Where in the world do I start?
Monday, June 29th 2009 @ 7:27 AM
I've been struggling lately with which amazing and heart rendering event or experience within just this week from this ministry to share with you. There are such a flurry of precious moments that have brought tears of thanksgiving and gratefulness to me as I've walked through each experience.
Would it begin with the two "unexpected" early deliveries this week, with both tiny little girls weighing a mere four lbs? Would it be a supporter sending a significant gift after finding out the staff had not been fully paid for months? Or maybe the young, single mom who opened her doors without hesitation to allow a homeless pregnant single mom a safe place to live after a violent encounter with the drug dealing father of her first child? Would it be the birthmother with which we are working in the community who experienced a major breakthrough in finding out how much God the Father really loves her? After growing up with a very abusive father, she saw God demonstrated through the lack of his love as an example of what she thought a father's love was. But yesterday her father called her. He said he wanted to talk with her. Usually this would indicate a pending berating from the angry man. This time though, he told her he was not the man he wanted to be and hadn't treated her as he knew he should have. He told her he wanted to find the Jesus that she has discovered and asked her for help in doing so. The constant ripple effect of loving these women with Christ's unconditional love is an incredible reminder and encouragement for this staff. We just get caught off guard at times by the powerful reminders and have to hunt quickly for Kleenex.
I don't think I could pick. No way. But each of them has reaffirmed my belief time after time that Breath Of Life is a vital, lifesaving, life changing ministry that God continues to use not only here in Austin, but around the nation, as well. The Internet helps us connect to women desperate for help, as she explains in her email where she wrote:
I have been involved in an abusive relationship for 4-months with a man I had known for around a year prior to getting involved with him. As soon as I got the opportunity
to leave I did. At the time I was concerned about my period not arriving as usual. I went and got a pregnancy test and I was positive. I got another one and I tested positive again. My grandmother past away in 02. She raised me after being abandoned by my real mother. My brother and his wife have abandoned me now. I don't measure up to their standards and was told they don't even want me around my nieces and nephew. I am currently back with the man I left. He talks of how happy he is about the pregnancy and that this is what he needed to change. I must tell you that he has as long as I have known him he claimed that he had his self fixed permenatley some 5 plus years ago. A lie that he has admitted to. At first I was in a shock that he did this to me. I grew up fatherless and I am 38 years old with no children just a miniature Dashund. I always told myself I would not have a child with out a father and a good home environment. This man took it upon himself to make this life a decision for me. I had no reason to doubt his word. I have accepted the fact that he did and that I am with child. I cannot do an abortion. I have thought and thought about it but I cannot bring myself to do so. I am God fearing and I can't and won't. I pray about this pregnancy constantly. Two nights ago he threw me across the living room floor and choked me. Why he says he got angry because his meds arent right, the job is slow, his friends have disappointed him etc etc. Tonight he came at me and I ran down to the pond and hid til he fell asleep. I want my child, I want to give him/her a home. I just need help getting on my feet. I have no one. Just me my dog and now my baby. I have a car that he takes a main fuse out of to keep me stranded out here. But I have found a fuse that works in his shed. I have it hidden. Please help me or direct me where I can go. I am scared, I am very scared he will hurt me bad. It's just a matter of time. I know it is. If it was just me I would sleep/live in my car, but I am concerned for my baby's well being. I have not been to see a doctor at this point. I just need a little stepping stone to get me going on right path. Please help me.
I'm sure you know you don't even have to ask if we're helping. You know we are. And it's your continued support and gifts that allow us to even be able to do so. God is using us mightily. We are humbled by His trust in us to give us these lives that literally hang by a thread at times. Without Him, we would have nothing to offer. May God bless your life this week with tangible, fantastic moments of His presence and His love for you.~Jeannine
Current Needs:
Queen sized boxsprings
premie diapers
premie clothing
two year old girl clothing
size small clothing for new mother
size 1x maternity clothing
helping hands to help organize the storage units
volunteers to work within the office answering phone calls and other assorted fun
monthly donors
volunteers to host special events such as the upcoming baby shower for Charmaine or
a placement ceremony for an adoption
a Bible study leader to offer a study during the summer for our moms
childcare helpers for moms to attend the study
transportation help to get young moms to necessary appointments
Most of these are fairly urgent needs. Please contact the office at 512-219-8322.