On Virtual Groups ...without this flexibility I would have never gotten the help I needed. My home town does not offer this kind of help. It has been a blessing to be part of this group. In these 8 weeks I was able to feel like someone finally understood me. My group experience was amazing. It allowed me to open up and realize my feelings were valid. I was able to see the pain I was feeling was normal and I was not alone in this. I was able to find my faith again and my love for God has grown tremendous. I was able to learn so much on how the Lords word can be so healing. (On the facilitators) They were a great support system. I always knew they would be there at anytime of the day. They welcomed me with arms open and zero judgment. They heard me and felt my pain. I was able to connect with them emotionally. I was finally able to feel understood. God to is my healer and my rock. When I felt I was done he showed me he wasn’t done with me. He has helped me heal little-by-little what others have damaged.

Participating in this study has brought more healing for me as I knew it would as I have facilitated this study for others who are desiring healing. Every time you go through this study, another layer of the onion is peeled away. Even Place brought new enriching tools to the study which were revealing, thought provoking and impactful in new ways for me. My peace is now overflowing and that comes from the honor I have now displayed for my child.

(On Facilitators) Our facilitator has such a loving spirit and shares from her heart how specific scriptures speak to her personally. She is transparent, not holding back anything from her own experiences, always sensitive to each of us within the group, encouraging us to reach out with any questions, concerns, or despair. She goes way beyond by sending a short note and a scripture card through the mail.

(On Virtual) This course was virtual, but we all were drawn into participating, getting to know each other. It was just as effective as an in-person group.

Awesome people, very kind, very sweet and the whole experience helped me grow and heal.

On facilitators
Just awesome people. Very kind, sweet and strong in the Lord

Recently I had the opportunity to serve alongside Mindy for a weekend intensive for Abortion Recovery. In addition to working through the whole Bible study in advance of the weekend, I was constantly praying about the women who would participate as well as my place in it. Though I had not experienced an abortion, I was interested to see where the church could benefit from such a ministry. What an immense blessing I received!
We began the weekend with faces downcast and unsure. As the study unfolded, each of us began to see Godʼs love no matter how great our sin. I experienced conviction in the study of the Word, and saw how each participant began to understand Godʼs holiness and great mercy towards each of us. The Lord bonded our hearts as we were reminded of our sisterhood in Christ Jesus.
The ladies recognized a great Redeemer who makes all things new. It was a joyful ending as we learned that not only are we forgiven, we are free!
The theme passage is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4... As we said our goodbyes it was with the encouragement that we must seek out others who are living with the guilt and shame of past sins. We must show them the light of the Savior who calls us to fellowship with Him. This ministry is seeking to do the work Christ calls each of us to, especially the many who still hide behind a weight they cannot carry alone. ~Angie Cunningham

Thankfully, I had experienced a great deal of healing prior to taking the plunge into this study once again. To be perfectly honest, I went into this group with the mindset of a student and spectator hoping to glean some wisdom in order to help others. In short, I did not expect to get much out of this. I was also lukewarm on the idea of bearing my soul to a bunch of strangers on a screen.

In short, I wasn't quite sure what to expect in a "virtual" experience. I also didn't know what to think of our co leader who was not post abortive? I thought to myself, " What is her deal? How could she possibly understand my perspective? "

In the first 15 minutes of the first session all my questions and walls seemed to strangely fade as I was welcomed into one of the most stark examples of God's love and grace in action. I felt that I was accepted and loved not just by the amazing group of ladies in my cohort, but by the leaders themselves.

The study itself was challenging, compelling us to take a hard look at our abortion experience through God's eyes vs our own shame and guilt that had kept us in bondage for so many years. The level of engagement is high and after a while the fact that we were online didn't seem relevant as I was walking with family.

I learned that tears have a way of bringing clarity and perspective, that God had yet another layer to peel off. The leaders were some of the most loving and compassionate women obedient to their calling to minister to the broken hearted. It was then that all of a sudden, my reservations about the co-leader who was not post abortive like me were gone.

She was in fact loving, warm, compassionate, knowledgeable and insightful. Her brokenness may not have been my brokenness but God showered us with His grace just the same. She modeled what the compassion of the church should look like and I am grateful.

Tammy,

Thank you for your dear notes of encouragement. Aside from the pure power of love from a stranger and the living Word, the fact that you could extend yourself like that to what most people find uncomfortable, it had a value distinct from our peer support.

In our review session, we unanimously were touched by the contribution during sessions by the one person who was not post abortive. She represented to us all we wish the Church to be. We received love and wisdom through her active listening, her compassion, her connection with us through a personal life testimony. It had nothing to do with abortion but everything to do with being broken and restored. She was able to establish an important connection through her humility. Her insights were spot on impactful, painting a picture of a God who sees us differently than how we have been seeing ourselves.

Our (post abortive)peers were essential to corroborating the reality of our starting points and what happened inside. The Church was represented by this very busy mom with all kinds of life complications, and there was you pulling for us as well. The Church confirms Christ’s Word and His love through a redeemed human expression. Its His design, that persons can find healing through His truth and love poured into the saints.

It is no secret that we the Church have a long way to go. If post abortive Christians cannot receive acknowledgment from their own Body, how discouraging is that for the unsaved? I am so excited about servants like yourself, who are willing to purposefully reach out and take the Love of Christ to this huge and underserved population. It takes great love to serve a population that is hard to understand. It takes the Holy Spirit. It is life changing. I want you to know how special you are.

My broader vision is that in response to this love, many will be telling their stories and blowing up the myth that abortion is good for women. The other myth is that the Church/teaching of Christ does not care for women (insert eye roll from Mary Magdalen). I hear people say my case is rare, that is the current propaganda, their only card.

Caring for women injured by abortion can be more effective than trying to battle media bias and legislation. You cannot unhear or alter a multitude of non-digitized human voices. Let the opposition live in the airwaves. We live and move in community, and that is reality.

Thank you, thank you. Your prayers enabled me to complete this work. Thank you for showing me that healing love. Your work is noted.

Gratefully,
Kat

Very loving, and open group of women sharing became easier with each meeting. Healing came along with authenticity and the amazing in depth bible study. I've healed so much. (On the leaders) Mindy was open and honest, great at facilitating the group and keeping us on track. Everyone felt open and comfortable sharing their abortion experiences. She kept us on track and challenged us to grow in certain areas. Very thankful and blessed for her excellent leadership. Whitney was a wonderful representative for the church, very knowledgable with scripture, honest and loving to the our group of post abortive women. She was a loving representative of the Lord's love and forgiveness. (On virtual group meetings) It was amazing and I loved the virtual experience. It was better than my last class of Forgiven and Set Free over 10 years ago in person. I've grown a lot as a christian but I also felt very safe in the virtual environment. I'm 100 percent for virtual meeting.

Going through a well organized study virtually, exceeded expectations. Its a safe, respectful and highly motivating environment. Well worth the time commitment and homework. Doing business with the past is empowered by peer support, moderated with sensitivity by a qualified leader. Viewing our stories through the lens of the bigger reality we all share, though the details vary, brings us to a place of acknowledgment, peace and purpose. Pieces of me are redefined by a bigger personal truth. Loss is recognized for all it is, not minimized or pushed past. It is given its proper dignity, attention, and name. The missing steps are all addressed, and it really does put us in a different head space. Finally. (On the leaders) Highly qualified, sensitive and responsive. Feedback very helpful. High level of support. Having a church rep present was important for my growth and healing regarding prior ignorance and insensitivity by church, and for me to be more tolerant and slow to judge. Could not have had wiser, sweeter leaders.

I came into the group knowing that I had carefully stuffed the memories of my abortifacient experience away. But this study opened my heart to my real pain and to my real child. The consistent turning to the word of God Showed me a healing that I didn't think was possible. I have spoken to my husband about it and my sister and that has been a wonderful release as well.
(On Leaders) Both were helpful, gentle, truthful and knowledgeable. They complimented each other with their knowledge bases.