Dear Morning Star Families,
Every morning at Morning Star, my staff and I join together to pray. We pray for our family and friends, as well as all of you who support and empower our mission. Most especially, we pray for the mothers, fathers and children who God is placing in our path each day.
One morning recently, we had a special prayer intention for Lindsey*. Lindsey already had a 7-month-old baby girl who she adored. But when she had a positive pregnancy test, she immediately knew that she wasn’t ready for another child. She had just started a new job and was worried about taking time off for medical appointments and maternity leave. Most importantly, she shared that the father didn’t want another baby and would not support her. Lindsey didn’t seem happy about it, but she thought an abortion was her best option.
In the face of current legal, cultural and economic challenges, my staff and I have been seeing a lot of women like Lindsey in our clinics. Women who feel like an abortion is their only option. Women who don’t want an abortion, but who feel pressured to end their pregnancies. Women who are overwhelmed by financial concerns. Women who are worried about what a pregnancy will mean for their relationships. Women who feel alone.
For 51 years, your prayers and financial support have provided counseling, medical services, baby supplies and education to women facing unexpected pregnancies. And while the political environment is constantly changing, Morning Star’s mission has never wavered.
We are committed to providing nonjudgmental support and to empowering HER choice for Life.
What has changed is the number of women at risk for abortion coming to our three clinics. With abortion companies now sending pills through the mail–often without the critical safety measure of an ultrasound or doctor’s visit–Morning Star’s services are a lifeline for women like Lindsey. These women need our help so they don’t feel overwhelmed by a decision they wish they didn’t have to make, and so they don’t feel like abortion is their only option.
I know you share my commitment to reaching and supporting these women. Women considering abortion deserve the accurate medical information they need to make healthy and informed choices. They deserve the chance to see and connect with their unborn babies on ultrasound. They deserve to know the truth about ALL their options, as well as encouragement and support to plan a future for themselves and their children.
When they receive this help, mothers overwhelmingly choose to continue their pregnancies. Last year, Morning Star saw 759 pregnant women at risk for abortion. And 609 of those women—80% of them—chose Life.
So far this year, 603 mothers at risk for abortion have come to Morning Star and chosen Life for their babies! Praise God!
At Morning Star, Lindsey learned the facts about RU-486 (the abortion pill), including the risk of serious side effects. Her counselor explained how her baby was already growing and developing—and Lindsey was able to see her baby’s development on ultrasound. Lindsey’s counselor also discussed the type of help she would need to feel supported in having her baby and helped her create a plan.
After receiving Morning Star’s services, Lindsey made the decision to continue her pregnancy. Lindsey shared, “I didn’t know much about abortion and what it was. After I talked with my counselor, I couldn’t go through with it.” During her pregnancy, Lindsey continued to come to Morning Star to work through struggles she was facing, including how to balance pregnancy, motherhood and her new job. And our Live Connected educational workshops gave her the chance to meet other moms and learn strategies to navigate her relationship with the baby’s father.
For Lindsey, Morning Star’s services were life-changing. Because of your donations, Lindsey was spared the mental and emotional trauma of an abortion. Your love and support saved the life of her baby.
We celebrate each of the 603 mothers who chose Life so far this year, but there are many more women who need that same love and support.
I know you understand the importance of this work we are doing together. You are part of a community that recognizes this great need and will do something about it. As we enter into this holiday season, you have the opportunity to give a Christmas gift that could change the life of a mother like Lindsey—and save the life of her unborn child.
Your gift of $625 will provide one mother with Life-affirming counseling, medical services and ongoing education and support. Or, by donating $1,250, you can partner with Morning Star in providing love and support to TWO mothers at risk for abortion.
Whatever donation you are able to provide during this giving season, you will be helping Morning Star reach our year-end goal of $154,000 and supporting more mothers in our community—mothers like Lindsey!
Thank you for your prayers and partnership in this Life-saving work.
Wishing you many blessings during this Christmas season!
Linda Plummer
Executive Director
*Client names have been changed to protect confidentiality
