How did it all start?
Theresa Karminski Burke, Ph.D. started one of the first
therapeutic support groups for post-aborted women in 1986 after founding
The Center for Post-Abortion Healing. When Theresa and Barbara Cullen
began working together they combined psychological technique with
prayer, scripture, and creative spiritual exercises. The groups offered
to bring God’s love and mercy to wounded souls. The outcome of their
group process had amazing results. Both Theresa and Barbara experienced
the influence and motivation of the Holy Spirit as a beautiful method
and technique unfolded. The result of this inspiration was the birth of
Rachel’s Vineyard.
In 1995, Theresa adapted a unique
support group model into a format for weekend retreats. Soon,
individuals began to travel from many other states to experience the
retreats. With no budget, or advertising, Rachel’s Vineyard became a
grassroots national outreach. By word of mouth only, the retreats began
to rapidly spread across the country because of their dramatic
effectiveness. Since that time, it has helped thousands of individuals
and families who was been wounded by their losses. Mothers, fathers,
grandparents, aunts and uncles and even siblings of aborted children
have all journeyed into Rachel’s Vineyard. In 1998, Rachel’s Vineyard
Ministries became a division of the American Life League, which is now
providing the support necessary for this rapidly growing ministry. It
has grown across the United States, and into Canada, Australia, New
Zealand and Europe.
How did it come to the Boise
Vineyard?
Brandi Swindell, National Director
and Founder of Generation Life, met Theresa Burke through her many
travels to Washington D.C. After much prayer and conviction, Brandi
brought the Rachel’s Vineyard Ministry idea to the Vineyard. Pastor Joe
put Brandi in touch with Ginger Corum, who also had a similar vision for
a ministry for Post Abortion Stress Syndrome or PASS. Both women
realized a need for a ministry that addresses the loss of children
through not only abortion, but miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and
adoption. Brandi Swindell states, “As a national leader in the pro-life
movement, I have seen so many women who are suffering and in agony over
the choice to have an abortion. It is critical for the church to get
involved in PASS to show these women and men the love, forgiveness,
healing, and compassion our Lord Jesus Christ is waiting to shower on
them. It has taken four years for this ministry to blossom and I am
excited that Generation Life and the Boise Vineyard are taking the first
steps towards healing and renewal.”
Rachel’s Vineyard at Boise Vineyard
We had our first Rachel’s Vineyard
retreat last May over Mother’s Day weekend. It was a very powerful
experience not only for the participants, but also the helpers as well.
I interviewed two of the women that attended the last retreat. One
participant has chosen to keep her name confidential. Both women
currently attend Boise Vineyard.
What
concerned you most about saying “yes” to participate in the retreat?
Participant 1: It was the fact that I had to
actually face the abortion, and I had not done that in 30 years.
So what
changed that concern for you?
I was
tired of being haunted by the memory of the abortion and all the events
that took place that summer.
Barb:
At first I wasn’t concerned about saying yes to the retreat because I
thought I was going to attend as a helper and not a participant, but
once I started reading the book “Forbidden Grief”, I realized I was no
where near being healed from my abortion experience.
What
was the most difficult part about the retreat?
Participant 1: The drive up there. Not knowing
who was going to be up there and not knowing what was going to happen.
Barb:
The hardest part was the last day when I realized that from that day
forward everything in my life was going to change. Knowing I had to let
go of the past, and start a new life in Christ, and the realization that
I did not know how to do that. I also had to face what I had done, and
call it what it is. I had the question “what if Jesus doesn’t forgive
me?”
What
was the Lord’s answer to this question?
Barb:
He answered it through two events. We did a
Living Scripture based on the story of Lazarus. We actually chose which
part of our body is “bound” by this memory, and my chest was literally
wrapped with gauze to symbolize the pain in my heart. When we cut that
gauze, all that pain was released. It was gone, (I’m crying even
thinking about it.) there are no words to describe how it felt. It was
all lifted from me. The second event was the session when we visualize
our children playing in a field with our Lord. Jesus was playing with my
daughter, and He looked at me, and we had eye to eye contact and just
the look in His eyes of complete love for me. I felt Him say, “You are
my child too, and I love you.” That was the moment that I came to
Christ, and He came into my heart. I could not have let Him in until all
that past garbage was lifted. Until I was able to truly forgive myself,
I could not ask for His forgiveness. There had been a wall between us
for years.
What
meant the most to you during the retreat?
Participant 1: Naming the baby was very
powerful and the Memorial Service, which was also the scariest. Why?
Because I had never dealt with death before, and I was afraid of how I
was going to react.
Barb:
The entire retreat, but especially the fellowship that began with the
women up there. I had never had the experience of complete acceptance
and love from other women, and it was so overwhelming. I knew I had
found my safety net and it is one that is still in place today.
How has
your life changed since the retreat?
Participant 1: I’m able to talk about it now.
I had never discussed it before the retreat. I was healed from the
trauma of the abortion. If I can be healed from 30 years of that big,
dark secret, I can be healed from anything.
Barb:
Everything has changed. Now my life is surrendered to God and His will.
I no longer have a need to be in control over every aspect of my life. I
am letting Him work and show me how to live as first mate of my ship.
Before I was the Captain and He was the first mate, and now He is the
Captain, where He should be. I don’t want it to sound like it is all
easy, but He shows me how to get through the difficult times with Him.
What
would you say to someone who is considering coming on the retreat, but
hasn’t made the phone call yet?
Participant 1: Take a step in faith and just
do it because the memories and the shame, the anger and the hate are not
going to go away until you do.
Barb:
Oh, please do it. Be open about it. Pray about it. Allow God to work in
you. By doing it, He will make beautiful changes in your life. Overcome
the fear because He is waiting for you.
Where do you go from here?
There are pamphlets at the
information counter that explain our upcoming retreat on October 24-26..
There are also pamphlets in the women’s restroom. Please visit the
National Rachel’s Vineyard Website at
www.rachelsvineyard.org,
or if you need more immediate attention call 1-877-HOPE-4-ME. The
website has more answers to frequently asked questions, and also has
numerous other Participants’ comments. The number of Participants is
limited. The cost is $75 with some scholarships available.
If you are interested in finding out
what Generation Life is all about, visit Brandi Swindell’s website at
www.generationlife.org.
Contact Stefanie Downs at
stefaniedowns@VineyardBoise.org
