Happy Mother's Day! What a great opportunity to celebrate with you the choice of LIFE many mothers have made at Heartbeat of Miami! Let me share with you some of the things that have happened since our last E-Newsletter.
Redemption Project
Firstly, the renovation of the new Hialeah Clinic was successfully completed. God is good! We were blessed to have an amazing group of people donate their TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE to this project. As a result, we transformed the building next door to our clinic, which was used as an abortion business in 1978, to a lifesaving haven. Where much blood and tears were shed, will now be a place of unspeakable joy. Doors opened Monday morning and day-to-day operations proceeded with no disruptions. We will have an Open House at the new location very soon and you are all invited. I can’t wait to celebrate His goodness with you.
5K Walk
Also, our First Heartbeat of Miami “Love Never Fails” 5K Walk was a huge success. Thanks to all who walked, sponsored and volunteered. The money donated was used for the “Redemption Project” of the new Hialeah Clinic. The best part was having families walking together and declaring that “LOVE NEVER FAILS” and being the Voice for the Voiceless.
Stephanie
Finally, I want to share the story of Stephanie Metellus and her two year old son Allen. For those not aware, she is one of our regular volunteers at the North Miami Clinic. Stephanie was only 15 years old when she came to our clinic, pregnant, alone, scared and very desperate. Her boyfriend was also young and not interested in being responsible for a baby. He told her that abortion was the only way out of “her” situation and blamed Stephanie for “not taking care of herself” to prevent a pregnancy. He said this was a “woman’s problem” not his problem. Unfortunately, this is very common with the girls we see at our pregnancy clinics. Many of them are physically and verbally abused by their boyfriend, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Because of the pressure they receive from their family, they “choose” to abort. Is it really a woman’s choice? Is she offered a choice? Or is she pressured to choose abortion?
We thank God that Stephanie decided to come into the North Miami Clinic. An ultrasound revealed a beautiful 11 week old baby. Stephanie could not stop crying because an abortion meant that this little baby’s heart would stop beating forever. She was faced with very difficult questions. How could she go through school and still have a baby? How would she face her mother? Stephanie knew that school was important and always tried to be a good daughter. Now she was ashamed and felt like a failure; a disappointment to her family. She felt that she threw her future away for a guy that promised to “love her forever.” Now he was gone and wanted nothing to do with “her problem.” It seemed Stephanie would be another statistic of a teen-age pregnancy ending in abortion. However, we were blessed to be able to offer her a glimmer of hope, unconditional love, and show her the true choices she had available to her.
We offered to speak to Stephanie’s mom and she agreed. Our counselor Mendy went the extra mile and visited their home. She explained the intricacies of Stephanie’s pregnancy, including the gestational age of her little baby. Mendy showed her the ultrasound pictures and even invited her to return to our clinic to see her grandbaby through an ultrasound. Mendy also shared the beautiful option of Adoption. She showed Stephanie how she could still be a part of her baby’s life through an Open Plan of Adoption if she wanted. Consequently, Stephanie’s mother broke down, cried and said “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens
us.”
Although it was a very difficult situation, Stephanie’s mom believed in the Only One that could see them through this turbulent time, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We were overjoyed when Mendy returned to our clinic to share what had taken place at Stephanie’s house. We continued to pray.
To our delight, the very next day, Stephanie and her mother returned for another ultrasound. Love filled our clinic when mother and daughter hugged and said, “Life is sacred and this baby will live.” By the Grace of our wonderful God, our mission was once again accomplished. Stephanie CHOSE not to be another statistic in Miami-Dade County. Instead, she continued in school through her pregnancy and on December 26, 2010 baby Allen was born at Jackson North Hospital. Mendy was there with Stephanie and her mother to welcome baby Allen into this world. Stephanie was not alone; she had the Lord, her mother and Heartbeat of Miami with her.
Our brave little Stephanie continued in school. Once a week she would pick up her baby from Day Care and come straight to our North Miami Clinic for Parenting Classes and to volunteer at our clinic. This birthed a desire in her heart to serve and help others in our community.
Stephanie is now 18 years old and will be graduating from the Health Academy Program at Turner Tech Senior High School in June. She lives a life of sexual integrity, attends church regularly, is part of the Youth Group and continues to volunteer at our North Miami Clinic. She will attend a local university to pursue her medical career in nursing. Her passion is to help save lives and her inspiration is little Allen.
Stephanie has also become one of our speakers. She proudly shares about living a life of sexual integrity and how every life in the womb is a sacred gift from God. Meet Stephanie and Allen through the YouTube video below.
Give a special Mother's Day Gift today! If you are not a monthly Heartbeat partner, I invite you to consider a monthly recurring gift to ensure continued support to young ladies such as Stephanie and babies such as Allen. Your gifts will help us save many more lives!
Love always,
Martha E. Avila, President
Heartbeat of Miami
301 Westward Drive Miami Springs, FL 33166
Office: (305) 863-2155
Cell: (786) 525-9510
