“Truly, it is in darkness that one finds the light,
so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us.”
– Meister Eckhart
It was actually snowing a little this morning as I write this. Very gently and almost invisible unless seen in the slanting of the sunlight. And just the other day, for those of us who are Catholic, we began another Lenten season. Which will lead us into Spring and Easter!
I wanted to share with you about a new project Next Step has taken on and its already felt impact on our daily work and on how we speak to those reaching out.
Back before Christmas even I came across an article about how pregnancy clinics, like Next Step, may be “missing exactly who we are hoping to invite” just because those women and girls simply do not know we are here. I wondered if we fell into the category of
“well intentioned ministry but not truly actively seeking to change the culture from death into life.”
I decided to reach out to the original poster and learn more. And boy, did I ever. The person I met is the CEO of a “pro-life marketing agency” called Life Advancement Group and they specialize in connecting abortion-minded and determined women to local pro-life pregnancy clinics, like us. We set up a call and I was very impressed with what they had to offer.
Thus we began the arduous process of creating targeted google ads and landing pages, of learning how to use what’s called the “Life Lead App” which is a one-stop shop for communicating with women and girls searching terms on google like: Abortion near me, Abortion Lynnwood, Abortion Pill Lynnwood, and more. Because of the Google Ad words chosen we popped up, sometimes first, despite the clear disclosure stating that Next Step “Does not perform abortions.”
The first day we went “live”, we took several “calls and texts” from women and girls saying things like: “I need an abortion” and “I think I am pregnant and want the pill”, “My mom said to call Planned Parenthood to get more birth control.” and this one: “I don’t want to be pregnant. If I am, I want to abort my child. Asap.” My child…
I think out of all of us on the team I was the most shocked. And to be fair I do not spend near as much time with our clients as our nurses, and even our front desk folks, do.
Most, not all, of our clients had been women and girls who were vulnerable but unsure. Accepting abortion as an option but not ready to take the final step, hesitant but open to the possibility of life.
How could we have been missing all of these women and girls, scared, determined, impatient, and yes, sometimes seemingly indifferent. It really knocked me backwards a bit.
But that was last week. This week we are rocks. We are immovable from our mission of care and compassion – before and during pregnancy in these cases – no matter the circumstances.
Out of all of the calls and texts only a few have made an appointment to come in, knowing up front we do not perform or refer for abortions nor prescribe the abortion or morning after pill.
I pray they do come to speak to our nurses. Confirm pregnancy (or not) and accept the ultrasound.
No matter the outcome they paused in their relentless pursuit of self preservation at all costs. They paused.
In all this darkness, that is the light. And we need to keep it burning.
Please continue to pray for our team! In gratitude – Heather
P.S. Are you being called to step into meaningful pro-life service?
Next Step is hiring for a paid, part time RN to train on early ultrasound and more. Reach out to: heather@nextstepnw.com
P.P.S. Save the Date! The Next Step Gala is on Saturday September 19th!! Details to follow.
P.P.P.S. Not a RN but still want to be a part of the Next Step team?
Our governing board may be the right place for you! Email me! heather@nextstepnw.com