Making A Difference

One of our Abstinence Educators recently shared the following story. It is so wonderful that we are able to make an impact in our community! It is what we love to do!  

A few years ago I was preparing to present our Choose to Wait abstinence education program to a sixth grade class. Before class began, a girl with a beautiful smile came up and introduced herself to me. She had some disabilities, but they certainly did not hinder her outgoing spirit. After class was dismissed, she came up and thanked me for what I taught. She shared that earlier that year, a boy had asked her to “touch” him and she did so explaining that she didn’t know that was bad. We talked and I left her praying God’s protection of her so she wouldn’t be taken advantage of by anyone. (Her mental disability caused her to be very naïve and trusting without being able to know right from wrong.)

Two years later, I came back to that same school system to speak to the eighth graders and when I walked in the door, that beautiful smile was waiting for me once again. She gave me a big hug and wanted me to know she listened in the sixth grade and did what I told her to do. This time when I left her, I was praising God for allowing me to play a role in His protection.

There are always times when I question if we’re doing any good and if the kids are listening. It is miracles like this that remind me we are helping. Praise God!

Local Clinic to Offer Free HIV Testing, June 27

COLUMBUS, Ind. – LifeCare Testing Clinic is offering free Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing on Thursday, June 27 in honor of National HIV Testing Day.  

National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign to encourage people to “Take the test, Take control”. In the United States, nearly 1.2 million people are living with HIV and many do not even know they are infected. Even further, there are 5,670 Indiana residents living with HIV/AIDS, according to a 2012 report by the Indiana State Department of Health*.

“We hope that by offering free HIV testing many will take a positive step in addressing sexual health concerns and in so doing become aware of our services,” Maria Westbrook, LifeCare Testing Clinic Nurse Manager, said. “We want the community to know that we are here to provide testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, encourage safe and healthy sexual choices, and that we genuinely care.”

LifeCare Testing Clinic, a branch of Pregnancy Care Centers of South Central Indiana, opened earlier this year to offer affordable testing and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections, as well as free pregnancy testing. Located at 1950 Doctor’s Park, Suite B, LifeCare is also now the only clinic in our area to offer testing for genital herpes.

Tim Bond, Executive Director of Pregnancy Care Centers of South Central Indiana, has seen the need for a clinic such as LifeCare quickly arise across the country.

“We are excited to provide testing and treatment for STIs in a clinic that seeks to address the ‘silent epidemic’ by helping people in a holistic manner,” Tim Bond said. “We seek to not only provide excellent medical treatment, but also counsel and education that addresses the unhealthy attitudes, behaviors and cycles that perpetuate the problem.”

*http://www.state.in.us/isdh/25595.htm 

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Donate your old car!

Is there a new car in your future? Why not donate your old car to PCC? It's quick, easy and proceeds from the sale of the car will be used to compassionately engage, educate and inspire our communities with the truth regarding sexual integrity and the value of human life!

Click here for more information! 

National Day of Prayer

Maria Westbrook, our LifeCare Testing Clinic Nurse Manager, was asked to give a prayer on behalf of LifeCare on the National Day of Prayer. On Thursday, May 2, Maria read this heartfelt prayer to those listening at The Commons in downtown Columbus.

Dear Heavenly Father, 

We come to you this day, recognizing that you are the answer to life’s most perplexing dilemmas, the satisfaction of our deepest needs, the fulfillment of our greatest longings, and the reward of our brightest hopes.  You are our all in all. 

Father, we are living in days of great physical, social, and spiritual need.  Sometimes it is overwhelming when we look at the vast array of human need and suffering and measure it against our limited resources.  But your reserve Heavenly Father is endless and so we come to you and beseech you on behalf of all the social services that are offered in this community for your blessing, as we seek to love our neighbor as your Son Jesus taught us.  Father we thank you for His example of self-less giving to those who were hungry, sick, disabled, mentally and emotionally tormented, outcast, wounded, lonely, those crumbling under the weight of guilt and sin, and those without hope.  Fill us with your love, compassion, grace and strength to truly make a difference in this community.

Father, we ask for your provision of resources to meet the pressing needs in this community.  We thank you for those who are serving in various ways around us and for the joy of being involved in meaningful work.  We ask that you would raise up more volunteers who would commit to taking a few hours out of their schedule each week to give back.  Bless their efforts, Father.  We also ask, for your material and financial provision for the work that needs to go on.  Pour out your blessing on those who are so generous to give of their time, talents and resources as it is a reflection of your giving nature.  Father, I ask that you would send your encouragement that lose who labor to reach out in your name may not become weary in doing good, but persevere until the harvest comes.

And finally, Father, we commit ourselves to being your hands, feet, heart and words to our neighbors.  Use us to help lead others to you, the only One who is able to fully meet our deepest needs.  May the glory and honor for any good that is done in this community be attributed to you.  May your Name be lifted high. 

In the precious Name of your Son, Jesus, we pray.  Amen

Pancakes and Pacifiers!

I was recently invited to speak about the Pregnancy Care Center ministry at a breakfast to the Church Women United which is made up of women from several area churches.  Approximately 24 women showed up at Grandma's Pancake House on a cloudy, dreary Monday morning with warm smiles and many, many items for the Center. The fellowship was so sweet.  What an encouragement their support is to us and blessing it is to those we serve!

Enola Joplin, Center Manager

Shelby County Pregnancy Care Center