Collaboration needed to save lives worldwide

By June 30, 2015
Missionary Lori Smith operates ultrasound machine on a new mom in Papua New Guinea.  (Photo, caption courtesy LMW)

Missionary Lori Smith operates ultrasound machine
on a new mom in Papua New Guinea.
(Photo, caption courtesy LMW)

International (MNN) — There’s more than one way to save a life. But according to Life Matters Worldwide, saving lives on a global scale requires collaboration.

That’s why they’re connecting pregnancy care centers (PCCs) in the U.S. with their peers overseas.

“Sometimes, they’re the ‘lone ranger:’ they’re the only center in that country, and they don’t have anyone to turn to,” says Life Matters’ Tom Lothamer of foreign PCCs.

Collaboration in context

Preventing abortion isn’t always a popular topic. And, pregnancy care isn’t always a familiar concept, especially in the developing world.

Life Matters tackles both through their PCC support ministry. While they focus on both national and international centers, PCCs located overseas usually need a bit more help.

“They don’t have any of the resources we have right here locally, or around this country,” Lothamer explains.

Women and children marvel at a life-sized fetal model in India.

Women and children marvel at
a life-sized fetal model in India.
(Photo, caption courtesy Life Matters Worldwide)

“So, this is where we can come in and partner with them as fellow servants to help them get started, and then help them keep going.”

He points to a Life Matters Worldwide partner in Chile as an example. They’re starting the country’s first PCC with help from Life Matters.

“We were able to send over a grant to them, to assist in getting their computer, their desk–all those kinds of things–to start getting their office [together],” says Lothamer.

“We’re also [helping with] training. Last year, we had 10 of their people in Lima, Peru, at our conference, and they’ll be coming again this next January in Lima for additional training.”

What PCC collaboration involves

Life Matters can’t assist every PCC in-need, and that’s why they need U.S. centers to collaborate with them.

Missionary Evelyn Stone trains volunteers for a new pregnancy center in Chile.  (Photo, caption courtesy Life Matters Worldwide)

Missionary Evelyn Stone trains volunteers for a new pregnancy center in Chile.
(Photo, caption courtesy Life Matters Worldwide)

Here’s a brief look at what PCC partnerships typically involve:

  • Learning
  • Praying
  • Mentoring
  • Visiting
  • Project support

The partnerships are multifaceted, but a single purpose runs through each of them.

“The real bottom-line is the Gospel,” states Lothamer.

“It’s about offering a service to women–and men and families–in this area of pregnancy, but also letting them know that their greatest need is spiritual.”

What you can do to help

(Photo courtesy Life Matters Worldwide)

(Photo courtesy Life Matters Worldwide)

If you’re praying for unborn lives, there’s a place for you on this team. Become a Life Matters Worldwide prayer partner here.

“We have certain centers we’re praying for overseas [and] certain centers we’re praying for right here in the United States,” Lothamer says.

Or, you could get your church involved.

Host a “Baby Bottle Boomerang” or talk with your pastor about coming alongside a local pregnancy care center. Connect with Life Matters directly for more information.

2 Comments

  • Life Matters Worldwide I have deeply appreciate your commitments worldwide on helping hopelessness,helplessness and voicelessness across the world. Now I am requesting you to pray on following items.

    1) to prayer for Gospel momentum in South Sudan
    2) Children who are orphanages
    3) Children with disability who obtained wound shot during war.
    4) Community needs in term of humanitarian assistance
    5) Prayer for water filters,communities water sources dependent on fetching in River Nile which infected by water borne disease etc.

    Think this message will get you in right mind and health body to pray for them.
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  • Dear Pastor Chol,

    Thank you for your response and the testimony it gives of your faith in the sanctity of human life as spoken by God.

    I only just noticed your message and have no idea how long it’s been posted. We don’t receive notifications of inquiries from this website.

    You are welcome to communicate with us directly at the link above. It leads to our contact page and there is an email link. Or you may email us at [email protected]. Thank you!

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