The past few weeks I have received a number of notes from people in our community and surrounding areas simply saying thank you to HOPE for the work we do. These notes are flattering. These notes warm my heart. These notes provide further confirmation to HOPE’s staff that we are making an impact with the work we do. These notes are also humbling as they truly bring into focus the importance of this life-work.

noteThese notes also remind me that we are not alone in this work. Every single note I have received included a donation to our organization. Notice the trend? These folks praising HOPE are also intentionally getting off the sidelines and getting involved in this very rewarding work. They understand the time for sitting has passed. Our supporters know, as we know, that we now must stand together for life…every life! To you, all of you, I say THANK YOU!

IMG_3475Thank you for standing! Thank you for giving! Thank you for praying, serving, and caring! We certainly appreciate your kind words, but know that we are grateful for your stance on life. We are grateful that you saw fit to get engaged and involved. We are grateful that you saw a need and you are intentionally seeking out a way to meet that need. Your involvement has impacted so many. Your involvement has changed lives and saved lives. This is not an exaggeration. Through your gifts we are able to actually see lives saved…lives of moms, dads, babies, and families. HOPE would not be here if not for you. For that, we are grateful!

As I think about those seeking to support us in the work of life, I am reminded of something William Wilberforce said concerning slavery. Wilberforce fought diligently against this injustice. After giving a speech to the House of Commons concerning slavery, Wilberforce had this to say: “You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” Wilberforce couldn’t simply stand by while human beings were being enslaved. He was not comfortable with the status quo. He wanted to see a change occur and he eagerly went to work to help bring about that change.

IMG_3755You, the HOPE supporter, are following in Wilberforce’s footsteps. Your spirit has been provoked and you are eagerly seeking out ways to impact an injustice found in our country. You are eagerly seeking to love your neighbor and see lives saved. This eagerness is contagious and motivating.

The past few weeks have brought about a lot of discussion concerning life and abortion. The veil has been pulled back and we are seeing people step off the sidelines and get involved. Wilberforce’s quote continues to resonate in the hearts of people everywhere. We can no longer say “we do not know.” The days of ignorance are gone.

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If you are reading this today and you are curious about how you can help, or maybe your spirit is being provoked, then I would encourage you to join us. We are offering a Volunteer Training on September 17th. This is a great way to gage your next step into involvement. If this is not the right fit for you or you don’t have the time, then you can donate online. I would encourage you to think about what these options mean for you and your family. As you think through your next step, I would also ask that you pray for us. Pray for HOPE, our staff, our patients, and our voice as we seek to celebrate life.

Thank you again for standing. Thank you again for joining us in this amazing work. We are excited to see what God has planned for HOPE and our partnerships, and we pray that through this work, life will be celebrated and abortion will be a thing of the past.

posted by Andrew Wood, Executive Director of Hope Resource Center