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Hope House..... |
....Transformed |
When Living Hope Women's Centers started in 1998 we never dreamed God would bless and expand our ministry so dramatically. The clinic was in operation for over two years before the original Hope House existed. The fact that it was needed was indisputable. Many times young women would come to the clinic in a crisis pregnancy who had nowhere to live. We felt helpless as we told them we couldn't help them. One young woman, Hope, was so desperate that we asked people in a church if they could take her in. An elderly woman, Gretta Warner, offered to share her home. Hope lived with Gretta for nearly a year. At that time Gretta told me that she envisioned her home as a place of refuge for many young women in crisis pregnancies. In the meantime, the clinic needed to move to a larger building. God brought us to our current location which had a full home in the basement. With countless hours of labor by Christians in the community a home was prepared for three residents. While it was not perfect, it has been home for dozens of young women. We all wanted a separate (above ground) home for our girls but it simply wasn't financially feasible...to us that is. God, had other plans. He brought Gretta back into the picture when she offered us her original home that Hope lived in and the acre of property surrounding it for a fraction of the market value. All obstacles, from the lender to the move itself, were taken care of by our loving Father! And so, four years after Gretta made that statement, it became a reality! The wonderful thing was that the home had a converted garage that had great potential for a studio for the House Mother. She could be close by but still have her own privacy.
As you can see, we had a lot of work to do once we moved in. In a few months Hope House was transformed into a place of light and air and yes, hope. This transformation happened because so many generous people and businesses in the community contributed their time, talents and materials. (See the list at the bottom of the page.) From teens who painted and cleaned to professionals who plumbed and framed, this was a labor of love! God's provision was timely – we moved a resident in immediately after signing the loan papers. During the entire renovation Hope House stayed occupied. (See story below)
Construction was finished on a new addition in November of '04. We now can take in three young women. The residents of Hope House find much more than housing. They also find love, acceptance and education. Residents are required to participate in the many classes offered at the clinic - pre-natal, parenting, life skills and counseling. They attend a local Christian church and weekly Bible Study. Daily devotions are also a part of Hope House. The residents work on their education or job skills and have a plan for their future when they leave. Each resident's length of stay is determined by her particular situation.
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The home has a full wall of petrified wood. It sits on an
acre of pines on a quiet street. While it seems like you
are miles away from the city Hope House is only 1/2 mile
from the hospital, the doctor and shopping.
Right - The residents and House Mother gather for Bible Study.
Far Right - Christmas in Hope House.
Below - Some of the mothers and babies of Hope House. |
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The First Resident of the "New" Hope House
Mom and baby find new life at Hope House
“Tammy, take the phone…she wants an abortion.” As Tammy talked, we prayed. An hour later Tammy hung up the phone and said sadly, “I think we lost her.” Carrine, the young woman who called, explained that she had been raped and did not want to have this baby. One concern was that people in her town would find out. Tammy told her about Hope House. She talked about the developing baby, the plan God has for his life and the emotional effects of abortion.
A month later we received a call and the young woman said, “I’m ready to come to Hope House now.” It was Carrine. When she arrived Dinah asked her why she had changed her mind. She said that after she talked to Tammy she made an appointment at the abortion clinic. As she sat in the lobby waiting for her name to be called she thought of all Tammy had said. She knew she couldn't go through with it. She got up and left. Dinah asked her how she had gotten our number in the first place. “I heard your ad on the radio,” she said. Dinah was taken aback. “We don't have an ad on the radio,” she explained. The ad, as it turned out, was placed on the local radio station of the small, rural town by a national Pro-Life hotline. More amazing was that the hotline person referred her to us. She was much closer to another city with a CPC but they gave her our number.
Carrine began her stay in a state of depression. Hope House was like a sentence that wouldn't end. She chose adoption for her son. She just wanted it over. Four months later her life looked very different. During her stay she got into a GED program where she was paid to take classes and work/study. She received her GED and set her sights on Northern Arizona University. At the time of this writing she is in Flagstaff pursuing her education. Her baby boy was adopted by a family with three older siblings – a family that reminded her of her own. He will live a life full of dirt bikes, motocross and family fun.
When Carrine left Hope House she wrote this to the next resident: “Hello new resident…I was the very first resident here at the new Hope House. I know what you are thinking and feeling. Right now, you are probably thinking that nobody knows what it feels like to be in your position. But trust me, I felt the same way. I was in a really bad place in my life and I really didn’t want to be here, but I had no choice. I was miserable and lonely. I missed my family and friends…I didn’t want to give anyone a chance and I wanted to remain miserable. As time passed by, I changed and I found that I really do like this place. It’s true what Dinah says, ‘this place grows on you.’ I admit it has and it feels a bit hard to go home and know that I won’t have the support I have here. So I encourage you not to give up and just give in. It will help you to learn and to know that you can have great support. Take advantage of all the things they offer here because you won’t find it anywhere else. So, good luck.”
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY OF TIME, SKILLS, PRODUCTS AND MONEY TO TRANSFORM HOPE HOUSE
Gretta Warner Rick Joy Day and Sons
Virginia Evers Mimi, Jay & David Peterson Show Low Block
Brenda Ferguson George and Josie Hosmer Foxworth Gailbrath
Barb & Tim Willis Mountain Tool & Supply White Mountain Chapter
Erick Rask Bailey’s Windows & Doors Perkins Cinder
Steve Ferguson Garvin Plumbing Mark Melcher
Debra Fisher Western Carpet & Tile Cornerstone Community Church
Knights of Columbus Ace Hardware – Pinetop White Mtn. Bible Youth
Norstar Painting Frank and Tammy Phillips Casey Esparza
Leon Dupiere E & G Drywall Judy Cuttlip
Dan Shadel Expertise, Inc. Evans Electric
Ferguson Door & Trim Cable One The Men of Immanuel Lutheran Church
Loretta Crider Contractors of North America
