Our newest site -
1120 Scugog St. Bowmanville, next to Rehoboth, opening this fall.
We are in need of two more volunteers for our opening on October.
Bowmanville
Please remember us in your will and trusts
Prayer & Praise
- Pray for our new site in Bowmanville. We are excited with the opportunities in this new community. We need two additional volunteers in order to open in October. We hope to be open 11 am to 4 pm.
- Pray for new donors and supporters of the ministry. Pray for the board as they consider new ways to engage the community in supporting our calling. Is there a more important one than to protect life - a most precious gift from our Maker? The Ride is an opportunity to share the ministry with your friends.
- Praise for the kindness of those people who share their abilities with us in less traditional ways of volunteering like interceding in prayer, making reusable client bags, handyman stuff or knitting/crocheting/quilting. Amazing kindness!
- Praise for our volunteers - new ones and the older ones. We could not do the work without them. We will need to increase our volunteer base and we have a training scheduled. If you are interested, check out the back of the newsletter or go to the website - www.pregnancyhelp.ca
Ten years ago I penned an article for the newsletter about my first year as a Director at the PHC, about how it was everything I didn't expect. Ten years later it still rings true for me. I have witnessed God do some amazing things in this ministry. I've watched lives saved both physically and spiritually. I've enjoyed seeing clients grow and change and become some pretty awesome parents. Sadly the one thing I had yet to see happen was an adoption, and if I'm being honest, I expected never to see it happen. That is until today.
A client came into the centre, very pregnant, her delivery date within the next few weeks having made the difficult decision to choose to allow someone else the privilege of loving and raising her child, knowing that she couldn't give them everything she longed for them to have in life. We connected her with a Christian adoption agency and began the work of helping her choose to do one of the hardest things she will ever do for her child.
I couldn't help but smile at God and His timing; I should have learned by now to expect the unexpected both from Him and this ministry. This morning I came to work expecting the same thing just a different day; God knew that today was going to be everything I didn't expect and more. This ministry never ceases to amaze me and I wonder what unexpected marvels God has in store in the next ten years. I cannot wait to find it out..
Sue Sokol
Oshawa Director
FYI
A few months ago in Pickering, a young woman was murdered. Her name was Ariana Goberdham and she was 9 months pregnant. Because Canadian law does not recognize the pre-born as human beings, only one murder charge was laid. If this horrific crime had been committed in the United States, it would be considered a double homicide (in most states). In fact, Canada is the only country in the world that does not have some form of legislation protecting pre-born lives.
Ariana's mother reached out to us in hopes of creating awareness about the lack of justice for her first grandchild – a baby girl. We plan on highlighting this issue in our next CHOICE42 video.
Please keep Ariana's family in your thoughts and prayers as they face their daughter and granddaughter's killer in court later this month. Keep an eye on our website and social media outlets this fall for the release of our video.
Laura Klassen,
CHOICE42 Director
Did you know?
Our BOLD high school program encourages students to build healthy relationships that are grounded in friendship, support, patience and trust, and not complicated by sexual involvement, especially during the formative stage. Recently, we have been identifying the need to discuss the unique impacts social media has on relationships. 90% of high school students have access to a cell phone, which in turn typically allows them access to all kinds of social media and networking sites. Although social media can benefit us in great ways, there are risks of relationship dissatisfaction, jealousy, internet addiction, anxiety, in addition to the ability to engage in sexual behaviours such as sexting (sending “sexy, nude or partially nude photos” (Johnson, 2014)). Sexting has received much recent media attention, and has been linked to numerous sexual risk-taking behaviours. Although studies vary on the prevalence of sexting among students, one research study found that 57% of students have been asked to sext (Temple et al., 2012). Researchers have also found that students tend to view sexting as normal and common among their peers. Our program discusses with students how to handle pressures surrounding sexual activity and to avoid risk taking behaviour. Keep this program in your prayers as we are already booking in classes for September!
Johnson, M. (2014, May 29) Sexting and Youth: Confronting a Modern Dilemma. Retried from http://mediasmarts.ca/blog/sexting-and-youth-confronting-modern-dilemma
Temple, J., Paul, J., van den Berg, P., Le, Vi., McElhany, A., and Temple, B. (2012, September). Teen Sexting and its association with sexual behaviors. Arch Pediatri Adolesc Med. 166(9), 828-833.
Can you Help?
- We are in need of a few specific items for clients at both our sites:
formula, baby food, cereal, size 4 to 6 diapers
- Monthly supporters to keep the sites open and invest in the future. It is the easiest way for you to give and the most dependable for us. Just fill out the form at the side of the newsletter and return by mail, fax or email. Or you can give on your mobile device using the QR code on that same form.
- The Friends of the PHC has returned. New place and new time. Mark your calendars for Thursday November 9, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Royal Ashburn Golf Course. If you would like to be a sponsor, we would appreciate your support.
Mark your calendars for November 9. We will have Dan Kulp from New York, coming up to share his humour with an adoption focus. Looking forward to a great night with you. It is a Thursday night at a new location - Royal Ashburn Golf Course.