The Ponton's Story: you won't believe what happened in just one day
Updated: 22 hours ago
On May 31, 2024, we witnessed a story at our Skillman Clinic that we will never forget.
It was a busy morning as patients filled the waiting area, each hoping to secure an appointment. Executive Director, Christy Chermak, happened to be serving at the front desk that morning greeting and registering patients. As the morning rush subsided, a young woman entered, carrying her two-week-old infant in a baby carrier. Christy welcomed her warmly with the saying we use in every patient visit, “Welcome to Watermark Health, how may we serve you today?”
It became clear that she was looking to find a safe home to place her baby for adoption and wanted to know if the team at Watermark Health could help her.
In eleven years of ministry, Watermark Health has witnessed so many profound stories—women fleeing danger, families discovering faith, and individuals finding hope. But in that moment, the gravity of this patient’s need carried a different weight. She was desperate to find a safe place for her child. Christy gently led her to a private room and brought in Roxana, our early prenatal care coordinator.
Together, they listened as the patient shared her story. She loved this child deeply but knew she couldn’t provide the life she desired for her. She was looking for help to take the next step and knew she could trust our team to care for her baby.
As they listened, the team sensed her faith, so they read scripture together and encouraged her, affirming her brave and selfless decision. They began a series of phone calls, first reaching a CPS caseworker and then wondering if it was possible to keep the child out of the foster care system- next they called a few adoption agencies. One agency responded right away, preparing to send a representative to the clinic.
As they waited together, the patient shared that she felt confident she could come to Watermark Health in her time of need because she knew from her previous visits it was a safe place.
Kelley Hickman, WMH medical assistant had met this patient during her prenatal journey and previous visits to the clinic. On this particular day Kelley had the chance to hold the baby and marveled at the care and attention paid in every detail, from the baby’s neatly combed hair to her chosen outfit. It was clear that this little one was deeply loved even as this difficult decision was made.
When the adoption agency representative and CPS caseworker arrived, they fully supported the patient’s decision. As the adoption agency began to work on finding a home for placement, the Lord worked a miracle no one could have planned for.
To everyone’s surprise, the adoption agency representative shared that this child was going to be matched with Hailey and Andrew Ponton—who it was discovered had been baptized, met one another and been married...at Watermark. The adoption agency didn’t know the depth of their involvement at the church when she called them about the placement.
With only fifteen minutes to process the decision, the Pontons were amazed by the details God had orchestrated and said yes. They rushed to the clinic to meet their daughter.
As they met their new baby girl, they also embraced the birth mother with deep respect, talking about their shared dreams for this little one, and inviting her to be a part of their lives.
The clinic was filled with emotion as they witnessed this intimate moment—a woman finding hope in a dire situation, God orchestrating details we never could have known to ask for, and a new family beginning. All in one day.
“The first photo I saw of my daughter she was being held by someone wearing a Watermark Health t-shirt...the reality that our extended church community was caring for her before we could get there is a detail only God could have provided for us...a family started here.”
It’s hard to believe what can happen in one day in our clinics.
Comments