Newsletter Fall 2022
A Sample of God’s Love at Work
By the end of 2022, Lifehouse Maternity Home will have welcomed six babies to resident moms, for a total of 90 babies born to women at our maternity house since opening our doors in 2008. We have served many other babies, who came with their moms to Lifehouse after they were born. This Fall, we had five infants, including a set of twins, and four toddlers residing at Lifehouse. To say we are busy is an understatement! These little ones and their moms are the reason for Lifehouse Maternity Home. Lifehouse has maintained a waiting list through most of 2022, which grew exponentially after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in late June. Our calls doubled, nearly overnight.
With a full house, we continue to do all we can to provide resources and referrals to women seeking help with their pregnancy. Sadly, an increasing number are desperate to escape domestic violence. It is hard to understand why someone would stay in an abusive situation. But for some, they have no other support. For others, they feel they can control the situation by controlling their own behavior. It often takes seven tries before an individual will leave their abuser. We have served many women who escaped domestic violence.
One of those is Marlee. Marlee grew up as the daughter of a single mom. She went to a good school, but eventually fell into a party lifestyle and the “wrong” crowd. After graduation, Marlee’s mom moved to Louisville from Buffalo, and Marlee followed her at age 19, with the hope of getting away from the party scene. Soon Marlee found a group of friends in Louisville living the same party lifestyle. She continued doing drugs, falling deeper into addiction. Her mom tried everything she could, but eventually had to use tough love and break off regular contact. Marlee eventually married one of her party companions. She became pregnant, but was still using. Her husband was abusive. The last straw was when he tried to harm the baby while she was pregnant. Her mother-in-law found our maternity house.
Our program requires active drug users to seek in-patient treatment before coming to Lifehouse Maternity Home, so Marlee found a 30-day program and got clean. Marlee says, “At Lifehouse things finally started going right. There were so many people there to help me. I found the unconditional love and acceptance I never had, and I finally felt safe. When I tried rehab before, I didn’t have God. I realized that if this is how people who believe in God act, then I want what they have. I have people cheering for me every day. I know my past doesn’t define me, and God forgives me. I finally have the peace and happiness I was chasing with drugs. I now have joy.” Lifehouse helps residents improve and heal family relationships, by connecting them with counseling and educational programming specifically for mending relationships.
Marlee has reconciled with her mom, who moved back to Buffalo after eight years in Louisville. They visit one another a couple times a year. Marlee now lives with Layla in one of the Lifehouse transitional apartments. She has a good job in management for a local fastcasual restaurant, and is saving for a down payment on a home. Marlee’s daughter Layla is healthy, happy, knows she is loved, loves church and dancing with the praise team. Marlee adds, “I have twenty people at Lifehouse that have my back. My worst day at this maternity house was a thousand times better than any day I had when I was high. In my heart I know Lifehouse saved my life and Layla’s.”
Through your prayers and financial support, Lifehouse Maternity Home is able to help residents like Marlee and Layla work toward sustainable stability and healthy family relationships. You are our partner in transforming lives. Your support is needed now more than ever. Like everyone, our expenses have increased – food, utilities, gas for transporting residents, household goods and maintenance – and more so now that we are full. Prayerfully consider how you can help as we approach the end of 2022.
The best way is through a monthly recurring gift of any amount. Our 365 Circle are donors who are able to commit $111 per month, or a one-time gift of $1332 annually. Above all, we covet your prayers. God is doing a mighty work in the hearts of the women we serve, and through Him families are being healed and children’s futures are being changed. Thank you for all you do for Lifehouse. May God Bless you, and keep you, may His face shine upon you, and give you peace. Amen.