Harbor Life Ministries

Sara has gradually but steadily grown in her walk with Christ. She is learning what it means to be a follower of the forgiver. Without having been baptized though, the church body local has been privileged to watch her plunge under the water to symbolize her washing by Christ’s blood of the old sin nature, the coming out as her rebirth, and got to hear her testify publicly of what Jesus Christ has done for her and how her hope is now in Him, not in herself.

That changed on Sunday, April 26th, 2009, when she allowed Pastor Bruce Rzengota of Norwalk Alliance Church to baptize her in front of the church.

“I was a sinner who got pregnant, did drugs, stole things, and disobeyed authority including my parents. When I got pregnant my parents brought me to Harbor House. Here I got to find out about God, and learn what the Bible teaches, but I also saw it modeled by Doug and Karla [Eberle]. They are perfect examples of what a Christian is supposed to be, so I’ve tried to act like I see them act. And I go to Erik and Kim’s [Phillips], they’re great, I love them so much. And their kids, the Eberle kids, they’re all such good people, so I know I wouldn’t be able to do this without what they’ve done for me, and they’ve put up with a lot.”

Well, I have to rebut her testifying that I’m perfect. My wife Karla is near perfect but I…well…I’ll just keep those things between God and me and the people I need to seek forgiveness from.

Anyway, very cool to watch Sara get baptized. I love to watch baptisms, especially when testimony is shared. Sara does have a great testimony. Please pray that she continues to grow in her relationship with our Savior.

A donor has stepped forward and said that a matching donation will be made for any gift up to $2,000 between now and the end of the month!

What a great way to put your gift to work. It will be doubly important to the women, girls and babies, as well as their family and loved ones, who are helped through Harbor Life Ministries.

Please click the “DONATE NOW” button to make a contribution to life.

Thank you!

Today is Hannah’s birthday as she turns “sweet” 16.

Please comment below if you’d like to wish her a happy birthday.

Her baby is due to arrive in September and she is working on what her plans will be after the baby is born.

I have an image burned in my mind that I want to replace. Lysa is sitting on the floor of the bathroom cradling her son, trying to keep him warm while massaging his little chest. I don’t want that to be what I think about when I remember Keith and his mother Lysa.

I have set up a web page that I hope attracts some attention and giving. I hope that Keith has an impact through his memory, a memory of a loving mother who came to Harbor House to get help with her pregnancy so she could give life to her baby.

Please, if you are moved to remember Keith this way, visit my web page and make a donation. The goal is $1,000. That may be lofty in this economy, but I believe God has all the money that ministries like Harbor House need in the hands of His people. All they have to do is trust Him and let go, as He leads them to give.

Thank you. For Keith and Lysa.

Click on the “FirstGiving” button to visit the donation page…

The funeral has been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday 21 April, 2009, for Lysa’s baby Keith Louis, who was born early Saturday morning 13 weeks early but survived only less than two hours.

If you are interested in attending, please contact us and we will email the details.

Thanks to all those who have lifted Lysa up in prayer as well as our household. Lysa seems to be doing well through this. As for us, although we know that everything first passes through God’s hands and that He loves and comforts us through Christ in our loss, it is still sad when death enters a home that has as its purpose saving life.

Lysa, 16 years old and 27 weeks pregnant, gave birth to a baby boy in the bathroom in the early hours this morning. She was alone at the time of delivery and had not realized that she was in labor.

After waking up her roommate and then me, a call was made to 911 and the EMTs rushed the baby and then Lysa to the hospital.

Sadly, the baby did not make it.

“Keith Lewis” (last name withheld) was born at 4:00 AM and expired at 5:38 AM Saturday, April 18, 2009. After over an hour of trying to revive him and get him stable, he went home to be with the Lord. Keith was 2 lbs, 9 oz, and seemed perfect in every way.

Lysa seems to be doing well under the circumstances, both emotionally and physically. She is looking forward to coming home from the hospital tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.

Pray for Lysa to work through this very traumatic, early birth and the grief of losing her son. Pray for Doug and I as we minister to Lysa, her family and the others in the house. Also, pray for the other residents as well as our children. They were all very scared to wake up to fire sirens with lights flashing, and walkie-talkies chattering outside their bedrooms. One of them said they thought the house was on fire and no one had gotten them out.

Please pray for Lysa, 16, and her little baby boy, who was born in the bathroom at the house around 3:30 this morning. The baby is 13 weeks early and was rushed to the hospital.

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