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Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. -Proverbs 24:11
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March 2007
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Welcome to Heartbeat of Miami's online newsletter for ministry partners. You are receiving this email because either you or a friend of yours provided Rev. John Ensor your email, who is leading the Heartbeat of Miami Project, or you have provided it to our parent organization, Heartbeat International. If you do not want to receive emails from Heartbeat of Miami, please unsubscribe.
After reviewing this newsletter, if the Heartbeat of Miami project strikes you as a Great Work, we invite you to add a personal note and forward this newsletter to potentially like-minded friends and family.
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The battle for life is engaged!
by Rev. John Ensor
 I never would have expected that just organizing the opening of a pregnancy center would already put us in touch with women struggling with pregnancies. But in the last few weeks, Heartbeat has spoken with three women struggling with pregnancy. So the Great Work has actually begun! Martha Avila, one of our key volunteers, took one call. Here is her account:
At the Heartbeat office I received a call from a young woman, "Cary." She was seeking help when all the doors were shutting down for her. Cary was pregnant, had no insurance, no help and had arrived from Cuba less than a year ago. Even though she was a Cuban Refugee, she was brought to this country by her grandfather and unfortunately did not qualify for any government assistance as a Refugee. Cary did not know what to do. She went to the yellow pages seeking assistance and direction, all she found were Abortion Facilities. She called them and they all advised her to come in and talk to them about an abortion. She was very discouraged and felt her doors were closing in on her. Then she went online and did a search on "pregnancy" and "Miami" and what popped up? Our website www.heartbeatofmiami.org
Cary was almost 22 weeks pregnant, had not even seen a doctor yet due to lack of insurance and lack of money and was running out of options. The other places she had called, advised her she could still "end the pregnancy" even at 22 weeks. Cary wanted her baby but the circumstances were pushing her towards the abortion. After listening to her story, I called First Choice (the one ultrasound-equipped Pregnancy Help Clinic in Miami to date!) for assistance. She met with a counselor who in turn helped her find medical assistance. I spoke to Cary last week and she is very happy, doing well with her pregnancy and is expecting a baby girl in May.
Lord, give us fruitfulness in our labor; and favor these mothers who in their trial, put their hope in you by choosing life. Make Cary "like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that (s)he does, (s)he prospers" (Psalm 1:3).
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The Site is in Sight!
We ventured out into Hialeah, a neighborhood currently plagued with seven abortion facilities, to look at possible spaces for our first pregnancy help clinic. Jose and Esther Ortiz, local brokers and members of a church in Miami Springs, called to offer their help, just as the need arose! We looked at five available sites; some for rent, a few for sale. After some prayer and discussion, we have entered into lease negotiations on a small office located at one of the busiest intersections in Miami (W 49th Street/NW 103rd and 4th Ave), just a few blocks from the High School and down a few blocks from one of the seediest abortion facilities in the area.
The space is smaller than we would prefer; but the location and signage possibilities make this a remarkable opportunity. Further, if you remember Jeanne Pernia's testimony, you will recall that she started two abortion facilities in Hialeah in 1979. Jeanne has long since given her life to Christ and is #1 of the 300 people we are seeking as Heart for Life monthly partners who pledge $1 a day ($30/month) to support this clinic long-term. Jeanne recently went back to visit one of those abortion facilities and to pray for Heartbeat of Miami. The space we are now hoping to rent is right next door to her former abortion facility.
If we are successful in signing a lease on this property then everything else falls into a schedule after that. We will start an immediate rehab of the space in order to maximize every inch within it. An architect is donating his time and skills to make that possible. We will need a contractor or a project manager to run the rehab. We will need volunteer carpenters, electricians, plumbers, tile and carpet layers, ceiling guys and more. We will need extra gifts to buy the supplies or hire the trades that we cannot find donated. So please consider a special gift for this effort and start talking to any trade people and vendors that you know that might have a heart to give in this way. Have them contact us directly.
The possible home of Heartbeat of Miami's first Pregnancy Help Clinic!
Once the site is secured we will begin setting up the medical team (Medical Director and Ultrasound Nurse or Technician). We will schedule counselor training. We will purchase an ultrasound machine ($40,000), hire a nurse manager ($50,000), purchase half page ads for the Miami North and South Yellow Pages ($21,000 each) and plan for our dedication in May. I wish that answering the call to "rescue the innocent" (Proverbs 24:11) was cheap. It is not. To do it well will require one-time sacrifices and monthly sacrifices. Will you meet this challenge with us? Will you muster a sacrificial spirit, and give to Heartbeat of Miami for such a time as this?
Lord, give us this corner for Your glory "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation" so that we may "appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life" (Phil 2:15).
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The leadership is emerging!
 We invited David Behar to be our very first staff member at the newly incorporated Heartbeat of Miami ministry. David's job is to help instruct and inspire the Christian community and local churches to make the pregnancy centers a reality and a ministry of the local church. He is meeting with pastors and potential supporters, explaining the vision of HOM. He is lining up preaching opportunities, information nights and special events.
David and his family serve at the Cornerstone Bible Church in Kendall. He is Cuban; a long-time resident of Miami and has a growing passion to make the Heartbeat of Miami a true ministry of the Miami Christian community.
Lord, raise up the people we need, the Medical Director, the Executive Director and the Board Members who will lead this Great Work forward on behalf of your people. In faith we declare, "The Lord will provide!"
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The relocation is complete!
In January, my wife, Kristen, and I moved into a furnished apartment. We will be here for at least the next seven months. While she set up our home, I got started on the HOM office. We painted the office and purchased computers, printer/copiers, tables, and other office supplies. We designed and produced a display for use in churches and area events. 
We signed a contract to do an advertising campaign on Christian radio stations to further introduce our mission to the Christian community of Miami. We hammered out a 2007 operating budget, wrote job descriptions, and opened bank accounts.
We incorporated HOM in Florida, and applied for federal non-profit approval. We organized a Baby Bottle Campaign committee, bought 10,000 baby bottles, arranged for them to be given out in churches this month and next for folks to collect their change in and return.
We trained volunteers to present the mission of HOM in area churches (in English and Spanish of course). We held one information night. I spoke at three churches and met with the Hialeah Mayor, Julio Robaina, and City Council President, Steve Bovo. Now we are surveying strategic locations for our first clinic. So we are busy bees in this Great Work called Heartbeat of Miami.
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The Sacrifice is necessary!
Once again I appeal for your partnership in this Great Effort. Please consider a special gift toward securing a facility in Hialeah. Any gift is appreciated and can be securely and safely given through Heartbeat International.
Then we are in need of 300 people willing to pledge at least $1 a day ($30/month) to establish our first pregnancy help clinic in Hialeah. These "Heart for Life" eGiving Partners will form the fiscal foundation we need to help women on a month to month basis.
If the best and most effective location for us to open in Hialeah costs $50,000 to lease and refurbish, and we staff it with a Nurse Manager to provide the ultrasounds and work with our volunteers, who in turn work month in and month out with our new mothers, then we NEED you to help month in and month out with a modest but dependable monthly gift of support. Please make the pledge with me if you have not done so. If you have, please ask ONE other friend to join you as a Heart for Life eGiving partner of the Heartbeat of Miami.
Lord, give us 300 people with a heart for life; people with a willing spirit of sacrifice- to fight the greatest evil of our generation in one of the neediest places in our country. You, declared, "Where your treasure is, there your heart is also" (Matthew 6:21). Give us sacrificial hearts for the Heartbeat of Miami!
P.S. Any family or friends that came to mind while reading this newsletter, please forward this newsletter to them now.
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