Our Vision of Hope
This vision has come about following a long journey for us both. Twenty five years ago I (Sarah) was made aware that conceiving a baby in the future could be problematic. Later when I met and married Andy, we had almost thirteen years of seemingly endless doctors appointments, tests (some at times mortifying and embarrassing), various results, hospital visits, research, prayer, consideration, mind-changing, hopes, dreams, “almosts”, disappointments, highs, lows, and everything else in-between, as we continued to hope, trust, pray, wait and try for a baby.
Knowing first hand the pain and also the loneliness that infertility can bring, we have for many years been passionate to use our own experience to encourage others who are navigating a similar experience to us. We had always envisaged that we would do something once we had our ‘happy ending’ and resolution to our heartbreak, however we felt prompted to start The Rhythm of Hope ministry in the midst of our own fertility journey whilst it was still very real and current for us.
During each of these events, as we have gathered together we have worshipped, prayed, talked, learned, laughed, cried a little and eaten a lot! And because of The Rhythm of Hope events, our hearts and minds have been enlarged. By the end of the day as the last candles are blown out, and any leftover home baking is generously distributed, so many of our guests have left smiling, laughing, looking lighter, and more peaceful. More-so they left with hope renewed – not necessarily a hope that the long-awaited baby will materialise (although that of course remains our prayer), but a confident and assured hope that whatever the future brings, life, faith and love will be stronger. The countless testimonies that we have received have been so moving, encouraging and reassuring that this fairly new ministry is for such a time as this, and for each of you.
“Once again we really want to throw open the invitation to everyone, whether you are coming as a first timer, or returning for the second, third, fourth, fifth or event sixth time – you are so welcome! We come to you humbly, with understanding of the pain you are experiencing as you wait for children.”
The eagle eyed among you who are doing the dates-maths, may notice or have been made aware that we ‘paused’ in hosting the Rhythm of Hope in January 2019. We had a change in the direction of our own story, which we did write to all our previous Rhythm of Hope friends and guests to update them on at the time.
In the Summer of 2018 we embarked upon what we had decided firmly would be our last attempt at fertility treatment and indeed the end of our journey in trying for a baby or children by any means. This was a very difficult and stressful time for us both, and having lost two transferred embryos in the Autumn of 2017, our hopes and expectations were at an all time low.
We felt we needed to be able to draw a line under our long journey and move on into new beginnings, with new dreams. To our absolute surprise and amazement the treatment was for the first time successful, and we celebrated the birth of our son, Ezra, in Autumn 2018 (7 weeks early). We knew it would be inappropriate to lead the event whilst pregnant, hence pausing for a year. We also wanted to humbly seek God as to whether we felt it appropriate for us to continue leading this retreat day for you. After much prayerful consideration, and following conversations with trusted pastoral advisors, we do feel it is right to continue leading and hosting the Rhythm of Hope.
“We sincerely hope and pray that our own story will not dissuade, wound or discourage you, but instead speak of hope, as we have always intended.”
Wonderful as he is, this is by no means about Ezra, or “happily ever after” endings. It has been and always will be about Jesus. How He met us in the waiting. We have a much bigger message to share, and we hope and pray that our experiences over 20 years of fertility struggles will remain just as relevant and helpful to you all. We as always will ensure our speakers represent many different outcomes on this journey – not all of us have children, some are still trying and others have decided to stop trying.
So in summary,
Jesus never promised to give ‘a hope and a baby’, but he did promise each of us a ‘hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29.11). Our heart for the day is that you “come and be encouraged to journey well, regardless of the outcome”.
That may sound difficult to achieve, but our experience is that God is good, kind, faithful, loving and trustworthy, even when things do not go as we had most hoped or planned, and when we are left with questions, and hope deferred. We also know that our “miracle” can come in many forms and in the most surprising and beautiful of ways.
We truly hope that as a result of this retreat day we can all see Him again for who He is; not what He can, or may, or may not do, but just HIM. There is a lot of peace, healing and perspective to be found in His presence, so we will be praying that He comes and does what He intends to in each of our hearts, lives, bodies, marriages and souls.
There is a seat with your name on it, and we can’t wait to see you there!
