A Christmas Tale of Three Women

Tales of hope…

A local female taxi driver got the call to pick up a homeless mother, her new 3 week old baby girl and 6 year old daughter. Once hearing the dilemma the mom faced the taxi driver determined to show mercy and personally make a change in the future of this young family…she would take them into her own home until they had a plan for the future. On their way home they dropped by Alpha to pick up diapers, formula and baby clothes because the baby had only the clothes she wore. She also set up an appointment for the young mom to come the next day to begin mentoring with one of our volunteers. Later that same day one of our business friends contacted Alpha asking if we had a special family in need. They chose to adopt this young family for Christmas.

A mother of four found out she was pregnant. Her family struggled financially to care for the children they already had. Though troubled by the concept, she wanted an abortion. She called to see if Alpha provided these services. We do not. However, we invited her to talk with us about her pregnancy and to get an ultrasound. We also shared the love of Christ with her and placed value not only on the life of her baby but on her own destiny. Before she left our office that day she came asked Christ to come into her life and determined that with an eternal God living in her heart, she could not have an abortion. The week before her visit a small group at a local church called and asked for the opportunity to bless one of our Alpha families with Christmas gifts. This special family will now experience the love of Christ through the hands of a small group of believers demonstrating what it means to actively demonstrate love the needy. 

A tale of regret… 

A mother with seven past abortions asked one of our mentors to pray for her because she now desperately wants a baby. She is unable to carry a baby fullterm and has experienced repeated miscarriages. It is a problem common to those with multiple abortions. She fears this is a punishment by God. Our volunteer explained that this is not God’s punishment but instead the physical consequence of wrong decision making. Our message to her is that God loves her and forgives her past and that today can be the beginning of the new life He has purposed for her.

Please pray for these women and their families. Alpha’s mission is to affect change in hearts and minds. It is only with God’s grace and your personal sacrifice that we do this. Thank you for allowing us to be the proverbial neighbor and friend next door to over 3000 women, 4000 children and 1, 000 men who are the primary care givers to children this year.

May Christ be blessed this Christmas!

Carolyn Koole, Executive Director

P.S. For such a time as this please be Christ’s hands and feet with us in 2010. Make an eternal difference in a woman’s or child’s life by sharing your time, your prayers and by your continued financial support. Alpha needs at least 30 new volunteers by early 2010. There’s a place for you at Alpha.

2010 Volunteer Opportunities

·     Board member

·     Mentoring women (pregnancy care, parenting, etc.)

·     Women’s drop in center (creative program organization, home economics, sewing and crafts, special needs: hairdressers, GED education)

·     Mentoring for children’s drop in center

·     Administration (phones, data entry, filing)

·     Internships (counseling, public administration)

·     Inventory (management, sorting)

·     Special events

·     Cleaning

·     Snowplowing and landscaping

·     Repairs and general building maintenance

Visit our volunteer page on the website for an application. Print it out and mail it to: 1055 E Fulton St., Grand Rapids MI 49305. Call Ruth Gillesse, our Client Services Manager at 616-459-9955 with your questions. Hope to see you next year as part of the Alpha Family.