Advocating for Help, Healing, & Hope in Pregnancy

Because of you, Shanya and other women in crisis have a safe home, supportive community, and spiritually nurturing environment they can count on in Redeeming Life Ministries Outreach!

Shanya arrived at Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries (RLOM) pregnant, alone, with everything she owned in a small bag. Her shoulders were hitched up toward her chin, rounded forward, her head bowed, eyes averted. She felt helpless and hopeless. Over the next few months, in part through your generosity, she was able to receive tremendous support and guidance from the RLOM staff, transforming her in heart, body, and soul. Now she’s found a new identity in Christ, as God’s precious and dearly loved child!

Shanya’s mother passed away when she was young. Without a parent, relatives took her into their home, where they unfortunately neglected her in every other way. She didn’t know the first thing about hygiene, nutrition, relationships, and so many other aspects of a healthy, independent life. Traumatized by these patterns of neglect and even resentment and blame, she found a boyfriend who enjoyed her dependence upon him. She soon became pregnant. 

At barely eighteen years old, Shanya knew she needed support she didn’t have elsewhere.

Desperate for help, she showed up at the RLOM maternity home. Uncomfortable in her own skin, she wore baggy t-shirts and men’s basketball shorts. At barely eighteen years old, Shanya knew she needed support she didn’t have elsewhere.

The RLOM team immediately helped her get situated as a new resident. She started eating dinner with everyone everyday, going to weekly Bible study and worship, and working closely with the staff. At no cost to her, she also had the opportunity to work with an outside counselor, safely talking about and processing what she had experienced growing up. 

With the guidance and loving attention of the Resident Manager—affectionately known as the residents’ House Mom—and the rest of the staff, Shanya started to open up. She learned how her childhood impacted how she saw herself and how she behaved. She learned how to take care of her body during pregnancy, to eat well, and to get and keep a job.

She started to smile more. She freely interacted with other residents more, sharing with others what she went through as a child. She found it therapeutic to share. After not too long, Shanya had secured a good job nearby and learned how to be a reliable and conscientious employee. With support, she was able to negotiate with HR her maternity leave and schedule needed appointments. 

As the RLOM staff and the outside counselor poured into her, she transformed. Once helpless and hopeless, Shanya became empowered to make the choices she needed to make to live a good life. 

Once helpless and hopeless, Shanya became empowered to make the choices she needed to make to live a good life. 

Over the months she stayed at the maternity home, she learned about Jesus Christ, about His redeeming love. It seeped into her heart and mind. She asked questions. She contemplated truth. Finally, she announced she wanted to be baptized and that she wanted to do so before her baby was born. This was important to her so that she could teach him what it is to be a Christian from the very start of his life!

With great joy one Sunday, Shanya stood before the font in a simple white dress, carefully put together, with an enormous smile on her face. The pastor reflected her same joy, baptizing her into faith with the support of the congregation. 

Despite this wonderful occasion, Shanya’s life took a truly sad turn when her baby died in utero weeks later. With the support of the entire RLOM team, she delivered a tiny baby who never drew breath on this side of heaven. With her boyfriend in the picture again, they decided to leave the state to live with a relative. But the lines of communication remain open between her and the RLOM staff, where she can always count on them for love and support. 

The RLOM team says, “With your strong support, brothers and sisters in Christ, women who reside in our maternity homes receive not only the support of our staff and volunteers, but also the amazingly impactful professional behavioral health counseling from an outside practitioner during their entire stay in our homes! 

“Counseling and therapy help women in crisis to stabilize their lives and grow in their emotional and behavioral health. They can receive the deep help needed to rewrite their life stories, which takes time, effort, intention, and consistent funding. We are grateful for your support! Please continue to lift this ministry up in your prayers, as women and their babies find a home, help, and hope for today and for eternity!”