Director’s Message

Story One

I’ve been thinking a lot about two stories in the Bible. In both stories, Jesus responds to someone in need of help. But the stories are very different. In one story, found in John 5 Jesus comes across a man who has been an invalid for 38 years, laying by the pool called Bethesda. The belief of the day was that when the waters of the pool were stirred, the first person to enter the water would be healed.

Jesus asked the man “Do you want to be healed?” The man’s response is heartbreaking: “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me”.

I think this story stands out to me because the same words could be said by so many of the women who come to Envisage ... “I have no one”...”I am all alone”. Facing an unexpected pregnancy can be difficult for so many reasons ...

• Financial stress and poverty

• Wondering how to take care of other children

The list goes on ...

• Challenges with pregnancy impacting employment

• Lack of suitable housing

But one of the heartbreaking circumstances that impacts so many of those we serve at Envisage is isolation and a lack of support. Some of the women we journey with at Envisage have grown up with trauma and in broken family situations. They truly have no one to help them carry their burdens. They are like this man at the pool of Bethesda ... “I have no one”. They are all alone.

Story Two

The other story of need stands in stark contrast to the first. The second story, recorded in Mark 2 tells of a man who was paralyzed. Unlike the man by the pool however, the second man was not all alone.

He was carried to Jesus by four of his friends. These friends not only carried the man to Jesus for healing, but when the crowd was too large to pass through, they persisted in their plan to care for their friend, and carried him up to a roof where they made an opening ... and then lowered their friend down through the roof to Jesus!

Both men were healed by Jesus. But the second man had the benefit of supportive community - friends who carried him to Jesus. And his friends got to be part of his story!

The contrast of these stories makes me think about the opportunity we have at Envisage, to be part of people’s story. When they are at a low point, a time of struggle, we can surround and support them - and help carry their burden. Each person who supports Envisage through prayer, volunteering and donations is part of a supportive community, so that no one needs to face unexpected pregnancy alone.

This summer, as Envisage transitions to new leadership, I know that each of you will continue to care for those facing challenging pregnancy situations through your support of Envisage and the new director, the way you always have.

Thank you helping make Envisage a place of love, community and hope!

Kathy Pedersen | Executive Director