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Dr. Lydia Dennis, DO and Meredith Mogan, PA donate their time and expertise two half-days a week in the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) clinic at Eden. Alison Stow, RN and Nurse Manager, works alongside Dr. Dennis and Mogan assisting with STI patients.
Some people may not understand the purpose or significance of a pregnancy clinic who's sole purpose is to empower women to carry their babies to term offering STI testing and treatment as part of their services. This past week Alison and I were both reminded of the importance of this service from two occurrences that happened simultaneously.
The first occurrence happened last week. I took a call from a patient who was crying over the phone as she asked for someone to talk to. When she came in a few minutes later she began telling me how she had made a terrible mistake with a guy after she had decided not to date. She came to that decision from a book, I kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris. She received the book from Dr. Dennis during her STI visit at Eden many months ago.
She was doing so well in holding to her decision, had been single for three months, and was beginning to feel more confident, less stressed over guys and a much stronger person. She began to cry as she expressed that in her weak moments guys start coming out of the woodwork - and she gave in. She was angry with herself and felt so much shame. She said she just needed someone to tell her she could do it! She could abstain and be okay with being single.
I began to commend her in her stand, and remind her that God always forgives and will help her in keeping to her decision to wait. After our visit that day she left confident and strong. She phoned me over the week-end just to tell me she was able to say NO to a guy she dated a year ago. She was so proud of herself. She said she had been reading the Bible after our talk and feels so good about herself and her decision to wait. She knows she can do it and wants to be a witness to her peers.
Alison had been experiencing some burn-out concerning the STI clinic when this second occurrence happened. A recent patient, we'll call her Judy, told Alison that she had been to the Eden Clinic many months ago for STI testing. Because of her positive experience she referred a pregnant friend to Eden Clinic. Judy came with her friend for the ultrasound - neither of them were sure about their views on abortion. During the ultrasound, the baby was in full view... it forever changed Judy's mind about abortion! During this last visit Judy told Alison she will never have an abortion because of that experience.
Alison is convinced that these two experiences was God's way of showing her that he is involved in every aspect of this ministry - even the STI clinic. Alison realized that if it had not been for the STI clinic, Judy may never have changed her views on abortion. From the pregnancy test, to the STI clinic, to the pregnancy wellness program, to next step parenting... God is changing hearts, healing lives and saving souls. We are so honored to be in his service.
If you would like to be a part of this awesome ministry, you are welcome to volunteer your time. If you can't do that, put us on your prayer list and/or partner with us through giving. There is no better investment than investing in the lives of people... God's best creation! It's easy, just click Eden Clinic . Thank you for caring!
Linda Cozadd,
Executive Director
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