Birthmother's Retreat

Thought I'd share this peek into a birth mother's retreat that Christian Adoption Services hosts every year. It's just one of the reasons I love working for Christian Adoption Services.

The Birthmother Retreat- An Inside Perspective

by: Jess Durrell


Sitting around the bonfire, the sounds of girls laughing and joking (in a manner reminiscent of high school study hall) resonated in the nearby woods. The firewood they had clamored to fetch themselves only hours earlier, now crackled and roared- resulting in a magnificent heat. A somewhat unlikely group of friends, these women of widespread ages and differing backgrounds looked like sisters to me. Though the activities of the day had strengthened the bond between them, their unity was born of one shared experience- an unplanned pregnancy which resulted in the choice of adoption. As the women made their smores and clamored playfully for the last piece of chocolate, it occurred to me that they might be reclaiming a bit of childhood they had missed out on or were forced to hurry through as a result of their pregnancies.

From the moment I arrived at the camp grounds, it was apparent to me that this weekend was a labor of love for the pregnancy workers who had planned it. The girls were cared for, uplifted, and given the opportunity to share their struggles and victories. Each activity was carefully planned to communicate a message of hope and Christ's love, and the birthmothers embraced the encouragement. The weekend was a celebration of the strength and bravery that it took for these women to choose adoption for the benefit of their child(ren). When the ladies opened the gifts from their child's adoptive families, the implications of their choice became apparent. Each birthmom proudly held up the photo of her child- beaming at the knowledge that he/she was living a happy and secure life as a result of the adoption. Several carried snapfish photo books of their children and adoptive families around with them all weekend, waiting for the opportunity to describe each photo to another birthmom or staff member. The pride and joy on their faces made it obvious that these women truly felt that they had made the best choice for their child.

For me, being a part of this year's birthmom retreat solidified the importance of this event and reminded me of what sets Christian Adoption Services apart. I am honored to be a part of an agency that cares for the long-term health and well-being of the women who choose to place their children for adoption. The event also reinforced the value of photos and updates from adoptive couples- I cannot stress enough how much these meant to the women at the retreat. I want to personally thank each couple that sent in photos and notes for the retreat and encourage you to continue to do so when prompted in the future. These updates help remind each birthmother that her choice (though painful) was the right one and that her child is loved and provided for.