It’s interesting to think about our lives as a story. Words were written before we were even born. The words become sentences. The sentences become paragraphs. Paragraphs become chapters. These stories become intricate tapestries of surroundings, and events, and circumstances, but most importantly of people.
As the Founder of The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home I am richly blessed to see how some of these stories start to merge, intertwine, and then begin to weave into a very rich, interwoven tapestry of the stories of real people turning another page.
Our story doesn’t start with me as the Founder. In fact it would be hard to determine where the story starts. I was a part of the story at Thrive who were a part of the story of Lutherans for Life, who were a part of the story of the pro-life ministry which was a part of …well, you see it’s not so much how the story started but the fact that the chapters are still being constructed.
The basis of our story is I got mad. I couldn’t stand by and see lives destroyed because of young women feeling all of their God given power, all of their God life choices were taken from them. Babies shouldn’t be punished. Young women’s lives should not get stuck. That’s not the abundant life I know through Christ. Lives are precious. No matter what, we have to honor and protect all that God has created no matter where they come into His story. Especially when it seemed like the easy answer was if young mothers just had a safe place to stay while they figured out their next step with Christ, why couldn’t we make that happen.
After many, many phone calls, conversations, meetings, hours of prayer, researching our area, extensive training I decided to open up The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home for teen mothers, 19 and under, who are experiencing homelessness. I’ve realized very early on why few people have looked into this. It’s messy dealing with people. It’s complicated dealing with minors. It’s actually really difficult to accomplish the right, and moral, and ethical thing to help other people. It may seem the problem will never be solved. And you’re right. But life is full of problems and we have to do something to try and solve it. This is where the story makes an exciting turn.
Since November 12, 2010 the story of The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home has been evolving into something truly beautiful.
- We were granted our 501(c)3 status with the state of Missouri
- We have a strong leadership in our board to lead our spiritual oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and fundraising efforts
- We have extensively trained staff.
- We have renovated a 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom house nestled on one acre of deep woods to meet the requirements for food, fire, and state licensing all the
while maintaining the warmth and welcome of a family home. - We are licensed to house 8 children, ages 19 and under.
- We have over 125 volunteers serving as mentors, to event coordinators, to bible study leaders, to administrative help.
- We assist any woman needing resources through The Branch Resource center which provides diapers, wipes, baby supplies, clothes, bibles, and counseling referrals.
I believe with all my heart that The Sparrow’s Nest will make an extraordinary difference on our community. We have been blessed with a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of young women and in so doing impact the lives of families in our community for generations. We have a chance for people of faith to be led by the Spirit and to unite in prayer and action. Through the power of Jesus Christ a new and powerful story can be written on the hearts of these young
women.
There are lots of places for you to be written into our story. Whatever gifts and talents you possess I’m positive God can use you. Whether you are a teen mama who just needs a little help right now, a volunteer looking to be a part of something bigger than yourself, We would love for you to become part of the story of
The Sparrow’s Nest.