It Freed a Slave. What can your spare change do?

Hilldale Baptist Church MOPS Moms Unite to Free the Enslaved!

It still exists. Maybe not in a North vs. South kind of way, but slavery is still very much active all over the world. Small children, and entire families forced to work under unforgiving, illegal circumstances. Young girls deceived, kidnapped, and forced into prostitution. Their stories are gut-wrenching, and brought out the Momma Bear in our MOPS Moms. We couldn't just stand by and let these kind of atrocities happen on our watch. Our God is a God of action, justice, mercy. He tells us to "do justice, love mercy," and walk humbly with Him, and so, Hilldale's MOPS Mom's made it their mission to take action. It was game time! War paint on! Can someone say, 'Minivan Warriors?'

We partnered with the IJM (International Justice Mission), a Christian based organization that works through the government to legally free those enslaved and prosecute the perpetrators. Amazing organization, please check them out! It costs around $500 to free one child in slavery, and around $1000 to free a girl in forced prostitution. The IJM are not paying ransom notes, they are using this money for aftercare of the child, and to cover the costs of what it takes to rescue them--swat teams, lawyers, travel etc.

How could we, a small group of women, make a difference? Five hundred to a thousand dollars is a lot--but if we all could save our spare change, maybe we could do it. AND WE DID!!

For two months, each MOPS table (there are 11 tables in all), brought in their spare change. Some put bills in, a few put checks, but for the most part it was A LOT OF COINAGE! Crazy heavy stuff! To make it a bit more appealing, we added in a table competition. Each person assigned to the table bringing in the most change would receive a SECRET prize. FUN!!

In TWO meetings, that's right, TWO, we had made our goal of $500!! We are awaiting the final tally, but something tells there's gonna be a whole lot of FREEDOM going around!!

So. What can your spare change do? It can FREE someone, who will then be presented with the Gospel! I feel like saying AMEN!!

We would love to hear from you! Tell us how your MOPS is changing the world. :)

 

A Beautiful Baby Shower: MOPS at HOPE Pregnancy Center

The Feet of Those Who Were Given Life

Hilldale MOPS recently had the honor of taking part in hosting a Baby Shower for many mothers-to-be at the Hope Pregnancy Center here in Clarksville.

Months earlier, many of the women in attendance found themselves pregnant & scared. There were many who didn't want to be pregnant, didn't want the baby, and considered having an abortion.

But they changed their mind. Some will choose adoption for their baby, and bless a loving and deserving family. But all of these women chose life.


Thank You Chick-Fil-A for
Donating to the Shower!

I admire their courage. In the face of fear they sought help and guidance. So many people, myself included, find it difficult to reach out in a time of need. I don't want anyone to think I'm incompetent. Besides, I'm an Army Wife, and we can do it all, right? 



Sweet Treats!

Their bellies were large, and their feet were swollen as these lovely ladies neared the end of their pregnancy. Were they still scared? I never asked, but to some degree, I'm sure they were. We chatted about due dates, gender, baby names, nursery rhymes and shared labor stories--women want those details.



The "Don't say Baby" game!

Listening, watching, and socializing with these women, I realized that every expectant mother deserves a baby shower. All of the shower stuff. From the fabulous food to the fun, right of passage baby shower games (I never lost my clothes pin!). Every mother-to-be deserves to be celebrated, especially these Mommas, because they chose life when they didn't have to, when they thought it would be easier not to, when they knew their families would disapprove of their situation and possibly abandon them. Even then, they still chose life. Now that is something to throw a shower for!

Gifts for All the Mommas!

No matter the circumstance, right, wrong, whatever the reason these women found themselves pregnant and at a Pregnancy Center, they are still a child of God. They are beautiful, worthy, loved, special, and hand crafted by our Creator with a purpose. The child they carry is not a mistake. That baby was handcrafted for a purpose, he or she is beautiful, loved, special and worthy of the best life possible.

I know I'm speaking for our group, but I'm praying that we as the host were able to bless these expectant Momma's as much as they blessed us.

Being an Army Wife, I've kind of adopted the saying of "grow where you're planted." For me, that means making a Kingdom impact on the community where I currently live. What better way to make a difference than partnering with a local pregnancy center to speak words of life and encouragement to women who may have found themselves unexpectedly expecting? 

Article by Hannah Conway
www.hannahrconway.com