From the editors: WAVE Jasmine Wilson is doing some life-changing work for San Diego mothers experiencing unplanned, unwanted pregnancies. Betty called it “absolutely awesome” and said it was “a wonderful example of Christ’s love”. She sees it as an example of how as local WAVES chapters are formed they can identify and lovingly serve the needs they feel drawn to in their own communities. “This is truly a wonderful example of what can be done to help others. It is my prayer to see the WAVES join helping hands and aid others in every conceivable way.” Here is Jasmine’s story…

I am humbled and honored to write about a project my friends and I are engaged in. I am especially grateful for this opportunity, as what I describe is not merely a hobby or an interest; rather, it is my absolute passion and the best thing I have ever done.

For several years I made extravagant baby baskets overflowing with the most beautiful, appealing items I could find. In each I enclosed a handwritten card that said, “Welcome to the world, precious child. God loves you more than you could ever possibly imagine.” I gave them to battered and homeless women to show love and to encourage them to nurture and cherish their precious little ones.

Where I live, in San Diego, CA, there is a group of ten pro-life pregnancy clinics called Birth Choice. Birth Choice provides “options counseling” for women experiencing unplanned pregnancies. The volunteer counselors show their clients unconditional love and help them gather the courage to choose life for their baby. They help many women see that, though their circumstances seem difficult, having their child is very “do-able.” Nevertheless, they do “lose” some who, even after counseling, decide to abort.

In August 2004 I was inspired: Why not give the baskets to Birth Choice instead? I discussed the idea with the director, Kim, and we decided to try it.

Kim gave out the first basket on September 1, 2004, to a woman who was five months pregnant with a baby boy. I received a life-changing email from Kim that night:

Dear Jasmine,

We gave out our first basket this evening. It was for a woman who is several months pregnant, and was seriously considering abortion. We spoke with her a couple of weeks ago, and we have been very uncertain as to what she was going to decide. She was still leaning toward abortion. Our counselor called her tonight, and asked her to come in- because we just knew we needed to give her a basket.

She was overwhelmed with the basket, and kept repeating over and over, “you don’t know what this means to me, you don’t know what this means to me.” This basket made a huge difference in how she feels. Our volunteer was able to share with her about the love and care and concern that is behind the basket. This basket made a difference, Jasmine. It really did. This basket spoke to her heart about the perfect love that casts out fear. We are so EXCITED!

We praise God for what happened, and we thank you…. God is honoring your intent, passion and care that is in each basket. He showed us this tonight, with the response that your basket brought. The pregnancy that seemed impossible to her is now a baby that can be do-able!

What a blessing!!!!!
Kim

The woman’s son was born in November 2004. Since then I have created dozens of baskets for 10 different centers, all of which received a similar response.

Many friends and supporters, including board members, are helping me, and our first priority is to expand. Thus, we are forming a nonprofit organization called Baskets of Love. The handwritten card is now addressed to “Precious mother & baby-to-be” from “Twelve women who care about you.”

There are many ways to support the incredible work that the pro-life centers do: financially, as a volunteer, or through prayer support. Contact me at Jasminewilson8@aol.com to become more directly involved, or look up pro-life pregnancy centers near you at www.optionline.org. All offer opportunities to counsel abortion-vulnerable women.

Thank you for allowing me to tell the story of Baskets of Love. It is my dream that one day they will touch thousands of lives across America.

Each woman who has received one of Jasmine’s Baskets of Love has opted to choose life for her baby! That is the miraculous power of God’s love in action.