Resident Testimonies and Achievements

Hi there, My name is Amanda and I am 24 years old. My mother was a resident at Friends of the Unborn when she was pregnant with me. I have known about her time spent there for many years now, but have recently realized the incredible impact that time has made in my life. My parents found out they were pregnant while they were in an on again-off again relationship. They were not together at the time my mom found out she was pregnant, and during her pregnancy she had a condition called 'hyperemesis gravidarum' which made her entire pregnancy consist of vomiting to the point of dehydration everyday. She was so sick that she couldn't keep her job at the time, so sick she was often hooked up to an IV. My mom couldn't pay her rent either so she reached out to family to see if she could stay with them. Without going into great detail my mom was not offered to stay with those closest to her.

My mom shared this experience with me in my early teens. I still remember the day she pulled out this box from underneath her bed. She showed me all of these photos of her with pregnant women, women of every age and nationality. As my mom showed me these photos I remember being confused why she had to stay somewhere like that. I never knew about this chapter of my story before I was born. I remember my mom getting emotional and telling me that this was her only option, but that Jesus had blessed her greatly there. There were lots of people in my mother's life who suggested that she get an abortion. That was never an option for her. She knew that she would keep her baby, no matter what that meant. My mom is a tall 5'11 and back in the 90s it was harder to find clothes for tall women, let alone maternity clothes. One day a big bag of brand new maternity clothes were donated to the house, all of which were 'tall'. The Lord made sure she had everything she needed, even down to the clothes on her back. He housed her, He clothed her, and He gave her a family when she had none. My mom showed me letters that she wrote to me while she was pregnant, she wrote about her time at the house and how loved I was by the women there while I was in her belly.

I am now 24 years old, I am a kindergarten teacher, I am a friend, a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, a girlfriend, and most of all a daughter of the living God. I am so grateful that my mother listened to the Holy Spirit nudge inside of her. I am alive because of it. To whomever finds this, thank you. Thank you for being a critical part of my mother's story, and my own. The Lord has used you to change the course of generations.

The staff didn't see me as bad because I got pregnant. My family said I was stupid, but the staff welcomed me with open arms. When I came to the 'Friends' house it was way more than I expected or imagined. The house was so warm and with an endless supply of food. I've been in shelters where the girls were expected to bring their own food. They weren't treated like people. Like if you didn't have 'any' money you weren't treated like you were worth much. But here it was so different.

I never believed in God before. I never even opened a Bible or wanted anyone preaching to me. But after some time here I learned how important my baby was to God and so was I. I was rescued. I was saved. The difference is unbelievable.

When I go to visit my family, those are my bad days. A lot of times when I was back at home I wasn't allowed to rest or eat what I wanted. But when I come back here it is so peaceful and I can actually sleep.

I cannot not believe in God with all that I have seen and received here. God walks with me every day. He doesn't leave.

I feel worthy here and I have so much more confidence now that I will have a better future for me and my baby.

Thank you! - Christina