Seeing Christ in Everyone
Tammy Neitzel

I met Anita a few months ago when she came to Aid for Women for a pregnancy test. We soon learned Anita was pregnant and that she also had a serious drug and alcohol addiction. Her lifestyle and the uncertainty of the baby's paternity caused her to assume abortion was inevitable. Anita and I spent quite a bit of time talking about fetal development, the abortion procedure, her options and the various resources and referrals available to her and her unborn baby. She was very frightened and confused. I continued to keep in contact with Anita, and soon learned that she decided not to have the abortion. Anita has always been very open and honest with me. We have developed a good relationship. Last week Anita called with miraculous news, she had delivered her four pound, seven ounce daughter at 27 weeks gestation. Anita said her baby was doing fine. Anita has checked herself into a rehabilitation program and intends to recover. I certainly pray that with God's help she will, and then be able to be the parent she intends to be for her daughter. According to today's conventional wisdom, many believe that the best thing for Anita and her baby would have been an abortion. After all, what would this child's life ever amount to? What good could ever come from this situation? At Aid for Women we believe in the God of the impossible! This child's life is no accident nor is it without value to this world. Only God may know its full potential at this point, but we at Aid for Women trust Him for Anita's future and her baby daughter's. Their lives may be difficult with trials and struggles along the way, but God promises to be with them through it all. "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born. I dedicated you." (Jeremiah 1:5)

Touch of the Master's Hand
Adaptation by Tricia Derges

It was late and all were tired. The auctioneer picked up the last item. The violin was so battered and scarred, he just knew it wouldn't bring much. He hastily held it up. 'What'll you give me for the ole violin? A dollar - a dollar - will someone give me a dollar?' No voice sounded, but an elderly man came forward. He took the violin, dusted and tuned it. He gently placed it under his chin and began to play. An angelic melody of celestial magnitude graced the room. When the man stopped - all was quiet. Humbly, the auctioneer began, 'Now, what'll you give on the ole violin?' He held it up. 'I have one thousand - two thousand and now three.' The crowd cried, 'What changed its value?' The reply. . . 'It was transformed by the touch of the Master's Hand.'

The Master knows the worth of every soul - no matter how battered and scarred a man with sin, with one touch, He can tune a life and make it whole again. (Adoption Referral Policy)

Since 1963, there has been a dramatic decline in the percentage of unmarried pregnant women choosing adoption; from 40% to only 3% to 4% today. Certainly abortion and many changing cultural factors have influenced this statistic. At Aid for Women we present adoption as a positive, loving and healthy option. Since we are not adoption counselors, we offer referrals to several licensed professional agencies. In keeping with the mission of Aid for Women, we refer our clients only to adoption agencies that are genuinely pro-life and that under no circumstances provide abortion referrals. It is imperative for us to be vigilant on behalf of our clients. Our hope is that more women will consider adoption. We pray for them, and for those couples who are waiting for the gift of a child to love.