In October,
my schedule had freed up enough that I was ready for something new. The
prayer you pray and then wonder what actually will happen…
Tristan & I were driving on Broad Street. I saw the Hope
Center. I knew Jesus wanted me there. But it was the very last thing I
expected! I waited several days…hoping that He would change His mind.
Four days later, I stepped into the Hope Center. I walked out
with an application and a large packet of paper work.
Within two weeks, I was sitting in training sessions. Then
medical classes at Temple.
It has been quite the experience. Why did I pray about my
schedule in the beginning? But I was gifted knowledge, compassion, and a desire
to pray…it has been more than worth it!
The Hope Center is a Baptist supported pro-life program. Low
income clients from North Philadelphia are offered free services. There are moms
support groups, ultrasounds, dad classes, STD testing, relationship counseling,
etc.
It is so exciting to see God at work!
Random churches will volunteer to do a baby shower. The
church comes to our location and provides the food, decorations, and gifts for
the moms-to-be. This is something we offer to moms that do not have support. We have been blessed with churches offering to do this. We average one baby shower for several moms every other month.
The Hope Center does a very good job at referrals! Some women
that come to us are in need of more than we can give. This is especially true
if she is in an abusive relationship. Housing, food, general medical care, etc.
The Hope Center refers them to the program that will best fit their need.
The goal is to keep in contact with the young women once a
month. Usually it is from the time they enter the door until at least after the
baby is born.
This month is our annual Momma & Baby Photo Shoot! A
generous photographer volunteers her time each year for this event. We have Hope babies that are two or three years old. We have lots of one year olds.
And of course new moms and their infants scheduled for the photo shoot!
This is such a gift that Jesus has given me. It has changed
the way I view women in crisis. It has made me share the way God designed life
with the kids at 6th Street. It has given me a burden to pray on
behalf of unborn babies and their mothers on the streets of Philadelphia.
