Abortion can leave men and women in a state of shock and depression. Often a woman will choose abortion because of the very real fear she cannot be a good enough mother at that time in her life and wouldn't want her child to suffer like she did. Sometimes not choosing abortion can mean death for the mother and the pressure and crisis of a situation like that is high. And sometimes she may be forced or pressured by others. No matter what the reason or circumstance, abortion leaves a wound that needs to be healed. I was honoured to witness such miraculous healing in both men and women at the Rachel's Vineyard Retreat I attended.
It was an answer to a call on my heart from the Lord. It took me almost a year of pondering the possibility of taking the first step to starting a RV site right here in Prince George. I often felt I did not have the skills, or my own family situation was not stable enough to reach out to others. But still the call was there on my heart and did not go away. Don't underestimate the effect a small word of encouragement might do for another person for it was through one small act of encouragement I received the grace to say "yes" to God's call on my heart and to receive the over flowing blessings God had in store for me.
I called that very day and there was an opening for me to participate and I was immediately put onto a prayer list where I was prayed for specifically every day. I got an email telling me how precious I was in God's eyes and how He will help me have the courage to come and be healed. I was able to call Nancy, the coordinator, any time I needed to if I had questions, concerns or needed encouragement prior to coming. And let me tell you, Satan does not want us to be healed. There will be stumbling blocks and discouragements to get through prior to healings. God has SO MUCH healing
and blessings in store through the RV retreat that Satan does not want us to have. So it was a huge blessing to have someone to call who understands completely and who is there to listen and gently encourage.
What I experienced at the RV retreat goes beyond what I can express on paper. I have experienced MIRACLES! I have experienced God's merciful, healing hand at work! It has been two months since the retreat and my heart and soul is still overflowing with hope and goodness for all. I have witnessed women wrapped so tight in chains, so held in bondage, become completely freed! And I have witnessed women, secretly suffering for year after year until it almost killed them, who were restored to health and radiance. Ready to go dancing! Crushing burdens lifted to the heavens!
Although I had not had an abortion myself, I had much in common with many participants. I come from a broken home in my childhood. I have endured sexual abuse, and a broken marriage. Many of these wounds came to the surface during the retreat and often these wounds went surprisingly deeper than the abortions suffered.
We all went to the retreat hoping for healing in a particular area of our lives. To our surprise, God wanted even deeper healing. Healing that goes beyond the wound of abortion, wounds that may have led us to choose abortion. I have not witnessed God's immense power in such a way. I honestly thought I would have to wait until I got to heaven to receive such an experience of God's so powerful, yet so gentle, healing presence and healing love. I've witnessed the dead come alive and the birth of my own self.
Some may wonder if the healing only lasts until the excitement of the retreat wears off. I am so proud to say the healing I've witnessed has lasted. And what a true gift it is to see a lasting change, a lastingfreedom in myself and in others.
Rachel's Vineyard is a place of miracles! It's a place of confidentiality. It's a place of love. It's a place where you're safe to express your anger, hurt, jealousy or any emotion you have; a place where you are not judged. And it is a place where you are not abandoned when the retreat is over. You will not be left in turmoil.
I thank God from the depths of my heart for the RV ministry. He has granted me deep healing. He has given me some life-long friends. And most of all he has granted me a hope in times of hopelessness that I know will never leave me. I am so excited for what God has in store for all who take the courage to say "yes" to the call on their heart for healing and restoration. No matter what your circumstance may be God has some love, mercy, forgiveness and restoration for you.
May God Richly Bless You!