Sometimes we see a needy situation and we want to help, but we’re
immobilized by all that’s wrong with the world. When that happens, we need to apply the “starfish
principle” (where the little boy can’t help all the starfish stranded on the
beach, but he can help one by throwing it back in the water) and dive in and do something practical. Laura does a good job of responding to a specific need I posted to my blog in this email exchange I just received:
My heart has continued to be moved by all that you all are
going through. I praise God that you got in touch with Seth, so that I can join
you in prayer. Being in West Texas, I feel
limited in the resources I can help you with. However, my church here is very
connected with a Pregnancy Resources Council and I am got in touch with them to
see if I can help you find a maternity home that will accept Alicia.
They gave me the website www.heartbeatinternational.org
where you can click on worldwide directory and search for help near you. It
appears Associated Catholic Charities and New Orleans
Mission are the only two that came up for New Orleans. I’m sure
there are more throughout Lousiana. I also was told about Mercy Ministries, in Monroe. They help with
addictions and with pregnancies. The info I found for them online was
Mercy Ministries
804
Spell St
West
Monroe
LA 71292
-6224
Phone:
318-388-2040
Also… though I know this seems more of a stretch… there
is a maternity home in my hometown of Abilene,
TX that accepts pregnant women
who are considering adoption and has worked with addiction programs in the
past. I know that would be hard because it’s far away, but is still an option.
If you are interested you can email me back and I’ll get more information from
them.
I continue to pray for you and your family that God would be
a constant presence, comfort, and provider. Please feel free to keep in touch
and let me know how else I can help.
————————————
and this came from the woman’s mom
Laura,
Thank you for all your efforts.
I will call the Mercy
Ministries in Monroe. We have spoken with the 2 Catholic Charities
in NO. One won’t accept her on
methadone, and the other she has an appointment with tomorrow. We also have a
home in Birmingham
that is considering her acceptance.
They will let us know tomorrow.
Wow… thank You, Jesus…
Laura…you rock girl! You are great to extend a hand of help to this young woman…even though you are busy and getting married next month you still found time to help a person in need! I’m glad you are my friend 🙂
If our pregnant friend is accepted into a home that is a distance away from her parents(who seem to be quite supportive), I would like to provide them with a gasoline card.
Hopefully, that would help reduce their costs (and stress) when visiting their daughter between now and the baby’s birth.
thanks, Maggie. Laura/Jennifer – i’m headed to Africa in a week; you’ve got it from here. i’m praying that this blog can be a venue for activism.
Mercy Ministries is an awesome ministry. It was founded by a woman named Nancy Alcorn. She is an amazing Christian with a HUGE heart for such as these!!!
I talked to Alicia, and she was an incredible young woman who desperately wants help.
Thank you to all who are praying and seeking help. Please let me know when and what I can do!!!!
Maggie – Thank you so much for your generosity. I will get email Alicia’s family and let them know to keep us posted so we can continue to help. Please email me at worldrace2006(at)gmail.com with your contact info should a need arise.
As seth takes off around the world again, I’ll try to leave comments here to update you as I hear from Alicia and her family. I’m sure Jennifer will do the same.