"I really messed up this time!" she repeated over and over again as if her heart would break. Maria, a young single mother of a two-year-old, now found herself pregnant for a second time. But this time, the father pressured her to have an abortion.

During her first pregnancy, Maria was amazed to see her family rally around her, but this time she was sure they would not be so forgiving. And to make matters worse, the father of the child wanted her to have an abortion. The weight of the shame and guilt was more than she could bear.

With no place to turn, she came to the Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC).

We scheduled her for an ultrasound and introduced Maria to her eleven-week-old baby. Yet, at the end of the appointment she left with a deep sadness about what she "had to do."

Maria's counselor, Hilary, warned her about the risks of abortion procedures, gave her information about prenatal development, and discussed the benefits of adoption. Despite Hilary's efforts, Maria left still intent on having an abortion. After several unanswered phone calls over the next few weeks, Hilary sadly concluded that Maria had terminated her pregnancy.

Earlier this Fall, however, Hilary was ecstatic when Maria walked through the doors of the Pregnancy Resource Center "still pregnant"and asked about an adoption agency! She had read the PRC materials Hilary had given her earlier and came to understand that planning an adoption was the most loving thing she could do for her baby.

Regardless of their background or the depth of their struggle, people throughout this city need to hear the truth about God's forgiveness and why they need to choose life.

It is amazing to watch God use this humble local outpost in a mighty way to reach people from all sorts of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Each year we see thousands of clients, each of them unique in their situation yet in need of the Father's love.

Together we will change the future... one life at a time.

His for life,

Jim Sprague

Executive Director