Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Each Time Someone Chooses Life...It All is Worth It


Juli shares why she stands so boldly on the sidewalks of the abortion center
 Yesterday, our team fought a hard battle at the abortion center. Our Cities4Life director, Daniel Parks, and I tag-teamed speaking for hours to the friend of an abortion minded woman. She went from refusing to approach us, to praying with us, and to agreeing if her friend came out, she would bring her to us. We all paced in prayer when the abortive mom came out. I NEVER shut up when a mom is in sight, but I felt God telling me JUST PRAY and be silent now.

Our heavenly choir of young people sang songs of hope. Our new counselors spoke on the microphone to other moms, with a message largely intended for the women Daniel and I had been trying so hard to reach.

In the end, that friend talked the abortive woman into leaving with her baby safe, and our team rejoiced. She was one of two women who chose life. Sometimes, listening to my team members speak so eloquently and gently for the life of the babies makes we want to cry. So much love is present in this ministry. Such deep desire to help and to express the magnitude of God's love for all humans, made in His image. When a soul that was on the road to terrible destruction turns because they heard something from us that made them reconsider, I can hardly contain my joy. 

Below is the testimony of one of our counselors, explaining the circumstances that led her to volunteer with Cities4Life.
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After several years of rebellion, God graciously saved me at the age of 15. My second oldest sister, Pat, faithfully shared the Gospel with me during the years of my teen angst. When I made a decision to follow the Lord, I also decided to move in with my sister’s family and attend their church in Boone, NC. That same sister told me about the hidden atrocities of abortion. I was shocked to learn the truth of this socially accepted tragedy. I will never forget the graphic brochures my sister shared with me of tiny human extremities ripped apart from surgical abortions, intact full-term infants in trashcans after prostaglandin inductions, or the disfigured remains of a child burned to
death during saline procedure

For my senior year project, before high school graduation, I chose abortion as my topic. I still remember my teacher tucking away the poster, covered with graphic pictures of the tiny discarded human beingsAlthough she was pro-life, I’m not sure she appreciated my tactic. Since then I’ve had dreams of being involved in the care and rescue of “unwanted” children.  God made this desire even stronger as my husband, John, and I walked through infertility and realized we couldn’t have children of our own. By God’s amazing grace and kindness, we have since adopted five children locally. 

Throughout the years, my husband and I have also participated in several pro-life prayer walks, but I wasn’t sure how else to get involved. Eventually, a friend from church appealed for people to join her to peacefully protest at Hebron abortion center, which then led me to Latrobe (one of busiest abortion centers in SE.)

I’ve been serving at Latrobe since that time.

Although the atmosphere is heavy whenever I’m at the clinic, each time someone chooses Life it makes all the seemingly fruitless hours worth it. Also, the fellowship I’ve experienced with fellow believers on that dark street has been rich balm to my soul. I love interacting with and seeing the body of Christ join together for so great a cause. I’m grateful for the opportunity to make this stand for Life with all of you. 

Thank you for your regular example of bravery, self-sacrifice, love for the Lord, and care for the lost. You are my heroes. An encouragement to my soul. More than that, I’m confident that your efforts have not gone unnoticed by our Savior. Keep fighting the good fight! (1 Tim 6:12)
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Please join us. Click Here for information.
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James 5:20

Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth 

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