a non-profit, Christian Ministry proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We offer lifeaffirming alternatives to abortion as well as compassionate counsel and support to those who face pregnancy, abstinence, and post-abortion related issues. Sanctity of Life Ministries 10875 Main Street, Suite 109, Fairfax, VA 22030 p (703) 278-5433 f (703) 278-8645 www.slmgetinvolved.org A HC Alexandria Pregnancy Help Center slm@maranatha.net advice and prayed for me. It took time for me to understand the hand of God on my pregnancy and I finally decided not to have an abortion. Later, I would return to APHC to tell my counselor I decided to keep the baby. I also told her that I was carrying twins, but had miscarried one—which at the time I imagined as God’s punishment for earlier thoughts of abortion. The counselor reassured me that the miscarriage had nothing to do with my earlier thoughts of abortion. A healthy baby boy was delivered a month early. My husband was so happy! As for myself, each day I look at my baby Mathew, and I know I made the right decision. Fairfax Pregnancy Help Center-Center--Zaida. --Zaida. A couple of months after coming to the US, I learned I was pregnant. In one way I felt glad about a baby, but being unmarried, I also felt hurt, concern and shame. My parents were upset about my pregnancy and it was painful that the father of my baby didn’t want to be involved. Despite the problems, I promised myself that I’d be strong for my child. During the first, lonely months of pregnancy, desperate to talk with someone, I located the website of SLM. I called and met with Marcella, a counselor. That day, when Marcella prayed for me, I found my resistance to spiritual things diminishing. Later I would join her church and learn many amazing things about Jesus. Most importantly, I accepted Him as my Savior. I thank God for my child and for everyone who helped me understand the Gospel. Also, I thank God for sending His Son to die on a cross for MY sins and those of the whole world! LifeChoices Resource Center— Center—Peggy. One of the most painful times in my life happened during my freshman year in college. I had met a guy I thought I could trust and call a friend. One night, without asking me, he brought over some alcohol. To please him, I drank it. Then I blacked out, and was date raped. I never spoke with the “friend” again. A month later, I was devastated to discover I was pregnant. In the end, though I loved children, I aborted my baby. Through an SLM counselor who spoke at my church about abortion, I learned that God could help me heal. Through Bible Study, church, and prayer, His amazing love and forgiveness replaced my guilt and has changed my life completely. May God be glorified as we continue to abound in the work of the Lord! We covet your prayers and your involvement! www.slmgetinvolved.org F HC Fairfax Pregnancy Help Center Walking by Faith and Not by Sight Margery Williams, Office Manager of APHC On January 10, 2005, I started working at the Alexandria Pregnancy Help Center as the office manager. For 21 years, I had been a stay at home mom enjoying my family, volunteer work and a very comfortable lifestyle. When my youngest child left for college in the fall of 2004, I was itching to work again to use my time in a meaningful way. When the position became available at APHC, I felt a calling to this ministry. It would be meaningful to have a role in helping young women in crisis. I had no idea how this ministry would impact my life in my own personal crisis. On January 31, my husband, Wes, went to the doctor to be treated for a “virus”. Three days later, I took him for a follow-up appointment with the doctor who ordered an ambulance to take Wes to the hospital. I never dreamed that when I drove Wes to the doctor that day, he would never come home again. Three nightmarish weeks followed with ten or more specialists, innumerable tests, moving from one hospital to another. Daily, the news would worsen. Wes was finally diagnosed with advanced cancer one week before he died at age 51. In the midst of our anguish, a letter Wes wrote to our family in the middle of the night, on February 24, showed me that God undeniably had His hand on my family. My husband wrote this while he was heavily drugged. He could not talk and his hands shook so much that he could barely write, but he wrote his last words to us that we cherish. J.B., Rachel, Margie, Mom and Dad: It seems that there will be one, at most 2 more chemo attempts. I believe that I yet have gifts and experience to offer, but should it be God’s time for me then remember I trade a tent here for one of many mansions. Above all – do not blame God – but embrace His will. Center your life on Him and His call and all else will fall into place. Man may not contend with God – set your heart on Him and all that you truly need will be added. Love, Dad These words are a gift from God and from Wes. I was privileged to share my life for 25 years with this godly man who was Christ-centered in everything he did. It has now been a little more than a year since my beloved husband was taken home to be with the Lord on February 25. Trusting God through this loss has been a profoundly challenging faith walk. Although many days and nights I have sobbed and ached for my children and me, I must say I have felt the everlasting arms of my Father around our family. God has held us and loved us in so many ways. He knew that a job with a Christian ministry where godly people would reach out and encourage me would be the best environment in which I could begin to heal. The staff and volunteers have loved me, prayed for our family and me, left notes, books, and scripture passages for me. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by such support and care. He also knew that giving to others with deep needs would also help me to heal and fill an empty reservoir of need in my own life. In this “rubber meets the road” faith experience, God has been bringing me through Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The Lord does not allow us to be passive participants in our faith. As we go through a lifelong sanctification process Mai Bean, Director of Administration and we yield ourselves to Him, He walks with us as we In March, LifeChoices staff and volunteers spoke with over 200 students experience the trials of this and faculty members over the 2-day event and handed out numerous broken world. God is a loving pamphlets and client webcards. Many conversations were sparked using the Father, whose grace is sufficient. STD I.Q. quiz and the fetal models. Even when we think we have been Students were surprised at how they given more than we can humanly might be at risk for STDs and were bear, He will hold us and carry us challenged to think about their choices. as we surrender to Him. “My Most importantly, we had the grace is sufficient for you, for my opportunity to “plant seeds” about God’s power is made perfect in love for them and His plan for sex. weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9. Please pray for the students and faculty who we met. LifeChoices Attends GMU Heath Fair & Fitness Expo Please pray for SLM… ♥ ...with thanksgiving Clients have come to know the Lord as their Savior and have had safe deliveries ♥ Many calls and visits to APHC have occurred as a result of the bus ad in Alexandria ♥ New office workers and counselors are volunteering at all three centers ♥ Rebecca Lewis, a long time volunteer counselor at APHC, will be the Interim Director of Alexandria starting May 1st ♥ After a time of transition, Melissa Jansen will serve as full-time Center Director of LifeChoices ♥ The SLM 2006 Fellowship Banquet was the best one yet ♥ The Lord is doing good things at LifeChoices including clients visiting as the result of ads on the internet, ads in High School newspapers and the LifeChoices booth at the GMU Health Fair ♥ ...for our Clients & Centers Our unbelieving clients will respond to the Gospel and grow in their relationship with the Lord ♥ God will change the hearts of our abortion-minded clients, to save their babies’ lives ♥ God will provide medical care and resources for the clients in need ♥ More sexually active students and single adults will visit LifeChoices and receive counsel ♥ The Lord will bring healing to those attending the post abortion Bible study ♥ Volunteer counselors will be fully equipped by the Lord to minister to clients ♥ Staff, board and volunteers will grow in their relationship with the Lord ♥ Computers at all three centers would continue to run effciently ♥ God’s grace and finances will be provided for those going to Romania May 12-22 to encourage CPC directors and volunteers ♥ The Lord will bring revival to the people of the United States of America Please pray that the Lord would give grace and wisdom to Margie Williams, Rebecca Lewis and Melissa Jansen as they prepare for Melissa Melissa to transition to be the Center Director of LifeChoices and Rebecca is trained to be the Interim Center Director of Alexandria. Alexandria. LifeChoices Office Needs ♥ paper products, office supplies ♥ 2 medium-sized office chairs with wheels (for volunteer desks) ♥ new Dell computers FPHC & APHC Client Needs ♥ boys’ summer clothes (newborn, 9-24 mos.) ♥ girls’ summer clothes (12– and 18-mo.) ♥ diapers (especially sizes 3, 4, 5 and 6) ♥ benevolent funds for clients ♥ infant and convertible car seats (less than six years old) ♥ Bassinets, cribs, strollers, and baby food Address Service Requested 10875 Main Street, Suite 109 . Fairfax, VA 22030 . P. 703-278-5433 slm@maranatha.net . www.slmgetinvolved.org Non-profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Merrifield, VA Permit No. 6280 A HC Alexandria Pregnancy Help Center F HC Fairfax Pregnancy Help Center April/May Newsletter 2006 Serving Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Romania - May 12-22 Please pray for Kay Gardner, Center Director of FPHC, Kelley Wesley, Executive Director of SLM, and Ginny Cyphert, Client Services Director of CPC of Richmond, as they conduct training at the Romanian National Conference on May 18-20 in Timisoara, Romania. Studies show there are more abortions performed than live births in Romania. SLM has been working with Foundation Estera in Timisoara, Romania since 1997, helping them with resources, training, and support for staff. Pray for the team as they provide needed supplies, consultation to the board and staff of Foundation Estera, and conduct workshops at the Romanian National Conference. Mark Your Calendars! APRIL Saturday, April 15: 15: Post Abortion Bible Study Begins Monday, April 17: Steering Committee Meeting for LCRC Friday, April 21: VA Directors Meeting Monday, April 24: Open House at LifeChoices MAY Monday, May 1: Banquet Team Thank You Dinner Friday, May 12: Trip to Romania Starts Monday, May 29: Closed for Memorial Day JUNE Friday, June 9: SLM Staff Retreat