Joanne was so lovely and warm and caring in her email and responded in a very kind and reassuring way. She was so gentle, so I thought I would go for just one evening and see how it turned out. I didn’t look back.

All the ladies on the course helping us were so warm and loving, they all made us feel so safe and in supporting us, it was like a big hug. It was such a peaceful environment and away in a lovely room, also it was very discreet.

I really have never felt so nurtured, so emotionally safe to express myself.

It was not easy as I had a lot of hurt, being in the course dug up a lot of issues that I had forgotten about.

Each evening we had an amazing dinner, we listened to the talk, had a break with teas, coffees and cake and then went on to open up and talk about how we felt. Through crying, laughing, all the emotions I had felt, I was slowly emerging free from this, feeling loved and forgiven, a stronger woman.

It was an inspiring, beautiful, revealing and cleansing journey of our issues. An amazing journey with some incredible women. I was so proud of myself of what I had accomplished from this.

Every time I came into the room, it was as if the room was being touched by God and was so calming and loving. It was like being hugged with unconditional love, every week. There was no judgment, no critical words, no condemning.

Towards the end I really did not want to finish. The course was perfect and every woman who has had am abortion should really think about doing this course when ready.

It really will set you free.

Becky (aged25)

I had an abortion at the age of 20. Sixteen years later I found myself still suffering with the effects it had on my life.

For many years I kept it secret. I suppressed my emotions and lived with a great deal of emotional pain that eventually also made me physically ill.

I was led to a post-abortion healing course at Holy Trinity Brompton in London, but I didn’t think I needed to do a course. I thought I had already repented and received God’s forgiveness, and I believed that my pain was the incurable consequence of the choice I had made. I thought I would just have to live with it. I had been living in pain for so long that it had become my identity.

Eventually, I decided to give the course a go and registered on the day it started. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I discovered that I was not alone and that many women go through very similar experiences after their abortions. I also discovered that what I was going through has a name; I was suffering with ‘Post-Abortion Stress’.

During the course, we were encouraged to identify and face our emotions. The leaders were extremely supportive, patient and understanding, creating a welcoming and genuinely caring atmosphere.

I decided to give it all I had, as I had nothing else to lose. I diligently followed all the instructions, doing my homework and writing out and meditating on the recommended Bible verses.

During the course I allowed my bottled up emotions to come to the surface. I found that it was necessary to identify each emotion to deal with it. The old wound was opened up; sometimes this was very painful, but in my darkest hour I cried out to Jesus and he answered through a series of powerful personal revelations of what he had done, who he is and who I am in him.

I have come to know him deeply – I understood his heart for me – and learned my value and who he made me to be. I have been able to deal with the biggest issue I faced – my inability to forgive myself.

I have now forgiven myself and learned the need of abiding in him and his presence. I have been set free and healed from my pain.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour” (Luke 4:18–19).

I believe that complete restoration is possible and that God’s desire is for his church to be set free and restored to walk in his presence. Through knowing who he made us to be, we can do the work that he has prepared for us to do from the beginning of time.