The longer I work on the sidewalks of the busiest abortion center in the Southeast, the more I cherish and understand the necessity and value of a team on that sidewalk. The sign holders make the abortion minded mama slow down and think. The ones who counsel briefly when the car stops give them literature to read and let bible verses and photos of the unborn sink into their soul. The ones who stand in prayer as the conflicted mother enters the clinic send petitions to God. The RV driver who arrives early in the morning so that even those who arrive while the clinic doors are locked see that free help is available. The line of volunteers who call out to the women offer promises of hope in Jesus and tangible help. Every single volunteer is critical to any choice for life.
Tuesday, our shift had barely begun on the early cold morning when one of our young volunteers was able to speak with a panicked teen carside. Somehow, she convinced the teen to go on the Monroe HELP Pregnancy Center RV where our mobile ultrasound unit is available for free. This teen was adamant she would NOT have this baby. She was somber and terrified. She could not tell her parents she was pregnant.
“My parents are perfect,” she said, “They never make mistakes.”
Word of warning to parents: DO NOT let your kids believe this. How incredibly damaging that message is to them when they inevitably mess up.
I told her that I was sure she had great parents, but said, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That includes your parents.”
The nurse had not yet arrived, so I had a half hour of quiet time alone with the girl I will call Nancy for privacy reasons. I asked her if she had asked God what to do about this baby. She told me God would have her keep it, and she knew she was going to hell because she absolutely would abort.
This paved the way to a Gospel presentation. Nancy was not very familiar with the Bible though she clearly believed in God. She knew little about Him or what His commands really meant. She definitely did not understand why Jesus died for us or why we should trust and love Him. She asked great questions as I shared the Gospel, and when I finished, she wanted to ask Him to be Lord of her life. We finished praying together when the nurse, Valerie, arrived.
Despite having just committed her young life to Jesus, Nancy was still terrified. NO WAY could she have this baby. I began citing verses to explain what God would have her do. I shared resources that could help her, even told her about two job possibilities friends had told me about for helping the moms I work with! But without going into much detail, I promised her we were able to help her through every obstacle. First, she needed to see her baby.
Valerie took over and could not have been more perfect and in synch with the needs at the moment. She shared tearful testimony after the ultrasound that made me want to be pregnant so I could let my baby live. She showed Nancy the tiny baby’s beating heart, and I think I saw a flicker of a smile on Nancy’s face.
“It’s a miracle, isn’t it?” Valerie asked.
“Yes,” Nancy said.
Now it was my turn again to counsel with specifics. Nancy remained solemn and repeatedly returned to the fear of telling her parents. I don’t remember when we have had to fight so hard for a baby on the RV. Valerie and I were on there three hours. Nancy didn’t ask to leave...in fact, she kept saying she didn’t know HOW to decide. Finally, there was a shift. She visibly softened. I shared Deuteronomy 30:19 with her: I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
“What do you think God would have you do?” I asked.
“Choose life.”
“What do you want to do?” Valerie asked.
“I want to keep my baby.”
We filled her arms with gifts, and listed a plethora of ways we would help. We included my offer to go with her to tell her parents, or for one of our free trained family counselors to go with her. She smiled as she picked out a pair of hand knit booties our supporters send us.
There is no doubt in my mind that this panicked teen would have aborted had she driven into the clinic. I don’t know how Kayla got her to stop but without a doubt, Kayla helped save that baby’s life. Praise God the RV was there and praise God that Woody, the driver, was available and willing and was there so early that the RV could be there at the moment it was needed. Praise God that a whole team outside the RV were praying even before I texted one of them to tell him this was a hard one, so pray hard!
What a beautiful blessing our incredible teams devoted to the unborn are to me...and to Nancy and her little baby.
Later that day she texted me. She was so grateful we had been there.
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What a beautiful story! I thank God for ALL members of the teams!
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