“You read what others had done, and you took the next step. You didn’t earn the knowledge for yourselves, so you don’t take any responsibility for it. You stood on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as you could…You were so preoccupied with whether you could that you didn’t stop to think if you should.” – Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum) in the movie Jurassic Park

Hard to imagine that we could learn a valuable lesson about mobile ultrasound and mobile pregnancy center ministry from Jurassic Park. These simple lines from a movie about dinosaurs ought to cause a pregnancy center or ministry to pause and ask serious questions before diving into the work of mobile ministry.

Just because you could deploy a mobile pregnancy center, doesn’t mean that you should. You have to do a God check and then you have to do a reality check about both the equipment and the operations of a ministry such as this.

In a series of three posts we will look at the God check and the reality checks. Though it may seem odd, today we are going to start with the reality check on the equipment.

Based on the title of this post, you may have come here looking for guidance on how to convert an RV into a mobile pregnancy center. We apologize if the title is a bit misleading but the reality is that you really shouldn’t convert an RV, bus or shuttle for mobile pregnancy center ministry. Let us explain.

When centers or ministries jump head-first into mobile pregnancy center ministry because so many are looking at it with googly-eyes, seeing the benefits and effectiveness pf the most innovative tool in the crisis pregnancy help movement since the ultrasound machine, they are only thinking about the could. By holding back, , praying, becoming educated, listening, observing, doing due diligence, praying more and making sure the vehicle itself is equipped for compliance and success, they are then thinking more about the should.

If you are a pregnancy center or ministry who feels called to GO mobile, meaning you want to equip a vehicle or RV to function as a mobile ultrasound or mobile pregnancy center, it might seem most cost and resource efficient to acquire a used vehicle and convert or retrofit it for service. This is especially true when a donor or well intentioned individual wants to donate a used vehicle or RV.

However, conversion comes with compliance, structural integrity  and possibly legal challenges. There are three agencies involved in setting standards as to the road readiness and compliance of vehicles such as this. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), United States Department of Transportation (USDT) and in the case of an RV the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). In the interest of brevity, and to give attention to the most significant challenge of conversion, we will focus on the NHTSA.

Among many other things, the NHTSA establishes the standards for weight and weight distribution of a vehicle in two main categories: the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GAWR is the weight value specified by the chassis manufacturer as the load carrying capacity of a single axle system, as measured at the tire/ground interface. In layman’s terms, this is the amount of weight one axle (a vehicle has two) can carry safely and legally. The GVWR is the maximum permissable loaded weight of the entire vehicle.

The GAWR (axles) is probably the most important issue when it comes to using a vehicle for mobile pregnancy center ministry. In a standard RV, for example, the bed is built using press board plywood that is glued and screwed together in a hollow box. A mattress is placed on top and an RV bed is made. Combined these materials weigh, at most, 100 pounds. An exam table typically weighs between 250 and 350 pounds. Do you see the problem here?

A standard RV, bus or shuttle build is not designed to support this kind of weight across the rear axles and struts. Removing the bed and installing an exam table requires the axle, floor and rear struts to bear more weight than they are designed to carry. Additionally, that weight may not be distributed properly across the axle. The GVWR is likely not being adhered to and the structural integrity, thus the safety, of the vehicle is probably compromised. Now, add in a 140 pound ultrasound machine and the other equipment needed in an exam room of a mobile ultrasound/pregnancy center clinic and the risk to safety and structural integrity only increase.

Converting an RV, bus or shuttle is asking the vehicle to function and be used for something for which it was not intended. Structural integrity, and in the case of the GAWR, becomes compromised. We recently heard a story from a pregnancy center who converted an RV for mobile pregnancy center use. While driving down the road the rear axle gave way and the rear end of the vehicle literally went to the road. Fortunately, no one was hurt but the cost to tow and repair was enormous.

Additionally, modifying, converting or retrofitting a vehicle often makes it uninsurable and, if the vehicle is new, voids warranties. Often an insurance company will write a policy on a vehicle such as this but, if it is involved in an accident, will not likely pay a claim when they learn the vehicle has been modified. If it falls outside of NHTSA or any other governing body guidelines then a claim will most definitely not be paid. We have fielded calls from pregnancy centers who have experienced this as well.

As the pioneer of the mobile ultrasound and mobile pregnancy center concept, early on in the ministry of ICU Mobile, we converted and retrofitted RV’s. We discovered this was not safe or compliant and set out to research and solve the problem. We listened, learned and then executed a solution. The solution is to have equipment and vehicles custom engineeered, designed and built by a manufacturer specifically for mobile pregnancy center ministry and exclusively for ICU Mobile. As a non-profit ministry committed to doing things at a high level of excellence, not to mention the pioneers of this concept, we know we have a responsibility to take the lead in providing an affordable turnkey solution to pregnancy centers and ministries. This turnkey solution removes the guesswork about the equipment and puts them in vehicles that are safe, legal and compliant.

Today, ICU Mobile vehicles meet the standards set by the NHTSA and other governing agencies. The vehicles we provide are fully warrantied, compliant and insurable. Additionally, we provide many technical customizations and upgrades very specific to mobile pregnancy center use so that those who join our Fleet have the best equipment available at an affordable price so they may execute efficiently and effectively. ICU Mobile has the only vehicle in the world that is engineered, designed and manufactured specifically for mobile pregnancy center and mobile ultrasound ministry.

Mobile pregnancy center ministry is one of the most innovative and effective ways to reach women in crisis. It may be the most innovative and effective tool since the ultrasound machine. A mobile ultrasound vehicle enables pregnancy centers and ministries to go to rather than wait for women in crisis and bring them important information and medical services they need to make an informed decision. Prayerfully, we hope this leads them to a life affirming decision. Of the abortion determined and abortion minded women who get service aboard mobiles in our fleet, 87.8% will change their mind and choose life. For these reasons, and many more, going mobile is becoming very popular amongst life affirming pregnancy centers and ministries.

However, before diving into this work, it would be wise to heed the advice from Jurassic Park – Don’t become so preoccupied with whether you could retrofit or convert a used or new RV, bus or shuttle that you don’t stop to ask if you should.

If you are a pregnancy center considering mobile pregnancy center ministry, if you feel called to go to abortion minded women with a mobile ultrasound vehicle, we would love to pray with you and discuss how you can become a member of the ICU Mobile Fleet. Click to learn more or email us at gomobile@icumobile.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  
Michael Homula
Executive Director
(330) 745-4170
michael@icumobile.org
www.icumobile.org

Akron, Ohio April 25, 2012

ICU Mobile (icumobile.org), the pioneer and leader of mobile pregnancy center ministry, continues to grow its global fleet of life saving mobile pregnancy center/ultrasound vehicles. Founded in 2003, ICU Mobile provides a full turnkey mobile ultrasound solution for crisis pregnancy centers and other life affirming ministries that enables them to go to, rather than wait for, women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Beginning in late April, ICU Mobile will deploy 12 more Mobile pregnancy centers before the end of the year.

“The growth of our fleet of life-saving Mobile ultrasound vehicles has truly been extraordinary”, says Michael Homula, Executive Director of ICU Mobile. “Our April Huntsville deployment will be followed in May with a Mobile in Memphis. Dallas will deploy in June and Minneapolis will deploy in July. This growth is tremendous and while our team is working hard to grow and support the fleet, all the credit really goes to the Lord. Our mobile pregnancy centers bring free pregnancy testing and ultrasound services directly to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Throughout our Fleet, 87.8% of women considering abortion change their mind and choose life.”

The ministry is also committed to sharing the Gospel with the women and their support people who come for services and 39.8% of those who hear the Gospel on an ICU Mobile will make a first time decision to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

ICU Mobile provides the only vehicle of its kind specifically built for mobile pregnancy center ministry, nine years of experience in this ministry space and a world class training and consulting program to help life affirming ministries and crisis pregnancy centers to deploy safely, efficiently and effectively.

The fleet has 28 Fleet Affiliates throughout the United States and one international affiliate in Ghana which hopes to deploy next fall. Currently, over 90 crisis pregnancy centers and life affirming ministries in the US and around the world are in conversation with the mobile pregnancy center pioneer regarding deployment of a vehicle in their community.

Memphis, Tennessee deploys the next mobile in May. “We are excited about how the Lord will use a mobile ultrasound vehicle to serve the women and unborn of Memphis.” said Cathy Waterbury, Executive Director of Confidential Care for Women. “We will join forces with ICU Mobile to bring the most innovative and effective pregnancy care ministry to Memphis and surrounding areas. Together we can make a greater impact for LIFE.”

Note to Media: Images of an ICU Mobile vehicle are available upon request.

About ICU Mobile
ICU Mobile (pronounced I See You), founded in 2003, is the pioneer and leader of mobile pregnancy center ministry. They exist to establish and support a global fleet of mobile ultrasound vehicles in partnership with crisis pregnancy centers to extend their reach; going to women rather than waiting for them. The mobile pregnancy centers serve women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy so they may have an opportunity to receive a free limited obstetrical ultrasound to verify pregnancy and see their unborn child in order to make a fully informed decision. ICU Mobile is committed to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ through the good news of the Gospel with those they serve.

The ICU Mobile Fleet currently numbers 28 affiliates in 18 states with 1 project underway globally.

The ICU Mobile global mission’s office is located at 2569 Romig Road, Suite 303, Akron, Ohio 44320.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Michael Homula, Executive Director, ICU Mobile – 330-745-4170

Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center (BRPC) of Lynchburg, Virginia has partnered with ICU Mobile, the pioneer and leader of mobile pregnancy center ministry, to bring mobile ultrasound services to the women of Central Virginia.  Mobile ultrasound is the next service offering in BRPC’s comprehensive effort to serve women facing an unplanned pregnancy by going to where they are with a free limited obstetrical ultrasound to verify pregnancy, provide education and supply materials needed to make an informed decision.

“ICU Mobile is blessed to partner with Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center to provide free ultrasounds to women in need in the greater Lynchburg area.” says Michael Homula, Executive Director of ICU Mobile. “Our mobile ultrasound vehicles enable pregnancy centers to bring life affirming ultrasound services and counseling directly to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Nationally, 87.8% of women considering abortion choose life throughout our fleet of mobile ultrasound vehicles. We are excited about how the Lord will use a mobile ultrasound vehicle to serve the women and unborn of greater Lynchburg.”

Lori Meetre, Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center said, “We are excited to join forces with ICU Mobile to bring a new level of pregnancy care service and ministry to Lynchburg and surrounding areas. Together we can make a greater impact for LIFE.”

There will be a floating open house on Tuesday, March 20th from 9am until noon at Grace Church on 21129 Timberlake Road, Lynchburg, Va.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this innovative ministry outreach, tour an ICU Mobile ultrasound vehicle and contribute financially to this lifesaving mission. For more information about the open house please contact BRPC at (434)528-9750.

More Information on the GO Campaign

For media inquiries, please call 330-745-4170 or email media@icumobile.org

About ICU Mobile

ICU Mobile (pronounced I See You) was founded in 2003 and is the pioneer and leader of mobile pregnancy center ministry.  ICU Mobile exists to establish and support a global fleet of mobile ultrasound vehicles so that women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy may have an opportunity to receive a limited obstetrical ultrasound to verify pregnancy and see their unborn child free of charge in a convenient and comfortable environment in order to make a fully informed, life-affirming decision. 

Currently, the Fleet for Little Feet has 26 Fleet Affiliates in 17 US States and has four international project underway.

ICU Mobile is committed to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ through the good news of the Gospel with every person who comes on board our mobiles. ICU Mobile promotes Christian values and shares the Gospel according to the Bible, believes in the sanctity of human life from the point of conception, cares for women holistically – physically, emotionally, and spiritually and is a non-judgmental, non-political and non-coercive ministry regardless of the decision a woman makes. 

ICU Mobile’s global ministry office is located at 2569 Romig Road, Suite 303, Akron, Ohio 44320.  To learn more about ICU Mobile please visit www.icumobile.org. 

An ICU Mobile pregnancy center has helped to close down the notorious Rockford abortion clinic.

Though this story is still developing, our Fleet for Little Feet Affiliate at TLC Pregnancy Services played a significant role in helping to close down the notorious Rockford abortion clinic known as Northern Illinois Women’s Center.

The ICU Mobile, operated by TLC Pregnancy Services, consistently and faithfully parked in front of and near this abortion clinic offering love, grace and truth to women in crisis and planning to have an abortion.

Providing free limited obstetrical ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy, TLC provided women an opportunity to see their baby in the womb and lead them to a life affirming decision. not only that, these women heard a message of love and hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 This ICU Mobile pregnancy center was a beam of light in the shadow of darkness cast by the abortion mill.

As you may recall, the abortion clinic became so disgruntled by the presence of the Mobile that they fabricated stories about the staff, the Mobile and the work that was being done to save lives. Our global ministry office has even been involved in a recent parking matter that was initiated by the abortion clinic.

Thanks to God, those that stood in front of the abortion clinic praying faithfully and the faithful and committed work of the Mobile team and leadership at TLC Pregnancy Services this abortion mill will not longer take the lives of unborn children and stain the hearts of women in crisis.

Please join me in praising God and thanking the staff of TLC Pregnancy Center for allowing the Lord to use them in such a direct way.

Secrets. We all have them, don’t we?

Tucking my son in at bedtime has become quite the confessional. It all started when he remembered taking a pen a year earlier from his teacher’s desk in hopes of surprising his sister later on the bus. Then, as if the dam had broken, a few nights later he remembered “picking up” a box of crayons and putting them in his backpack. I wondered if my usually buttoned up son was on his way to a life of kleptomania.

Another misdemeanor for a second grader but significant, nonetheless. More importantly, the beauty of these precious talks was his heart of brokenness. He confessed through tears that “it feels good to get the junk out.” What came next was most unexpected.

“Mom, have you ever stolen anything?” “Hmmm…actually, yes. When I was younger, I’m sure I snuck a couple things. But I can’t really remember details.”

Then, I confessed that even as a frugal adult—the type that double-checks every receipt to be sure I wasn’t get double-charged—I’d sometimes notice I was undercharged for things but never go back and pay the difference. I felt such shame in that moment. I had never confessed that out loud before. What does that say for me? That I have a heart full of deceit? As tears streamed down my cheek he hugged me saying, “It’s okay mom, we all sin.” My eight year old showered me with grace.

This instigated a discovery in the days that followed. I quickly realized, that most secrets don’t come out this easily.

There are secrets we become slaves to that affect the trajectory of our lives. Deep, painful secrets that we keep for self-preservation or for the protection of others while we endure the painful aftermath. Some reside so deeply that they are blocked from our memory. Others so painful that when triggered, we run the opposite direction. The shame buries us. The guilt leaves us paralyzed.

Do we really believe the truth will set us free?

We often don’t. So, we binge and we purge. We have an unplanned pregnancy. We abort. We are sexually abused. We abuse others. We aren’t attracted to our spouse so we fantasize or have an affair. We drink too much. We flirt too much. We yell at our kids, or stay out late enough to avoid the interaction all together. We covet the lifestyle of others or flaunt our wealth with arrogance. We gossip to make us feel better about ourselves. We keep our friends close, and our enemies even closer.

We become slaves to our secrets.

The thing is, Satan DWELLS in the secret, in the haunting, hidden brokenness. The longer we keep that secret, the more power he has  to speak lies into our own identity. We have a crisis of faith; we don’t truly believe that God will hear and lavish us with his love upon our confession. We don’t REALLY believe that we will be made new. So we keep it and hide it and cover it and die from it.

A friend told me recently that she kept her secret of infidelity from her husband for 3 years. Another woman told me recently, she held her secret for 5 years. Another discovered her husband’s secret after 10 years. And yet, another after 18. Overtime, life becomes more about keeping the secret than saving the soul.

The secret often wins.

Perhaps a new day is dawning. Perhaps walls are coming down. Tears are streaming and confessions are starting to pour out like hope reborn. Do you know the main catalyst for this revolution of the heart? 

You guessed it. Someone shared their secret.

Someone gave voice to their secret and in doing so, gave permission for another person to share theirs. Naming the one thing that held them captive for years rendered the secret powerless. All at once, the church at large is beginning to echo the chorus of confession. We all begin to bear witness to the bondage that is breaking by secret-sharing. The naming is bringing healing, and healing is bringing freedom. A freedom many of us are experiencing for the very first time. This secret-telling is what’s actually saving us. And this new normal is exactly what will keep us in the light.

But we ought to have another motivation for telling our secret. In Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer reminds us:

“Many young people today journey in the dark, as the young always have, and we elders do them a disservice when we withhold the shadowy parts of our lives. When I was young, there were very few elders willing to talk about the darkness; most of them pretended that success was all they had ever known. As the darkness began to descend on me in my early twenties, I thought I had developed a unique and terminal case of failure. I did not realize that I had merely embarked on a journey toward joining the human race.” 

Did the generation before us share their secrets? Did you grow up in the midst of secret tellers? Of truth tellers? Of confession bearers?  We, as a human race, are simply that—human. And our humanity yields brokenness to the core. The sooner we recognize our profound shadows and shout them from the rooftops, the sooner we find kindred spirits of deliverance and rescue.

Its been said, “If you don’t expose your secret, your secret will expose you.”

Will you be a secret teller for the next generation? Will you show your own humanity for those that are looking up to you? If you did, I’m quite sure the person you are telling would love you more and show you the same grace my son showed me.

Sometimes we forget that we are loved to the level that we are known. Let us be known.

Our guest author today is Sue Smith, Mobile Manager of ICU Mobile Pittsburgh

Recently, Millie (a member of the ICU Mobile team in Pittsburgh) and I went into the abortion clinic to hand out cards for a free ultrasound on the mobile. I was surprised at how easy it was to get in. Our hearts sank when we saw how full their two waiting rooms were. The carpet was old and threadbare and not even clean. Magazines were thrown everywhere without an attempt to be orderly. The young women and men would not meet our eyes; they just sat staring into space. There was a palpable feeling of oppression in there.

Shortly after our visit to the abortion clinic, we had a mother and daughter come to the Mobile. They told us that the abortion clinic sent them down. Imagine that, a referral to an ICU Mobile from an abortion clinic! They told her they couldn’t help her (she had two negative test results but was convinced that she was pregnant) but that maybe we could. We could hardly hide our excitement as she filled out the intake sheet. Our test showed a negative result as well, which is always good news, especially since she was only 16 years old. By the time they left, they had heard a wealth of information about not only abortion, but fetal development, STD’s, birth control, abstinence (she agreed to commit to this) and the Gospel. They both wanted Bibles to read.

This family had driven up from West Virginia that morning to get an abortion. Her mother explained the abortion clinic told them her daughter was too far along to get the abortion at this clinic (19 weeks is the cut-off) and that maybe we could help them. The ultrasound revealed her beautiful and very active 24 week old baby! The abortion clinic doctor didn’t show them the ultrasound he had performed, so they had no idea what they would see. Tears ran down their faces.

When they left, we provided referrals to their local pregnancy care centers in West Virginia and we told her how important it was to see her doctor. We gave vitamins, pictures, educational materials about adoption, and a teddy bear. They heard the Good News of the Gospel, they both wanted a Bible and allowed us to pray with them.

The Team of ICU Mobile Pittsburgh

As we were closing the door that day, a nurse dressed in scrubs walked out of the abortion clinic and came to the Mobile. I invited her in and I asked if she was the one who referred the two clients to us. She said she was. She was agreeable and admitted that what we were doing was a good thing. I thanked her again for referring clients to the mobile pregnancy center and I asked if she would continue. She said she would and even took some of our ultrasound cards to hand out!

It turned out she was pregnant with her third child and interested in getting an ultrasound from us in a couple weeks. She shared with us that the ultrasound machine in the abortion facility is very old and used only briefly to get an idea how far along the client was.

I wish things like this happened every. Unfortunately it doesn’t. The Lord never said it was going to be easy. God heard our prayers and answered them in a very unique way that day. Please keep praying that the Lord would continue to open the door to more opportunities like this.

Please keep praying for the ICU Mobile Fleet for Little Fleet that serves women, saves babies and shares the love of Jesus all over our nation.

The mission of ICU Mobile and it’s Fleet for Little Feet™ can’t be accomplished without your help. We are a non-profit ministry driven by donations from people just like you. Would you help us continue to expand the fleet and save even more babies? Click here to donate to this important mission now!

On November 29th, in San Marcos, California, a client who was served by our Fleet for Little Feet Affiliate in Vista, California came back to the ICU Mobile pregnancy center to share her testimony.

“I discovered in March of 2011 that I was pregnant. Being unplanned and single, I didn’t know what to do. I heard about the free services of the mobile pregnancy center so I had an ultrasound at 6 weeks.

I got to hear my little girls heart beat for the first time.

The ICU Mobile team prayed with me and gave me so much needed information. It helped so much knowing there were people that cared and programs that gave me the opportunity to make informed and supported decisions about the future of my unborn and myself as well.  Just 4 weeks ago I gave birth to my beautiful daughter and thank God I had the help I did from ICU Mobile early in my pregnancy”.

Our Fleet Affiliate in Vista was on their first day at a new location near San Marcos State University. This client was getting the birth certificate for her newborn baby when she spotted the ICU Mobile parked nearby. She could not believe she was seeing mobile pregnancy center in that location since she first came to us near the beach in Oceanside, about 20 miles west of where we were parked that day. She came aboard the Mobile once again, but this time to thank everyone who had supported and helped her during a difficult time and she was so grateful for the services of the ICU Mobile.

This client chose life aboard the ICU Mobile in Vista

While there, she also stated she was doubting if God was real in her life and we had the chance to give her a bible and share scripture about God’s love for her. She left with a smile and wanted to start reading her bible and attending church to develop her relationship with the Lord. We went over what Jesus did for her and how much God loves her, sharing the Gospel with her again. She believed she made a genuine decision to receive Christ 9 months earlier on the ICU Mobile and now it was time to build that personal relationship with Him. She thought maybe God put this Mobile in her path, 20 miles from where she first came to us, just to speak to her once again. 

There are thousands of stories, just like this one, of women served, babies saved from abortion and people coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Fleet for Little Feet of ICU Mobile continues to grow and continues to partner with pregnancy centers all over the world to GO to abortion minded women, GO save the unborn and GO make disciples of all nations.

Will you GO with us to save babies just like this one?

Please give to our ministry so we can continue this life saving work.