Parenting in Quarantine

March, April, and May have been unprecedented times for the world as well as RETA. We, like so many others, jumped into the world of Zoom. What a blessing to still be able to meet with clients in the virtual world! I have enrolled several young pregnant girls, met with single moms trying to keep it all together while keeping their family healthy and doing e-learning. I also talked with married moms struggling because of lay-offs and the uncertainty of the next paycheck. We were able to meet some of their needs physically and financially by offering drive up diapers, wipes, formula, and other baby supplies. We offered emotional support as a listening ear on the really tough days with e-learning and being cooped up inside. We offered spiritual support by praying and sharing scriptures of hope and encouragement. As of June, we started opening the office to clients with protective guidelines in place. We are staggering appointments and limiting the number of people in the office at one time. We are taking their temperature, disinfecting after each client, and asking they not come if they have been sick within the past two weeks. Through all of the uncertainty of the times, we have offered a stable and consistent presence in the lives of the families we serve.

by Joni, Client Services Manager

Making an Eternal Impact

The four-month pregnant mom came to RETA in spring of 2017. She was interested in parent coaching to earn coupons to shop in our Family Store for baby supplies. She already had four children but didn’t have custody of any of them. She was matter-of-fact and avoided eye contact. She declined prayer at every appointment and voiced her struggle with being sleepy from the pregnancy. She was closed with her story and didn’t want to see multiple volunteers. We decided she would only be assigned to me and we would schedule her the same time each week.

Five months into meeting, she opened up and started to share why she was living in Elkhart and why her children lived with their fathers. She began to give me eye contact.

She had a baby girl in the fall of 2017 and complained the child cried too much and was too demanding of her attention. I continued to meet with her and share age-appropriate development of babies and toddlers. She shared more and more of her story, but still no prayer.

In January of 2019, she decided she was open to working through a Bible study called Thirty Discipleship Exercises. Each week we did a lesson together and she shared more and more of her story but still declined prayer. In the spring of 2019, she came to an appointment excited to share something she did the week before when I was gone on vacation. She shared she’d driven to Chicago to have an abortion. My heart sunk. I didn’t even know she was pregnant. She had no remorse, only relief.

We had started to develop a close relationship at that point, so she was open to me asking questions and probing why she felt she should have the abortion. A few months later, she came in to the office and shared she went to Chicago and had another abortion. Because of my relationship with her, I boldly shared she shouldn’t use abortion as birth control and also that she was getting herself into dangerous situations. She was open and listened, but, again, declined prayer.

We continued to meet once a week the rest of 2019, with slow and steady growth. In January of 2020, she came to RETA crying. Barging into my office, she began sharing an experience she had with God over the weekend. She said God told her to remove things from her life. She didn’t verbalize what was to be removed but just said over and over, ‘remove.’ She was broken. I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to ask her if I could share a Scripture and pray with her. She agreed.

I shared John 10:10 and expressed how Satan desired to kill, steal, and destroy her but Christ came to give life to the full. I told her Christ wants to give her freedom and wants a relationship with her. I prayed over her. She wept. She shared about accepting Jesus as her savior many years before, but then walked away later. We continued to meet, walking through what having a relationship with God means.

In June of 2020, she moved away. Sadly, due to COVID-19, I wasn’t able to say good bye. She called recently to touch base and share about her move. Several times she commented about giving God the glory for his provision. She plans to call at least once a month to stay connected. She taught me so much about God’s timing, his plan, provision and love.

by Joni, Client Services Manager

Pregnancy Loss Support Online

I am looking forward to the second half of 2020.  The first half has been a little challenging for most of us but at least for me, it has been a time of growth with technology! (I can use Zoom now!)

Beginning in July, we will have a place to sign up for Pregnancy Loss Support (PLS) on the RETA website. In addition, we will begin offering PLS online through Zoom in a small group format for those preferring less contact. I am very excited to be able to offer the groups online.

If you or someone you know needs help working through their pregnancy loss, please email  me at tonya@retaforlife.com, call (574) 522-3888 or visit the RETA website next month and click the sign up button.

You do not have to walk through your grief alone!!

by Tonya, Pregnancy Loss Support Coordinator

A Load or a Burden?

A popular series for several clients these past few months has been Boundaries with Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. There are fifteen short lessons that cover the basics of how to develop and teach boundaries to our children. 

Some of our moms have commented that no one ever taught them safe and healthy boundaries, so it is difficult knowing how to teach - or even model - boundaries with their own children. One lesson focuses on helping children see themselves as a problem-solvers and not victims. It also focuses on the difference between a load and a burden. 

A burden is an overwhelming problem that can be due to pain or a crisis that we need support to deal with. A load is a normal responsibility we all have such as school, work and chores and we can handle those without support. 

After doing the load/burden lesson with one of our moms who has a teenage son at home, she took it to heart. This mother reflected that her child was being defiant at home and school, was playing the victim card and blaming others for what he needed to take responsibility for. We were able to discuss how she could put this lesson into practice. She mentioned during a later coaching appointment that it was helping and she felt like she was handling his defiance in a healthy way.

This coaching is not only helping parents at home right now, but transforming families for the future!

by Joni, Client Services Manager

From Loss to Life

Last July, just after completing my ultrasound training, I met a young girl who came to the office for an ultrasound. She was nervous but excited. And so was I! After all, this was my first official ultrasound on my own. During the ultrasound, I had to relay the unfortunate news that I was not seeing what I expected to.

Though she should have been 8 weeks along, there was no baby, no heartbeat. She came back the following week for a repeat ultrasound. And sure enough, still no baby, still no heartbeat. For the first time, I had to deliver the sad news that she was likely going to experience a miscarriage. She was devastated.

She confided in me during her first appointment that she had an abortion in her past and felt cursed because of it. She believed in God and now believed he was punishing her. She was sure that losing this baby she wanted was punishment for getting rid of the baby she didn’t want.  

A few days later she called, asking to speak to me specifically because she was miscarrying. It was my day off, but how could I say no? I deeply cared for this girl. So on my day off, as my own children were laughing and playing in the background, I had the opportunity to talk with her about losing her child; to walk with her through her pain and sorrow. I had the opportunity to pray with her and share God’s unconditional love and tell her she was not cursed; she was loved and valued by her creator.

I didn’t hear from her for several months, until recently, when she came back for a pregnancy test and ultrasound. This time, baby is doing great and so is mom! Her situation may not be ideal - she’s unmarried and in between jobs. But guess what? She is interested in mom’s coaching. She keeps coming back. God is working in her life. And we get to be a part of that and support her as she becomes a parent to this beautiful baby.

by Darcy, Nurse/Sonographer

Men Who Are All In

P. and J. started coming to RETA last summer, expecting their first child. As a young couple not long past high school, they had struggled to find consistent employment. They were not sure about how they would handle their future housing needs. P seemed unclear on what his role and responsibility were going to be. J was excited but a little uncertain about motherhood. She told about her difficult childhood but also shared that while her mother was pregnant with her, she got a cancer diagnosis but postponed treatment until J was born.

Not long after enrollment, P found a good job, and he still works there. They found a good apartment, and they have been able to make it a home. They were very faithful to appointments and wise about using their dollars in our Family Store. They prepared for their baby very intentionally and in practical ways. They also talked about preparing emotionally, both for the birth and for their adjustment to parenthood.

Multiple times, I affirmed P’s effort at getting ready for fatherhood and for his commitment to J. She affirmed him especially in contrast to some of their friends, and they both felt very prepared to become parents. “I’m all in” was a great statement from him on one occasion.

Their baby was born, safely and happily in February. They continue to come, in order to increase their parenting knowledge and skills. They are figuring out the best sleeping and waking times. They hope their son will share their love for music and they are clearly in love with this little boy. They express thanks for the items from the store and usually make an effort to tell about any positive developments in their life. It has been a joy to see their relationship strengthen and to watch them become mom and dad together.

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Although we make an effort to build genuine relationships with our clients, we typically do not have much physical contact with them. We want to be respectful about personal space, and do not want them to feel any kind of pressure or have an opportunity to misinterpret our actions.

That said, I often make an effort to shake the hand of a male client, either as they arrive or are about to leave. There is something unique about men shaking hands. This small gesture can indicate respect, equality, camaraderie, and that there is peace between them. Most guys really appreciate a handshake, as many seem to experience little positive touch in their lives.

One day in February, I got a very nice surprise. At the end of two different appointments, the men I had met with reached out and hugged me tight! C was by himself, trying to navigate being a good dad to his young son while also trying to negotiate a rocky relationship with the boy’s mother. D was with his pregnant wife, learning alongside her about the details of pregnancy and preparing for parenthood. As our time wrapped up, I had prayed with both of them. We had talked and I had tried to encourage them. Nothing about either appointment seemed amazing to me, but both of these men could hardly contain their own emotions and expressed some of it with a strong hug. I received their hugs, squeezed back a bit, and probably mumbled some kind of thanks and another word of encouragement.

It was humbling and an honor to receive grace and gratitude from these guys in this way. It felt a little bit like our Heavenly Father saying, Nice job.

by Jeff, Men’s Coaching Manager

A Little Life Saved!

Recently, we had a young woman come into RETA for a pregnancy test. She was living with the father of her oldest child, but was in a new relationship with a different guy. After many years of wanting another child but having difficulty conceiving, she unexpectedly became pregnant. However, instead of having joy and excitement at this news, she was shocked and wanted to have an abortion because she didn’t feel this was a good time to have another child. Her new boyfriend said he would support whatever decision she made.

When she came to RETA, she met with a nurse that talked with her about her options, the impact an abortion decision can have on her life, and the ways RETA was able to offer support for her. At the end of her first appointment, she agreed to schedule an ultrasound for the following week, when we would be able to see her baby’s heart beating. In that week’s time, she fluctuated between the choice of keeping her baby and having an abortion; thankfully, we were able to keep in contact with her through phone calls.

When she came in for her ultrasound, the nurse/sonographer was able to show this mom her baby and the heart beating on the screen! The mom said the ultrasound helped reality set in that she really was pregnant and there was a baby. She was still wrestling with the decisions she faced, and the nurse encouraged her to not rush into any decision and to take time and think about her choices. The nurse was also able to share with this mom the good news of God’s unconditional love for her and her baby, and pray with her.

In the following weeks, the nurses continued to keep in contact with her by phone calls, and the staff continued to pray for this mom and her child’s life. At last, we finally heard back from the mom that she had decided to make the brave choice to choose life for her baby! She was in the process of getting into prenatal care with a doctor. We praise God for this mom’s life-giving choice and for His answered prayers!

by Melody, Administrative Nurse

Courageous Women

In this time of uncertainty our God has made it clear that healing and restoration through Him is still His desire! He is there waiting for us to be ready to cast off what keeps us in bondage so we may draw closer to Him. The Lord has led women to reach out for healing from their past pregnancy loss experiences. We currently have 5 women who have committed to our Abortion Recovery Retreat later this spring and 3 women who would like to participate in an upcoming Pregnancy Loss Group Study. The Holy Spirit has been busy moving and it makes me excited to see all the good that will come in each of these lives as they move forward in the near future. Please pray for these courageous women who have asked for help and for our leadership team as we prepare to be used. We’re so thankful He is in control!

by Tonya, Pregnancy Loss Support Coordinator

Get Ready for the Dinner!

Registration for RETA’s Celebrating Life Benefit Dinner opens on January 13, which is less than 50 days away! We wanted to give you a preview of what the registration process is like so you’ll be ready to go when the time arrives.

There are a couple different ways you can register. Let’s start with the familiar ways.

• If you receive an invitation in the mail, you can fill out the enclosed RSVP card and mail it in to RETA at 300 W. High St., Elkhart, IN 46516 with a check made out to RETA.

• You could also call our office at 574-522-3888 and pay with a credit card.

• OR! You could try our new online registration, where you can see a map of the venue and select your own seats.

To register this way, you’ll visit link.retaforlife.com/dinner, and once January 13 rolls around, you’ll tap Tickets. Then you’ll tap Buy on Map and you’ll see a map of the venue. Any seat that’s green means it’s open and is fair game. You’ll see where you’re seated before you arrive, knowing your table number. By the way, if you visit the website before registration opens, tap Details and you’ll be able to see a venue map with all the seating and where the stage, restrooms, stairs, food lines, etc. are located. There’s also a video on the registration page that walks you through the registration process step-by-step.

Seats are $35/person and tables of 8 are $280. There is a convenience fee for ordering through the website, like going to the movies or a concert.

No matter how you choose to register, it’s very important that you coordinate with your friends/family, especially if you’re a group of individuals that want to sit at the same table or have two tables next to each other. It’s recommended to have one person purchase the tickets to make sure you’re all together and have your friends reimburse you.

Those who register through mail or by calling will receive a phone call from us with their table number so they will know their table number before they arrive the evening of the event. They’ll pass this information along to their guests. If they don’t, the guests will need to know who purchased their ticket.

We have tables reserved for those who have difficulty climbing stairs. If this is you, please call our office to register. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at 574-522-3888.

March 5 is going to be an amazing and powerful evening in Nappanee. We can’t wait to see you there!

Trained for Life

A room full of pastors and volunteers at Sugar Grove Church sat silently for five minutes, while pens scribbled down thoughts, plans and action steps. They’d just finished the first of three sessions during RETA’s Life Training.

RETA staff Tonya, Jeff, Melody and Rod put together our first round of a three-hour seminar on how to speak with those in unplanned pregnancy situations, what’s happening at Planned Parenthood and Whole Woman’s Health locally and how to converse with those who are post-abortive.

“Your first words are the most impactful, “ said Tonya, RETA’s Pregnancy Loss Support Coordinator. It was a reminder to those in attendance that when they are approached by someone in an unplanned pregnancy situation that they need to have the heart of Jesus, balancing truth and love. Attendees learned about how to approach unplanned pregnancy conversations with teenagers, what to do in cases of rape, looking at youth group policies, finding mentors, throwing baby showers and more during the first session.

The pastors and volunteers also learned from Jeff about how laws have left dads out of a lot of the important decisions regarding pregnancy and the unintended consequences of those laws.

“There are 13,500 non-abortion providing women’s health clinics in this country. That’s 20 of those to every one Planned Parenthood,” Rod said. “If Planned Parenthood were gone tomorrow, it truly wouldn’t matter. They do a great job marketing so it would seem like something was missing, but there are lots of other, better options out there for women’s health care. They just don’t market themselves as well.” The second session of the training focused on what’s happening locally with Planned Parenthood and Whole Woman’s Health, what services they provide and what the impact would be if they were to pull out of the community.

The third session focused on having conversations with post-abortive women and men. Tonya and Jeff headed up this portion, speaking about how abortion felt like the only choice for a majority of them and that they felt coerced by misinformation/lack of information from doctors, family or friends. 64% of women who have abortions feel pressured to by someone else. Of that, 79% were not told about alternatives.

We felt compelled to do this training to equip our brothers and sisters to be prepared for hard conversations, to not feel shell-shocked by someone who shares something and to have a plan before a conversation like one of those described above happens. The thread through everything we communicated during the training was the need to balance truth and love, starting with grace, a listening ear and a hug where appropriate.

We plan to do another training, open to any of our supporting churches’ congregants early next year. Be on the lookout for that!

Shocked Into Action

We’ve mentioned our Healthy Sexual Boundaries Education program before in previous posts, speaking about what we do, what students learn and what they walk away with. This past month, RETA staff Jeff and Joni were at Concord Junior High School and experienced a shocking moment with a student.

During the presentation, Joni called five male students and one female student volunteers. The guys line up on the side of an aisle runner, each representing a different relationship for the female volunteer who holds a rose. Each male student takes petals off the rose as a representation of the female giving parts of herself away - first emotionally with the first couple guys, then eventually physically. As the female approaches the last guy in line, who represents the man she’ll marry, she’s carrying what’s left of her rose. She could have an STD, a previous abortion or a child from a previous relationship that she’s going to have to talk through with the man she wants to marry. The students learn how difficult those conversations can be. This isn’t done in a condemning way, but as a way to help students think through how their current choices impact their futures.

Joni has done this presentation several times, but this particular time a student said something that hasn’t been said before. Joni mentioned that an unplanned pregnancy happened with guy number four in line and that this would be something that could impact her relationship with guy number five. While she’s saying this, the fourth male shouts, “Abort! Abort! Not keeping it. No way.” Joni did a great job of continuing on with her presentation, but circling back to the student’s comment. She shared about what we experience at RETA, with those who have made abortion decisions and the guilt and shame that come with those decisions years down the road, our staff having worked with several women and men whose abortions have impacted everything in their lives since that moment - ruining marriages, relationships and jobs.

The thoughtless response of the student was shocking, but it was a reminder of how important education about life is. Especially in our homes. Parents, we must have frank, open and honest dialogue with our children about the choices we made growing up, good and bad and help them set boundaries. We must teach them the value of life, the gift that it is, from conception to the grave. We need to advocate for pre-born children, support families in need, treating them with dignity and respect, and to show the grace of Jesus Christ to others, as we all hurt ourselves and others through our poor choices.

Sexual Risk Avoidance at School

“65 million Americans have an incurable STD…” Pencils scribble down the stat.

RETA team members Jeff and Joni recently taught sexual risk avoidance - a much longer way of saying abstinence - through our Healthy Sexual Boundaries Ed. (or HSBE) at Elkhart Memorial High School. HSBE is the preventative wing of RETA’s services. If we’re able to help youth think about where they want to be in 10-15 years and think through their sexual decisions and how those decisions impact their desired life outcomes, we’re better able to make the case for abstinence and help the students avoid the need for some of our services in the future.

At the end of the 90-minute interactive lesson, students developed their own boundaries to help them avoid sexual risks. Some students wrote that they would wait to have sex until they were married. Others were more specific with their boundaries - “I won’t have my boyfriend over when I know my parents won’t be home.” Having a clear, communicated boundary with accountability is the key to living them out and will help the students reach their preferred future outcomes - without STDs or unplanned pregnancies.

RETA is privileged to partner with local schools, supplementing their sex education, by teaching abstinence.

Pregnancy Loss Candlelighting

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. It’s a month dedicated to those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth and early infant loss to honor the lives of their children. These painful experiences are far too common, yet still not widely talked about.

Parents who experience this loss feel a gamut of emotions beyond grieving their child. They may withdraw from pregnant friends, especially those who shared similar due dates. And baby showers might be out of the question. They may opt out of friends’ kids’ birthday parties. Not because they suddenly stopped being friends. Not because they aren’t celebrating their friends’ milestones. But because each of those things reminds them of their precious baby they can’t hold and celebrate with and it’s too much to bear.

We do ultrasounds for a lot of parents at RETA. We don’t always have good news to share with those parents who are excited to see their baby. “I’m sorry, there’s no heartbeat,” are words that shatter their world. Hopes and expectations are dashed. The direction their lives were headed was violently set in a new trajectory.

Nearly two years ago, this is why we started Pregnancy Loss Support - to come alongside these grieving parents and let them know that God is still good and faithful and that he will see them through their journey of grief. In mid-October, we held a Pregnancy Loss Candlelighting event at RETA to honor the children we’ve lost too soon, writing their name and a note to them.

As a dad who’s experienced losing his daughter at 38 weeks, there is nothing sweeter than hearing your child’s name as a beautiful reminder that they graced this planet, if even for a moment. I’m so thankful I’ll have the chance to see her again in heaven when my light goes out here.

Nurses in Joplin, MO

RETA nurses Melody, Darcy and Kim recently headed to Joplin, MO to learn about implementing new types of STD testing.

The training, put on by the staff at Life Choices Health Network, included medical room procedure, how STD appointments flow, how to create appropriate medical forms for these appointment, and how to integrate a spiritual discussion in the appointment. They learned about the charting process, protocols and policies, OSHA/safety issues, and following HIPAA regulations. They also went over each STD, how to test for it, how to treat it, and how to determine which tests are appropriate for each patient. The training also touched on how to market an STD program to board members, supporters, and the community; including different advertising strategies and budget proposals.

The information learned will allow us to better serve clients in their current life situations, instead of waiting until they become pregnant. We can form relationships with them before they ever have a crisis/unplanned pregnancy, so when/if that does happen, we are their first choice for care. We can provide them with quality medical care through all stages of life. We can also serve more males with these services, reaching more fathers and impacting more families.

STD Testing for Men Begins

RETA’s new STD testing and treatment program began in mid-June for women at our office and on our mobile unit. The plan from the beginning has been to eventually serve men as well and to expand to other STDs.

Starting at the beginning of the month, we stepped forward in one of those areas by beginning testing for men. There were a lot of logistics we needed to work through, from thinking through our nurses’ safety if we did male STD testing on our mobile unit to what male volunteers would we need to begin the service.

Here’s where we landed.

Starting Wednesdays in September at our office, Jeff, our Men’s Coaching Manager, served alongside one of our nurses, acting as a client advocate. The nurse performs the test and Jeff is able to talk with the client about their relationships, sexual risk avoidance and lifestyle changes. The client will then come back in a week for the results of their test. Jeff is temporarily stepping into this role until it has been clarified enough for volunteers to be trained.

Speaking of volunteers - we’ll be looking for at least two men who would be willing to come in twice a month on Wednesdays from 2-5 p.m. as male client advocates to do what Jeff has been doing. You’ll receive training from Jeff and a nurse. We’d like to find our volunteers by mid-October to early November. Please contact at our office at 574-522-3888 if you’re interested.

Hope In the Midst of Hard News

Two weeks ago, the remains of 2,246 preborn babies were discovered in the home of the deceased abortionist, Ulrich “George” Klopfer. (Click here to read the full story.)

These last two weeks have opened up deep wounds for many of the women who had abortions at Women’s Pavilion in South Bend, where George practiced. (Click here to read one of those women’s stories.) Some of those women had previously found freedom, forgiveness and healing in Jesus Christ through programs like RETA’s Abortion Recovery Support. Others are reaching out right now because this situation has taken them back to that moment in their lives and brought back the trauma, causing them to see the need to find healing.

If you've been directly impacted by the news about Dr. Ulrich George Klopfer and you're struggling, please know that we are here for you and you can reach out to us confidentially at 574-522-3888.

Life Training for Church Leaders

In late June, RETA Advancement Director Rod, started feeling there was a need to provide training for our local pastors and church leaders (and eventually whole congregations) dealing with pro-life issues - how to speak with those in unplanned pregnancy situations, post-abortive women and men, about what’s happening at Planned Parenthood and Whole Woman’s Health and how to reply to common pro-abortion talking points. Over the next month, three separate people approached Rod, asking if RETA provided such a training. (All right, God. I get it.)

After gauging interest from our supporting churches, RETA staff members Roxana, Jeff, Tonya, Melody and Rod sat down to work through what such a training could look like. They then mapped it out and reached out to local churches to invite their leaders and spouses to attend the training, which is scheduled later this fall.

We believe that through the training, church leaders and spouses will come away equipped and confident about dealing with pro-life issues with their congregants. It’s so important that they know how to communicate effectively in these scenarios and when/how to make a positive hand-off to an organization like RETA.

Our goal is to refine the training and open it up to more people. Eventually, we’d like to create an 8-week small group curriculum for churches to be able to use to equip their members. Please pray for wisdom and great attendance as we proceed. Also, if you’re a church leader reading this and you’re interested in attending, please call our office at 574-522-3888 and ask for Rod.

2020 Celebrating Life Benefit Dinner Preview

Planning is well under way for RETA’s 2020 Celebrating Life Benefit Dinner presented by The Norris Estate, which will be held on March 5, 2020. We have some great updates planned for the event.

Our venue has moved from the northeast side of Elkhart County to the southwest side. We’ll have the event at Sammlung Platz in Nappanee. Attendees will all be in the same space, some on the balcony and most on the main level.

With the new venue, we’re also going to have a streamlined registration process. For those tech savvy individuals, you’ll be able to choose your own seat online, that way you’ll already know your table number and where your table is when you arrive. For those who would like to call our office to register, we’ll be able to select your table for you. All you’ll do when you show up that evening is drop your ticket off (if you registered online) or share your name (for those without a printed ticket) with one of the greeters who will help point you in the right direction of your table.

We know you’ve been waiting to hear who the keynote is for the 2020 Dinner. Meet Kristan Hawkins.

Kristan Hawkins has always been a passionate advocate for the unborn. She is a Christian, wife, mother, activist, author and speaker. She was hired in 2006 to launch Students for Life of America’s full-time operation, to transform culture by recruiting, training and mobilizing the pro-life generation. Since then she has taken a dozen student groups scattered around the nation, and has helped multiply that number to over 1,200 organized Students for Life chapters in all fifty states. Kristan has also served as a presidential appointee at the Department of Health and Human Services and as a presidential advisor. She’s been featured on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, The Today Show, CBS, ABC and HBO.

We would also add that Kristan is fantastic in a debate format as well. After Kristan shares her message during the evening, the emcee will ask her to respond to some of the most pressing questions we face as a nation. It’s going to be an amazing evening.

Registration will open mid-January online at link.retaforlife.com/dinner. If you’re interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rod at RETA at 574-522-3888.

Mothers' Club Kicks Off a New Year

RETA’s Mothers’ Club kicked off the 2019-2020 school year this week. Mothers’ Club leader Brandi took some time to introduce herself and lay the ground work for what the year would look like. Following that, the ladies enjoyed a game where they shared more about themselves, including something the others present might not know. One participant shared she’d placed in the top 3 in an international cooking competition when she was younger! Amidst the talking and laughs, there was a great sense of camaraderie. The months ahead are going to be a blast with guest speakers, crafts and cooking.

While the moms got to know each other, their kids had fun, playing games and eating snacks in the childrens’ area, headed up by RETA staff member Rhonda.

RETA's Mothers' Club, a community group for moms with free childcare for infants through pre-k, meets Thursdays weekly during the school year from 9:30-11a at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart.

The Crazy Fun Mothers' Club Picnic

RETA's Mothers' Club Picnic took place this week at Twin Branch Park in Mishawaka and it was a blast! The ladies had fun playing games, while their children played on the splash pad and jumped around the bounce house. Mothers’ Club’s leader, Brandi, planned several fun activities for the moms, including a game where the moms, as a team, had to carry a hula hoop using only their index fingers to the finish line. After the games, the moms and their children got to enjoy some delicious grilled food.

Mothers' Club is a free community group for moms to get together to laugh and learn. It meets Thursdays from 9:30-11a.m. at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart during the school year. Free childcare is provided for infants through pre-k. There's no registration required. Mothers' Club kicks off on August 22.