He Will Rejoice Over You

GRC has been a ministry partner with Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center for over 5 years. Each year, beginning on Mothers’ Day we distribute empty baby bottles to be filled with coins, dollar bills and checks which are then returned on Fathers’ Day. More than an important fundraiser to stock the cabinets at Lighthouse with diapers, wipes, and baby and maternity clothing, it helps to provide hope and life to those in pregnancy crisis situations and with parenting needs in our neighboring communities.

Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from him. (Psalm 127:3)

For the many moms and dads who chose life for their children and for the women, who walked away from an abortion clinic, the work that is done at Lighthouse saves and changes lives. Why? Because staff and volunteers pray for and with clients; laugh, cry, and love them proving to the weak, lost and vulnerable that God is with us, that He is alive and working on their behalf. For many clients facing employment, financial, childcare and housing challenges, the Lighthouse staff are a testimony to God’s goodness and that He takes great delight in each one of His children.
When first meeting Nancy, a Lighthouse client (her name changed for purposes of anonymity), she reported that she and her husband came to the United States, because they were not happy with their country’s political decisions and were hoping to build a better life here. Nancy had learned that she was pregnant at a local hospital clinic, and the staff suggested she come to Lighthouse. She eagerly joined the Earn While You Learn program that allowed her to participate in prenatal and parenting learning sessions in return for baby diapers, formula and clothing. During my sessions with Nancy, her bitterness and anger surfaced because of many expectations she had for herself and her husband. Their jobs, wages, housing, her health (she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes) and now, her fear of raising a child caused anxiety and worry. She asked why things weren’t going as she planned and why she was faced with so many challenges. There are few words one can say to someone who has this depth of worry and fear. As a peer counselor, I listened, extended comfort and prayed that I’d have the opportunity to share the gospel (which I later did). Nancy gave birth to a healthy baby girl. She and her family came to our Sponsor A Family and heard the story of Jesus. I want to say things have greatly improved for Nancy, but they haven’t. She and her husband continue to struggle. But there’s hope that through the resurrection power of Jesus, women like Nancy will be saved and can witness to others of our heavenly Father’s love and grace.

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:1)