Project Rachel Women

Sharing their post-abortion healing journey

"Project Rachel for me was a loving, safe, non-judgmental healing journey. I was so grateful for my new friends, for their compassion. I am grateful for the grace and love of God for Project Rachel. Project Rachel gave me love, support and compassion as well as the skills I needed to heal. I am so lovingly grateful for their grace." (Ashley Victoria's Mom) "

Throughout an entire decade I carried what I had done silently inside. I had heard God calling to me all that time, but I had ignored that feeling because of never having the courage to look at even God, and accept healing and forgiveness.

I thought I did not deserve it and it was too painful to live it again.

One Sunday, I attended a church I didn't normally go to and as I was in the lobby I noticed a bulletin board with a poster on it for Project Rachel. I realized I could no longer ignore this and go on the way I was. I knew this was God talking to me. Although I was frightened, I called Project Rachel 6 weeks later. They were so kind and non-judgmental. I wasn't alone and I felt like a human again.

Even though in the first few meetings I was not very vocal, my spirit grew from that first day on.

Later that Fall, I started the 10 step program for healing in my soul. I came to know my baby and name her. Years ago I never would have known that was an option or even part of the healing. I am so grateful for such a gift. Her name is Ashley Victoria.

The facilitators were so wonderful and compassionate. God brought me to the most safe and loving place to heal. I am grateful for their listening ear, their hugs and the tears they cried with me. Even though this was the hardest journey I ever took, it was an extraordinary experience in my spiritual life.

I thank God for bringing me to Project Rachel, holding my hand through it all and caring enough about me to have mercy on me. Thank you to God, Project Rachel and my new-found family."

She was one of the Project Rachel women in our first healing support group Sept. 2001 - Feb. 2002. Her abortion took place in 1989. We are so proud now to have her as one of our facilitators.

This woman called our office in February of 2001 having seen an ad on Channel 10 regarding a Project Rachel meeting. She realized that she still had some healing to do. Her comment during one group session was that she would never be a mother, but we assured her she already was!

She found a beautiful prayer which the group decided to use since it really spoke of our journey. In the Fall of 2002 she told her mother about her dear baby whom she called 'Elizabeth'!

"Over the years I have had therapy to help me deal with my abortion, and it did help at times, but Project Rachel helped me heal in a way that therapy never did. Therapy helps with the psychological and emotional aspects of dealing with an abortion, but Project Rachel helped me deal with it spiritually.

Project Rachel opened me up to start living and loving again. I am finally able to love my unborn child in a way that I wasn't able to do before. I am now able to pretty much forgive myself for my decision which I couldn't do before. I regret the decision I made so many years ago, and would do anything if I could to change it, but what's done is done.

I may not have a child in body, but at least I have one in spirit. For that I am grateful and I am grateful for PR and all the facilitators and other women who shared their experience, strength and hope with me."

Elizabeth's Mom

"There are no words that could equal the gratitude that I feel for everyone who is involved in Project Rachel. I feel like I have been released from prison after a 25 year sentence. I am so much more at peace with myself and my past. I have been freed from unrelenting guilt, shame and depression because of your understanding and compassion. You have lifted my spirit and opened the door to healing the wounds I suffered from my abortion so that I can feel the forgiveness that God had already given.

Christian, my unborn son, is safe in the arms of God and is very much alive in my heart. I sometimes feel sadness that I did not give him life on this earth, but now there is also joy and a spiritual connection.

Project Rachel is a part of my daily prayers because I know there are many other women who need the help and healing. Some may not have faith in God or Jesus and so I have included an excerpt from the book Alcoholics Anonymous. If it is too difficult for us to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, start by believing his message to us - love and forgiveness."

Christian's Mom

"On my way to the first group session, I told my friend I didn't know if I was ready.

Once inside I met a wonderful lady, who hung in while I cried, and told me she knew what I was going through. Sure I thought. How could you know?? She proceeded to tell me of her sweet baby Ashley Victoria and how sad she had been and how much Project Rachel had helped her heal.

All the sessions had their own valuable lessons about love, forgiveness, all of the if's, and's and why's of what happened. They dug deep into our spirits and allowed us to be.

As the weeks went on I felt a closeness with these women and with God. I was thanking God left and right. I am so pleased about Matthew's Godmother - she is a great inspiration and I feel the love she has to offer.

I feel more confident now. I feel full of GOD'S love and forgiveness. This experience compares to nothing else that could ever help you to move on after the hurt and guilt of an abortion. Being Catholic- based and having a priest involved makes such a difference. Thank you God for hand-picking the facilitators to help us all."

Matthew's Mom

"Where do I start? I found my spirituality when I became a Catholic four years ago. Although I confessed my sin of having an abortion, I never really came to grips with it. I had put the abortion out of my mind for almost 15 years, and I really didn't want to relive it. I thank the Lord that I had an amazing friend with whom I could share my experience, as she had had the same experience. I was pro-life, but... with some exceptions. You see, I had been raped by my boyfriend, and thought that if the child were made out of hatred, it would be ok to have an abortion. It was my friend who brought me to Project Rachel without my knowing it. I suppose it had to be the right time, or else I would have come up with some excuse not to go. Since I have been through it, my outlook on life has completely changed. I am now at peace with myself. If you have had an abortion, you need help in your healing. Project Rachel has helped me to heal, and most of all, to forgive myself - something that I never thought I would be able to do. I have come so much farther than I ever expected to come. I am grateful to Project Rachel."

Sarah Rebekah's Mom

"When I first arrived at Project Rachel, I had a broken heart, a broken spirit.

After 10 weeks of soul searching, I was able to forgive myself for hurting my son. The abortion had destroyed my son, my little angel.

The Post-Abortion Syndrome sheet showed me that what I was feeling was normal for my situation. Receiving a Godmother for my son was a wonderful gift.

Project Rachel is one of the best gifts that I have ever received in my life.

Through Project Rachel and God, I am now more alive and able to enjoy my life. There is sunshine where there was only rain and thunder. God Bless you."

Anthony's Mom

Please call Project Rachel at 1 902 423-9955
We are here to listen and not to judge. We invite you to join us on the healing journey.