Hope & Care, December 2018 edition

December 2018

& Family Ministries providing hope & care

hope & care

Quarterly Newsletter

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” - Matthew 25:40 highlights through October

52

decisions for Christ

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. —1 Timothy 6:18-19 (ESV) God’s Word calls us to do good works and be generous givers as these things truly give life. We are grateful for all of you who generously give to ABCS of either your time or money, and often times both. This ministry is a beautiful partnership of staff, volunteers, donors, churches and community organizations working together to provide hope and care to hurting children and families. Christ is at the center of everything we do and leads this ministry. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

383

pregnancy tests

70

adoptions

123,537

over food boxes distributed

With your help, we’ve met some awesome milestones so far this year including 52 decisions for Christ, 70 adoptions and 123,537 food boxes distributed from our community resource centers through October. Behind every statistic are many more spiritual conversations, prayers and words of encouragement shared with families in need. Your support makes this possible.

We know you have many choices in where to give and are thankful for all whom God calls to give to ABCS. Gifts to ABCS qualify for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit. As a Qualifying Foster Care Organization, gifts up to $1,000 for couples and $500 for individuals may be claimed New Life as a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. This year your Pregnancy gift can go even further as ABCS is one of Centers 20 organizations chosen to participate in the Impact AZ grant program. Please see inside for more information.

From all of us at ABCS, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mission Encounter 360

In Him, volunteers served

47,382 hours

Steve Hanna Executive Director

New Life Counseling

UPCOMING EVENTS Reckless Love: Caring for Teens Event Presented by Arms of Love Foster Care. Saturday, January 26 from 9AM-1PM. Join us for a day of celebrating our teens who are in foster care. abcsfostercare.com/teens.

Getting to Know Your ABCS Interested in learning more about ABCS? Events held in Phoenix on Feb. 9 and in Tucson on Feburary 16, both at 10 AM. Email sgleason@abcs.org for more information.

ABCS Banquet Dinner SAVE THE DATE! Join us for our inaugural Spring Fling Banquet Dinner in Phoenix on Thursday, April 4.

Pursue Life Adult Ministry

& Family Ministries 7 Ministries | 1 Mission Providing hope and care to hurting children and families through Christ-centered ministries.

Foster Care & Parent Aide

New Life Transitional Program

Community Resource Centers

ARMS OF LOVE FOSTER CARE & PARENT AIDE

abcsfostercare.com

God Qualifies the Called A former Arms of Love foster family sent their licensing worker an update recently. It was wonderful to hear from them and to hear how well their adopted daughter, Anna*, is doing.

When the licensing worker for this family first came across Anna’s information, she said Anna sounded pretty difficult. Anna had disrupted out of a few other foster homes and she had behavioral issues like lying and stealing. The family who adopted Anna was initially only interested in adopting a boy. Anna was also out of the age range the family was licensed for. Despite their expectations and desires, God worked in the hearts of the foster parents to accept Anna into their home as one of their own children. Four years later, we can see that God had a bigger plan to use this family who believed that they were called to foster care to make an impact on Anna.

The note from the family read, “Just wanted to say hi and give you a little update on our family. Anna finished middle school this past year and has been accepted into a local private school. She finished last year with straight A’s for the whole year, a goal she set for herself the previous year. Anna continues to grow into an amazing young woman of God. She is compassionate and loving and has become to be known as a peacemaker by her teachers. She loves to serve in church. She couldn’t wait until this summer so she could actually help with VBS instead of participate. She is so good with kids. Amazing to think it will be four years since she came into our home. Thank you for all that you all do and we pray for God’s grace over you and the Arms of Love ministry.”

Arms of Love was able to speak at eight churches to highlight Orphan Sunday and National Adoption Month in November.

We are grateful to God for the families who open their homes for foster care. Staff are available to discuss making a difference through foster care with individuals who feel called to reach or support orphans or vulnerable children through Christ-centered ministry. Please visit abcsfostercare.com or connect with us at (800) 678-0648.

ARIZONA BAPTIST CHILDREN’S SERVICES & FAMILY MINISTRIES abcs.org | M N P V ABCSministries Impact AZ Make a difference by redirecting your tax dollars! Last year, New Life Pregnancy Center received a $15,000 Impact AZ grant because donors like you took advantage of the state tax credit. Thank you!

This year, Arizona Baptist Children’s Services & Family Ministries has the opportunity to win another grant as ABCS. We are one of twenty organizations chosen to participate in the 2018 – 2019 Impact AZ grant program. Your tax credit gift can help us qualify for one of ten grants totaling $165,000! Grants are awarded based on the number of tax credit gifts received through April. When you redirect your tax dollars to ABCS, you can reduce what you owe in Arizona state taxes dollarfor-dollar by up to $1,000 (married couples) or $500 (individuals), while also providing hope and care to hurting children and families.

ABCS is a Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization. Gifts can be designated to ABCS or any of our seven ministries.

Your Tax Dollars Can Impact Arizona

If you’re not already taking advantage of this amazing benefit and would like to learn more, please contact us at (800) 6780648 or visit abcs.org/tax credit.

NEW LIFE LIFE NEW life new PREGNANCY CENTER COUNSELING pregnancy center

newlifepregnancy.com |

MN nlpcAZ

Honoring the Sanctity of Human Life The Sanctity of Human Life is nationally emphasized in January, falling next on January 20, 2019. Churches across the nation gather to commemorate the many lives lost to abortion and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage. For some mothers, having an abortion is considered the solution to an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. New Life Pregnancy Center (NLPC) provides hope and care to those facing a pregnancy, planned or unplanned, through Christcentered ministries. New Life Pregnancy Center directors, staff and volunteers across the state help educate mothers on the other choices they have — parenting or adoption.

NLPC partners with churches each year to recognize Sanctity of Human Life Sunday as a way to come together as members of the Body of Christ and thank God for his creation. Your church or group can participate by recognizing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and can request free promotional materials. Posters and bulletin inserts are available in English and Spanish (see image).

You can make a difference by joining us on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, January 20th, praying for mothers and their unborn babies and for our country to honor life at all stages. You can also volunteer, donate and educate others to promote the Sanctity of Human Life. Visit newlifepregnancy.com/sohl for more information and to order materials by January 7, 2019.

Love in a Box Victoria* came into the Avondale New Life Pregnancy Center in her last month of pregnancy for help with diapers and other baby items she needed for her baby. As the staff asked her about her family, embarrassed, Victoria shrugged and said, “I’m a single mom.” Sensing Victoria’s embarrassment, the center staff wanted to encourage her and remind her of her value as a woman and a mom, but Victoria seemed closed off to further conversation.

The pregnancy center in Avondale partners with a local organization in Goodyear called Embrace Grace that supports pregnant, single women. Embrace Grace gives gift boxes to pregnancy centers called “Love in a Box” that can be used as a tool to encourage women who find themselves single and pregnant. Inside each box is a book, journal, baby onesie and a handwritten note for the mom addressed “Dear Brave Girl.” It is a note of encouragement, filled with Biblical truth and reminders that her choice to give life to her unborn child is brave, especially when her circumstances seem too hard.

The staff gave Victoria a box. One of the volunteers offered to read the letter aloud to her and Victoria agreed. As she listened to words of truth and affirmation of who God is and his love for her, she began to cry. The walls she had up when she first came into the center seemed to be coming down. She shared with the staff how difficult it was to see other women married or parenting with a partner. She admitted she struggled with feelings of worthlessness and did not understand why she was alone. Victoria wasn’t able to see any good in her life, but clearly this letter resonated in her heart. The staff echoed the words of truth from the letter and reminded Victoria how valuable she is to God who loves her unconditionally. Encouraged, Victoria allowed the staff to pray with her before she left with her materials and gift box.

A few weeks passed and Victoria returned to the center with her new baby in her arms. Her demeanor was so different from her first visit to the center! She was happy and eager to show the staff pictures of her new baby girl. Everyone celebrated with Victoria and praised God for the way he is working to reshape her view of herself and her situation. New Life Pregnancy Center is thankful for community partners like Embrace Grace who come alongside the ministry to speak truth into hurting lives. * Name changed

PURSUE LIFE ADULT MINISTRY

pursuelifeaz.com

When The Lord Nudges Edith’s greatest fear about going on her first international mission trip was that she would say or do something that would offend those she came to meet and serve. When the Lord placed it on her heart to go to South Africa earlier this year she wondered if she was too old, if the long flight would be too difficult and whether she would even be able do the work.

At 83 years of age, Edith Lyle, an active member of Foothills Southern Baptist Church in Yuma, felt the Lord nudging her to go with Pursue Life Adult Ministry on a partnership mission trip with First Southern Baptist Church Scottsdale. She decided, when the Lord nudges you, you should go.

Edith’s husband Larry went home to Heaven just seven months ago. She and Larry traveled the states after retiring as teachers of public education. After Larry passed away, Edith began wondering if she would have a purpose in this new season of life. Still fearful, Edith stepped out in faith and asked if there was still space for her to go with the team to Pretoria, South Africa. To her surprise, there was more than enough room and all of the details fell into place. She took that as confirmation that it was right for her to go.

During her mission trip, Edith was surprised by driving on the other side of the road and seeing barbed wire around the homes in South Africa. She explained that people were very friendly and they would just stop and talk to her. She remembered the people would sing from their hearts, which made a great impression on her. She continues to keep in touch with some of the people she created relationships with through email. When we asked Edith about any struggles she faced on the trip, she said if there were any, the mission team made everything very easy.

The mission teams were kind, helpful and looked out for her in every situation. Edith explained that God taught her He is not finished using her, and He indeed has a purpose for her life. She has always had a love for people and now she knows her love reaches 10,000 miles beyond Yuma, Arizona to Pretoria, South Africa where she has new friends.

She learned that a short-term mission trip is just right for her because she had the stamina to complete the trip but she plans to exercise between now and her next mission adventure. Edith just made reservations to join us on our Pursue Life Travel with a Purpose Caribbean Mission Cruise in 2019.

One of the team members commented that it was truly beautiful to see how the people of South Africa honor and admire the elderly. It was not unusual for the rest of the mission team to see a couple of young men or a group of people asking Edith to take pictures with her. The people called her Grandmum, which is a title of respect. The team will always remember Edith’s sweet smile as they gave her the attention she deserved. Interactions like these encouraged the rest of the mission team to give the elders in their lives the honor and kindness they deserve.

If God has called you to explore the idea of a mission trip, we would encourage you to say yes to the opportunity. You will not regret it. Pursue Life Adult Ministry provides hope and care to aging adults by guiding them to live in the fullness of God’s promises in every season of life through support, community, purpose and personal legacy. For more information about the ministry, please visit pursuelifeaz.com or connect with Mona McDonald at (602) 346-2300 for details.

1779 N. Alvernon Way | Tucson, AZ 85712 | (800) 678-0648 | abcs.org |

M N P V ABCSministries