Saturday, May 31, 2008

Mod

I have been asked to be a moderator on Jill Stanek's site Pro Life Pulse. I have been shooting my mouth off, I mean, commenting thoughtfully and respectfully for about 7 months. Jill was the nurse who discovered babies being aborted alive and left to die on shelves of a soiled utility room. She now blogs for life and her site averages into the millions of visits a month from all over the world.

Just a note-Jill's blog sometimes has pictures of aborted babies and stories that describe abortion procedures. Not for the faint of heart but also not what you would find in the mainstream media either. The truth is- Abortions Kills.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

May Update Letter

Thank you so very much for your generosity to me as I began fundraising!! Your gifts have been such a blessing and this letter is to let you know what God is doing through your giving. The goal of $3,500 was achieved – in fact, as of May 24st, you have given a total of $3,645! May God bless you!
Public Testimony at Silent No More - I spoke at the Minnesota State Capital in St. Paul in January with Silent No More. I gave my testimony and stood with others who regret their abortions. It was wonderful to meet so many people who share my pain and walk the path of healing that I am on. There are more opportunities to speak with Silent No More in the future.
Letters to the Editor - In January I sent editorials to newspapers in Hudson, Eau Claire, Stillwater, New Richmond and River Falls telling about Operation Outcry and the goal of one million declarations (testimony) of how abortion hurts women and men. I received 3 very supportive phone calls and a letter telling me to keep it up!
Helping to get MN and ND on board - I volunteered to be the contact person for the state of MN and ND for Operation Outcry. They do not have a state team leader at this point so when a declaration comes into Operation Outcry from MN of ND, I make contact with this person, thanking them for submitting their story and asking if they have received any form of post abortion counseling. I offer resources for them, if they have not. They are placed on our national contact list to receive updates from Operation Outcry.
Healing Retreat - I attended a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat in February, 2008. I went with a friend and we shared our stories of abortion with others that attended. It was an amazing weekend full of laughter and tears and scripture. We walked through many verses together, prayed and sought healing throughout the weekend. The last day of the retreat culminated in a memorial service. We were to write letters to our babies lost through abortion and miscarriage and were given dolls to symbolize our little ones. I stood with friends and read the letters to Aubrey (lost through abortion) Jamie and Lee (miscarriage) and placed the dolls in a basket. Tough stuff but it moved me more than words can say. I continue to think on that weekend as God brought another layer of healing to my soul and equipped me in another way to care for other women.
National Conference and Television Show Taping - I attended Operation Outcry's Dallas Conference in April. I met Norma McCorvey (the Roe of Roe V Wade) and Sandra Cano (the Doe of Doe V Bolton). Their two cases paved the way for unlimited abortion in our country through all 9 months of pregnancy for any reason. They are both Christians now and long to see their cases overturned. I also met Eduardo Verastegui the lead actor in the prolife movie Bella. He spoke at a banquet of the babies that have been saved through the movie Bella. Three hundred of us marched through the streets of Dallas to the Dallas Supreme Court House where the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act was upheld. We celebrated and rallied at a park nearby. I also taped my abortion story for the television show Faces of Abortion. It airs on SkyAngel in Dish Network and Direct TV. I met so many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ and made many connections to the State Team Leaders in other states.
Pregnancy Helpline - When I got back from Dallas, I met with someone from the River Falls Pregnancy Helpline. I asked if I could be a contact person for those women desiring post abortion healing and recovery and also I would like to serve as a liaison between Faith Community Church and the Pregnancy Helpline. The director is also available to speak with me, should I desire that. The connection has been made and I am overjoyed to be able to help others in the St. Croix County.
Plans and Prayers for the near future
· Continue to write editorials to newspapers in order to keep spreading the word about the declarations. Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee are at the top of the list.
· Start a resource library. There are many excellent resources available for women who regret their abortions. I want to have them on hand when the need arises.
· Offer a healing bible study through Faith Community Church of Hudson in sometime in September.
· Facilitate a local Rachel's Vineyard Retreat. My next step is to go through training.
· Speak at UW Madison in the fall. I have an invitation from a student group.
· I accepted an invitation to do the live show of Faces of Abortion in Texas in June.
· I have a dream to attend the March for Life in Wash. D.C in January, 2009.
· Continue to develop relationships with River Falls Pregnancy Center and churches in St. Croix Valley. I would like to meet with all local area pastors in order share my story, hopes, and dreams.
· Ultimately I would love to open a maternity home right here in Hudson,WI. God has layed that on my heart recently and I am earnestly praying about it.
The donations and prayers continue to come in. You have given me a tremendous opportunity and through your giving many lives are being impacted for the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for heeding God's voice. God Bless You!!

Initial fund raising

In January 2008 I sent out the following fund raising letter

Dear Family and Friends,

God is moving and opening doors for me to finally share my abortion experience to help others.

Recently I became the Wisconsin State Team Leader for Operation Outcry - a project of The Justice Foundation. Operation Outcry seeks to end legal abortion by exposing the truth about its devastating impact on women and families.

Rounded Rectangle: And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."  (Isaiah 6:8 )
Through Operation Outcry we are making our voices heard! Abortion kills the unborn. Abortion hurts women, men and it destroys families. One of the main goals of Operation Outcry is the gathering of declarations (stories) from women and men hurt by abortion. These declarations have already been to the Supreme Court where the pain and remorse of abortion has been documented and are now part of Supreme Court doctrine. They also have been used in courts in South Dakota to support the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act and many other states ask for these documents in their pro-life legislation.

I am thankful that after 17 years, I can be free of the guilt and shame abortion causes. I will always live with the regret that I did not allow my baby to live. I pray that others will want to join me as I partner with Operation Outcry in this fight to someday overturn Roe V. Wade and help women find hope and healing from their abortions through Jesus Christ.

There are many opportunities for me to help others who are hurting and to spread the news about the declarations.

My Local Vision (What I pray God will allow to happen locally in 2008):

· Lead the formation of an on-going Forgiven and Set Free Abortion Healing Bible Study group at Faith Community Church Hudson, WI.

· Meet with women one-on-one, providing soul care, helping them work through post-abortion issues.

· Partner with Crisis Pregnancy Centers in River Falls and Stillwater – serve as liaison to local churches and residents of St. Croix County.


State and National Participation (Events I would like to attend for trainings and networking):

· Rachel's Vineyard Ministries’ weekend retreat in February (West Bend, WI).

· WI Right to Life Conference in March (Wisconsin Dells).

· Operation Outcry National Conference in April (Dallas) - marks one year of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act.

· ProLife Wisconsin banquet (2009).

Because of Jesus’ great healing work in my life I sense a deep calling to serve and minister to other women – I believe in 2008 I am to focus my energies on the activities listed above. I cannot do this alone, so please join me with your prayers. I am praying specifically that I will have boldness in sharing my testimony, that God’s spirit will work through me, and I will raise funds as needed. To pursue the activities listed above, I estimate I need to raise a total of $3,500. I am asking you to be a part of my local vision and the national pro-life causes by investing in my life and in the lives of the people I speak with. Any amount you give will be greatly appreciated.


If you would like to be a partner in what the Lord is doing, there are several options for how you can give described on the enclosed donations flyer. I am confident the Lord will bless you mightily for your giving and your prayers!

If you have any questions or comments, you can call me at 715-760-2564 or carlastream@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your consideration. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated!

His for LIFE!

Carla Stream
Operation Outcry Wisconsin State Team Leader
www.operationoutcry.org