Are you a person who loves firsts? First date, first birthday, first grandchild. One of my favorite firsts is the first patient who walks through our doors when we open a new clinic.
Let’s face it. Identifying property, raising funds, purchasing and renovating buildings, and equipping them is a BIG deal. But the biggest deal will never be the bricks-and-mortar. The big deal is meeting the woman who walks through our doors considering abortion. The big deal is every one of YOU that makes it happen.
On May 30th, we opened our doors for the first time to our third CHOICES Clinic, one-half mile from Planned Parenthood. Thank YOU for launching hope and help into the mission field created by abortion. Our first patients walk through our doors, not knowing this can be their destiny moment.
Our first patient “Cara” walked through our brand-new doors in Kissimmee, determined to terminate the life of her baby. It was her only option. She had health issues, boyfriend issues, job issues, and the list goes on. She talked to her sister on her way to CHOICES. Her sister told her, “You need God in your life.” Little did she know she was about to experience her own destiny moment. After taking the pregnancy test, she was talking to her advocate and broke down in tears. The advocate asked about her faith and said she knows the Lord personally. Then, she asked if she would like to rededicate her life, and without hesitation, Cara grabbed the advocate’s hands and said, “Yes, yes! Please pray with me; I want that!” She was relieved that her test was negative but left that day with a new life in Jesus!
When the first FedEx man making a delivery walked in, he was curious. As we talked, I asked, “Do you know what we do here?” He said, “I think so.” I shared that it was probably not what he was thinking, and we had a beautiful conversation. It was another demonstration of the body of Christ, thanks to you, again, who made it happen.
Some would think this is just bricks-and-mortar, but it is far more. It is a gateway to live out His extravagant love and create a safe place for our patients. Together, we create an environment of dignity and respect that earns trust. Together, we see moms and dads choose life. We see the first time they move from death to life!
I invite YOU to come and see what God is doing at CHOICES. It’s more than brick-and-mortar. It’s a whole new collection of firsts!
Until there are 0…
Vicky Mathews
Executive Director
