Dear Friend of Life:
As many of you know, our organization is blessed and supported by many Program Advisors — leaders from all walks of life in Christ from across the pro-life movement who pray for, bless and inform our Sidewalk Advocacy program and organization. We have drawn from their experience and expertise many times this first year, and we are forever grateful for their continuing, life-saving contribution!
One of our dear Program Advisors, Former Planned Parenthood Manager Ramona Treviño, recently released a brand new tell-all book, “Redeemed by Grace,” detailing her experience as a manager of a so-called Planned Parenthood “family planning facility” and her subsequent, grace-filled journey out of the abortion-referral business.
Opportunities to learn more about the inner-workings of America’s largest abortion chain don’t come often — and neither do amazing stories of personal transformation such as this! Believe me when I say that this book helps us better understand how these non-abortion facilities serve to feed Planned Parenthood’s abortion-bottom line. And not only that, but we get a rare glimpse into someone’s incredible journey from the culture of death into the culture of life.
I hope that you’ll take a moment to order this amazing story — and spread the word so that more people learn the truth about Planned Parenthood. Here’s the link to learn more and place an order: http://www.
Meanwhile, here’s a word from Ramona, herself…
It’s a peculiar thing to see oneself on the cover of a book. When “Redeemed by Grace” came out this February, I must be honest, it was hard to look at. “Is this really happening?” I said to myself over and over. After all, my very personal story was all there in print, staring at me underneath the beautiful blue hardcover, and there was no turning back. So, why tell this story if it’s so personal? Why share such personal details about my life in a book?
Allow me to begin with the “why.” In less than a month, I’ll be celebrating four years since I took a leap of faith and walked out of Planned Parenthood. On May 6, 2011, I walked away from my job of three years managing a non-abortion facility in Sherman, Texas. When I left Planned Parenthood, I never imagined that I would become a stay-at-home mom, let alone a public speaker and now… author?
First, it’s important to know that I never left Planned Parenthood thinking I would become a public speaker and write a book. NO WAY! I left Planned Parenthood with the intention of moving on with my life. But God had other plans for me. I was given a few opportunities to speak, and I accepted those. I almost felt pushed by the Holy Spirit to do so. It was as if God was saying, “You really need to share this story.” So I did.
Then, people approached me and asked if I was going to write a book. I said no. NO WAY! But, obviously, again, God had other plans. After much prayer, discernment and seeking advice from both my spiritual director and my dear friend, Lauren Muzyka, I had come to the conclusion that maybe God really did want me to share this story by way of a book.
The simplest answer to the “why” write this book question is this: I did it for God. Whenever I found myself trying to run away from the public speaking, the interviews, the book, the voice of God was always whispering, “Point others to ME.” In response to that, I always caught myself saying, “I’m afraid. I’m not worthy. I’m not smart enough. I’m not capable. But I do love you. I do want to glorify you.” God would whisper back, “Trust in Me.” It became very clear that God wanted this story to be told.
With the help, hard work and dedication of Lauren Muzyka, I was on my way to publishing a book. She helped get me connected to the writer of “Redeemed by Grace,” Roxane Salonen. Roxane, who is now one of my dearest friends, wrote my story and helped bring it to life. When Ignatius Press made us an offer to publish it almost immediately after reading the transcript, it only confirmed that this was, indeed, God’s nudging.
So why share such a personal story? My answer is simple. I share it to point people to Christ. It wasn’t until leaving Planned Parenthood that I began to take a much deeper look inside myself. I began to see the brokenness and past hurts I had been harboring for most of my life. By revisiting some of that pain and brokenness, I was able to mend some of the wounds that were still oozing throughout my soul — like an infection left untreated. The only person who could heal those wounds was Christ, and Christ couldn’t heal them until I acknowledged they were there.
Forced to face both my past and my present, I was finally able to find peace in a loving and merciful God. My hope is that by sharing my own painful and very personal story, others will be able to take a closer look inside themselves, search for healing and discover the healing power of God, too. When people flip through the pages of my life, I hope it becomes apparent that I wrote this for God. I did it for life. I did it for love.
Ramona Treviño
Former Planned Parenthood Manager
Pro-Life Author and Speaker
Program Advisor, Sidewalk Advocates for Life
http://www.
We invite you to also listen to a personal Q&A session with Ramona (available Saturday, April 25) through another servant in the movement — go to this link to check it out!
Blessings,
Lauren Muzyka
Executive Director
Sidewalk Advocates for Life
