Are you aware that in Oregon your teenage daughter CANNOT get her ears pierced, receive an aspirin from a school nurse, or go to an “R” rated movie without your approval – but she CAN get an abortion without you knowing! Does that surprise, shock or anger you? If it does, you will have a chance to correct this with a ballot initiative in the upcoming November general election. We will have petitions available in an effort to bring this to a vote of the people on November 7. I would encourage all of us to make our voice heard concerning this important issue. For more information check out the Oregon Right to Life website www.ortl.org to see the history of trying to pass this legislation in Oregon (one of only 15 states that do not have this parental right) or  www.protectourteendaughters.com for statistics and testimonies about teenage abortions.

          On a related note, I want to commend the ministry of the Pregnancy Resource Centers of Greater Portland. PRC exists to help women who suddenly are faced with an unplanned pregnancy (25% profess to be members of local churches). These women are offered hope in Christ and are encouraged to seek His direction for their lives and PRC helps them consider options other than abortion. Through committed staff, supporters and volunteers PRC prays for each client, offers support and counseling, provides clothing and toys, all with the goal of “changing one life at a time, with the truth and grace of Jesus Christ” and saving the life of an unborn child.

            Pregnancy Resource Center is part of our GCC Mission budget for outreach into our community. We also have many volunteers who spend time each month serving at the Milwaukie center helping wash and sort clothes, clean donated furniture and prepare layettes to give to expectant mothers. If you would like to be a part of this ministry contact Debbie Whittet or check out the PRC website at www.portlandprc.org. I also want to thank Leigh Ann Waud for her ongoing work to promote the annual PRC Walk-a-thon in May. This year our walkers raised $625.00 towards this ministry. May God bless all our efforts to promote life.

  In the ongoing battle over abortion small victories are won as the truth about life in the womb is presented. A major step forward for our local PRCs is a grant of almost $150,000.00 from Focus on the Family to pay 80% of the cost for 5 state-of-the-art digital ultrasound machines. CEO Larry Gadbaugh reports that with the use of ultrasound technology 76% of abortion minded women change their minds. “Now,” he says, “mothers will not only see their pre-born babies, they will hear their baby’s heartbeat!” PRC is actively seeking further funding for these life-saving machines and recruiting volunteer nurses to be trained in their use. Pray that our local office will be able to have this capability very soon. [PRC’s older analog ultrasound machines will be donated to pregnancy centers in other nations who typically have no technology available to them at this time.]

            PRC is also involved in other ministries to both prevent unwanted pregnancies and to help bring healing to those who have had an abortion. Their Reality Unlimited ministry reaches out to youth to teach the virtues of sexual abstinence until marriage. The HEART program (Healing Encouragement for Abortion Related Trauma) is a post-abortion ministry for women, and for men there are “Healing a Father’s Heart” groups available. Do you know someone who could benefit from either of these ministries?

            May we who believe in the Author of Life continue to pray for an eventual end to abortion in this country, while reaching out to those who are facing difficult decisions in their life today – doing so in love in the Name of Jesus.

Denis Whittet