Could You Support?

We recently observed the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It is not a day I hold in honor by any means. This is a day that many of those in the Pro-Life community gather to promise to work that year on laws, awareness, etc. regarding the issue of life. And with that, the focus comes solely around to the issue of abortion. But in the grand scheme of things, being "Pro-Life" is much more than the abortion issue. Life as we understand it begins at conception and in physical form ends at death. So to truly be "Pro-Life" we must address the issues regarding life from as the saying goes "womb to tomb".

With that, I have thought a lot about how we call for an end to abortion. But what happens when a single mother, especially a young single mother, promises to birth this child? Many times there are situations that these women are chastised, outcast, persecuted by friends and family, and left to fend for themselves. An extreme element says they brought this on themselves and therefore must pay the consequences for this. But I ask, as Christians who hold the "Pro-Life" view, is this the Christlike behavior we must display? Are we so righteous to say do not abort but then leave the mother to fend for herself? You must carry the baby to term but after that you are on your own. We don't want a life terminated but have no regard for what happens after that.

As a testimony to my own life, I am a child conceived and born out of wedlock. I refuse the title of illegitimate. I am a legitimate child of God like anyone else. But the title still is used by many and it hurts. Let's say I did not come into the world under the ideal moral circumstances. My mother's doctor told her that because of the times, her job, and the hardships she faced being a single mother he offered 'fatherly' advice to abort me. It was the best thing to do. But my mother chose to birth me. She was chastised. She was an outcast. Just one year after Roe v. Wade, she had pressure to take the easy way out and resume life as if there were no consequences. She could have quietly chose to abort and not face embarrassment, shame, looks, whispers, etc. She did birth me and lived 5 years as a single mom working full time and trying to find childcare for me. It was not easy. She had help but it was limited. She faced hardships. In applying for a job she was told a single mother with a child born under questionable circumstances was a high risk hire. Family did not come out and say anything but the feelings of pity, etc. were always subtle.

Where am I going with this? I am not trying to turn this post into a "Life vs. Choice" battle or to focus solely on the abortion issue. And I hope I do not lose anyone reading the blog on one side or the other on this issue. Stay with me here. Those of you following the blog and close to us know that we have a heart and calling for missions work in Latvia especially with orphans. Looking at the big picture, the issue with orphans is a circular one. Many orphans leave and typically repeat the cycle that brought them there to begin with - young mother and father with no money have children under great strain which turns to an abusive home - drugs, alcohol, etc. Their children are given up or taken and the cycle carries on. It even goes as far as young women, even girls, getting pregnant with no one to help. In Latvia, the economy is all but in shambles. Social services are typically the first things cut. Families have little money to begin with so to help a family member is making a dire situation even worse.

So living these beginnings really burdens my heart. My mother raised me for 5 years. But even with the hardships she faced (and overcame no doubt with pain) there were safety nets. There was family even if they gave reluctant support. She did have a job. Many of these girls and women in Latvia, where our heart is, do not have that chance.

It is with this that I have felt a calling to do something for these women. Helen, the missionary we stayed with while in Riga, operates a day center for kids in the area. She has told me about the situation for many young single mothers she knows. Because of economic hardships many young, single mothers with no help are left with few options. The number of babies being abandoned at hospitals is on the rise. A mother gives up her child because she cannot provide food, shelter, and clothing. Where is the help? The government has cut services because of financial hardships. So who can stop this?

Brooke and I have discussed having a yard sale again in the Spring where people donate items they do not need or want. All proceeds would then go to Helen's organization to help these young mothers and children in need. This is aid that will go towards groceries, diapers, formula, electricity, rent, doctor visits, etc. We are praying for a location to collect donations and a location to have the sale.

This is an effort to give life a chance to succeed. This is work to give mothers a chance to be with their children - to keep them and raise them. This is an effort to prevent what several sources have said is an epidemic at hospitals of babies being dropped off because of complete economic hardship and inability to raise these children. We've done yard sales to raise funds before but this one is different for me. It combines something of my past with something close to our hearts. And it came together listening to the sermon this past Sunday morning. In the reading from the second half of Acts, verse 45 references the believers selling their possessions and giving to those in need. While this is not the same level of the early Church, this is a start. People are giving up personal items and the sale of these items goes to help mothers and children in need. Acts 2:45 meets modern day. So pray for this cause - for God to open doors in preparation, location, and donation. This is a drop in the bucket on the issue and in one corner of the world. But salvation and grace started off in Bethlehem. It went to Galilee and then Jerusalem. Today Christ's message of hope, love, and salvation is global. Help me spread a message of hope, love, and compassion to those who need it and watch this grow. I hope and pray a few children helped here will only cause this to grow in the future as well.