by Ellen Foell, International Program Specialist

I never dreamed I would be able to travel to India, let alone twice in one year. In Part 1 of this series, I shared about my first trip to (north) India. And last October I had the privilege to visit two of our Indian affiliates and participate in the India Pro-Life Summit, held in Mumbai.

I met Brother Godfrey Rajkumar and his wife Beatrice, directing Jeevan (Hindi for “Life”), in Bangalore. We had a lovely time together and I was given the opportunity to talk to around 14 university students who meet in their homes to share about the sanctity of life. In their apartment, they also host a few of the women in unplanned pregnancies, as well as have sewing and computer classes. Talk about a multi-purpose room! Brother Godfrey and Beatrice run the only pregnancy help center in Bangalore (that we know of). Bangalore is a city of about 14 million people.

From there I went to Coimbatore to meet with Simon and Johanna Durairaj who run Life for All. Coimbatore is in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Life for All recently opened a birthing center, and they run a home for the elderly as well as a daycare. The pro-life movement in India really has to minister seamlessly for the weakest in the population who are easy prey.

Finally, I traveled with Simon, Johanna, and their family back to Mumbai for the 10^th Pro-Life Summit. The Pro-Life Summit started nine years ago with about 15 people. Praise God for the growth of the movement which saw about 70 people attend! The Summit was well planned with talks to encourage, equip, and train. A huge shoutout to all the wonderful people I met there who embraced me so warmly with true Indian hospitality. There is nothing like a proper cup of Indian chai.

The India Pro-Life Summit continues to grow from the 15 or so who attended 9 years ago to the nearly 75 that attended this year. Like many of our international affiliates, the Indian pregnancy help movement is actually the pro-life movement. The people who attended the Summit are the same people who plan the marches, attend prayer walks and 40 Days for Life, plan client services, promote APR, raise funds, do research that hopefully influences legislation, and mobilize the culture toward life through social media—and they are pastors. They do everything—if not them, who else?

The pro-life movement in India is growing, but slowly. It is hard to keep up with the ever-increasing number of abortions in India; currently, approximately 42,000 abortions are performed per day with a total of about 15.6 million per year. Would you pray for the pregnancy help movement in India? Your Indian co-laborers are under-resourced, understaffed, and face tremendous opposition, governmentally and culturally. Like you, they are fueled by their love for life and love for the Giver of Life.

Political Map of India

Highlighted in yellow are the territories I visited:

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by Terri Fox, Program & Events Specialist

The first week of Advent, Jennifer shared the hope she has for her children and their future. The second week, Andrea encouraged us to have peace in the journey.

As we enter this third week of Advent, let us pause to reflect on joy—a gift that transcends our circumstances and offers a deeper sense of fulfillment. 

Are joy and happiness synonymous? Can you have joy amid sorrow and suffering? Can you share your joy with someone else?

No, yes, and yes.

In my experience, joy is deep, abiding, solid, settled, trustworthy, and unspeakable but present and at times rising up within me. Happiness is often transitory and dependent upon my circumstances; however, I have witnessed and can testify to having experienced joy alongside both trials and triumphs.

Where does joy come from?

Luke 2:8-11 tells us, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

This joy the angel speaks of is a gift for everyone. Jesus, the Messiah, is the great joy for all the people. From His birth to His death on the cross and then His death-defeating resurrection, He restores to us the joy of our salvation and grants us a willing spirit to sustain us. He gives each of us the option to choose and accept the joy of His salvation.

Sharing Joy

Jesus, the Messiah, is the great joy for all the people. From His birth to His death on the cross and then His death-defeating resurrection, He restores to us the joy of our salvation and grants us a willing spirit to sustain us. He gives each of us the option to choose and accept the joy of His salvation.

This joy is not only personal but also something we are called to share with others. Whether through small acts of kindness or meaningful conversations, joy can be a light in someone else’s darkness. Those working in pregnancy help live this out daily, connecting with women who often feel lost, broken, and void of joy.

Heartbeat’s Option Line consultants and APR hotline nurses are connecting 24/7/365 with women who are often void of joy. They are either in the valley of decision or have already made a devasting life-altering decision. But, Nafisa Kennedy, Director of Option Line says,

“It is our joy to connect with women along every point on the journey! Sometimes, the greatest gift we can share is the beauty of forgiveness with someone who has been hurt by their abortion.”

As you sit knee to knee in the counseling room talking through the LOVE Approach, let each woman see your inner joy illuminating through your eyes.

When you scan a client’s abdomen in the ultrasound room and hear the steady thump, thump, thump of a tiny heartbeat, let the warmth of your joy shine through as you introduce her to the beauty of her baby’s life.

Or, as you console her as she grieves the loss of her little one, be present with her and let the joy of the Lord that strengthens you be an example of what is available to her as well.

The angel was right. The good news he delivered that night is still bringing joy to the world, and the King and Savior is still reigning with truth and grace.

When we abide in the Lord, “Gladness and joy will overtake [us], and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10b)

As we celebrate the joy of Advent, take time to reflect on how this deep, abiding gift of joy can shine through you. How can you embody the joy of the Lord in your interactions this week? Whether it’s through a kind word, a prayer, or simply being present for someone in need, let your joy overflow into the lives of others.

This Advent season, be intentional about sharing the good news that brings great joy. Just as the angels proclaimed it to the shepherds, you too can be a messenger of hope and joy to those around you.

Let your joy shine brightly, pointing others to the source of true joy—our Savior, Jesus Christ.

by Valerie Harkins, Executive Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition

Oh, the media buzz! Recent headlines have been as dramatic as a soap opera, stirring up discussions and raising more eyebrows than a surprise baby shower. Accusations of infantilizing residents, religious coercion, and overly controlling measures have been thrown around, suggesting that these practices strip residents of their dignity.

But let's cut through the noise with some clarity. As the Executive Director of the country's largest network of maternity homes, I've seen firsthand that in residential ministry, finding the right balance is key. Too little structure, and we're in a free-for-all; too much, and we might just squash the Spirit, leading back to—you guessed it—chaos.

To critically assess our practices, we need to go back to the basics:

• What problem was this rule meant to solve?
• Has the context evolved since then?
• Have these rules effectively addressed the initial issues?

Let's discuss one controversial tool and share the right questions your organization can ask to determine your motives for using it.

Tracking Apps

Consider the controversial tool of mandatory tracking apps for residents. Originally, these might have been about ensuring safety for women escaping dangerous situations like stalking or trafficking. Here, a tracking app isn't just tech; it's a safety net with features like crash detection and emergency alerts.

But what if we're using these apps just to catch lies? Here's a comedic news flash for you: if you think you've stopped all the lying, congratulations, your resident has just outsmarted you. Deception might be part of the survival toolkit for some, so the real questions become:

• Is catching every lie our mission?
• Is it more mission-focused for our concerns to be focused on safeguarding children, preventing addiction relapse, or maintaining a peaceful home environment? 

A few ways we can address these concerns:

• Check on the well-being of the children upon return by looking for obvious bruising, appropriate attire, and their general countenance.
• Implement regular drug tests to support recovery. These are recommended to be randomized regularly, as well as administered upon returning from an outing.
• Adjust curfews to foster tranquility. If a resident misses curfew, this could result in a discussion similar to that of mentorship or perhaps even a change in their permitted outing schedule going forward. 

This leads us to ask these questions regarding tracking apps:

• Do they actually solve the problem at hand?
• Are they the least invasive option?
• Do they provide the most beneficial support?

You decide. 

I’ll leave you with a few thoughts to consider regarding the accusations from those who have never served a single day in a maternity home. Are maternity homes harming women? No. While we may all differ within our community about how to protect our residents, we can all agree that maternity homes are operated by a radically caring and empathetic group of people.

Even in this accusation of a tracking app allegedly causing harm and stripping dignity, the resident is always welcomed in the home, cared for in every way throughout her pregnancy, and shown overall concern for her safety and well-being.

I’m proud of who we are, I gladly accept our growing pains and learned lessons along the journey of this ministry. I encourage you to as well. 

Hold your head high knowing that you have been chosen for the privileged position of serving women alongside Jesus. You are the best of our country - radical givers, selfless servants, merciful forgivers. Each of your homes has challenges to overcome and rules attempting to get you there. Sometimes, we adjust these rules and learn through the journey. We understand.

The greatest point is to keep going!

______________________________________________________

Would you like to review your mission and rules with a Maternity Housing Specialist? That’s what the Maternity Housing Coalition is here for! Book your free consultation today: Housing Consultation

Second Week of Advent: Peace in the Journey

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications & Marketing

As we enter the second week of Advent and light the Bethlehem Candle, we remember the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem—a journey filled with uncertainty, trust, and faith. This candle represents peace, and we reflect on the gift of Christ, the Prince of Peace, who came to bring hope to all. Today, let us turn our hearts toward those who walk alongside women and families facing unplanned pregnancies, serving as beacons of peace and support when it is most needed.

In Isaiah 40:3-5, we read: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In a very real way, those who work in pregnancy help centers and maternity homes live out this calling. With compassion, they create a path through uncertainty, helping women navigate rough ground and level the mountains of fear that often accompany an unexpected pregnancy. They prepare the way by offering encouragement, resources, and, most importantly, the peace of Christ through loving support.

Like Mary and Joseph, who faced countless unknowns on their journey, each woman who walks into a pregnancy center brings her own unique story, fears, and hopes. The client advocates stand beside them, ready to listen, understand, and walk alongside them, much like Joseph did for Mary. They provide a steady presence, not only helping women make practical choices but also extending peace that comes from knowing they are not alone.

These dedicated individuals do not have all the answers, nor can they erase every difficulty, but their unwavering support and empathy remind women of their inherent dignity and worth. In this way, they are bearers of peace, inviting each person they encounter to lay down her fears and trust in a brighter tomorrow.

Pregnancy help organizations become sanctuaries of peace, where women and families can find relief from worry and gain clarity amidst the unknown. The staff and volunteers bring God’s peace into each interaction, each consultation, and each prayer.

They serve as reminders that God’s love is near and that, no matter the circumstance, hope is possible.

As we light the Bethlehem Candle this Advent, let us remember these modern-day shepherds who walk with courage, offering peace to those who seek it. They are a reflection of God’s faithfulness, and their work is a testament to the power of love and compassion in times of need. They prepare the way for new life—not just in physical birth but in the hope and healing that only Christ’s peace can bring.

Let us pray that these dedicated individuals find strength in their work and that every woman and family who enters a pregnancy help center might feel the presence of Christ through them. This season, may we all be inspired by their example to prepare the way for peace in our own lives and for those around us.

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications & Marketing

In this second week of Advent, as we light the Bethlehem Candle, we remember Mary and Joseph's journey. This couple, uncertain yet obedient, traveled with hearts full of trust in God's promise, seeking peace amidst a time of chaos and vulnerability. For those of you working in pregnancy help, this journey mirrors the ones taken by women who come through your doors—mothers with hearts brimming with questions, and in many cases, anxieties about the future.

You are, in many ways, walking alongside them on their own path to Bethlehem.

The Bethlehem Candle reminds us of peace, a peace that comes not from understanding every step but from placing our trust in God’s unwavering love and promises. Just as Mary and Joseph knew only the next step but not the full picture, the women you serve may only see one step ahead. And here you are, offering steadying hands and gentle guidance as they continue forward.

In Isaiah 40:3-5, we read, “Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In pregnancy centers, you embody this calling, becoming “a voice in the wilderness” for those feeling lost or overwhelmed by unexpected circumstances. Each moment spent with a woman, each whisper of encouragement, each gentle assurance is a way of leveling the rough ground, clearing the valleys of uncertainty, and lighting a pathway for the peace of Christ to enter her life. Your presence and your work make the path smoother, allowing her to see the hope and possibilities ahead.

Pregnancy help organizations are not just places of guidance—they are sanctuaries of peace, places where women can lay down their fears and anxieties. As we reflect on Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, let us remember that she carried within her the Prince of Peace. In your role, you too carry that peace into each conversation, each counseling session, and each prayer. This week, let the Bethlehem Candle remind you that in every interaction, you bring forth a reflection of God’s promise of peace, and like Mary, you become a vessel of hope and comfort.

Peace as a Promise of God’s Presence

Advent is a time of preparation, and peace is a promise that God’s presence is near. This week, may you find renewed strength and joy in knowing that you, like Mary and Joseph, are part of a sacred journey. By helping those who enter your centers, you become a reminder of God’s faithfulness and peace. So let us pray together that every woman and family who walks through your doors might feel the love of Christ, who entered our world as a tiny baby but who came to bring a peace that transcends all understanding.

Let the Bethlehem Candle remind you this week: You are the hands and feet of Jesus, offering peace to those who need it most, reflecting the light of Christ, and preparing the way for His love in the lives of others.

by Jennifer Wright

What is the most full of hope you have ever been?

I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s been parenthood. Nothing has given me a feeling of expectation and desire for good than becoming a mother. From the very first positive pregnancy test—and even before as I hoped and prayed for a child—I found more hope for my life, my child’s life, my child’s future, and the future of our world, than ever before.

That may not be everyone’s experience (for many who enter a pregnancy center, fear overcomes any hope, at least at first), but it does give me a new outlook on the Advent story.

The story of Mary and Joseph preparing for the coming of Jesus and all that came with it was certainly full of fears, but also hope.

While Mary certainly asked how this could happen, she gave her admirable answer: Let it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)—and joyfully went to celebrate with her cousin and prepared for her child’s birth. On the other hand, Joseph’s reaction was something that those of us in pregnancy help might be more familiar with, confusion and uncertainty. Joseph needed an angel of the Lord coming to him in a dream to be convinced that it was right to stand by her (Matthew 1:20).

I wonder what it was like to have hope not only for this one child and this one family but hope for all of mankind because of this one child. And I wonder what it was like to feel that hope while looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem, knowing that the time for their son's birth was coming soon.

Mary and Joseph saw the hope of their child’s arrival on the faces of shepherds and wise men who came to see this precious little child.

For others, it is different. The hope that comes with a child is hard to see when you’re facing addiction, rape, domestic violence, or simply a pregnancy that wasn’t part of the plan. You speak that hope into the lives of parents every day when you offer real solutions to the obstacles that can make a pregnancy feel like a crisis.

Just like the angels who came to Mary and Joseph, you help them see the hope that comes with new life.

My two precious children, Maria (named in part for Mary, Queen of Apostles) and Christopher (literally 'Christ-bearer'), are the hope for me and my family every day. (And yes, I know I have a naming theme.) We waited, prayed, and yes, hoped for them. Now, I have hope for the lives they will live—from school to work to families they will lead. They are sparks of joy for my parents and grandparents. They inspire their aunts and uncles—sometimes even giving them hope for a better future. My kids, now just 3 and 1.5, offer grounds for believing that something good can happen, and that tomorrow will be better than today.

My biggest hope is that they will live up to their names and help bring Christ to the world because it is His coming that offers hope for us all:

Hope that there is something more than this broken world.

Hope that we will experience eternal life.

Hope that love, truth, beauty, and goodness prevail.

This year, starting December 1, we're celebrating the good work of pregnancy help by sharing stories, recipes, devotions, and more.

Advent is December 1-24, 2024!

How does it work?

• Open the calendar and the current week of Advent will be indicated with a present.

• Click on the present to reveal your 'gift!'

To navigate the interactive calendar, click the buttons and weeks to find your gifts quickly.

Mobile users, turn your device sideways (horizontal) for better calendar viewing.

Questions? Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.