Our clinic process is so amazing, but that is because our God is so amazing. We believe that God has given us a process to follow which takes staff and volunteers out of the picture and always gives the glory to Him. Don't get the wrong idea; the staff and volunteers at the center are truly wonderful people, but they do not change the hearts of women. Only God is capable of that. As long as we remember that simple fact, all is surrendered to our sovereign God.
This month's featured story is becoming the status quo. A young college student, Marla, made an appointment through our Helpline one day. (We always make up a name for our patients who are featured in the monthly newsletter to protect their privacy.) Marla wanted to schedule an abortion. The individual answering the Helpline asked, "Have you had a positive, lab-quality pregnancy test?"
Marla replied, "Yes, at a doctor's office."
"Did they do an ultrasound to determine how far along you are?" asked the helpliner.
"No."
"It would be best if you could come to our center and receive an ultrasound to find out how far along you are and whether or not you have a viable pregnancy. We also have some critical information for you, which you need know before scheduling an abortion; however, we also need to be honest with you. Our center does not perform abortions here, and we do not refer for abortions here. It's very important that you understand that. We are your "first step," though, so you will be receiving information and medical services from us. These are free services." Marla agreed to schedule an appointment.
Arriving for her first appointment, Marla was quiet, sober, and expressionless. No one, not even the father of the baby, knew she was pregnant, and sharing that information with her parents was not an option. Marla's one and only objective was to get an abortion. Information was gathered, a pregnancy test was run, an STD specimen was being sent off, and an ultrasound was completed (heartbeat confirmed)--all in all, a routine appointment. While she would not take any ultrasound pictures, she did look at the baby models. A final comment on her exit survey was for prayer that she "wouldn't make a mistake like this again." She left convinced that her pregnancy would end in abortion, but the nurse explained the importance of returning the following week for her STD results, and Marla agreed to come back. And so the praying begins . . .
Returning a week later, Marla stated that nothing had changed. She had not talked to anyone about the pregnancy and wasn't planning to talk to anyone about it. A second ultrasound confirmed a pregnancy that was still viable. Even though Marla looked at the baby models again, she still refused ultrasound pictures and left that day stating her intention to pursue an abortion; but not before the nurse explained to her that it would be a good idea to come back the next week to check for viability once again. And so the praying continues . . .
By the time a third appointment occurs, staff and volunteers are anxiously awaiting to see what God is going to do. When Marla arrived for the third week in a row, she had a guest with her. She had finally decided to tell the father of the baby about the pregnancy. (Up to this point, she wouldn't even disclose his name.) At a previous appointment, Marla had shared with the advocate that the father of the baby and she had decided that if she ever became pregnant, she would get an abortion. Now that the pregnancy was a reality, the father of the baby had a heart change. He said he would like to parent, and he wanted to tell his parents, too. Marla wasn't ready to share the news with his parents yet (or her parents for that matter), but now she was having second thoughts about aborting. At the third appointment, Marla said she was confused and unsure what she would do about the pregnancy. She wasn't sure she could overcome her parent's disappointment in her. She wasn't sure she could overcome the church's disappointment in her. One thing was evident, though: Marla's mood was lighter, and she was more talkative. During the third ultrasound, Marla even smiled, and even though the father of the baby was quiet, he showed great interest. This time Marla not only viewed the baby models, she accepted pictures, too! Marla was encouraged to make one more appointment the following week to make sure there was still viability. And so the prayers of praise and thanks go up . . .
On the morning of the fourth and final appointment, Marla called. She explained she would be a few minutes late because she was waiting for her mother to pick her up and bring her to her appointment. To say that was a good sign would be an understatement! During the last appointment, Marla recalled how she had mustered the courage to tell her parents about the pregnancy and how she had been planning an abortion. Her parents explained to her that they were not exactly happy about the pregnancy but they surely did not want her to have an abortion. Marla was a transformed young lady-much more talkative, making eye contact, smiling. As Marla left that day, stating she was planning to parent, she graciously thanked the staff and volunteers for this service she had received. And so God gets ALL the glory . . .
