Everything Changes...

Kathy Troccoli's song by this name came to mind as I sat down to write this message.

Life is about change.

Our son is getting ready to begin his last semester in high school; then in a blink of an eye he will be college-bound.

Our daughter is getting ready to drive.

Sometimes I just want the world to slow down.... But when you love someone (as the song says) everything changes. That's the way God ordained it. The change keeps us on our toes; it keeps us interested; it keeps us depending on Him.

So yes, as you probably have guessed by now, there are other changes to discuss here.

After much prayer and consideration the path of my life has taken an unexpected detour. Well, it feels like a detour to me. In God's perspective it was there all along.

Can I just say I'm glad we don't see these things coming down the road far in advance!?! ;)

The unexpected-to-me-detour is one of teaming up with my husband in the business we have owned for the past 14 years. As it turns out, many of the struggles our company has experienced have been due to a lack of administration, organization, and structure--all gifts I possess.

So, as I said, after much prayer and consideration I have accepted a position in our company on a full-time basis. While this is good news (I think!) for our company, it is rather sad news for the ministry. In short, it means I will have far less time to work on the issues at hand with the ministry. In fact, I will be accepting *some* speaking/teaching invitations, but beyond that, I will be unable to be involved to any significant degree with this ministry.

I believe this to be a "seasonal" thing; meaning I believe I am to work there "for such a time as this." I'm not sure how long a time it will be, but I believe it will continue throughout 2010. Beyond that I have no clue; I only trust the One who knows and sees all of time (past, present and future) in a single glimpse. :)

So, yes, I have moments of sadness at the thought of not being as involved in abortion recovery ministry, but at the same time I am excited about this new journey in unexpected territory! While this position is one outside the classic definition of ministry, it is still ministry nonetheless. As such, I humbly ask for your continued prayers for me.

I hope each of you will continue to contact me on occasion, to keep me in the loop regarding the work you are doing in abortion recovery circles. Please forgive me, however, if it takes some time to respond.

I pray all God's best for each of you in 2010 and beyond as you continue to serve Him with your life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

In the grip of His amazing grace,
Mary Comm
President, In Our Midst Ministries

What in the World is God Doing?

In Our Midst International Ministries?

This week I have received emails from Italy, Romania and Africa. Requests for information and ways to create partnerships in the ministry of abortion recovery around the globe come into our mailbox regularly. The need for compassionate information and practical education concerning those wounded by abortion around the world is evident, and it is evident God is using this medium called the Internet to provide it.

Please pray for In Our Midst in the coming weeks and months as we strategize (both internally and with other abortion recovery ministries) about how best to maximize the tools and talents we posses as well as to multiply our effectiveness in this vital ministry to which God has called us.

We appreciate you as we strive together to affect a positive change in our world to the glory of God and on behalf of those wounded by abortion.

Abundant blessings to you in Christ,
Mary Comm

Care Net Conference Update

My husband Joel and I returned from Denver, Colorado on Monday following a very successful week of networking at the Care Net Conference. In Our Midst Ministries and SafeHaven shared an exhibitor booth during the event. We met many people we have worked with via email and telephone, and we enjoyed the opportunity to begin building new relationships with others whose hearts beat for the post-abortive. [Pictured are myself, Carla Simmert, the Director of SafeHaven Ministries, and Leslie Bowen, a SafeHaven Moderator]

Our new book, Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion was a big hit as well! According to our sources, the book created quite a stir among attendees. There were times when people were lined up to talk with us about the book and our ministries. It was truly encouraging as it was further confirmation that God is working in the hearts of His people where this topic is concerned.

Dennis Jernigan led worship on Friday night, ministering to each person in the dining hall as only he can do. It was so refreshing to experience worship with him again, and to stand as he sang God's Word over us. What a special treat!

Star Parker , founder of the Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education (CURE), gave the keynote at lunch one day and thoroughly blessed us with her bold, no-nonsense style of communication. She encouraged us to not grow weary in our work, but to continue on, sowing and reaping in accordance with God's Word and promises. What a blessing!

The Care Net staff did an excellent job also of orchestrating this event with thoughtful planning and skillful execution. Each staff member I encountered was ready and willing to serve. It was a joy working with this experienced and helpful team.

In all it was an exhausting but productive conference, and one we won't soon forget. God is good and He is working in, through, and on behalf of His people!

Blessings in Christ,
Mary

PS: As usual I forgot the camera, but at least I had my cell phone along.... One of these days I will remember to take the camera! lol

Post-Abortion Leadership Training - Hope For The Heart, Dallas

I spent most of last week in Dallas, Texas attending Hope for the Heart's post-abortion facilitators training. My main purpose in attending this training was to verify that it was indeed a solid training to which I could refer others. While the training was very long (three and a half days) it was easily the most comprehensive one I have attended. Not only did the instructor, Kim Olson, cover most of the material in the manual, but she also guided our group through several activities that helped both to solidify the information in our minds, and to give us hands-on practical application experience.

As an instructor, Kim brings with her thirteen years of abortion recovery experience, having led a number of thirteen week groups as well as weekend recovery retreats. I have to admit I was skeptical at first about the weekend retreat model, but hearing how she and her team carry out these retreats I believe it can be a viable method given the strict guidellines they follow.

I highly recommend the Hope for the Heart training for anyone that has received a calling to lead others in abortion recovery. This training is well organized, comprehensive, and is based on very reliable information, including some of the legal considerations when working in any peer counseling situation. This team teaches from a wealth of experience as well as a deep concern for those wounded by abortion. If you feel that God is calling you in this area I urge you to contact Hope for the Heart's abortion recovery team (Kim, Char, and Maggie). No matter how many trainings you've been to in the past, I don't believe we can ever have too much training. And this one is not to be missed.

For more information contact Hope for the Heart.

Christian Booksellers Association Convention - Denver, CO

My husband Joel and I returned a few days ago from Denver, Colorado where we attended the CBA Convention. Our goals in attending this annual trade show were twofold: first, we were on a mission to discover what new materials (if any) were on the horizon regarding the abortion issue in general, and abortion and the church more specifically. And second, we wanted the opportunity to talk with publishers and distributors about our new book, Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion.

What we found was disappointing, if not predictable. We spoke with every major publisher at the CBA and not one of them had a new product to promote on the abortion issue. The more promising aspect of our conversations, however, was that most of the publishers responded that such materials are definitely needed. Very few of us are knocking on these doors, apparently, but given the right tone and adequate persistance, I believe the climate toward books pertaining to pulling back the curtain on abortion and its affect on the church is a friendly one.

Please pray that God would raise up more people -- more writers -- to talk about abortion from the personal perspective (not the political one) -- and in a healthy and truthful manner -- and that the publishers would enthusiastically step up to publish and distribute them.

To the glory of God forever,
Mary

First Book Published!

Our first book, Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion is at the printer as I write this and is due to be released within the next few weeks. Those attending the Christian Booksellers Association convention in Denver the week of July 10th will be able to see one of the first copies of the book.

From the back cover:

Secret Sin sheds new light on the abortion issue, giving the body of Christ an inside look at how abortion affects those touched by it, and what we, the hands and feet of Christ in this world can do to walk with them through the healing process to a place of reconciliation and restoration.

Compassionately and insightfully written, Secret Sin draws back the curtain to enable the Church to see the vast number of abortion-affected souls suffering silently in her midst, while simultaneously sounding forth the charge to meet them at the point of their need.

Secret Sin will soon be available at Amazon.com and in your local Christian bookstore. You will also be able to order copies from In Our Midst. I will make an announcement when they are available.

Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion
by Mary Comm
ISBN: 1-60037-148-5 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 1-60037-149-3 (Paperback)

To God be the glory!

Mary

SafeHaven Moderator Training - Update

The SafeHaven Moderator Training in Lincoln, IL went off beautifully this past weekend! We had about twenty-two people in attendance to learn how to be better moderators as well as those interested in moderating. Carla Simmert, the Executive Director of SafeHaven, hosted the event. Several other speakers taught on the multi-issue client, when to refer, the basics of post-abortion recovery ministry, abortion and the church, etc. On Saturday we were able to log onto the Internet and do actual hands-on chat room training which was incredibly helpful for those new to this type of technology. We closed the session with a roundtable discussion pertaining to trouble-shooting and the specifics of post-abortion ministry.

On Friday evening, we celebrated SafeHaven's 10th birthday as we got to know each other better. (Beyond that, allI can say is: What happens in Illinois, stays in Illinois!) :)

For more information on abortion recovery training, please contact Carla Simmert at SafeHaven Ministries, or me at In Our Midst. We are here to serve you!

Mary Comm
E-mail: mary(at)InOurMidst.com
Director, IOM

Staff Changes @ IOM

I am sorry to report that Anita Dost is no longer on staff with In Our Midst. Please remember Anita and her family in your prayers.

Mary
Director, IOM

South Carolina Ride 4 Life - Final Day!

The SC Ride 4 Life 2006 was a great success. There was a good turn-out and funds were raised but most importantly there was a huge awareness raised in the state of South Carolina regarding the issue of life.

The team went from Sumter to Pawleys Island on Saturday. There was a large crowd cheering as we rolled in to the finish line. Cheers from the crowd and large banners were such an encouragement to the team. They were completely exhausted from the physical challenge they had put their bodies through, but were refreshed and rejuvenated by the support and encouragement they received from the crowd along with the satisfaction of knowing they had accomplished an incredibly large goal.

Three hundred miles on a bicycle had taken a toll on them and lack of sleep along with the southern heat and humidity was also physically draining. Most of the riders were able to make it the full route even with injuries, flat tires, and minor bike wrecks.

I count it a pleasure to have participated in this grand event and give a huge Thank You to Lori and Johnny Johnson from the Foothills PCC for a job well done. May God continue to bless this event!

Anita

South Carolina Ride 4 Life - Day Two!

Today we left Newberry, SC bound for Sumter, SC a long hot 85 miles. Our team had 5 flat tires, one small accident with no major injuries and many opportunities to share what this ride is all about....LIFE. Life for babies, women, men, and those in our midst that are wounded by abortion, adoption and also those that choose life for there babies yet struggle with that choice.

I am amazed at the cars and trucks that blow their horns and give us a big thumbs up in support of what this ride represents. One couple came in to the restaurant that a few of our cyclists were eating lunch at and paid for their meals. God is so faithful even with the smallest of details.

Today we passed a children's home where our CPC makes referrals to and it brought a smile to my face as a little boy waved at the cyclists as they drove by. We stopped at the SC state capitol building and then proceeded on to our final destination for today in downtown Sumter.

The First Assembly of God Church shuttled us to their church and then fed us a feast fit for a king. The hospitality, generosity and love that have been given during this ride has been so wonderful. A huge thank you to all that gave!

Anita

IOM's Christian Leaders Conference - Update

I returned home this afternoon from our Christian Leadership Conference in Van Nuys, California. We had a small turnout (only 22 attendees), but according to the evaluations we received, those twenty-two people were encouraged, challenged, and blessed. These are twenty-two seeds that I believe will bear much fruit for the kingdom of God on behalf of those wounded by abortion, and we made twenty-two new friends in the process.

Greg Hasek of Misty Mountain Family Counseling Center was the "star of the show" so-to-speak. Greg brought cutting edge information regarding the role of men in the recovery process and I believe now more than ever before that God is working on a new level to bring healing to His people through faithful followers like Greg. The pastors in attendence were both stunned and moved by the information Greg shared. Additionally I believe many of the abortion-affected women attendees reached a new level of healing in their own recovery process through the sincere and heartfelt testimony of this post-abortive father.

Our own Anita Dost led a break-out session on steps to facilitating an abortion recovery group. I missed her session, but the ladies reported that Anita did a good job equipping them to begin leading others to healing from the pain of abortion. (Thanks again for your friendship and partnership in this ministry, Anita!)

Yolanda Gorick with Joy for Mourning mc'd the event, bringing her years of experience and insight (as well as her talented staff) to our event. Her dear husband, David, was on hand to help with the audio/visual equipment and blessed us by the servant heart of Christ he displayed.

Kelle Hennings of SafeHaven Ministries, Inc. drove up from the San Diego area for the event as well. While Kelle was not there in any official capacity, her presence there blessed us tremendously. What good friends we have in this difficult journey of raising up abortion recovery leaders!

At the end of the day we were all exhausted and we had a lot of information to process. But we agreed the event was definitely a success. How great is our God and what an honor it is to serve Him in this capacity!

Our next event will be later this month in Mason City, Illinois, as we contribute to SafeHaven's moderator training. Please join us in praying for those involved in planning, preparing, and executing this event.