Well, God is just amazing!!!

If you have followed my facebook, you would have seen the call for action for prayer for a mom. I will post it here as well.

The mom is 36, low income, husband needs surgery, 4 children and pregnant with #5 (a boy more than likely). She had originally gone to one dr for an abortion, and he sent her on to our dr, Dr. Li. He saw the healthy baby and told the mom about Morning Light Center and how we could help her. Later he told me that he spent alot of time talking with her. He said he could see a change (for the good) in her face and body as a whole when he said she had other options.

I am almost in tears as I write this!! God allowed us to meet her and she will meet us again on Friday. She will have to do an amniocentisis, which we will probably look into paying for (after subsidy there will be $75roughly left over to have to pay.)

This though comes to a part where we push for "ministry" in our work. We are a center that works with women in crisis no matter the situation. Unfortunately, some places around the world feel that if we can adopt overseas that we should send them on to someplace else. After all, have bills to pay. Now, that doesn't sound nice, but that is the feeling we get. But, nope, God is our boss and we will serve HIM faithfully til the very end. This actually makes mom number 2 recently that is in her 30's! So, see, we don't work with just underage girls!

The painting has left me soooooooooooo sore today!! They are finishing it up, I will wait til it looks all nice and the rooms put back together before pictures:-).

We have some plans coming up due to some possible changes. I will hopefully get things typed up and written out more, but they will be just keeping us going independently and strong! For example:
1. support for rent: 350US/m*12= $4200US for one years rent for the momma's home!!
2. total support for center : $760US/m*12= $9120US for one year

Of course adding them up together looks scary!! But if we look at it in bits and pieces, for example $2100US will pay for 6months of rent for the momma's home! looks better that way doesn't it.

We also will be making a sponsor a momma program so that others can have a part in helping out mommas, no matter if the momma is giving up baby for adoption or not, we don't want to have her to feel she ONLY has abortion as an option.

Some ideas for fundraisers that you or your family or Sunday school or homeschoolers coop, somethings that can be done to help:
1. Read a thon (or somekind of a thon): I read this on another blog about a family doing this for supporting education in Haiti. Their children were getting sponsors for either books completed or reading time. Like $1US for every 15min of reading. Then at the end of the fundraising period, things were tallied up and sponsors sent money. I think this is awesome for a class or homeschool family or co op! I might try to get this worked out with my kids
2. Baby Bottles: have empty baby bottles that friends and family or churches or offices can put change in, when filled up then you can collect them.
3. Garage sales/yard sales (though with the USA cold weather right now, that is last from your minds I am sure!)

These are just some ideas, maybe you all could think of some more?  I will be quite frank with you and say that for MLH and Crisis Pregnancy Center, after figuring up a conservative (well, based on current situation) budget, we will need approximately $75,000US to run everything. I am looking at grants....but no idea where to start!!

Ok, well, I will get off of here for now and get somethings done. But keep us in prayers. We don't know what the Lord has in store, we aren't going home on furlough this year now because of the work here. God is in control!

Deana

Painting today....

I don't know if I can download pictures yet, but will try to do before and after..... we have a few teens helping us out (helping out should be interesting.....). So excited!! YEAH!! our mom did not move in, decided end of April. But we have had a number of donations and SO THANKFUL!!! I will revamp our list when I can.
Today is technically a holiday......but ministry never takes a break:-)

**Please pray for a mom, Wuli and I will be going to meet with a mom in about 40 min. She is 20 weeks along, this is baby 5(healthy baby!), married, low income, husband needs surgery soon, really a woman in crisis. So thankful that God placed this woman at our doctor and that our doctor has a heart to not do abortions (though he does do them). This is the 2nd woman he has sent for preabortion counseling. Pray that we can do more of this but also pray as this is a big responsibility! We are the link between life and death for these babies......that makes me have heart palpitations! Wow!!! we really need prayer!

Today was awesome!!

Wuli, Alexia and I went to Orchid Island. Now this is a first for all of us. Alexia is not fond of airplanes, so we had to reassure her after we got on it that SHE WILL SURVIVE! LOL!! The plane was a 20 seater (I think!) anyway, it was small and LOUD!! Only a 20 minute ride, after we got there, man, my stomach was at the bottom of my neck...ya know that feeling? PRAISE GOD coming back was much easier! Still laughing over the pilot (who I could see very clearly from my seat---only three seats away from him!) leaning over and back and forth to see while we were in the clouds.......goodness....it was like a Taipei taxi but in the air!!LOL!!

We taught our Worth Waiting For program today. The school counselor was SO happy to just talk with us. It is a small island. Junior high  (7-9th grade) has 136 kids, Highschool has 48. Wuli and I taught the junior high (while watching the goats feed on the grass!!LOL!) and Alexia was volunteered to teach High school.

What to say.........Orchid Island is an island (think of an island of Hawaii I guess), where the culture is TOTALLY different. Most of the kids in junior high and highschool live in the dorms and only go home on the weekends. This schools served 4 villages. Premarital sex is quite a normal issue, abortion is a rarity. They are encouraged to have the baby, and then they get married. It is custom for and almost mandatory so to say, for mom to stay with baby for one year. So many girls take care of baby one year, and then they might go back to school.
Unfortunately, due to the extreme boredom, they find other activities to occupy their time: internet and pornography. We discuss that some in our lessons.

This island is funny, they are like "the Taiwan people"....LOL!!! they don't claim themselves as Taiwanese. We have had two moms from this island,so we are making a path.

We first though, met with the Dept of health. First, there was no one there. Originally to begin our meeting at 10:40am, to explain our home, services and a report of the past year, but no one was there!!! Finally around 11am, someone came up to ask (by this time we were making phone calls to figure out what to do now!). The head of the woman and children's social services in Orchid Island came upstairs and asked about when we were to meet. She was like "well, I am the only one....." I quickly said "One is enough, we can have more time to share with you then:-)." She said she was moved that we would think about having the meeting even if she was the only one. We went ahead and started! We went from one to about 10!!! WOW!!  they were so happy to hear what we are doing. We took out our fetus models to show what we use to teach and counsel with and that was a big hit.

It is 5:30pm. We have been back for 30 minutes and Wuli and Alexia are catching up on phone calls.

There have been some things and situations here that have just been emotionally draining! Sadness, discouragement and wounds that have been made. We thank God for prayers from others who support our ministry. We thank God for wisdom He has given us so far to get things out and the open and make things right. It seems that after we had a big meeting on Monday and got somethings out, that God was like "ok, now let's get down to business!" We have a mom moving in on the 25th, one on 3/2. Tomorrow at 9:30am we have a meeting with a possible case. There have been a numerous numbers of phone calls for schools setting up our Worth Waiting For!! So excited about what God is doing!

Our translation of post abortion devotional (from Ramah International) is halfway done!!!YEAH!!! God is so good.

Oh, 2/28 we are painting! Furniture is here......we will see what else we need. I know for sure that there will be a need of $600US for redoing some electric issues for the summer.

Keep us in prayer!

the meeting went well....

I really think alot of things got out in the open and cleared up to a degree. I could feel prayers being offered on our behalf.

It was looking good that, wow, we all prayed and got things out in the open and somethings got a bit uneasy, but overall I felt God was glorified in this. Then within the hour, we had two moms we have been counseling call to say they were wanting to move in and set up plans to do that!!YEAH!!!

Ok, then this afternoon, personal attacks were coming from where I would least expect it. The wounds are still open and oozing. But I do know that we all are humans, and humans are great at ASSUMING things and not looking into things. I am not mad at people, but rather disappointed. Satan is just using selfishness to kill the desire to serve. The desire to serve is overcome by a desire to want.


I am proud of my team. We have been through thick and thin. We can sit and pray, cry, share and all together. My team knows that things are looking good. Sure, we aren't sure if we will get the support we need much longer, but we are looking into options. God is good. When HE closes one door, He opens another.

I am excited that we have two moms to minister to. We may have another move in in April. We are planning to paint on 2/28, even though one mom will be here already. Pray for Momma A as she is older, worked at a pub and has one 5yr old and has had an abortion before (she knew it was a girl, that's how far along she was). She is due May 12. Pray that God will soften her heart and she will adjust well. March 2 we pick up a 15yr old....yup.....a 15yr old who is due March 26th.

God is moving. Keep praying! Thank you all for your prayers.

need prayers....

We will be having a meeting today with everyone. One problem that often comes about in CPC's and our ministry is lack of unity and wounded hearts. We need to have a big meeting today with everyone to just get it out and get God back in our work.
Please do pray for us us. 9am here in Taiwan is our meeting. please, if you see this pray for us. I will come back with some words later.

Well, this week has been interesting......

and next week seems to be B.U.S.Y!! but that is good right?

We just had a team get together idea minute!!!I don't know what to call it....we are planning events and had a brainstorm! So excited. We normally have Respect Life activity around Mother's Day. This year we are looking at having a "talent show". From song and dance, to essay, to poster presentations. We really want the locals to get involved. Our topic will be "Give Me Life" or just "Respect Life" and have kids write essays and paint posters to represent their idea of respect life. We will have awards.

What does that sound like? I am excited!!

Yesterday\s post was rather depressing. A massage and goodnight's sleep helped alot. Things look better today. God is good, as always.

Keep our ministry in your prayers. We really need more independent support. Any idea on how to get that other than sounding like beggars:p?

My favorite verse......

Isaiah 43:2 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. "

Right now I feel like I am drowning. Ministry has so many ups and downs. Ups are: we have had a numerous amount of phone calls and counseling this week so far, so thankful that God is opening up ways for us to minister to moms. A local organization, who a year ago (well, even 4months ago) would MAYBE give us the time of day if we asked, but though they work with unwed mothers, they seemed to ignore us. UNTIL now they need us:-)....God has a great sense of humor.  So thankful that they have come and asked us about things and how they can be part of it all, even transferring cases (they have a young momma they want to transfer over). So had a good talk.....
Downs: you all know that AGCI is working hard getting Hannah's Hope registered/licensed. Technically we are not doing anything illegal. You all have seen the house, the gov't says the bathroom/bathing area is not big enough. Plus there are lots of little things that are down right annoying. Mainly "well,if we let you all slide by as the first one of it's kind, then others will want to start doing similar work and we just have to have high standards set". Yeah I see it, I GUESS.....who else is going to jump on this bandwagon and be a glutton for punishment!!LOL!!  Now some people here who were deeply invovled are very discouraged and basically want to go another way, that, well, it is easier, and smaller, but still won't give us what we need in the gov'ts eyes. Just lots of stuff. I am tired of feeling like I am swimming against the current. And I am tired of feeling like people think I am imposing or dictating things..............that is not what I am doing! my team at MLH/CPC is getting exhausted.
Other than saying "no discussing these things at all" in the office, I can't control these.

Blah.....just a BLAH!! day..............sorry to sound so depressed. Yes, I know Satan is doing a happy dance over all this too. Seems like this licensing stuff is just putting undue pressure on everyone.......something has just gotta break!!! please pray that it gets all done and sorted out...............

As to the mom going to jail and her 2yr old.......her little one will go into foster care. I wish wish wish we could take her for those 2.5months, but that is not feasible.........pray though that when she gets out, she will be able to find the support she needs.

Things lookin' good!!

First....PRAISE THE LORD!! our premie has gained back her weight and over her birth weight, ok, like 10 grams, but THAT IS GOOD!! we saw her after services today and my, she just looked so small. But though she has an IV for nutrition and fluids, the tubes for air in her lungs was out!! she is doing really well. The nurses said "she just needs to gain weight!" So pray as she does and each day is a victory! Pray as we work with AGCI to find a family who will take a premie so small and all.

We may be on the road again! Traveling to see that 15yr old. Her mom likes the sound of our ministry more and more. But we may make a few visits! We have a 26yr old mom who called our hotline from the same county. She was 9 weeks pregnant and her family was insisting abortion. The reason? She is disabled......she has only a few fingers on each hand. Of course her family says she is not fit to be a mother and WHAT IF the baby is mishaped like you? Her boyfriend? Well, they are living together.....I get the feeling of .....if the baby is fine, they might keep it and get married.....if not, who knows. BUT she is not going to get an abortion!! Whew! and talk about the tears at our office over this........

In this ministry, there are many many things that are discouraging. Somethings tend be a bit um, beaurcratic it seems. Some people tend to think "unwed mother ministry" instead of "ministry to unwed mothers." Is there a difference? I feel there is big one. Where do you put the ministry? First? or last? To many it might sound the same, but in my hear there is that difference. Ministry is first. Actually we should say "minsitry to women in crisis pregnancy", not unwed mother's specifically. We have had the families who have had 7,8, even 13 kids and ask for help. Or should we say "ministry to women in crisis" period?

Last night as I was laying bed, it was not late, it just takes me forever to get to sleep, I got a phone call. I called her Momma S on facebook. She said "Shr Mu (title for pastors wife), I might not get up in time for church tomorrow." She was one of our former moms, is  a single mom and her boyfriend left her recently because "he couldn't be with a woman who gave his child away"....yet the man was abusive (had many reports) and was useless beyond the defintion of the word!! seriously glad he left. BUT she has to go to jail. She originally was working to "pay off" the jail time, but with the boyfriend gone and no one to watch her 2yr old, she couldn't work anymore. There is not special daycare services for women like this.

Momma S started to share "Shr Mu, I have been so mean to HanHan (her little girl), but she is being so good. I am so sad I am leaving her for two months. I just don't want to get to close to her right now and hoping that will make it less painful.But Shr Mu, I have just been mean to her and hit her and it makes me sad." Then she started crying. In my heart I wanted to cry. I tried to assure her her feelings were normal, but cautioned her on her actions. I have not heard from her today and praying I do as she was at the beach yesterday when she called.

Our ministry goes on after moms "leave us". I guess we could say, we are normally one of the few that know of they harships and adoption. They will come back knowing we don't judge and we can help in anyway, we will. That is "ministry" first. I am not saying we are all "holier than Thou" type or better than the next. This is what God has called us to do and we do it. Tiring yes, but knowing that we can be a light for God, used by Him. An instrument in the hand of the Mighty Conductor.

Keep praying for us.....

Back to Work!!!!

And has it started with a bang!! My family came back a day late as to avoid the traffic, but I got a phone call that morning. I really don't know how much I SHOULD share here, please remember that information here at this private blog I really don't want it to "get out." many of you know why. My team and I look at this as a ministry, not just "cases".

I am sharing this with you because we covet your prayers. We had a phone call on the first day back at work of a mom who can't take care of baby girl. Baby was born at 1.6lbs!!! YUP!! Wuli and I visited the baby, Ah-Huei,  and really I was trembling....the nurses (who know us well!!) asked if I was ok......I have seen premie babies as you know....BUT NONE LIKE THIS!!! she was so small, with way too many tubes come from places. She was born the end of January at 26 weeks old due to premature rupture of the membranes(aka...moms water broke early). She is so small, but so cute!! currently her only problems are her lungs as mom was unable to hold off delivery.

Please keep mom and baby in prayers. Mom had to go to work very soon after having baby. She is a single mom of a kindergartener, baby's father has left. Mom works day by day. Very hard life. We are so thankful that God allowed us to have an open line of communication with the hospital. We were the first ones they called. Praise God!!

We had a phone call today...........the mom of a 15yr old girl called today, the 15yr old is 8 months pregnant! yup, you read that correctly!!! 8 months pregnant!!! Alexia took the call......lots of emotions. Please pray was we have a follow up call tomorrow.

As I have mentioned on facebook, Chinese New Year I feel was hard for many moms. They were surrounded by family and friends. Many of the moms carried secrets of having a baby with them, some may have gotten looks of being "one of those girls" and such. They may have seen family members with babies, the possibilities are endless. Normally, big holidays like this and birthdates are hard for moms, for years......... I have had 3 moms contact me, that is what made me think of all my mommas........broke my heart! So, please send a little prayer for MLH mommas....

Ok, lots of catch up to do.......bye for now