Sabrina
“Sabrina,” a single mother of two children came in to A Woman’s Friend with her boyfriend “Matt.” Her pregnancy test was positive. Sabrina was sure she wanted an abortion; she felt she would not be able to handle the responsibility of another child. Our Monday evening client advocate discussed the situation with Sabrina and showed her the 7, 8, 9, and 10 week fetal models. A medical appointment was scheduled for Friday.
The doctor and nurse covered many different topics with Sabrina including fetal development, and the potential emotional, physical, and spiritual consequences of abortion. Sabrina left the medical appointment still undecided. Sabrina was scheduled for an ultrasound the following Friday and Matt came as well. The baby was active during the ultrasound and gave them a wonderful show! Seeing their baby on the ultrasound deeply touched Sabrina and Matt’s hearts and helped them to make the decision to choose life for their baby!
Maria
“Maria” came to the Center with her mother seeking abortion information. Maria was already close to 12 weeks pregnant and had decided to have an abortion later in the week. However, her mother suggested she come to A Woman’s Friend and talk with someone first.
Our client advocate shared about life, abortion facts, and also had Maria view the “Life Begins” DVD that took her on a journey of a growing baby in the womb. Maria began to cry. She stated, “I really had no idea what pregnancy and the baby’s development was all about. What if I had just gone and had the abortion before coming in here? After hearing and seeing all this information, I could never abort my baby. Thank you for being here for me.”
Maria and her mother left with joy and peace in their hearts, knowing the right decision was made by choosing life. Maria’s baby was born in the spring and what a special Mother’s Day celebration there was for the whole family!
Cindy
Nineteen year old “Cindy” came to the Center for a pregnancy test. She had already determined in her mind to have an abortion if her test was positive. “My boyfriend and I have been together for a few years, but we just aren’t ready to become parents yet. I have plans for college and he wants to pursue other goals right now. This is not a good time to have a baby. Abortion is the only solution for us,” Cindy explained. Cindy’s test was positive and she was already approaching her second trimester. Cindy and her boyfriend were open to hearing about fetal development along with abortion facts. They decided to come back to see the doctor at our Medical Clinic that Friday. But Cindy was a no show. The following week our client advocate called to inquire why Cindy missed her appointment. Our client advocate learned that Cindy had been unable to get a ride to the Center, but she wanted to re-schedule. So one week later Cindy came to the Clinic. After seeing Dr. Afato, an ultrasound was scheduled with her approval. Dr. Chan was called to perform the ultrasound.
After seeing the ultrasound of her very own baby in the womb, Cindy changed her mind and decided abortion was not the right solution. Our nurse had an opportunity to share God’s plan for not only their baby, but also for Cindy and her boyfriend. Cindy made a decision for Jesus! Cindy and her boyfriend are excited about parenting their baby and have plans to marry.
Anonymous
A young lady called our hotline one evening upset because her boyfriend accused her of giving him an STD. He insisted she get tested before they had sex again. Our hotline worker listened to the caller’s story with unconditional love. She encouraged the caller to go to the health department for free testing as soon as possible.
One week later, this same phone client called the Center to express her thanks for all the help our hotline volunteer had given her. Being there to listen to her painful story and referring her to a place to get testing gave her a sense of calm. She shared she was a young Christian and knew sex outside of marriage was not what she should be doing. This opened the door for a great conversation on healthy relationships.
Her exciting news was that she did not have an STD and wanted us to know that. She realized her boyfriend’s expectations of her (and accusations) were wrong. She said she was rethinking her relationship with him and was purposing in her heart to renew her virginity and save sex until she marries. “I didn’t know where to turn or really what direction to take. But you were there and I know God directed me to call,” were her parting words.
Lacy
At sixteen, Lacy came into the Center for a pregnancy test. After reading her result as positive, Lacy decided she would carry and parent her baby. Although her parents were upset, they were very supportive from the beginning. Many changes occurred in Lacy’s life during her pregnancy, but she was strengthened each day by God’s great love and the awesome support of her family and friends. Lacy gave birth to a girl, Paige, who remains the “light of her life.” A year or so later, we received a Christmas card from Lacy and a beautiful picture of Paige. She also shared, “I’m taking medical classes at Yuba College and I’m now able to live on my own. My family is still there for me and I continue to attend Bible Baptist Church in Marysville. Things are going well and I remain grateful to God for all He has done for Paige and me. He guided me to A Woman’s Friend when I needed help and encouragement to face the difficult situation I was in.”
A Grateful Grandma
“When my daughter discovered she was pregnant (at the age of 17 and a high school student) she was very confused and troubled about what to do. The father of the baby was encouraging her to have an abortion. I suggested that she go and talk to someone at A Woman’s Friend. I knew you could offer her all the information she needed to help her make the right decision. Both my daughter and her boyfriend went, listened, and came away knowing that abortion was not the answer for them.
“Today, my daughter, the biological dad, and child are all living together in Baltimore–and doing very well! I just want you to know how important you are to the community. If you hadn’t been there seven years ago for my daughter, I wouldn’t have my beautiful granddaughter to love and enjoy today!
“Thank you and God bless your ministry, A grateful grandma”
Sophia
“Sophia” came to the Center prepared to abort her child if she found out that she was pregnant. Sophia’s life was filled with pain and disappointments. She saw no way out of her circumstances.
After finding out she was thirteen weeks pregnant, Sophia agreed to come back to our Medical Clinic and have an ultrasound. With each visit, Sophia experienced the love of God in word and deed.
A couple of months later Sophia called to say that she decided against abortion. She stated, “Once I realized I needed to surrender all to God, my life began to turn around. I am no longer filled with fear and hopelessness. God is blessing me and my little family. If A Woman’s Friend had not been there for me, my son would never have been born. I thank God for making a difference in my life and giving me His peace.”
A Grateful Client
"I’m so glad I have this opportunity to thank you.
“When I came into A Woman’s Friend I was a drug addict. I knew I was pregnant and still couldn’t stop, but I wanted to. I remember you gave me a plastic fetal model and told me, “This is how big your baby is.” I started to cry and I cried all the way home and most of the night. That was the day I stopped doing drugs! Wherever I went I carried that plastic baby in my pocket and when I had a weak moment I would pull it out of my pocket and look at it. Sadly, I ended up having a miscarriage. When I went to the emergency room they said the baby’s heart was not beating. I really didn’t hear anything after he told me my baby was dead.
“I came to the conclusion that perhaps my baby lived and then died in order to save my life. God must have other plans for me and I want to learn from Him. I’m looking for a job and attending my drug diversion classes every week. I’ve been clean since the day you put that baby in my hands. I’m going to make sure that my baby did not die in vain. I will never forget the day we met, and I tell my story often.
“God bless you,
A grateful client”
16 year-old client
“As I sat in the counseling room at A Woman’s Friend I knew a positive pregnancy test would definitely change my life and the lives of those who were closest to me. How could this have happened to someone who attended church and was in a Christian school for so many years? It wasn’t as if I’d slept around–in fact, this was my first and only time. I knew of other girls who slept with lots of different guys but it wasn’t them in the counseling—room it was me! I could not believe this was happening to me.
“My client advocate and I sat and talked about this situation for about an hour. She was very caring and spoke very encouraging words. We discussed how I could tell my parents if I was pregnant. We also talked about the option of adoption (at no time did I consider abortion).
“Well, my results came back and yes, I was pregnant. The day after I came to the Center I wrote a letter to my mom letting her know I was pregnant. It was quite a shock to her—she had no idea I had even lost my virginity! Although she was very upset, she and my step-dad let me know they still loved me and would be there for me. Many changes occurred in my outlook during the time I was pregnant. I mourned over the loss of my virginity and I learned to thank God for the chance at “second virginity”—something I now hold sacred.
“The day my daughter ‘Peggy’ was born was such a special day! That day I promised God I would not only raise her right, but that I would follow Him myself.
“For any girls reading this story who are sexually active: please take a look at my life and think about where those actions might take you. My daughter’s dad is not taking an active role in her life and that is very sad. “It is so hard finding time to do school work, talk on the phone, and do all the fun teen activities while trying to keep up with all the work that babies bring! Thankfully, my parents and friends are supportive. It did take me by surprise that all my friends love my daughter and can’t wait to see her and hold her. I thank God every day for all the support I get.
“When I first learned I was pregnant, I thought no good would come out of it. Instead, God has blessed me so much. He has given me a very loving, supportive family to see me through, and a beautiful, healthy daughter to love!”
Former Center Client Advocate
A former Center client advocate recently shared a wonderful story with us regarding a client she had several years ago. She wrote, “This past Fall I was at my daughter’s city league (sports) game when a young man came up to me and asked, ‘Aren’t you Sally? You don’t remember me, I’m Robert. My girlfriend (now my wife) came to talk to you at A Woman’s Friend about nine years ago. We were very abortion minded, but you helped us see another way. That’s my daughter out there on your daughter’s team. I’m also involved with my son’s team.’ He went on to tell me that he has his own business and his family enjoys a very fulfilling life. What really blessed me was that because of A Woman’s Friend that little girl was alive today and enjoying life!”
Joanne
“Joanne” was Carol’s next client. Joanne became very emotional as she shared with Carol that she had had an abortion five years ago. Carol shared with Joanne God’s willingness to forgive and told her about ‘Lives Set Free’ our abortion recovery program. Carol asked Joanne if she could pray for her; Joanne agreed and during the prayer Joanne made a decision for Christ! Carol sent Joanne home with an evangelical gift bag.
“Sarah” knew she was about sixteen weeks pregnant. She and her boyfriend were planning to get married until he found out she was pregnant, after which, he broke off the relationship. Sarah didn’t have any church background but said she was thinking about finding a church. Carol sent Sarah home with a list of local churches and an evangelical gift bag.
Audrey
“Audrey” came to A Woman’s Friend with her boyfriend. Melissa was her client advocate. Audrey read her pregnancy test as positive. Because she already had a one year old and felt that it was too soon to have another baby, she asked for information on abortion. However, Audrey was open to information regarding all of her options. She and her boyfriend watched the Life Begins DVD, which is a fetal development tool showing a baby growing in the womb; they also watched the video A Doctor Explains the Abortion Procedure. Melissa scheduled Audrey for an appointment with one of our volunteer physicians the following day. When Audrey and her boyfriend returned for their doctor’s appointment, she told the nurse that they had decided to carry their baby to term and were excited about her pregnancy. They are hoping to give their one year old son a baby brother in March!
Sara
“Sara” came in with her boyfriend; she wanted information on all of her options including abortion. After Sara read her pregnancy test as positive, the client advocate shared with Sara information on fetal development such as at 21 days the baby’s heart has begun beating. She also showed Sara the touch of life baby models. As they talked, Sara seemed less and less interested in an abortion and more interested in fetal development. Sara was scheduled to come back on Friday to see the doctor. Sara and her boyfriend were hoping for an ultrasound. When Sara came for her medical appointment, she was very emotional and cried a lot. She was facing other difficult circumstances in her life and her relationship with her boyfriend was rocky. Her boyfriend wanted Sara to keep the baby but Sara again was not sure what she wanted to do. The nurse shared some Godly counsel with Sara which she seemed very open to. Sara was also scheduled to come back for an ultrasound the following Friday. Sara was unable to keep her ultrasound appointment. She had moved to Roseville and had no means of transportation. She did, however, inform the nurse that she had decided to keep her baby.
Tara
“Tara” came in abortion minded; she thought the pregnancy would be complicated by unhealthy weight gain, diabetes, and was worried that the child would have defects. Additionally, both of her children were grown and she thought it was too late for more children. Bonnie, the client advocate, showed Tara fetal models at 7, 8, 9, and 10 weeks. Tara was surprised to learn how well developed the baby was. The fetal models seemed to solidify how human her baby was at the time. Tara also became much more relaxed about her pregnancy after Bonnie shared about her own experience with pregnancy at a later age. By the end of the counseling session Tara left with a whole new outlook and decided on life for her baby!
Kim
“Kim” let her client advocate know right away that she couldn’t have her baby. She was struggling financially and had two little ones to care for. Kim didn’t want her boyfriend to know that she was pregnant because he would want her to keep their baby. The client advocate shared with Kim the Life Begins DVD, and when Kim saw just how fully developed her ten week old baby was she was astonished. Jeremiah 1:4-5 says “The word of the Lord came to me, saying ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.’” Kim said she believed in God and the Bible. Her client advocate gave her literature on fetal development, prenatal care and abortion, and scheduled her to see one of our volunteer doctors on Friday.
Kim returned for her doctor appointment having already decided to keep her baby. She had told her boyfriend she was pregnant and, as she expected, he was very happy. What a blessing that our doors are open—making a difference—one life at a time!
Anonymous
Back in February 2005 a client came in for a medical verification in order to get an abortion. She was determined and nothing would change her mind. She barely gave any information about herself and didn’t want any type of conversation. She never returned for the medical clinic appointment and we had no further contact. Recently, one of our client advocates, Laura, saw the same client. She told Laura that she had been sent to jail after her previous appointment, and in jail she decided to keep her baby!
Mandy
Sixteen year old “Mandy” came in and read her pregnancy test as positive. She said her life was complicated. The father of the baby would not be involved in the baby’s life and she had no parental support. Even though Mandy said she would carry/parent, Helen, our client advocate, knew she was still very abortion vulnerable so she scheduled Mandy to come back to see the doctor. In the meantime, Helen gave Mandy literature on fetal development, prenatal care, abstinence and STD information to take home and read.
When Mandy came to her medical appointment she said she definitely wanted to have this baby, but was being pressured to abort. Dr. Chan did an ultrasound. Mandy was given the ultrasound pictures and a Bible. Marilyn, our nurse, also prayed with Mandy which Mandy really appreciated.
Carrie
“Carrie” read her pregnancy test as positive. She told her client advocate, Helen, that depending on how far along she was, she would seriously consider having an abortion. Although Carrie did not want to view the Life Begins DVD she was open to receive prayer and abortion literature. Helen scheduled Carrie for a medical appointment the following Friday.
When Carrie came for her medical appointment, she had already had a complete change of heart. She told Jeanne, our nurse, that she had decided to carry and keep her baby, and her mother would support her in her decision.
Grisele
“Grisele” came into the Center for a pregnancy test. When Rosemary, our client advocate, asked her how she would feel if she were pregnant she stated, “Terrible.” Grisele became very emotional after reading her test as positive and told Rosemary that she wanted an abortion. Rosemary lovingly established a relationship with Grisele. Before Grisele left Rosemary gave her a copy of the video “Bella” to watch at home. Rosemary also scheduled a medical appointment for Grisele which unfortunately she did not keep. Rosemary tried to call and follow up with Grisele but the number was no longer hers. Rosemary then sent a note in the mail hoping to make contact with her.
Recently Grisele came to the Center saying that she had decided to carry and parent her baby. We asked her if she had watched Bella; she said she had, and that it had convinced her to choose life for her baby. We thank God for using Rosemary, Bella, and the Holy Spirit to speak into Grisele’s life!
Brenda
In October “Brenda” came in for pregnancy information. Although she did not like the idea of an abortion, she said it was still an option for her. Brenda was in a hurry so Rachael, our client advocate, was not able to spend as much time with her as she would have liked to. Rachael, however, was able to send Brenda home with fetal development, prenatal, abortion and adoption information. We were able to follow-up with Brenda and found out that she had decided to carry and parent her baby and was scheduled to see her doctor very soon. Although we may not know the full impact we made in Brenda’s decision to carry, we are so grateful for the opportunity we had to share vital truth with her and having the blessing of knowing that her final decision was to give her baby life.
Yvonne
“Yvonne” read her pregnancy test as positive—she couldn’t believe she was pregnant; she never wanted to bring a baby into this world. Yvonne was adamant about getting an abortion and was not open to much information; however, she did take some literature on abortion and a copy of the movie “Bella.” Rosemary, our client advocate, was able to convince her to come back to see the doctor. The following day Yvonne returned to the Clinic determined to have an abortion. When the nurse asked if she would be interested in receiving an ultrasound, she declined. She did however view the video, “A Doctor Explains the Abortion Procedure.” Because Yvonne wasn’t quite sure how far along she was she finally said yes to the ultrasound. To everyone’s surprise the ultrasound determined that Yvonne was six to seven months pregnant! Yvonne was in total shock but the ultrasound changed everything—she decided to keep her baby!
Rosemary tried to contact Yvonne but was only able to leave messages; two weeks later Yvonne called the Center and left a message for Rosemary—thanking her for her calls, and to update her address because she had moved in with her parents. She also wanted to let us know that she was very happy and that the father of the baby is ecstatic that they are going to have a boy!
Jennifer
“Jennifer” came in 13 weeks pregnant and leaning towards an abortion. Her mother advised her to come to AWF in order to receive information on all of her options. Jennifer felt she was too young to raise a baby and wasn’t emotionally or financially ready. Gneal, our client advocate, went over several brochures with her. Gneal was able to share that God is the creator of life and has a plan for each one of us. Gneal also gave her the “Bella” movie to take home to watch. A month later Gneal was able to reach Jennifer. Jennifer said that she couldn’t go through with the abortion and that she was going to keeping the baby. She also mentioned that the movie Bella was helpful and enabled her to see that there are other options besides abortion. In March Jennifer had a baby girl!
Lisa
“Lisa” came in wanting an abortion; she was afraid of the reaction and/or rejection of her family. Anabella, our client advocate, showed her the abortion procedure video. Lisa came back to the Medical Clinic on Friday where Dr. Chan performed an ultrasound. Lisa was given pictures of her baby. Anabella followed up with Lisa and during the second contact Lisa sounded happy and shared with Anabella that she had told her sister that she was pregnant and that she was planning to keep her baby. Recently, Anabella learned that Lisa had shared with the rest of the family that she was pregnant; her parents welcomed her back into their home and she is now residing with them.