I just recorded a young mom giving her testimony about The Apopka Pregnancy Care Center.  She was a lovely young woman with 2 very young babies and still took the time to come out to the Center after work just to let me record her.  She volunteered her time so that we can share that testimony with others in the hopes that someone will hear what she says and feel it worthwile enough to volunteer their time or money, or both, to the center.  As she was recording the video takes and retakes, I was getting to hear her heart about all the wonderful ways The Apopke Pregnancy Care Center has ministered to her; she made me feel so very blessed to be a part of the work of this Center.  And what she was repeating over and over was that those who work for the APCC were so kind and loving towards her.  What she was saying reminded me that the APCC is not a building or an idea, but people working together to make a better life for so many young women and their children and to show them the love of Jesus.  People who sacrifice their time week after week, too few in number working too long without a paycheck or any other reward except to know that they are serving their God and loving their neighbors as themselves. As we have been trying to get the area churches involved in this Center I have heard so often over the past few weeks "I'm just too busy."  But are most?  When a major past time in this country is watching a few hours of tv each evening, I'm guessing most people are not too busy, but do not choose to sacrifice their own time for someone else's sake.  The Bible is no longer allowed to be taught in the schools anymore, and so few take the time to pick it up and read it.  If we did, we as a nation would know what God expects regarding being too busy to help others. In Philippians 2:1-4 we are told "Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." And it goes on to remind us that Jesus put us first when He died on the cross for us.  He is our example, and today I saw the young lady who I recorded, who works and is raising 2 babies, sacrifice her time to drive all the way to the APCC and spend about an hour recording a 3 minute video.  And over and over, one of the things that she was repeating was that Faye, our Director, helped bring her back into a relationship with her God, Jesus Christ. And I saw 2 beautiful, happy babies, thriving and a Mom, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords also thriving because a few others gladly sacrificed their time to spend at the APCC counseling and encouraging anyone who walks into that Center in need.  In this, I saw the beauty of sacrifice and received encouragement myself, which also showed me how the blessings of sacrifice continue on from person to person, from generation to generation. 

And so I pray, May we once again be a nation who chooses sacrifice over selfishness so that our joy may be complete in the Lord. 

Sincerely,

Lanni Reiswig

  

 

 

December 2016

 

Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

Dear Friends and Supporters, 

Thank God for the work being done in His Name!  Christmas 2016 will be the tenth Christmas at the Apopka Pregnancy Care Center.  Through the years, we have seen times of joy, sadness, disappointment, hope, and answered prayers.  This year alone we have experienced electrical failure due to a lightning strike, which resulted in the loss of two computers, a television (to watch client videos) as well as the replacement of our air conditioner and some lights. 

In answer to our prayers, we had 700 contacts with clients this year.  All who come are offered support, education, counseling and baby items.  For those who are pregnant we always talk with them about choosing life for their babies!  We had 15 new babies born this year while their mothers came to the Center! 

On Saturday, December 17, the Center will hold its 10^th annual Christmas celebration for all clients and their families.  There will be a time of prayer, Christmas caroling and refreshments with children receiving gifts of toys and clothing.  The Centers staff members are now busy wrapping and finalizing details for the party.  It will be a truly joyous celebration and time for rejoicing.

 The Center has also been blessed with 3 new board members and many faithful volunteers.  Even through trials and many blessings there is still work to be done and many more people to bless in God’s name through this ministry.  You are part of our extended Center family, and responsible for many of the blessings that come through the Center’s door.  We are thankful for you.  May God bless each of you and your families this Christmas!  With God’s grace and your gracious support, the Center will continue its service and outreach in our community. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

In God’s love,

Faye Hull

Executive Director

 

Apopka Pregnancy Care Center

Our lives are so busy with work, family, friends and life in general: it often seems that our time is not our own, we move to and fro sometimes with the breeze of life, most often with the gusts,  hoping to not get caught up in a tornado or hurricane.  It does not have to be that way.  Life can be lived with a purpose, but it must be contemplated and then applied. What is your heart towards others?  What I mean is - is there someting that, when you hear about it, always pulls at your heart.  We all are passionate about at least one cause, but so often we let the breeze, which is most often a gale, draw us away from doing anything about it.  Once you have determined your passion, it's time to make a plan.  Much more often when plans are made the wind doesn't distract.  And if you're responsible for others, if at all possible, include them in your plans.  What children see being done, they learn. So not only will you be helping your cause, you will be teaching your children to do something about their own passion.  What they may complain about having to do now will actually train them up to be better people, those who think of others. Yes, we all have times in life when it is impossible for us to physically go against the wind, but they are much less often than we think.

And if your passion is about rescuing the unborn from a tortured death in the womb and/or helping women pregnant and with newborns to have wisdom, health & knowlege regarding their babies, Apopka Pregnancy Care Center is a place you can begin your journey of living life with a purpose.  We are currently open every Monday (4:30-7pm), Wednesday and Friday (1-7pm).  If you are interested in counseling, we will provide training for you to become a counselor; if you have office experience, we always have office duties to be done; what about organizational skills, we have much to be organized with donations coming in on a regular basis; if you're good with carpentry, often things need added on or repaired; yardwork is always welcome to make the center appealing to those coming in with questions or in need of help; computer geniuses are often needed to help with...you know, computers.  The point is that whatever your talent, if you would like to volunteer your time, we will put it to good use.  

What pulls at your heart is your passion; and we have all been given talents to be used for our passion.   What you will find when you start planning your life is that you will have an inner joy that can only be accessed when helping others.  If you believe in God, it is actually our calling.  We are told that we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. That's a lot of love and the return is a lot of joy.  Don't let the winds of your life control you and don't wait until tomorrow.  This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

 

Lanni Reiswig