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Center Information

Winter 2006-2007
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Articles
Our Vision
Services Include
A Note From the Chair
Meet the Director
Our First Training
Morning-After Pill...
One Client's Story
Prayer needs

Our Vision

Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Mount Washington Valley
believes that all human life is created by God and has
infinite value.  We endeavor to come along side and serve
men and women facing crucial decisions surrounding pregnancy
and sexuality with compassion and understanding.  We offer
alternatives to abortion, promote sexual purity, and provide
post-abortion recovery peer counseling in a safe,
confidential setting. Top

Services include:

*Free, confidential pregnancy testing
*Accurate information on pregnancy options
*Supportive services and referrals
*Abstinence education
*Information on STD's and reporductive health
*Abortion recovery groups
*Evangelism and Discipleship
*Referrals for adoption
*Material assistance
*Pre-natal and child birth education
*Parenting classes
*Career planning

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As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. It is therefore
an honor to share with you what's happening at the Center!

But first, we want to praise our Heavenly Father for His grace and for
gently reminding us to trust Him in all things because His timing is
perfect.

Next, we would like to THANK all the churches and individuals who shared
in making this vision a reality.  God bless you all for you wonderful
prayers and support!

Finally, we would likt to take this opportunity to recognize Donna Miller
for her "labor of love" in founding this ministry and wish her all the
best in her next worthy endeavor at the Woman to Woman Prison Ministry.

We are very excited to announce that Kristie Rath has been hired as the
Executive Director, and the Center is now open 3 days a week on
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

There is even more good news to report!  The Center is now officially
affiliated with CARE NET, which is a national organization
established to help pregnancy centers operate efficiently and
effectively.  For more information, check out their website
at www.care-net.org

We look forward to bringing you more good news from the Center very soon!
                                                                                                    Mary C. Evans,
                                                                                      Chairman of the Board

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Meet the Director

My name is Kristie Rath, wife to David, morhter to Isaac and Emma. I am originally
from upstate New York.  I was raised in the Christian Missionary Alliance Church
and gave my life to Christ at the age of eight.

I have a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College, where I
met my wonderful, Christian husband.  My first job out of college was a case manager
at a woman's homeless shelter.  I loved working with the women there and helping them
get back on their feet.  I worked at the woman's shelter for three years until I became
pregnant.

While I was in labor with my son, a midwife came to check on me.  I did not know what a
midwife was, so I started researching midwifery.  The desire to become a s midwife
began growing in my heart.

Shortly after that, God clearly gave me a vision to create and manage a maternity
home for pregnant women that have where to go.  It will be a beautiful place, designed
like a bed and breakfast, not like a typical homeless shelter.  The women would have
the option of being able to stay up to 1 year post partum to get back on their feet.
We will provide counseling, job skills, parenting classes, Bible studies, as well
as the normal prenatal care and childbirth education classes.  I envision having
a thrift shop, food pantry  and coffee house on-site as well, where women can earn
money for themselves.

In researching the different ways to become a midwife, the Birthwise midwifery school in
Bridgton, Maine always seemed to pop up.  At the time, Maine seemed so far away from N.Y.,
but not as far as New Mexico, Texas, or oOregon, where other schools are!  For 6 years
I just continuosly searched and prayed for other ways to become a midwife.

Finally in June of 2004 we took our first trip to Maine.  Things fell into place and we successfully
moved.  God amazingly worked all the details out.

I have been attending Birthwise part-time and have finished the adacemic portion.  I have
done a lot of clinical work including delivering 13 babies myself.  I only need to finish
the rest of my clinical work, then I will be a Certified Licensed Midwife.

In April of 2006 I had the opportunity to go on a missions trip to Manila, Philipines
with a group called Mercy in Action.  I was so overwhelmed by the things I saw and learned in
the Philippines, that I knew I needed to come back home and somehow share my experience
with others.  I have spoken at several churches, wrote an article for the local newspaper,
and did a presentation for the local community.

The same day my article was in the newspaper, I received a call from the Chairman of the Board.
She had stopped into my church and had talked to one of the pastors about the pregnancy center.
The pastor thought of me and told her about my experiences.  She called me right away and was
very excited to talk to me.  She explained that they were looking for a Director or other
Board Members.  She wanted to know if I would be interested in either.  IT all happened so fast and
before I knew it, we were meeting the same day to discuss more details.

God just never ceases to amaze me.  There is no way my earthly mind could have put it all
together like He did.  God's plan is perfect!  I am so excited to be the Director of
Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Mount Washington Valley!  These are exciting times and
I look forward to talking to you or meeting you someday very soon!

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Morning-After Pill Decision Throws Women's
Health Concerns to the Wind, Care Net Says:

Sterling, VA-- "The FDA's decision to allow the morning-after pill to be sold over-the-counter to people ages
18 and up could have devastating effects on women's health and cause an increase in the STD rates,"  according
to Care Net, a network of 1,000 pregnancy resource centers across North America.

Care Net President Kurt Entsminger said, "Under the pressure of a powerful pharmaceutical company, abortion
advocates, and election year politics, the FDA has rushed this drug to the shelves with no idea of the long-term effects
of repeated use among women, especially teens.  Despite the attempt by pharmacists to enforce an age limit, teens
will likely be among the most frequent consumers of the morning-after pill.

This decision could also be the 'tipping point' which pushes the growing STD epidemic among teens into the
category of a national disaster.  International studies have shown that when the morning-after pill is available
over-the-counter, STD rates increase.  Drug users will bypass both medical exams andn counsel, which have served
to protect adolescents and women with contraindications from unknowingly putting their health at risk.
In addition, consumers are not being informed that in some cases, it could terminate a pregnancy by causing a
fertilized embryo to be expelled from the womb.

Because of this regretful decision, pregnancy center staff and volunteers are preparing to help assist a generation
of women who will likely serve as guinea pigs in thi sunprecented social health experiment."
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One Client's Story

This client came to us from a referral by someone who had befriended her in her time of need.
I met Amy* back in May when she was about 5 months pregnant.  She was an attractive, pleasant
young woman who seemed to be content and comfortable about becoming a mother.  As I have come
to learn in this ministry, things aren't always how they appear to be!  As Amy became more
relaxed in our meeting, she opened up to share some heart-felt thoughts.  She had been
through some difficult circumstances in her young life and still had much more on the horizon--there
was a lot of baggage that came with that first visit.  Amy had moved around this past year, having
ended up in North Conway area to fend for herself alone.  However, she had given her life over to
the One who was obviously making the difference by holding her up through these hard times.
A faithful friend had lovingly led her to Christ a few months earlier.  We talked about the current
issues that were looming over her life, while giving her encouragement to keep her eyes on the Lord
and to give Him her burdens moment by moment.

The most amazing thing happened--Amy shared that she had been in church on Sanctity of Human
Life Sunday and saw the Silent No More video presented by A Woman's Worth Pregnancy Center
(now Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Mount Washington Valley) and heard the compelling
words of the pastor.  These words of life were breated into her heart that day dispelling the doubts
about, "not being able to have a baby right now with everything that was going on."  Even
though she admitted she was prochoice prior to the service, she knew she "couldn't go through
any more guilt."  Just as Amy made a decision for Christ a few short months ago, she stood
firm in truth and made a decision for life in her heart during the service.  She was then able to tell
her family and the father of the baby thus receiving the support she desperately needed.  We had been
meeting regularly over the months despite our Conway office not being open when we first met.
I look forward to holding her "miracle baby" soon when the time presents itself and to reaffirm
her brave decision of love.
(*name changed)                               by Donna Miller
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