Second Week of Advent: Peace in the Journey

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications & Marketing

As we enter the second week of Advent and light the Bethlehem Candle, we remember the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem—a journey filled with uncertainty, trust, and faith. This candle represents peace, and we reflect on the gift of Christ, the Prince of Peace, who came to bring hope to all. Today, let us turn our hearts toward those who walk alongside women and families facing unplanned pregnancies, serving as beacons of peace and support when it is most needed.

In Isaiah 40:3-5, we read: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In a very real way, those who work in pregnancy help centers and maternity homes live out this calling. With compassion, they create a path through uncertainty, helping women navigate rough ground and level the mountains of fear that often accompany an unexpected pregnancy. They prepare the way by offering encouragement, resources, and, most importantly, the peace of Christ through loving support.

Like Mary and Joseph, who faced countless unknowns on their journey, each woman who walks into a pregnancy center brings her own unique story, fears, and hopes. The client advocates stand beside them, ready to listen, understand, and walk alongside them, much like Joseph did for Mary. They provide a steady presence, not only helping women make practical choices but also extending peace that comes from knowing they are not alone.

These dedicated individuals do not have all the answers, nor can they erase every difficulty, but their unwavering support and empathy remind women of their inherent dignity and worth. In this way, they are bearers of peace, inviting each person they encounter to lay down her fears and trust in a brighter tomorrow.

Pregnancy help organizations become sanctuaries of peace, where women and families can find relief from worry and gain clarity amidst the unknown. The staff and volunteers bring God’s peace into each interaction, each consultation, and each prayer.

They serve as reminders that God’s love is near and that, no matter the circumstance, hope is possible.

As we light the Bethlehem Candle this Advent, let us remember these modern-day shepherds who walk with courage, offering peace to those who seek it. They are a reflection of God’s faithfulness, and their work is a testament to the power of love and compassion in times of need. They prepare the way for new life—not just in physical birth but in the hope and healing that only Christ’s peace can bring.

Let us pray that these dedicated individuals find strength in their work and that every woman and family who enters a pregnancy help center might feel the presence of Christ through them. This season, may we all be inspired by their example to prepare the way for peace in our own lives and for those around us.

Nov. 20, 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Heartbeat International is proud to announce that statistics show more than 6,000 lives have been saved through the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN), a remarkable milestone achieved even amidst intense opposition. While abortion activists deny the effectiveness of Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) and some state attorneys general have sought to discredit or silence this life-saving network, thousands of children are alive today because their mothers chose hope and sought help.

All major studies show that using progesterone to counteract an in-progress chemical abortion can be effective. Progesterone is bio-identical to the hormone a woman’s body naturally produces to sustain pregnancy, and it has been safely used with pregnant women and their babies since the 1950s. To date, statistics show over 6,000 women have had successful abortion pill reversals, and that number grows higher every day.

These 6,000 children—enough to fill 200 kindergarten classrooms—represent lives that the world once counted as abortion statistics. Now they thrive and are loved and adored by their families.

“Today we celebrate 6,000 children, all made perfectly in the image of our God!” said Christa Brown, Senior Director of Medical Impact for Heartbeat International. “Imagine what our world would have lost if just one of them were not here. We are thankful for each of them and their brave mothers who, at one point, felt there was no other way and sadly started an abortion. Quickly, with deep regret, they realized the value of the life they carried and wanted a new plan—and the APRN was there to help.”

The success of Abortion Pill Reversal relies on science and the compassionate care of the APRN's dedicated network of nurses, physicians, and pharmacists. When a woman takes the first pill in a chemical abortion regimen (mifepristone), the process can be interrupted by administering progesterone, allowing the pregnancy to continue. This reversal treatment is backed by decades of safe use of progesterone for pregnancy-related complications.

Despite this, abortion activists and some public officials continue to question abortion pill reversal, even taking legal actions against Heartbeat International and some pregnancy help organizations in an attempt to block access to help for women who regret starting a chemical abortion. However, these efforts have not deterred the network from answering calls for help in all 50 states and 93 countries.

“Each life is precious and filled with promise and potential that, if not for the expedient work of the APRN, might not have had that second chance,” said Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International. “What a joy to celebrate this milestone of so many lives saved that they would overflow a concert hall!”

For the mothers who call the APRN, the opportunity for reversal is more than just a medical intervention—it is an act of redemption. Many express profound gratitude for the network that gave them a second chance to choose life.

For more information about the Abortion Pill Rescue Network or to learn how you can support this work, visit HBI.Life/APRN.

Listen to our leaders -- Christa Brown and Tammy Stearns -- describe the importance of this advanced SonoSim technology.