A Change of Heart
It was a morning in late October when Teri got to the clinic a bit after her normal time. As she began to quickly set up the tiny newborn clothing she displays sometimes when she prays, she noticed a woman coming out of the clinic with her friend. They walked over. The one woman’s name was Helania and she wanted to talk. She explained to Teri she was there to have an abortion. She said she “had to” because she was in a relationship with an abusive man, something we see far too often with the ladies we meet. She went on to tell Teri that the baby’s father was not supporting her and their two-year-old daughter and how her life has been filled with struggles for quite sometime. As with most of the girls…if they had a way out…they would take it. So we give them one.
Teri assured her today could be a day that changes everything…if she walked away from the clinic and trusted The Helpers. With that assurance, Helania bravely took that first step and left the clinic! Once she decided on life for her child, we began to help her change her life.
The Helpers bought her a phone and paid her phone bill so she could stay in touch with us. We paid her rent so she could live comfortably with her two-year-old daughter and we brought her to job interviews and to all her prenatal appointments. We arranged rehab for the addictions that were paralyzing her life and we provided clothing and diapers for her daughter. After the physical and mental needs were met, we provided mentoring that was much like “mothering” as her own mother had never been there for her. We loved her and told her how much we cared for her and her daughter and how much more God cares for her!
Helania’s son Lloyd Eugene was born at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on April 12, 2016. He weighed a healthy 7 lbs, 12 oz. With your generous donations The Helpers were able to provide a bassinet, a car seat, a bathtub, infant clothing and diapers for the family.
Helania has come a very long way since that first day we met her on a cool October morning. We are so proud of her. She has gotten out of the hold of addiction, given life to her baby and is now taking care of her family.
With your help we will continue to support her in anyway she needs, whenever she needs it. She feels safe with The Helpers and looks to us as family. She is a beautiful woman, a vibrant personality that is now realizing the grace that God has given her in her life.
“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 118: 5-6