Terri Palmquist and Esther Boozer of LifeSavers Ministries welcome Lori and her children to the 'Hawaiian Gardens' home.

Many years ago, Terri Palmquist envisioned a new kind of housing ministry for needy pregnant women. Over the past few weeks, doors have begun to open to help bring that vision closer to reality.

While seeking housing arrangements for a client (“Lori,” whose baby was saved during 40 Days for Life), Terri learned that the property she had been hoping to use for housing pregnant women is now available. After working out some logistics with the property owner, Terri began informing some LifeSavers Ministries volunteers of the need. Arrangements were quickly made for property cleanup, repairs, and helping Lori move in. Terri has dubbed the facility “Hawaiian Gardens.” Lori moves in today!

Like other aspects of LifeSavers Ministries efforts, Hawaiian Gardens will not require a paid staff. (The Palmquists receive financial support through a separate organization, Glorify Jesus Ministries.) However, LifeSavers Ministries will need to cover some expenses for repairs and housing costs.

After the closure of Bakersfield’s two maternity homes (St. Gianna’s Home and St. Faustina’s Home), finding housing for local pregnant women became more challenging. Sometimes women have been willing to go to His Nesting Place Maternity Home in Long Beach, when room has been available there (one LifeSavers Ministries client is currently living at His Nesting Place).

Many times over the past several years, Terri has asked the leaders of His Nesting Place, Pastor Al and Judy Howard, to consider opening a home in Bakersfield.

In an effort to find more help for local pregnant women, Grace Madruga contacted His Nesting Place again last week. As a result, the Howards traveled to Bakersfield last week to look at the building which formerly housed St. Gianna’s Maternity Home.

This coming Thursday, the Howards and the board of His Nesting Place will again travel to Bakersfield for a prayer time with local individuals who are interested in helping to see His Nesting Place open a Bakersfield maternity home. For more information, please contact Grace Madruga at 587-1257.

These two efforts (“Hawaiian Gardens” and the possible His Nesting Place Bakersfield facility) each have a distinct vision and each will have an important role in providing assistance to local pregnant women. “We don’t see these these two ministries as competing with each other, but complementing each other,” Terri said.