When you get down to the heart of my role in this ministry, a client advocate seeks to learn the story of each woman facing an unplanned pregnancy. We attempt to pierce the surface, enabling her to sincerely reveal the deeper issues of her heart. Our central mission is to meet the client at her point of need; we aim to supply her with every resource and referral that can help her feel more confident in proceeding forward, in addition to giving her accurate information on all of her pregnancy options. Secondly, my priority is to share the love of Christ with these women, if God opens that door, as he does almost every single time. Many of the women I see are desperately hurting and I am able to plant the seeds of hope, peace, comfort, trust, and love that are only found in Jesus. After a counseling session, women are offered a free ultrasound, and the chance to see their child. Amazingly, statistics show that up to 90 percent of women who see their baby on ultrasound choose life. Praise God! The below video was shown at our annual banquet last year and paints the perfect picture of this ministry. Hands Of Hope: 2014 from MissionaryFilms.org on Vimeo. After the initial appointment, a client advocate continues to communicate with every client throughout her pregnancy. I try to connect with each person at least once every couple of months, and more with my abortion minded and undecided clients. During my follow up calls last month I learned that one of my clients, Chastity, (who had planned to carry her child from the beginning) had miscarried and was diagnosed with a molar pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association defines a molar pregnancy in the following way: A molar pregnancy is an abnormality of the placenta, caused by a problem when the egg and sperm join together at fertilization. Molar pregnancies are rare, occurring in 1 out of every 1,000 pregnancies. Molar pregnancies are also called gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), hydatidiform mole or simply referred to as a “mole.” A molar pregnancy is the result of a genetic error during the fertilization process that leads to growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus. Molar pregnancies rarely involve a developing embryo, and the growth of this material is rapid compared to normal fetal growth. It has the appearance of a large and random collection of grape-like cell clusters. There are two types of molar pregnancies, “complete,” and “partial.” I had never heard of this type of pregnancy and was completely baffled. Unfortunately, a rare type of molar pregnancy can lead to cancer, as it has for Chastity. She was recently diagnosed with cancer of the placenta, which spread to her uterus and cervix. Additionally, Chastity recently discovered a lump in her breast. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy to fight the cancer, but unfortunately she does not have medical insurance and does not qualify for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Thankfully, Chasitity is a believer in Jesus, and even attends my church. Despite this physical and financial challenge that stands in front of her, her faith in Christ and the love of those around her is working to keep her strong.
In preparing to write about Chastity's story, I found this beautiful poem, written by Saint Teresa of Avila, that perfectly captures our role as part of the Body of Christ. Although she composed this poem in the 1500s, the power of her words continue to speak truth to the Christian heart. As I read her words, I thought about Matthew 5:16, which is my son's life verse: "...let you light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. Whether God has called you to the missionary field, to aid the homeless, to raise your children, to be a prayer warrior, to love the orphaned, or one of countless other ministries, I pray we continue to work together to serve as the Body of Christ on Earth--loving others to Jesus. To sign off, here is a glorious testimony from a mama that once considered abortion, but chose life for her baby after God brought her to Hands of Hope. Let us keep serving His Kingdom as Christ's Body, in the ways He calls us, so more stories of His goodness and grace will rise. God is working!
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