|
Heroic Adoption Plan Discredited in Anti-Life Culture
by Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D., Heartbeat President
 In recognition of National Adoption Month this November, I want to share with you a recent call to Option Line®, Heartbeat’s 24/7 life-affirming phone center for pregnant women. The young caller confided to the Option Line® consultant that her father was pressing for abortion. Thank God, making an adoption plan for the child was the daughter’s heartfelt desire and Option Line® could connect her to our network to help her carry through with her adoption plan.
The culture of death clouds the hearts and minds of those around us through “scientific research”
that discredits alternatives to abortion like adoption. Planned Parenthood’s research arm, The Guttmacher Institute, is the most cited source of abortion information. Under the ruse of “reproductive health,” Planned Parenthood has targeted our nation’s youth in an effort to establish abortion as the social and medical “norm.” Adoption gets in the way of this goal – and profitability.
In 14 “scientific” studies since 2006, Planned Parenthood links adoption to negative factors such
as infant abandonment, social inequity, and mental illness. Generally, these reports dismiss the advantages of alternatives to abortion, including adoption.
Tragically, the media and lawmakers rely on Planned Parenthood “science” for lack of any alternative. Heartbeat has a strategic vision to change this false “scientific” perception. I believe that we must reclaim the high ground and we must use scientific research to do this. Our challenge is to substantiate, through modern scientific tools, what our Faith instructs us and our common sense has confirmed for generations.
Adoption is a beautiful choice that benefits all those involved – the birthmother, the baby, and the adoptive family.
I thank God for your support as we work toward this vision and ask that you pray for us, just
as we pray for you.
Thank You for Your Willingness to Defend Life
 “In every church in which I preach, I urge people to keep on hand one telephone number that they can use to save lives - the number for Option Line®
(800-395-HELP). I have great confidence in the compassion and professionalism of Heartbeat International, and urge you to support it.”
Father Frank Pavone
President, National Pro-Life Religious Council
National Director, Priests for Life
Defending Life: Great Pro-Life Resource
“Defending Life 2006”, a television series on EWTN hosted by Father Pavone and Janet Morana (Silent No More Campaign), is now available on video/DVD at www.PriestforLife.org (or call 1-888-PFL-3448).
These shows feature guests such as: Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk speaking on Stem Cells, Bishop John Yanta and the family of Terri Schiavo, and others discussing diverse aspects of the pro-life movement.
Read what other pro-life leaders are saying about Heartbeat International. |
|
First Ultrasound-Equipped Pregnancy Center in Miami Attacked
by John Ensor
Please take a moment to praise God with us for the opening of the first Pregnancy Help Clinic under Heartbeat’s Urban Initiative. We opened this past month and saw, in the first few days, 15 young women, six of whom had a positive pregnancy test and were considering abortion. One was only 15 years old and came in with her mother, who was obviously greatly distraught.
By God’s grace working through our peer counseling, our ultrasound services, and our pledges of on-going support, 5 of the 6 have confirmed that they are going to have their babies, including the young teen. Her mother pledged to help her see the pregnancy through to birth. We have pledged to help them both see what good can come from what is clearly a painful and difficult situation.
And then as if to test our own resolve, before the first week was over, our clinic window was smashed, and our ultrasound machine stolen. It was a heavy blow, made all the more difficult for two reasons. First, we intentionally did not put the ultrasound machine into the clinic until we had finished our remodeling and had our alarm system installed.
Vandals gained access to our Pregnancy Help Clinic in Hialeah, FLO (located at the city's second busiest intersection) by breaking this window.
|
We are now spending to upgrade our security. And the second reason is that the ultrasound machine was borrowed. We spent nearly $30,000 to renovate the clinic space and have not yet paid for it all. So you can imagine our joy when the pregnancy center in Homestead, Florida allowed us to use their machine. It was their machine that was stolen.
An ultrasound-equipped medical practice (without a security system) next to our
pro-life help center has never been broken into. So, the police are investigating our robbery as a “targeted” attack.
Please pray that God would strengthen our perseverance and steadfastness. This is always one sure lesson we are to learn in hardships. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4). To read and see pictures of our glorious opening and our painful break-in, visit www.heartbeatofmiami.org.
We are pressing patiently on with your support and prayers.
Back to Top |
White House, Smithsonian, and Mexican Embassy
Honor “Bella” Filmmakers
Eduardo Verastegui (José) and Sophie Nyweide (Bella) star in “Bella”. |
The filmmakers at Metanoia Films have made it their mission to “make movies that matter and have the potential to make
a meaningful difference in people’s lives.” Bella, due in theatres in October, marks the feature directorial debut for Alejandro Monteverde, who also wrote its original screenplay. His goal is to help movie goers judge less and love more.
This big hearted movie has been recognized by the White House, the Smithsonian Latino Center and the Mexican Embassy. The filmmakers have set up over a hundred pre-screenings to promote Bella. Eduardo Verastegui, who plays José, traveled to Rome earlier this year to share the movie with Pope Benedict XVI.
Alejandro Monteverde, Director
|
Heartbeat pre-screened the movie at our annual conference and many affiliates are hosting pre-screenings this month.
“People who agree that life is precious should encourage everyone to see Bella, especially young people who might consider abortion and women who’ve had abortions. This powerful film presents a gripping story that highlights the need for compassion and support so that women can choose life. We are thankful that God’s love shown in this film is demonstrated by pro-life people and pregnancy centers around the world every day,” said Heartbeat International President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D.
You can stand up for life by taking a group of friends and family to see Bella this October. Then encourage each of them to take a group. With God’s grace our stand for life will save lives.
Back to Top
|
Option Line® Consultants Speak Life into the Lives of American Youth
A recent email expresses gratitude for the work of our compassionate consultants at our national call center, Option Line® (1-800-395-HELP) :
Some of our consultants with Option Line® Director Joe Young.
|
“Last year, I sent an email because I had found out I was pregnant, and my boyfriend wanted me to have an abortion. I was replied to by Nafisa and her advice helped greatly. I was cleaning out my email and found it in there, and I just want to say thank you so much, I am now enjoying life with my eight-week-old daughter, and my boyfriend is in love with her too!
I am so thankful I had found your website back then, because I’m afraid of what would have happened if I didn’t. My boyfriend is so glad I didn’t listen to him and kept the baby. Again, thank you so much. You have helped make my life ten times better with the addition of our precious little girl!”
Back to Top |
National Adoption Awareness Month
Your support of Heartbeat International puts you at the heart of adoption, one of Heartbeat’s core goals. So, please join us and the Fatherheart Maternity Home in Tyler, Texas, in celebrating National Adoption Awareness Month in November.
According to one young birth mother, she felt God’s presence as she placed baby Christiana with her adoptive parents,
Mark and Lucy. |
A Heartbeat affiliate, Fatherheart provides care and consulting for women facing difficult pregnancy decisions. Fatherheart, where more than 50% of the mothers find healing by making an adoption plan for their babies, offered to share the experience of one loving birthmother.
“When I came to Fatherheart, adoption was not part of my plan. I’m 19 years old, a high school graduate, and always wanted to be a mom. While at Fatherheart, I weighed the importance of a father in my baby’s life and the life I wanted for my baby. Stability, a strong spiritual heritage, and two parents – I didn’t have any of those growing up. As my due date approached, I chose to parent.
“When the doctor put my newborn daughter on my chest, I realized what pure love is and understood God’s unconditional love for me. I relished my days with my baby, Christiana. I also wanted her to have the best. Depressed, I cried out to the Lord for His direction in Christiana’s life and He answered with a sign that only God could give. I knew I must obey God if I truly wanted His best for my little angel. I wanted her to learn God’s love and knew I couldn’t disciple her while taking baby steps myself.
“I knew what I needed to do but actually doing it was difficult. Our Ministry Director told me about Mark and Lucy, the perfect couple. I met them and knew they were the right family for an adoption plan. When I placed two month-old Christiana in their arms, I felt God’s presence and had no doubt this was right for Christiana. Still, grief flooded my heart when they walked out the door. Dying to the role of Christiana’s mommy is a journey of grief but not regret because I clearly see Christiana’s great gain. God designed this amazing, truly unique adoption especially for Mark, Lucy, Christiana, and me. Where God guides, He provides all we need including grace and peace.”
Fatherheart utilizes many Heartbeat resources offered to pregnancy center affiliates: workshops and trainings for adoption program creation, support and aftercare; adoption program consultancy; and pro-life legislation support as with the Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2007. Anne Pierson, nationally recognized champion of adoptions and maternity centers, has served on the Heartbeat Board for more than a decade and is co-founder of Loving & Caring.
Back to Top
|
Electronic Fund Transfer Provides Powerful Provisions
 If saving and changing lives is your reason for giving to Heartbeat then you should be an ePartner for Life. Electronic monthly partnership provides powerful provision! Investing monthly in Kingdom work is as effective as monthly retirement investing in this world but eternally more valuable.
Even if the Lord has been directing you in single gifts, we want you to consider both. Why? We need both in this war against life. Rock-solid monthly ePartners combined with occasional giving in addition as needs arise makes you extremely effective in this battle for life. Donate now or call Anita at 888-550-7577 for personal service. You are joined with us in this labor of love. Thank you.
Back to Top |
Address: Heartbeat Int., 665 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Suite 440, Columbus, OH 43229, USA
Phone: (888) 550-7577 | Fax: (614) 885-8746| Email: vcline@heartbeatinternational.org
©2007 Heartbeat International, Inc. All rights reserved. |
|
|
 |
Bella Filmmakers Honored