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{{tncms-inline alignment=”right” content=”<p class="p1"><strong>To find out more about Beautiful Feet International:</strong></p> <p class="p1">Visit www.beautifulfeetinternational.com</p> <p class="p1">Find the organization on Facebook</p> <p class="p1">Call 386-837-8989</p> <p class="p1">Email to mheiland@comcast.net</p>” id=”8105883d-a70c-43f6-a755-eabbe539fc8a” style-type=”info” title=”REACH OUT” type=”relcontent” width=”half”}}
Melissa Heiland has made it her mission to empower women and children worldwide, serving through her organization Beautiful Feet International, based in DeBary.
Heiland has worked in the pregnancy ministry since 1994, and began mission work overseas in 1997.
Melissa Heiland is a mother of six, grandmother of five, and wife for the past 35 years. She and her husband, Kenneth, take great pride in the family structure.
The Heiland family had the opportunity to conduct mission work in Costa Rica for one year before becoming Volusia County residents.
Family members have been able to participate throughout the years in educating pregnant women worldwide. Melissa Heiland’s eldest son, Dr. Michael Heiland, is the primary doctor who assists the team when overseas. Each of her children plays an intricate role in the family’s mission work. <img class="wp-image-1606 size-large" src="https://www.beacononlinenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/54e220334360b279a40b7282849a1b50.jpg" alt="
PRENATAL HELP — Clients wait to be seen at the Centre Prénatal in Haiti. Beautiful Feet International teams have visited there since 2010. Two ultrasound machines, blood-pressure cuffs, baby scales, and clothes and diapers will be sent there shortly to support the women and their families.” width=”696″ height=”392″ />
PRENATAL HELP — Clients wait to be seen at the Centre Prénatal in Haiti. Beautiful Feet International teams have visited there since 2010. Two ultrasound machines, blood-pressure cuffs, baby scales, and clothes and diapers will be sent there shortly to support the women and their families.
The Heiland mission work has taken place in China, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and many other locations.
Melissa Heiland and others from Deltona started Grace House Pregnancy Resource Center in DeLand. Melissa Heiland was Grace House’s first executive director.
In 2012, a friend called and asked if Heiland and her husband would accept a donated house in Costa Rica that could be used as a pregnancy center. It opened in 2013 and, since that time, the ministry has grown organically to 37 centers worldwide.
“My faith in God continues to provide these opportunities and bless us,” Melissa Heiland said.
But what is Beautiful Feet?
“Beautiful Feet is an organization that provides education, prenatal vitamins, ultrasounds and baby clothes, diapers, wipes and many other things — all at no charge. Beautiful Feet has 37 international pregnancy centers that are helping young mothers and babies in some of the poorest countries in the world,” Heiland explained.
The organization Oct. 12 hosted the ninth annual World Walk for Life event. The purpose was to raise funds and awareness for the pregnancy centers. More than $20,000 was raised for mothers and children around the world.
There are many opportunities to be involved. You can contact Melissa to come speak to your organization or host a baby shower for young moms in need, for example. You may also donate online or by check to Beautiful Feet International, P.O. Box 530695, DeBary, FL 32753.
— Cameron, a longtime educator, lives in Orange City. Send email to cameronchronicleslive@gmail.com.
