I WAS That Mother at the Abortion Center

Yesterday, our Cities4Life team included four new volunteers on the sidewalks of the abortion center. One of them, India, pictured above, had been trying to schedule a regular day to volunteer, but her work responsibilities interfered. She persevered, and now can be with us every Monday. Praise God!

We all were hopeful as a car slowed down when I approached it. The woman driving clearly didn't want to talk with me, but she did allow me to hand her our literature that shows babies in the womb from conception to birth. Then she drove on  and passed the driveway of the abortion center as our new volunteers watched and prayed. She pulled into a little business up the road.

I walked up there to see if I could convince her to speak with me. I could see that she and her friend were looking through our literature, slowly turning each page. They drove away before I reached them. Sadly, they looped back and drove into the  abortion center parking lot, and then went inside the clinic. Within a couple of minutes they came back out, got in their car and this time, drove away for good. 

As they passed us, they waved and smiled and I noticed that the woman was still reading the literature with the pictures of the babies in the womb. Praise God that just seeing the truth of human development was enough to change that mother's mind about aborting. 

That's what we tell our new volunteers who come to help us on the sidewalks. Sometimes it is very simple truths that point to the obvious humanity of the baby that change a mother's mind. Sometimes it is our mere presence that convinces them that their babies are of priceless value since we are willing to be there in all kinds of nasty weather speaking on their babies' behalf. One woman who chose life told us, "Why would you do that unless my baby was very important?"

 Today we spotlight a brand new volunteer who has only been out there a few times but wanted to share her reasons for volunteering. India is always cheerful and always friendly. I had not known her story until she wrote her reasons for why she is on the sidewalk with us. I know it will move you as it moved me, reminding us that exposing the truth of abortion is critical. Meet our brave volunteer, India.

Hey there! My name is India. I'm from New York City and  now live in Charlotte NC.

 I feel compelled to volunteer on the sidewalk because, a few years ago I was one of those girls going into that clinic thinking that the life God put inside of me was not living. If I had known the truth like I know it today, I would have made a different choice... but I didn't. 

If I can help speak truth and love these women, I'm going to do it. Their baby, no matter how small, is alive and was formed by the hand and love of God, our Father. Sadly, I come from a place in NYC where women feel like there's no other choice but abortion! 

When they get pregnant and tell someone, hoping for excitement, instead they hear: "Well what are you going to do?" That's the question my sister, cousin, and a few of my friends heard when they got pregnant. 

Immediately, that question makes you feel like you are alone and puts shame upon you! Praise the Lord they chose life, but the reaction of people around them pressured them to have an abortion. 

I didn't want that shame and pressure on me. I didn't want to take care of a child alone. I didn't know the truth. 

I know there will be some women just like me a few years ago: afraid, ashamed, and hopeless.  I want to connect with them. Even if we don't speak, if I see their faces I'm going to pray God removes the shame, and the guilt, and the lies of the enemy. Those mothers have a future in the Lord  and so do those babies. That's why I'm choosing to volunteer on the side walks.

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After we finished at the abortion center for the morning ( two babies were saved!), I went to an impoverished neighborhood to deliver some supplies to one of the moms I work with. She told me that the night before there had been shootings. A bullet had almost hit her mother when it came crashing through her mother's window. I shared the gospel with her (again) and told her we never know when the next bullet or accident or disease will find us. 

The woman told me she believes the Gospel but still has doubts as well. She wanted to read more to dispel the doubts. I spent an hour there with her going through scripture and addressing each one of her fears and doubts but she still was not ready, not quite, to commit her life to Jesus. My prayer is she will do it soon because tomorrow may be too late. 

As India so beautifully expressed, the truth and God can change a hopeless life and dispel shame and guilt that drives us to so much harmful behavior. Please join us in sharing the truth of the hope of God and resources that can save lives. Click HERE for information.

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Luke 8:39

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

2 Timothy 1:8

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

Psalm 71:15-18

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.