Maria was a young woman excited to begin a new life with her future husband. However, a brutal gang-rape left her beaten, bruised, and pregnant. When her fiancé left her broke, homeless, and alone, Maria believed she had no choice but to abort her baby – until someone introduced her to the Gabriel Network, where she found guidance and support.
Women facing unplanned pregnancies often feel that they are not good enough to keep their children, and as a result, many of them choose abortion. However, for over eighteen years, women facing crisis pregnancies in Washington, D.C. and Maryland have been able to receive the support and guidance they need so that they can freely choose life for their babies.
Gabriel Network was first conceived in the early 1990s as one Christian church sought ways to put its pro-life message to work. Today, the Gabriel Network exists due to the dedication and generosity of area churches, businesses, agencies, donors, organizations, professional personnel, and caring individuals. This group has been blessed to fulfill its mission of providing loving service to women and families struggling with an unplanned pregnancy – women like Maria.
Once connected with the Gabriel Network, Maria and other women in crisis pregnancies receive an Angel Friend, someone who is there to support the mothers spiritually, emotionally, and practically. Maria’s Angel Friend Maggie accompanies her to doctor appointments, and the two have become quite close.
In addition to the Angel Friend program, the Gabriel Network also provides a safe place to stay for homeless pregnant women. Once their children are born, the women are able to move to a home with their children as they transition into their new lives together. Each home has a live-in house director to help guide the new mothers.
Throughout the year, the Gabriel Network holds fundraising events to help raise the money to care for the women and children they are so devoted to helping. These include the annual Choose Life Choose Love Conference, the Middle School Knock Out Tournament, and the new 100-4-100 Campaign. This campaign seeks 100 donors willing to donate $100 a month throughout 2014. According to their website, it costs $50 a day to care for and help each woman who reaches out to them. Last year, the Gabriel Network saved 400 babies from abortion, and they are hoping to save even more in 2014. To help them, visit www.gabrielnetwork.org and click “donate.”
