|
Truths Taught by Heartbeat Acknowledged by UCLA Psychiatrist
by Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D., Heartbeat President
 The title of a new book tells it all: Unprotected: A Campus Psychiatrist Reveals How Political Correctness in Her Profession Endangers Every Student. The author, who tried unsuccessfully to remain anonymous (knowing that publication would threaten her job) is Miriam Grossman, M.D., a psychiatrist working at UCLA.
Her book came from her own research on an “invisible group” of women and men suffering from abortion. Dr. Grossman confirms “the refusal of my profession” to formally acknowledge and reach out to those who suffer from severe emotional disorders following an abortion. She also addresses the far-reaching dangers of the campus culture of “hooking up” and “friends with benefits” – casual sex with the explicit understanding of no commitment or exclusivity.
 We have been writing to you about how Heartbeat is responding to a variety of attacks on our centers, all part of an orchestrated effort by abortion proponents to harass us and close centers down. One is the “report” issued by Congressman Henry Waxman, newly appointed Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, who accuses us of giving “inaccurate” and “misleading” medical information – because we tell women the truth: abortion (and casual sex) can have a profound negative impact on their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual health.
Media outlets have picked up on the “misleading medical information” accusation and have repeated it in recent TV and newspaper features on our centers. Let us know if you see such a story in your area.
Because of political correctness (and the abortion lobby), the truths Heartbeat teaches about abortion and the beauty of sexuality within marriage will be denied. Media bias doesn't keep us from proclaiming the TRUTH, along with the HOPE that comes from knowing that there are always alternatives to abortion and that we have a loving Father to whom we can always turn for forgiveness and healing.
Thank you for partnering with us to share TRUTH and HOPE in a world of political correctness.
|
Could World Face “Plague” of Infertility?
by Virginia A. Cline
 A recently released movie, Children of Men, envisions a world that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of a worldwide epidemic of infertility. The trailer reads: “In 20 years women are infertile. No children. No future. No hope. But all that can change in a heartbeat.” Were they thinking of Heartbeat International? Not likely, but Heartbeat is part of the solution to this frightening problem.
Today, at least one in four couples experiences infertility. The idea that our world could experience a “plague” that would destroy fertility is not entirely unrealistic when one considers the growing numbers of persons infected with STDs and AIDS, as well as the proliferation of contraceptive techniques and abortion – all of which threaten future fertility.
To counter widespread promiscuity and disregard for the procreative gift, Heartbeat International has created Focus on Fertility, a new DVD component for our Sexual Integrity Program to help young women value the gift God has given them.
The Sexual Integrity Program provides a model of sexual wholeness to inspire young people to abstain from sex until marriage while addressing the issues of physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual health. The program helps participants learn about God’s five-part plan for our sexuality. This plan includes a relationship with God, marriage between a man and a woman, unconditional love, sexual intimacy (the gift of self), and openness to children.
Sexual Integrity teaches that we are each made in God’s image and that God has imbued woman with a uniquely feminine role. In this exclusive role, she is designed to receive, nurture, guard, and bring forth new life as she participates in the miracle of creation. Young women who understand the importance of their fertility have a greater sense of self worth. They also have a deeper appreciation for the gift of life and reserving sexual intimacy for marriage.
In a world where fertility is seen as a disease and treated with a “pill” or thwarted in some other way, women suffer from exploitation, objectification, and abuse.
Focus on Fertility offers a vital Christian alternative to secular “sexual health” programs that promote “safe” sex, contraception, and abortion.
Imagine for a moment how the condition of women’s lives and outlook would change if fertility was valued as a life-giving gift from God. Heartbeat International's Sexual Integrity Program is one of the best ways to make abortion unthinkable for future generations.
Back to Top
|
Heartbeat of Miami Labors to Begin Listing Lives Saved
by Rev. John Ensor, Executive Director, Urban Initiative
 I am honored to begin 2007 with the clarity of purpose that is the Heartbeat of Miami. I believe it is a calling – one of the glorious works God purposed long ago and plans to accomplish through us.
As Scripture says, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
More and more people are agreeing, and we hope more will join us in the effort, with their gifts and prayers. With faith in God, we aim to open our first pregnancy help clinic in Hialeah (a Miami neighborhood with six abortion facilities) by Mother’s Day. Most of 2006 was spent in building relationships and seeing if God would open doors for us. He has.
My wife Kristen and I are moving from Boston to live full time in Miami to help in recruiting and training staff and volunteers, presenting in churches, organizing, renting, remodeling, furnishing, fund raising, marketing and more. What we are striving for in all this labor can best be seen in the list of lives saved from abortion.
Below we have listed some of the 300 babies saved from abortion by our Heartbeat Affiliate in Boston in 2006. Local abortionists were ready, for a price, to kill these babies. Christians, at personal cost, intervened. Because of their infectious faith which proclaims, “God will provide,” one mother even named her baby Miracle!
Now we labor to make a Miami miracle list of babies and mothers saved from abortion and give them the opportunity to learn what God has prepared for them in Christ Jesus.
| Some of the Babies Saved
from Abortion in 2006 |
JANUARY
|
FEBRUARY
|
MARCH
|
APRIL |
MAY
|
Bryce
Onesty
Avion
Jada
Naeemah
Angela |
Ella
Cairon
Amani
Keyla
Giovanni
Jakhyia
Jamal |
Jalen
Tommy
Daylen |
Danielson
Aniaya
Emma
Jennifer
Giovanni
Trinity
Janaya |
Jaelyn
Arianna |
JUNE
|
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER
|
OCTOBER |
Jayene
Chrisitian
Shanice
Dominic
Qymari |
Zaiden
Cyanna
Marianna
Jayden
Charles
Gabriel |
Ojani
Emily
Malachi
Alana |
Cynthia
DeMari
Kheilani
Miracle
Nathaniel |
Jason
Sadia
Hope |
Back to Top
|
Option Line Consultants Have Hearts for Adoption
by Sandy Barton
A motivated heart is key to answering the phones at Option Line® (800-395-HELP). For two consultants, Annie Puckett and Megan Ash, their personal experience with adoption is their motivation.
Armed with her positive experiences as an adopted child, Annie is able to shatter misconceptions about adoption. Many callers do not realize that there are thousands of couples eagerly waiting to adopt. Instead, they have a distorted belief that their children will be whisked away to languish in the foster care system and then spend the rest of their unhappy life searching for their birth mothers.
Megan and Annie (seated) are excited to speak about the adoption option with abortion-vulnerable women calling Option Line. |
Annie knows that isn't true, “I was born 70% deaf, adopted as an infant, and my adoptive parents were able to afford an operation that allowed me to hear.”
About her birth mother, Annie says, “There is no doubt in my mind that my mother loved me if for no other reason than the fact that she sacrificed and gave me the chance to live and experience life.”
Megan’s mother was 19 when she faced an untimely pregnancy, but when she went to the abortion clinic, she couldn’t go through with it. Instead Megan’s mother and grandparents chose a guardianship plan, where her grandparents took legal responsibility for Megan.
“One of the reasons I work at Option Line,” Megan says, “is because I wanted to make sure that women understand the choice of adoption. I want them to understand that there are more options. You can be involved and you can help to make decisions. Adoption is one of the most unselfish things a person can do for a baby.”
Making an adoption plan is just one option available to those considering abortion, but it is an option that two of our Option Line consultants share with confidence. They know that through adoption each child is loved twice as much – by the birth parents who chose life and the adoptive parents who share their lives.
Back to Top
|
|
Faith in God Leads to Help From Pregnancy Center
by Yvonne Chew
When I find out I am pregnant, I do not believe it. I finally tell Joe, and he does not believe either. I pray, “God, I hope help is on the way. I really need it now!”
I open the Yellow Pages, and see PregnancyCare of Cincinnati.
 We go there together, and a woman named Dorie meets with us. I tell her why I am upset. It is not just that I am unmarried and pregnant. It is that I am unmarried, pregnant and Malaysian. What we have done is very bad in my country.
I think maybe abortion is best. I am not ready to have baby, even though I like children. But what if I abort this baby, and then can never get pregnant again? Dorie talks to us about keeping the baby and about adoption, and we talk about abortion risks. Abortion sounds horrible.
Joe and I finally agree that abortion is not right. We will have the baby. Joe calls his mother first. She is too upset to talk. My mother does better, but she worries Joe will not stand by me. We get married two weeks later! I love Joe, and he is so supportive and kind.
Dorie from the pregnancy center refers me to Healthy Beginnings, a Christian prenatal medical clinic, for ultrasound and medical care. Dorie calls every few weeks to see how we are doing. She is praying for me.
 I go into labor on September 12. After hours of contractions, the baby’s heart rate drops and I am rushed into surgery for a C-section. After Ethan is born, he is jaundiced and weak. My heart breaks. I love him already and wonder: will he be all right? He is. Now we are a family. Joe works as a chef.
On Tuesdays I go to PregnancyCare for parenting classes. I like to meet other new mothers and talk about our babies.
I am Buddhist my whole life, but three years ago I become Christian. I know it is God who leads me to PregnancyCare. I pray a lot and ask Him to keep helping me. My life is different than I expect, but it is good. I am thankful to Dorie, and to PregnancyCare, for everything.
Back to Top |
 “When a woman faces an unplanned pregnancy, she knows she will walk a difficult road. Standing in the gap for women is Heartbeat International. Through over 1,000 affiliates, Heartbeat reaches into the hearts of these women to save 2,000 tiny lives each week. I’m so proud to know the fine people at Heartbeat, and I’m pleased to endorse this important ministry. Heartbeat is saving lives all over the world and making a real difference.”
Linda Harvey
President and Founder, Mission America |
"Veil of Deception: The Impact of Same Sex Marriage on American Youth"
 Mission:America’s new video production, “Veil of Deception,” explores homosexual activism already exploding in schools and communities nationwide, putting thousands of children at risk as experimentation is blatantly encouraged. Some courageous parents, community leaders and teachers are speaking out. This exciting, fast-paced video is a great educational tool. It features local and national “heroes” who are trying to protect our children and how we can all learn from them.
Back to Top |
Electronic Fund Transfer is a Great Way to Save Lives
 If you want to save and change as many lives as possible, EFT (electronic fund transfer) is a great way to work with Heartbeat. You can increase the value of each dollar you give by becoming an ePartner for Life. Unless the Lord is directing you to a significant one-time gift, your electronic monthly gift is the most effective way to expand God’s vision of making abortion unthinkable.
Not only do we save time and processing costs, but the stability of this giving method greatly increases our ability to plan financially sound programs over the course of the fiscal year. Will you please consider a monthly EFT gift to support our ongoing work? If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Anita at our toll-free number 1-888-550-7577. She is available during business hours to help you set up your EFT or change it in any way at any time.
Back to Top |
|
|
|
 |
