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Life is Beautiful: Adoption Story

By admin | Published: May 17, 2013

The following was written by Caleb, and he shares his incredible adoption story with us. Thanks for encouraging us all with your story, Caleb!

My name is Caleb Swiatek and I am a 19 year old from the Detroit Metro area. 19 years ago I was adopted by two loving, Christian people. As I reflect on the day that they picked me up from a birthing center in Dearborn, Michigan and the joy that I am in their life, I cannot help but look back and thank God for what He was doing in my biological mother’s life.

Saturday April 6th was really emotional for me. I woke up feeling a little tired and not ready to get out of bed and moving quite yet. So I decided to pick up the letters and pictures from my birth mom. What ensued was a mixture of happiness and sadness; curiosity and anxiety; thankfulness and worry. I was overwhelmed with emotion as I sat there in a pile of pictures reading the hand written letters from 1994, 1995, and 1996. I got about halfway through until I came to a little pink envelope with a picture and a tri-folded bundle of paper inside. I’d like to say that I immediately knew this one was special, but I would be lying because I opened it just like the other ones.

Letter from birth mother

With a little bit of force the bundle came out of the stuffed envelope through the carefully cut top. The three pieces of paper were covered front and back with writing and that’s when it hit me. In this letter, my mom poured out her heart and soul. Admitting that what she did was wrong and valuing the lesson that came from it. She mentioned how she has learned to trust God with everything and that both my half-brother and I were her constant reminders of God’s love. Because here’s the amazing thing about God:

God can take someone’s sin and turn it into joy; He can mend the broken hearts of those who cry out to Him in their darkest hour; C-Swiatek Birth MomHe healed the blind, the lame, the deaf, the mute, and the sick; AND He took a baby and placed him into the loving arms of two people who could not have children of their own. See, the beauty is that by the grace of God I am alive right now and not because I wasn’t hit by a car, didn’t get poisoned, or had the strength to make it through, but because one woman 19 years ago believed that I was worth it. No matter where you are, what you’ve done, or who you’ve become God loves you still.

So, yes I’m pro-life and yes I “impose” that on people because you never know who that baby may grow up to become and you never know what impact they will have on your life. Give life a chance. Give a baby a chance to grow into a young man or woman and touch your heart.

P.S. As I sat there reading the letter I cried like a little kid and as I was writing this I cried again. Just saying, I’m glad to be alive.

C-Swiatek Family

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Mother’s Day Gifts

By Marcie Little | Published: May 3, 2013

Need the perfect give for your mom this Mother’s Day? We think we have it!

For the month of May, when you purchase one of our pure silver, hand made stork pendants ($350.00, or a monthly pledge of $28.00), you will also receive the t-shirt of your choice and our hand made stork bracelet.

And the best part? You can tell your mom that you saved a stork for mother’s day.

What better way to honor your mom than to save the life of another mom from the guilt, shame, and depression that follows an abortion?

To take part in this May special, make a donation (either a one-time donation of $350.00 or indicate a monthly donation of $28.00) and in the comments field let us know that you are giving for the MAY SPECIAL and tell us which t-shirt you want and what size. Then we will send it right off for you!

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Pro-Life? You’re called to love and rescue

By Marcie Little | Published: April 21, 2013

This blog was written by our intern, Kaylee Stoll, and was originally published on the Missional Women blog. It is republished here by permission of the author. 

In 2008, I was young and ready to vote for my first time ever. This was such an exciting time. I remember being on my college campus and having the candidates come and speak. It was so inspirational. This was around the time young adults were really encouraged to get involved in voting.

As memorable as all this is, the thing I remember the most is my heart for the amendment to define personhood — essentially the law that would help to outlaw abortion, and my vote in opposition to it. I was a freethinker and a lover of women, and anyone who voted for the amendment must hate women and not want what is best for them.

But oh boy, how God has changed my heart over the past couple years! If you are on God’s mission the issue of abortion is not one to be on the fence about. The church needs to wake up and understand the mission God has designed for us. God calls us to be pro-life and to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

The biggest problem contributing to the church’s hesitation to speak is that abortion is seen as a political issue so the church backs down. I understand wanting to be an accepting place for everyone to feel welcome to come; as a hater of the church for a long time I understand completely. However, there is so much more women can do to make this issue a Jesus-based, women-loving mission.

I recently started working for a non-profit ministry called Save the Storks and they do just that. Through a partnership with Mercedes-Benz, they create vans with ultrasound machines in them, train local pregnancy centers to operate the vans, and then park them outside of abortion clinics and offer free 3D sonograms, compassion, and love — the same love that Jesus gives to women. They don’t put the women down, they speak truth, offer applicable resources, and share with them the love of Christ. And they have a great success rate. About 3 out of 5 women who step onto a bus end up keeping their baby. About 84% of the women say they previously felt abortion was their only option.

We live in a society where even the people of the church don’t stand up for the unborn because of the lies and the negative connotation that comes with being pro-life. Being pro-life does not mean you have to hate women or be against choice; as a matter of fact I find the idea that women need abortions to be a statement of weakness, not strength or empowerment. “I am not strong enough.” We don’t have to blow up abortion clinics, we don’t have to protest, and we don’t have to be the reason women go running into the arms of the abortion clinic worker. We have to share God’s love and stand up to the injustice. If every Christian was actively against abortion it would end tomorrow.

Did you know that the pro-choice movement was not started by women? It was started by two men! They would travel around manipulating women into thinking their lives would be destroyed by having a baby. In contrast, the woman who was the founder of the Women’s Right Movement was extremely against the idea of abortion. We have twisted this around! We have to become a generation of God’s children that are effective in sharing Jesus and saving lives. God calls us to in so many different verses: Luke 1:15, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 139:13-15, and Isaiah 44:2 … and these are only a few of the many references to God’s plans and purposes for life.

Jesus came for the poor and powerless, not for the perfect. We need to share his good news. Abortion-minded women are hurting and scared and we as a church owe them the love of Jesus. We extend his love by providing comfort and healing, not by standing by as the abortion kills someone and haunts the mother for the rest of her life. Rise up women of the church! We deserve better.

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Being Pro-Life in Tragedy: The Boston Marathon

By admin | Published: April 16, 2013

Yesterday, an act of evil shook our nation. As runners were crossing the finish line at the Boston Marathon two explosions destroyed the happy and joyous day and took at least three lives, while injuring over 150 others. Yesterday, April 15, 2013 lives were taken, changed, and forever affected by the planned violence intended to destroy and kill.

As people who love and fight for life, we are grieved and hurt for those who are facing inexplicable pain and loss. The senseless killing and injuring of many innocent people reminds of yet again of the dark days in which we live; as we think of the horrible atrocities, a range of emotions hit us. We’re angered at the evil but deeply saddened by the loss so many are facing as a result of the Boston Marathon explosions. And in these moments of questioning and hurt, our response is one of silence. Silence instead of agendas, political or otherwise. Silence instead of answers about why, because we don’t have any and even if we did, they would seem inadequate at this time. Silence before God so that we can hear his comforting and assuring voice in the midst of all of our questions.

Today, we ask you to join us in the silence. As a nation we should hold off on trying to argue for solutions or give quick answers, and just join in the grief of those who suffered loss as a result of yesterday’s tragedy. There are more days in the future where we will fight evil and expose it, but today let’s take the time to mourn and offer comfort where we can. Let’s be pro-life in the face of this tragedy, and pray to the God of Life for the medical workers, emergency responders, leaders, and others who face daunting and unpleasant tasks. Pray for those immediately affected by loss and injury and for their communities to provide the support that they need. And in the silence and in the prayers, accept the peace of God that passes all understanding as we mourn with our brothers and sisters across the nation.

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Hero Series Part 1: William Wilberforce

By admin | Published: April 1, 2013

William Wilberforce has always been one of my heroes. His dedication to abolishing the British slave trade in spite of all odds is inspirational enough. The fact that he was willing to put his reputation on the line and endure death threats, major health problems, and loss of friends makes him even more incredible in my mind. In spite of all odds, he set his sights on the end goal of abolishing the slave trade and then ending slavery itself, and he did it as a Christian compelled by the love of God. But how did he do it?

Eric Metaxas, author of a biography of William Wilberforce entitled Amazing Grace, writes:

“He seems to have been motivated by love — love of God and the love of his fellow man — more than by a simple sense of right and wrong or justice and injustice. This is probably the single most important factor in what he was able to do.”

For Christians engaged in the battle against abortion, this must be our same motivation. For aren’t these two things the greatest commands? Aren’t we called above all else to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves? Why is this so important?

I think we must love God first because we have to see the world as He sees it before we can fight to end something as evil as abortion. Sin has to be as ugly to us as it is to Him, and we have to hate it as much as He does. Only when we truly love God can we hate the sin but truly love the sinner.

We also must love God first because when we do so it allows us to see the fight for what it truly is — a fight in the spiritual realm. Unless we reach and win the hearts of people, we can’t win this fight. There are too many evil forces at work in the invisible realm. But we also know that we’re already on the winning side; the war has been won, and it is ours to fight the battles.

Metaxas goes on to write:

“Once Wilberforce had come to see that God was real and that God loved everyone, everything was different. Suddenly the idea of the slave trade and slavery itself seemed less an economic necessity than merely monstrous and wicked… For the first time in his life, Wilberforce saw the world through God’s eyes. But he was living in a culture where almost no one saw things this way. So the task that lay ahead of him was impossible… But because he knew that God had indeed set these objects before him, he knew that the battle was God’s battle, not his. All he had to do was to be obedient to what God was asking him to do and to know that God brings the victory.”

Once we see as God sees, we can be obedient to the callings and claims He makes on our lives, and in whatever battle we’re called to fight, we can be confident that God goes before us and leads in the way we should go.

And it’s important to love people because we’re all made in the image of God. We can’t claim to hate the sin of abortion without loving people because it is for people that we fight. We fight to save as many innocent lives as possible, and we fight to love and care for the mothers and fathers who are considering abortion. By our love they will know we are Christ’s disciples.

When the battle gets hard, and when it seems like all you face is defeat, let these words from Wilberforce himself comfort you and give you strength. The battle to end abortion, like ending the slave trade, is not an easy one. There are many forces that want to keep the slaughter and culture of death alive and well. But we’re on the winning side. We belong to the Kingdom of life. And in that confidence, we fight.

“Accustom yourself to look first to the dreadful consequences of failure; then fix your eye on the glorious prize which is before you; and when your strength begins to fail, and your spirits are well nigh exhausted, let the animating view rekindle your resolution, and call forth in renewed vigour the fainting energies of your soul.”

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Resurrection Day Means Life

By admin | Published: March 30, 2013

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

As we reflect on Christ’s sacrifice at Easter, we rejoice that He didn’t just come to give us life, but to give us abundant life. He didn’t come to burden us but rather to bring hope, joy, and life.

As Christians, our lives should be marked by the fact that we do the same thing — bring people hope, joy, and life. That’s our mission here at Save the Storks. Our mission is not to just convince a woman to keep our her baby, our mission is to give her life. Sharing Jesus with her is ultimately what changes everything. And when we say sharing Jesus we really mean that we share Easter — the resurrection life. It was Jesus’ work on the cross and his resurrection from the grave that ultimately gave any of us a reason to rejoice.

So this Easter, embrace the Lord of Life. Embrace His commands to share that love and life with the world around you. Embrace those hurting from the lasting pain of abortion, and share with them the power of the cross to save.

Happy Resurrection Day, from Save The Storks!

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On The Road Again

By admin | Published: March 29, 2013

Save the Storks is excited to be on the road this Monday (April 1) headed to our first conference of the year! Heartbeat International is hosting their 2013 annual conference in Dallas, TX April 2-5, and we are going to have a booth to spread the word about the Storks mission. The conference brings together directors of pregnancy resource centers and other pro-life leaders from around the country, and we are excited to get to network with many of them throughout the conference. We’re also looking forward to experiencing some real spring weather after our snowy weekend here in Colorado Springs!

Heartbeat International’s mission is simple: To make abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations. They do this through local pregnancy resource centers who seek to renew their communities for life by reaching and rescuing as many lives as possible. Their annual event will feature keynote speakers such as Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life; David Bereit, National Director of 40 Days for Life; Kelly Rosati, Vice President of Community Outreach at Focus on the Family; Gloria Purvis, Chairperson for Black Catholics United for Life; and many more. We’re looking forward to learning from these leaders throughout the four days of the event.

While we’re there, we’d love for you to pray for some specific requests that we have:

  1. That we’d be able to make lots of contacts and network with many leaders in the pro-life movement in the United States
  2. We’re looking for 3-4 pregnancy resource centers to sign-on to bring Stork Buses to their areas.
  3. We’re also looking for more donors to help raise money for the Stork Buses and other Stork projects.
  4. We’ve been invited to speak at a church in Dallas on April 7th. Please pray that many would be touched by our mission and desire to partner with us.

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer! We’ll be tweeting throughout the conference, so if you’re not already following us on Twitter, you should do that now so you can keep up with how things are going! Our handle is @SaveTheStorks, so check us out and watch for pictures, updates, and more.

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Stork Update: New Office And New Employee!

By admin | Published: March 26, 2013

We are excited about new changes to the Save the Storks organization! The first change happened in January with our new office in Colorado Springs. That’s right! We have our very own space with offices for our founders (Joe & Ann), employee (Marcie), intern (Kaylee), and volunteers in the Springs area. We know you’re all dying to see what the office suite looks like, so here’s a tour:

Our spiffy door with our Storks information

Our spiffy door with our Storks information

 

 

Ann’s office

Ann’s office

 

Kaylee’s office

Kaylee’s office

 

Joe’s office

Joe’s office

 

Marcie’s office

Marcie’s office

Kaylee is Save the Storks’ first ever intern! She has been working with us for about six weeks now, and makes the commute weekly from Denver, CO where she and her husband currently live. She helps around the office in any way that she can, and performs various tasks ranging from writing thank you notes, to creating some of our Facebook posts, to using her artistic abilities to help design the new Storks gear. Kaylee loves Save the Storks and we love having her here in the office!

The other new addition to Save the Storks is Marcie! She moved out from Georgia to join our team and is very excited about the role she’ll play at Save the Storks. Right now she’s working on a bunch of projects like: Updating content on the website, scheduling posts for Facebook, introducing Save the Storks to Twitter, and planning lots of blog posts. She’ll also be helping out with donor relations (getting to talk with all of YOU!) and brainstorming ways to bring in more partners and pregnancy centers.

We hope you’re as excited as we are about these changes and additions! Check back soon for our intern blog!

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Save the Storks on Tour!

By admin | Published: March 20, 2013

That’s right, the summer tour is right around the corner, and we are looking forward to meeting many of YOU at these festivals! If you are planning on attending, leave us a comment on this post or write on our Facebook wall to let us know. We’ll have t-shirts and other merchandise for sale at each festival, and we’re excited about meeting more people who are passionate about being pro-life. Can’t wait to see you at a festival soon!

If you live in one of the areas below and would like for us to speak at your church or other event, please contact us: info@savethestorks.com. We’d love to talk with you about different possibilities!

Alive Festival
Mineral City, OH
June 19-22

Creation NE
Mt. Union, PA
June 26-29

Lifest
Oshkosh, WI
July 10-14

Sonshine Festival
Willmar, MN
July 17-20

Hills Alive
Rapid City, SD
July 20-21

Creation NW
Enumclaw, WA
August 7-10

LifeLight
Sioux Falls, SD
August 30- September 1

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Merry Christmas

By admin | Published: December 23, 2012

Dear Friends,

As Christmas approaches, I can’t help but think about Jesus before the magical day in Bethlehem. Before He was a cooing, giggling little baby in the manger, he was a miraculous, growing life inside of Mary. Jesus developed the same way we do. He was an embryo, a zigot, a fetus, and during that whole process, a child. Not only did his birth bring the Savior to the world, but his conception brought the hope of that Savior to Joseph & Mary first and then to the entire world.

A film came out a few years ago called Children of Men about a future where all of the women in the world become infertile. Without the ability to conceive children, the entire world falls into chaos and dark despair. In a society without a future, no one cared enough to try and make the world better. Imagine this in our world today. Soon words like “freedom,” “justice,” and “compassion” would be unheard echoes. In the film, it is only through the conception of a child that people can find a reason to sacrifice for a better world.

The birth of Christ was very similar to this. It is the moment at which mankind finds something to hope for: a relationship with our creator again. Through Jesus’ life, the bonds of sin and death are finally broken and the promise of Eden is restored. Like a dying world without children, a world without Jesus would be futile.

Save The Storks is really a ministry all about hope. 84% of women who have had an abortion later say that they felt like it was their only option. In other words, they had lost hope. In the month of August alone there were 14 women who found hope on the Stork Bus, 9 of them made a decision to keep their pregnancies, and after the sonogram 2 of them turned out to be having twins. Just the sight of the growing child can give a mother the hope she needs. We simply empower the woman with the alternatives to abortion and share with her the resources available. It is the baby that will ultimately persuade her to choose life.

Just last week we visited with the company that will be converting our sprinter into a mobile medical unit. They specialize in turning Sprinter vans into limousines and high end coaches. Their craftsmanship blew our socks off. The next Stork Bus is going to be a huge upgrade from our first bus. Every inch of the bus will be custom designed, state of the art, and elegant. We want each woman to feel comfortable, loved, and in awe that it was designed with her heart in mind. This may be the darkest day in her life, but we want to change the atmosphere so she feels comfortable, loved and irreplaceably special.

Ann is driving and I am typing right next to her. We are sitting in our brand new Stork Bus headed for a brilliant sunset. We are traveling to visit all four of our grandmas over the next few weeks. This is a huge task considering that they live in four different states. In the last two months we have driven over 25,000 miles together.promoting our mission to save unborn children. That’s 385 hours of driving time. Let’s just say taking such a trip with Ann, Sayer, and Rebekah has been Wild to say the very least. On the fund raising tour we made friends and partners all over America. We were abundantly blessed and encouraged to learn that people everywhere love the vision of Save The Storks.

In fact, someone has donated a 1,000 square feet of office space in Colorado Springs where we will be moving after Christmas. Ann and I are excited to keep growing this ministry with plans to mobilize at least two more Stork Busses in 2013. It is you, our prayer and financial partners, that are making the dream come true. We are glad to share both the joy and the hope with all of you.

Merry Christmas,

Joe Baker

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