"My value is not based on how I was conceived, who raised me, what other people think of my life, or even what I do with my life. I'm not a product of rape, but a child of God." Rebecca Kiessling
The March 8th audience that packed Rory Dolan's in Yonkers, NY and that included Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone, former Mayor John Spencer and Liam McLoughlin, was transfixed as courageous "survivors" conceived in rape or incest told their stories at the pro-life event sponsored by Expectant Mother Care's Chris Slattery.
Some who came may have feared a dark evening with sordid tales of victimhood. Instead the evening rang with music, hope and faith, and affirmations of life!
The articulate panelists included
Juda Myers - an adoptee, conceived in rape, singer/songwriter, author and pro-life speaker from Texas (www.juda4praise.com)
Tony Kiessling - conceived in rape and raised by his single mom, university science professor from Pennsylvania (www.rebeccakiessling.com/Othersconceivedinrape.html)
Rebecca Kiessling - an adoptee, conceived in rape, adoptive mother, author of Heritage House '76 pamphlet, "Conceived in Rape: A Story of Hope," family law attorney and international pro-life speaker from Michigan (www.rebeccakiessling.com)
Liz Carl - rape victim/birthmother, university student and pro-life speaker from Kentucky, active with Cardinals for Life.
Pam Stenzel - an adoptee conceived in rape, author and international abstinence speaker from Minnesota (www.pamstenzel.com)
Kristi Hofferber - an adoptee, conceived in incest, adoptive mother, pastor's wife and pro-life speaker from Illinois (www.under-his-wing.com)
Irene van der Wende - rape victim who regrets her abortion, herself conceived in violence, an anti-abortion activist and ambassador for the unborn from the Netherlands.
Tim - an adoptee, conceived in rape, his story appears here (www.rebeccakiessling.com/Othersconceivedinrape.html)
Donations were requested to benefit EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers that operate 12 pro-life clinics and centers in NYC, and one mobile ultrasound clinic. Founded in 1985, EMC has served 100,000 women and saved 34,000 from certain abortions (www.EMCFrontLine.org).
For other information about this event or to donate to EMC, you can write to Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers at P.O. Box 134, Bronx, NY 10470 or contact Chris Slattery directly at slatteryny@gmail.com or call 718.884.9210;914.224.5773.
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