Rachel’s Story

Rachel arrived at the pregnancy center with her boyfriend, Travis (not their real names), after visiting an abortion clinic down the road.

Just teenagers, they were facing one of the hardest decisions of their young lives.

Rachel had sought an abortion, but was told she couldn’t schedule one until the next week. Desperate for immediate help, Rachel and Travis found their way to the center.

In an unusual circumstance, Travis was excited at the idea of becoming a father. Rachel, on the
other hand, was terrified. She didn’t want to tell her family. To her, abortion seemed like the easiest option. But Rachel shared her one caveat: If she saw the baby’s heartbeat, she wouldn’t go through with it. The center staff talked with the couple about their options and scheduled an ultrasound appointment. Rachel and Travis came back a few days later and met their baby through an ultrasound. The heartbeat was clear and visible. Still, Rachel’s fear was overwhelming. She left that day still leaning toward abortion.

It’s not unusual to lose contact with a woman like Rachel who leaves the appointment strongly considering abortion. They don’t want to come back with news that they gave into their fears. All you can do is pray and know that her decision is in God’s hands.

Miraculously, the center connected with them a few weeks later and learned that they were planning to parent their child! Rachel was already seeing an OB for prenatal care and planned to tell her family the news on Father’s Day. Praise God for blessing Rachel and Travis with peace, hope and His protection over their child!

As you read this story, many more women in our community face the same challenges that Rachel did — confusion, fear, financial strain and pushback from family and friends. But through your prayers and financial partnership, women facing an unplanned pregnancy can find the support they need to choose life. Thank you and God bless you for your prayers and partnership in this life-saving work!