Hi all. I would recommend getting a big cup of coffee and settle in a comfortable chair. I have a lot to report from my day Monday as a pro-life sidewalk counselor at the busiest abortion mill in Charlotte.
Right away, a Hispanic couple came on the pro-life RV with the mobile ultrasound unit. They had come to the "health center" for an abortion, but were willing to let us talk with them first. I got to use my Spanish cheat sheet to communicate with the dad while the mom was doing the required pregnancy test. The mom spoke English pretty well, and understood very well. Anyway, even before she went to the back room of the RV for the pregnancy test, I talked nonstop about what God would have them do, the humanity of the baby, God's plan as one of safety and of protection, and the circumstances that seemed insurmountable, but really were not. They had done two pregnancy home tests. One was negative and one was positive. They told me they would abort if our test showed positive for pregnancy, so I felt I had to give it my all.
In the midst of my soliloquy, there was a knock on the RV door. A young woman had left the mill, and wanted to talk with us. She had come for an abortion, but said God had convinced her it was wrong! She didn't want an ultrasound (had had one in the mill.) We gave her a "blessing bag" filled with baby gifts and a Bible, and of course, delivered our shortened Gospel/sanctity of life message. I was talking to her, but really talking to the Hispanic couple as well. (God is so crafty! I love those two-for-one deals!) She left, tearful but happy. Now, back to the Hispanic couple. They had listened to the whole exchange between me and the mother who had heard God tell her to save her baby. They were squirming a little on the couch. I think God was whispering in their ears.
While the Mom was doing the pregnancy test, I showed the Dad baby pictures of the child in utero, and talked about how his baby was a gift of God. This was not totally easy because I only speak a little Spanish. However, I had my Spanish "cheat sheet phrases" including "Your baby is a blessing and a gift from God," and pantomime at my disposal. I'd worked up a sweat counseling why God would have them choose life. But then, get this, the pregnancy test was negative!
They were ecstatic, and I used their relief to point out why God's plan of marriage before babies is always a wise one.With nothing to lose now, I launched into my Gospel presentation, aided by the very able chiming in of the fantastic ultrasound nurse. At first, the young couple averted their eyes, but we both saw something change as God's message hit home. They were soon leaning forward, and really listening. At the end of my heart-felt spiel, I asked them if they wanted to accept Jesus right then and there. The sweet woman, big brown eyes looking straight at me, said, "I think we better." The boyfriend agreed! So we all prayed the most beautiful prayer on earth -- the prayer of salvation. They spoke to God themselves at the end in Spanish. (I hope they weren't saying, 'Oh Lord, get us out of here.') The nurse and I both felt the Holy Spirit had totally taken over. It was so awesome.
We came off the RV and were informed by fellow counselors that someone chose life on a second pro-life ultrasound mobile RV that is parked further up the street. Right before we came out, we were told yet another person had left the mill, chosen life, and happily received a blessing bag from our group.
Wonders were not yet to cease. No sooner did all that happen than two sweet women approached us. One told us that several months ago, her daughter had come to the mill. This woman I will call Lilith drove her daughter to the mill. As a Christian, she was ashamed to be seen there, but was trying to talk her daughter out of the abortion the whole time. The Wednesday Cities4Life team members were preaching their hearts out, but the daughter still went in. She was in the back room of the abortion mill, being prepped for the abortion, when she changed her mind! Lilith said they hurried away without telling any of our pro-life sidewalk counselors they had chosen life for their baby. Lilith's daughter is due in July. She was in tears as I showed her the picture in our literature of what the baby looks like now.
"And to think we almost killed her!" she cried, tears splashing down her face.
She begged us to pray with her, so another counselor and I and the two women all huddled with arms around each other in the middle of the street, praying. Lilith was so passionate as she spoke up for what she knew God wanted, that we begged her to come and minister with us.She and her friend said they would. And while we were praying, another women came out of the mill, and received our blessing bag filled with gifts after she told us she'd chosen life for her baby! The power of prayer!!
Meanwhile, I noticed a woman walking towards the mill, some distance up the street. I was going to go meet her, just in case she was on her way into the abortion mill. But then Lilith and her friend drove by her on their way out, stopped to chat with the woman, and talked her into going in the mobile ultrasound unit! That woman ended up choosing life as well!!!!
Just then, a very young and obviously sad girl walked out of the mill. She started down the sidewalk. A fellow counselor intercepted her. The young lady had an abortion three weeks ago. This visit was for a check-up. She was grieving, but said, "I'll get through it." The counselor signaled me over, and we spent the next half hour (or so) talking about God's forgiveness, hope, and love. We sent her links for an on-line Bible study plan. We talked at length about the Gospel (which she knew...but she was weak in her trust that God could help her.)We talked about how she could not change yesterday, but she could change today, and her future. She could use her pain to help and encourage others. She was very receptive to me sending her on-going texts with Bible verses and encouragement. I think she left us feeling a little more hopeful, and valued and loved by God.
As we were finishing praying with her, she asked me a question, her face a bit tragic.
"I know that when I aborted, it was not really a full human...but do you think there is a baby, my baby, in heaven?"
I didn't know whether my honest answer would add to her grief or not, but I told her how in the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah says the baby was knit together in the womb, and that before one of his days had begun, God knew him and sanctified him. Therefore, the baby was fully human from conception, and yes, the baby was in heaven. She smiled through her sadness and said that in an odd way, that comforted her.
It was growing late. I needed to get going. A car pulled out of the driveway. As always, I offered them literature. This late in the day, we change our handouts to pamphlets designed to help heal the grief of abortion through God's comfort and word. The car stopped and the driver rolled down the window.
"You know, they wouldn't give us our money back!" he said. This is only one of many illegal tactics this abortion center uses to narrow "choice" to "abortion." They zoomed away before we could talk, clearly anxious to leave. Apparently, the couple had changed their mind about aborting, despite not getting their money back. That was the fifth baby who left that terrible place alive.
Whew. Sorry for the novel, but it was an amazing day!
Praise God. He is so awesome, and overflowing with abundant goodness. I am in awe. Mother Theresa once said, "Help one person at a time, and always start with the one nearest you." This is a wonderful piece of advice.
***************
Our wonderful front-line ministry is offering another training session for those interested in this incredibly rewarding work. Go to charlotte.cities4life.org for information.
***************
Vicky! What an amazing day for you!!!!God is so awesome. Parse Go! Hallelujah!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy prayer is that sooner rather than later, you will be able to write, 'formerly the busiest abortion center in Charlotte." Is it located in a poor neighborhood, btw?
It is located in a poor area. And yes, we are hurting their business for sure!
Delete