Jenna's Story

By Catherine Swaffer, Patient Care Advocate

Jenna came to Thrive Medical Clinic for an ultrasound certain she was pregnant and convinced neither she nor her boyfriend were prepared to care for another child. They had a medical abortion appointment scheduled for the following week.

She shared with me that she and her children live with an abusive boyfriend. Jenna also suffers from major depression and most days can barely get out of bed, much less find a way to leave her boyfriend. After already having had several previous abortions, Jenna seemed very comfortable with this solution to her unexpected new problem.

As the ultrasound started, it became obvious that this baby was much further along than she imagined. Initially, Jenna covered her eyes, tearing up. She was one day short of 14 weeks and the baby was quite active.

The humanity of this well developed baby suddenly caught Jenna’s eye. Suddenly she said, “I can’t do it. I can’t do that to this baby.”

God’s presence is often felt during these patient visits, but especially when vulnerable, broken women come in thinking abortion is the only answer. It’s a profound grace to witness the change of heart that often happens.

After Jenna decided to choose life, she felt that adoption was the best option. She said she could not manage another child right now, but she could consider adoption. Praise God!

Jenna was happy to receive referrals to Christian support groups for pregnant mothers and post-abortion support.

Please pray for Jenna as she navigates the adoption process, pursues healthier relationships and finds healing.

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

We bought the building!

For almost 21 years, we have been in this building. Many feet have walked through its doors, many prayers have been said in each room and many have found peace in it’s sanctuary.

It may only be a building to some but to our patients, staff, supporters and volunteers this building means so much more.

Purchasing the building is something we’ve dreamed about. We knew this decision would be best for our patient’s safety and stability. We knew we needed to be in control of our building. But we didn’t know for sure how this would happen.

And God said ‘YES’! It’s amazing how He orchestrated the purchase of the building and we’ve been just dying to tell you!!

Through your prayers and donations the funds were raised for the down payment. We could not purchase the building without YOU, our amazing supporters!

Then, God dropped the best gift in our laps. Through a network of supporters, we learned about the Church Extension Fund, a part of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in Michigan. They caught the vision of what you have been supporting for years.

The Church Extension Fund is providing the loan for our building! They’ve been great to work with and its incredible how easy they made the process. They have been such a blessing in making our once dream a reality.

It’s a miracle and only by the grace of God that we own the building today. We could not do this without you - this is a big deal and we cannot say ‘thank you’ enough!

Maya's Story

By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director

So many times, we don’t get to hear what happens to our patients or the little one inside of them after they leave our clinic. Well, in 2021 I met with a girl who has been on my heart for months.

*Maya came to us emotionally overwhelmed. She was experiencing common pregnancy symptoms and wanted help to know what to do. We did a pregnancy test for her, which came back positive, and I was able to sit down with her and hear her heart. Maya cried as she shared honestly about how she felt: relationships in her life, her age, her health, and being afraid of being viewed as a “failure” by others all made an abortion seem like the best option to her. Maya shared that in her past relationships with guys, she just felt used for her body and didn’t feel that she was valued. She began to panic that her current boyfriend wouldn’t love her enough to stay with her, and she was terrified of parenting alone.

We were able to do a confirmation ultrasound for Maya, which showed that she was six weeks along – just far along enough to see the tiny growing baby inside her, its heartbeat, and take measurements.

After her ultrasound, we were able to talk more about Maya’s fears and her deep worth. She allowed me to explore all her options with her (abortion, adoption, and parenting), and we talked about what they would look like for her, both now and down the road. Maya did have someone close who didn’t want her to go through the emotional pain of abortion. She encouraged Maya to parent and was eager to be a support for her. I was able to introduce Maya to multiple beautiful resources that would be a huge support to her if she did decide that parenting was what she wanted to do. We spoke truth and love to her, trying to help her see how not-alone she is. But we also made it clear that this was ultimately her decision, and that, no matter what, we care about her and will be here for her. Maya was very appreciative and said that this was a “safe place for sure,” but left no indication of what her decision would be.

Not until eight months later did we hear any sort of update from Maya… and it absolutely made my week. It’s crazy how much can change in eight months. Well, Maya let us know that she is doing well and that she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy boy! Not only is she now parenting her son, but she plugged herself into some amazing support and surrounded herself with loving, Godly people who are walking her through motherhood.

I can’t help but praise God for His compassion and for orchestrating so much for the sake of this baby boy and his mom, despite all the attacks of the enemy. I am so thankful for the prayers and gifts of this community and the way God’s faithful hand uses each of them. He sees all the details that we can’t and is the only One who can save.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27

*Patient names and photo are changed to preserve confidentiality 

Kaylee’s Story

God recently brought us a young woman who came in already decided that an abortion was what she needed.

When *Kaylee arrived, she shared that, although she had hoped to be a mom someday, this seemed like a terrible time to bring a new life into the world. Kaylee was very open and shared with me about how she came to her decision and how torn and alone she had felt while making it. She said she felt bad about choosing abortion but thought that this would be the most responsible choice for this time in her life. She told me about some people in her life who were trying not to sway her decision, but she assumed they hoped that she would choose abortion, and she wanted to please them.

Kaylee hadn’t told most people, especially her mom, that she was pregnant. She and her mom were very close, and Kaylee knew that news of an abortion plan would break her mom’s heart. I tried to encourage her to consider confiding in her mom, since she would otherwise be keeping a heavy secret long-term from someone she loves dearly. Kaylee started to tear up, and said, “It has been a lot to sort through alone and has felt heavy not being able to talk to people about it.”

During the ultrasound, we were able to clearly see her tiny, 7-week-old baby. Kelly, our sonographer,gently pointed out the baby’s heartbeat and the fetal development taking place. Kaylee responded with surprise and referred to her child as “baby” several times throughout the scan. She then looked at me and said, “Wow... I think I’m undecided again. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

After the ultrasound, Kaylee was open to learning about her parenting, abortion, and adoption options. It was clear that she had never felt good about choosing abortion, and that she needed to be encouraged by hearing truth and being cheered on. She left encouraged but undecided and said that she would seriouslytalk with her boyfriend about their options again. I encouraged her to please reach out any time she needed to talk and reminded her that she is not alone.

When she left, I quickly sent out a request asking our prayer warriors to pray for her courage, hope, and love for this baby to grow, and for the same to be true of her boyfriend who would be such an essential piece of her decision-making process.

Sadly, we often aren’t able to hear what happensto the women, men, and babies we see here once they leave. But the following week, we got the best voicemail ever... Kaylee had reached out to let us know that she and her boyfriend had decided to parenttheir baby! She had also told the news to her mom, who responded with excitement and support. Kaylee repeated how appreciative she was and accepted our offer of a dresser filled with newborn items for when her baby arrives.

It cannot be overstated that God is so good! Thank you for praying for this ministry and our patients, and thank you for providing Kaylee with a place to learn, be loved, heard, and to see her baby for herself.

“I cannot thank you enough for today!” - Kaylee

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

Krystyn's Story

For the first time EVER, a patient is sharing her personal experience and introducing you to her beautiful daughter. Get your tissues!

Kay Hall - My Journey to Restoration

Kay experienced two unplanned pregnancies - one ended in abortion, the other in adoption. Until 2017, she had remained silent about her abortion. She feared that if she told her friends and family, that she would be met with shame and judgment. "Instead, I ran into a life of freedom. A life where I could pick up and take the shame off." This is the story of how she overcame her fears, and gave her story over to God so that it could be used for good and help others face their past, and allow healing and restoration to begin. 

If you have an abortion in your past, and have not yet found the courage to tell your family, or would just like to talk to someone who understands - please contact Kay! She would love to meet with you. 
Email her at:  micoachkayhall@gmail.com 

Let Hope and Healing Begin! 

To share your own story, go to: www.friendsofpcc.org and contact us. We will even film and produce it for you, just like Kay's story! 

Music by: www.bensound.com