From the Heart of the City

Can you see God’s mighty hand in this?

A True Client Story 

I have been married for 4 years. My relationship with my husband started getting rough last year and we separated. I thought my whole life was over. But then in October, we reunited. My husband wanted to try and have another child right away. I felt skeptical at first, but later decided that I needed to trust him.
At the end of December, my husband told me that he was going to San Antonio to “get away and relax” for a few days. My gut feeling told me something different, but once again, I decided to trust him. During the weekend that he was gone, I missed my cycle and took a pregnancy test. I was so excited to learn that I was pregnant, and to know that my husband would be extremely happy as well.
I called him all day on Saturday and Sunday, but he never picked up the phone. I became really worried about him, and even called hospitals in San Antonio. Finally, on Monday morning, he called and told me that he was very sick and needed more rest. After we hung up, I e-mailed my husband, writing that I had a “surprise” for him when he returned home, and that I missed and loved him very much.
Then, to my surprise, I received a response, saying that the trip made him realize he no longer wanted to be in a relationship with me. Once again, my world fell apart. I kept thinking, “How could I have been so stupid? I believed that he really wanted to expand our family, and now he’s abandoning us!” My immediate impulse was to have an abortion, reasoning, “I can’t bring a baby into this world without a father.” I was also afraid of disappointing my parents, with whom we were living. I felt as though I had already disappointed them the first time that my husband and I separated. Now it was happening again AND I was pregnant. I felt so scared and alone.
I knew having an abortion was wrong, but my circumstances seemed so terrible. I went to the Fifth Ward Pregnancy Help Center (FWPHC) for a pregnancy test, hoping for a negative result. While there, I met Melody and Michelle. They were like two guardian angels, telling me the truth about abortion, and offering me caring help during my time of crisis. I cried in front of complete strangers, and they comforted me like best friends.
The following weekend was the hardest time of all. It was my husband’s turn to have our 3 year old daughter, and when he came to pick her up, he had another woman with him. My life shattered right there on the doorstep. It felt as though someone had taken a knife and stabbed me in the heart. The weekend consisted of nothing but heartache, tears and pain. Then, my mom called on that Sunday to give me support. Out of the blue, she asked if I was pregnant. I couldn’t lie, so I told her the truth.
After a heart-wrenching weekend, I woke up Monday morning with pain in my stomach. I called Fifth Ward Pregnancy Center and they sent me to the emergency room, where various tests were run. Afterwards, the doctor said, "The babies are perfectly fine". I just stood there for a moment before stammering, “I’m sorry…you must of made a mistake…you said ‘babies’”. He responded with, "Congratulations, you are having twins!" I was in complete shock. I mean, it was bad enough thinking about killing one baby…but two? I thought about that all night. In the end, I decided to have faith in God, and to have my babies.
With time, my heart began to heal and my tears slowly stopped. Nevertheless, I still worried about work sometimes, knowing my temporary job assignment would end in March, and I couldn’t afford to become unemployed. Whenever I started feeling anxious, I simply prayed, believing that God would help me. I worked as hard as I could, even at minimum wage, because I wanted to do my best “as unto the Lord.”
Meanwhile, I started attending the pregnancy classes offered at FWPHC. I felt encouraged by the group support, the helpful information and the beautiful baby items. It was during this time that I received the answer to my prayer. I was hired permanently by the company I was working for, and given a very generous raise!
As I sit back and remember where I was 3 months ago, compared to where I am today, my heart is full of gratitude – to God, my family and my friends at FWPHC. The pregnancy center made a huge impact in my life. I can’t thank the people there enough for showing me genuine love, and helping me to accept the miracle of my babies. They’re due in September, and I can’t wait to meet them! 

A soon to be Mom

Does He not have the power to save to the uttermost? This will be special babies, indeed! As we reflect on this story, thankful for the lives of both mother and babies that were saved, please know that your support is not vain. May God’s grace rest richly upon you,

Sylvia B Johnson,
Executive Director