The Beginning of the End of Abortion -- 40 Days for Life --

40 Days for Life.com ^ | 09-28-16 | 40 Days for Life staff

[Salvation]

More pictures, pictures, pictures!

October 2, 2016

Let’s take a tour of some more of the 367 vigils now going on around the world!

While 40 Days for Life started in the United States and is still concentrated there, there are currently almost 100 campaigns under way in other countries. Here’s a look at a number of the international 40 Days for Life campaign locations.

In any language … pray and fast for an end to abortion!

Barranquilla, Colombia

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Bogota, Colombia

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Bucharest, Romania

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Gherla, Romania

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Medellin, Colombia

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Minatitlan, Mexico

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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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Puebla, Mexico

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Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Windsor, Ontario, Canada

 

[Salvation]

Mankato, Minnesota

October 2, 2016

“Yesterday I was at my kitchen window when the sirens went by,” said one of the 40 Days for Life volunteers in Mankato.

Along came an ambulance, fire trucks, rescue vehicles – an entire emergency process.

“It occurred to me that this has always been a signal for me to pray for those in trouble,” she said. “Mom and Dad taught me this from a young age.”

The volunteer then realized, there will never be any sirens going off for all the aborted babies – thousands die every day in the name of “choice,” yet so few people seem to care or notice because it is all legal.

“That’s why 40 Days for Life campaigns of prayer are so important,” the Mankato volunteer said. “We pray outside of abortion facilities. We pray outside of abortion referral centers. We pray so that people will remember the humanity of the unborn again and that maybe, just maybe another woman will feel empowered to choose life for herself and her little one.”

[Salvation]

UNITED tour: Vermont and Maine

October 2, 2016

Our UNITED tour stop in the Burlington/Williston area brought out one of the truly amazing things about 40 Days for Life.

Since this outreach began, a solid percentage of our leaders have been post-abortive mothers working hard to protect other moms from making the same mistake.

Delia, who spoke at the Burlington/Williston rally, appeared not only as the Rutland 40 Days for Life campaign director, but also as a representative of Silent No More Awareness. Her testimony brought the crowd to tears.

The journey from northern Vermont to our next stop in Maine brought us through some of the prettiest country you can imagine.

It rained again, but that didn’t bother another great crowd in Augusta, Maine, which celebrated the rain as one more opportunity to make a sacrifice for life. Tonight’s speakers included Rep. Ellie Espling from the Susan B. Anthony List and Penny Morrell of Concerned Women for America.

We are now 1,357 miles into our journey, and the just-completed Maine state rally is the farthest east we’ll go on the UNITED tour. Next up – New Hampshire.

[Salvation]

DAY 5: Planned Parenthood not happy

October 2, 2016

Unlike real healthcare providers, Planned Parenthood is constantly trying to justify their work.

As the largest abortion operation in the United States, they either downplay their abortions or attempt to market themselves as “healthcare providers.” Just a few days into 40 Days for Life’s 125-city UNITED bus tour, we’ve seen both responses.

In some instances, Planned Parenthood closed for the day and sent the staff home early before the bus arrived.

At other times, they tried to rally supporters to confront the 40 Days for Life UNITED bus tour with demonstrators in pink shirts. Planned Parenthood has even been known to pay protesters to participate in similar events.

Planned Parenthood’s responses are unlike any professional medical provider — and your presence highlights that.

40 Days for Life volunteers are not paid … and they’re out there every day. As a result, babies have been saved! We’ll share some of those stories tomorrow.

[Salvation]

St. Paul, Minnesota

October 3, 2016

One of the prayer volunteers in St. Paul approached a van exiting Planned Parenthood’s driveway and offered the couple inside information about healing.

“Healing from what?” asked the man behind the wheel.

“After an abortion,” replied the vigil participant.

“She didn’t have an abortion,” he responded.

The woman was indeed there for an abortion, but had changed her mind. They took a brochure for a pregnancy help center and drove away.

“Thank you to all who go out to meet and greet the abortion clients,” said one of the St. Paul volunteers. “Whether you see them leave after they change their mind or not — they do leave and you are one of the reasons they do! Thank you!”

[Salvation]

Boston, Massachusetts

October 3, 2016

“We had a save the very first day in Boston,” said Rita, the local coordinator. This was one of those situations where just being there made all the difference in the world.

“I didn’t feel like we did anything, really,” she said. “We were praying outside with signs. Soon after we arrived, a woman came out for a smoke, looked at us and went back in.”

Not long afterward, the woman left the building again – this time with a younger woman who appeared to be her teenage daughter.

“She said they thought she was four weeks pregnant but the ultrasound said she was ten weeks,” Rita recalls. “She said there was no way they were going to abort.” They took pregnancy help resources and quickly left.

“I think the signs and the prayer helped, but it was mostly God’s grace,” Rita said. “We were not expecting it. We had NO saves last campaign!”

[Salvation]

Twickenham, England

October 3, 2016

The campaign in Twickenham has already received two amazing blessings.

One woman left the abortion facility saying, “Don’t worry, I didn’t do it!” Just five minutes later another mother said the same thing.

The vigil is outside a late-term abortion centre that typically does around 7,400 abortions a year — with some 320 of them at 20 weeks or beyond. The building has a unique history — it once served as a convent for nuns, who lived, worked and worshipped there. But now, it is a place of death.

Justyna, the local coordinator who brought the first 40 Days for Life campaign to this location three years ago, now leads a full-time presence there … seeing 300 babies saved from abortion.

The volunteers are praying for the closure of the building … and a renewal of pro-life efforts in their community.

[Salvation]

UNITED tour: New Hampshire and Massachusetts

October 3, 2016

Sunday brought the best weather we’ve seen yet on the 40 Days for Life UNITED tour – no rain! And each event brought out larger and larger crowds.

The day got off to a fantastic start as we met and prayed with a wonderful crowd of local 40 Days for Life leaders and volunteers at the statewide UNITED rally in Manchester, New Hampshire … joined by members of the clergy, elected officials, pregnancy center leaders as well as representatives from Bound4Life and Students for Life.

And wow! When we pulled up in Greenland, New Hampshire, the sidewalk was already lined with people praying at the 40 Days for Life campaign. This was the biggest vigil stop to this point along the UNITED tour! The energetic crowd then moved to a nearby parking lot to pray together, share encouraging stories … and, of course, sign the bus.

Then it was back on the road to head to Massachusetts and our vigil stop in Boston … where an even larger turnout came to greet us! This time, we prayed with many enthusiastic people outside a Planned Parenthood abortion center right in the heart of the city.

The local leader, Rita Russo, reported more excitement about this 40 Days for Life campaign than they’ve seen in years. And I’d say this crowd is proof!

And wouldn’t you know? We finished the day with the largest UNITED event yet! More than 225 people arrived to hold candles in the dark outside Planned Parenthood at the Massachusetts statewide rally in Worcester.

Attendees were inspired and challenged by speakers, including a former Planned Parenthood worker — Catherine Adair — who shared her experiences inside the abortion business before her conversion.

It’s 1,690 miles down … 16,810 more to go! Now it’s on to Rhode Island and Connecticut.

[Salvation]

DAY 6: Lives saved already!

October 3, 2016

If you’ve followed 40 Days for Life campaigns … you know that we always start Monday mornings with the best news we have.

So here it is! Thus far … our local campaign leaders report …

… 39 babies spared from abortion – that we know of!

God sees your peaceful presence … and hears your prayers.

We’ll share some of the stories behind these numbers after today’s UNITED tour report.

[Salvation]

DAY 7: Pray for the workers

October 4, 2016

When we pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil, we’re praying for the babies who are scheduled to be aborted, the moms … and even the abortion facility workers.

They see the peaceful vigil every day — on the way into the office, on the way home at night … and every time they look out the window.

And yesterday … some of those workers saw a big 40 Days for Life bus outside and heard a Silent No More testimony! More on that in a moment.

Eventually, some abortion center employees finally hear the voice of their consciences — and the voice of God.

There have been 133 abortion workers who’ve had changes of heart and quit their jobs during 40 Days for Life vigils!

You can hear from Jewels Green, a former abortion worker, and learn the impact of a peaceful vigil on this episode of the 40 Days for Life podcast.

Keep praying that more may leave!

[Salvation]

UNITED TOUR: Rhode Island and Connecticut

October 4, 2016

We stopped to pray at 40 Days for Life vigils outside several abortion locations on our trek through Rhode Island and Connecticut … and were genuinely amazed that when the 40 Days for Life UNITED bus pulled up, abortion workers often came out to listen!

Sunshine and an eager crowd greeted us at the UNITED statewide rally in Providence … and we were soon joined outside Planned Parenthood by some of those curious employees. It was wonderful to see Joanne and Eleanor once again – you really need to read their incredible story in Chapter 9 of the 40 Days for Life book!

Julie from Silent No More offered her deeply personal testimony at our stop at the Cranston, Rhode Island vigil – outside the very location she once had an abortion. She called out to the abortionist and staff by name — some of them had gathered outside the building. Julie told them she prays for them … and asked the vigil attendees to do so as well.

By the time we reached another Planned Parenthood location in Norwich, Connecticut, it had started clouding up. By the end of the event, the raindrops had started to fall. It was good to remember that when God wants to see things grow, He waters them – including our UNITED 40 Days for Life efforts!

We wrapped up the day with a high-energy UNITED statewide rally in Danbury, Connecticut … as an enthusiastic crowd of more than 100 people joined us along a busy street. It was great to hear from local leaders and Peter Wolfgang of Family Institute of Connecticut and Senator Michael McLachlan.

Linda, the director of Hopeline pregnancy center, shared the good news that when 40 Days for Life is going on, the center sees more clients, more changed minds … and more saved lives!

It’s 10 states down, 40 to go. Next up: New York City and eastern Pennsylvania!

[Salvation]

Stories from the sidewalk: Security guards

October 4, 2016

“A man in plain clothes approached me,” said a 40 Days for Life volunteer. “He introduced himself as the security guard for the day — Planned Parenthood was expecting us.”

Vigil participants were expecting a hard time, but this guy was quite polite as he explained the ground rules regarding the center’s property. “He also advised me to stay hydrated,” the volunteer said, “and said that if I needed anything, I could flag him down.”

The security man came back later to check on the people praying. He talked about his days as a police officer – and admitted that he had accepted the job for the day with his contract security company without knowing his assignment was Planned Parenthood.

He said he was Christian and pro-life … and not happy with the place his work had taken him.

“I asked him if he’d be securing the facility for the duration of the campaign, to which he said that he would not, since it would be against his Christian beliefs to support an organization like Planned Parenthood,” the vigil participant recalled. “He pledged that he would decline any future requests or offers to work at Planned Parenthood.”

“We often focus on the mothers we help and the babies saved during our time on the sidewalk,” said a 40 Days for Life leader in another city, “and we forget to share beautiful stories that happen when we get to know the workers too.”

This leader recalled a security guard who worked for the abortion center. “We were able to encourage her to leave and find different employment. She actually purchased our daughter her very first pair of shoes.”

Prior to her leaving, she’d had many conversations with prayer volunteers. She would often report that they were making a major impact on the mothers going into the facility. She would even distribute resource information to mothers.

“Through this outreach, she was instrumental in encouraging nearly 15 mothers to choose life that year,” said the 40 Days for Life coordinator. “This all happened because someone took the time to care, and strike up a conversation, and through that conversation provide her the hope necessary to make a life giving decision to find different employment.”

[Salvation]

Bogota, Colombia

October 4, 2016

“Our stories of mothers who have said yes to the lives of their children motivate many of our followers to send us their own testimonies of their experiences with unexpected pregnancies or in crisis situations,” said one of Bogota’s 40 Days for Life team members. “This is one of them.”

“I was a teenager who was the perfect daughter, in a family that was not so perfect,” recalled this young woman.

“I always did well at school, outstanding grades, no problems of discipline … was very wise and obedient in my house. As I am an only child, my parents always expected only the best of me,” she said.

Her life changed dramatically when she was 16. She learned that she was pregnant.

So much for the perfect daughter, she thought. Everyone would be so disappointed in her, especially her mother.

“I cried for hours, not knowing what was going to happen with me. The only thing I was sure about was that I wasn’t going to end the life of my son. Abortion was never an option for me.”

The young woman was overcome with thoughts of how she would deal with her family, her boyfriend’s family, her school friends – but nothing would convince her that abortion would solve her troubles. “Thank God, that’s always been so clear.”

Ten years ago this month, “God blessed me with the best gift – a spectacular baby spectacular who came filled with smiles and love to those around him. It was all better once he was born. The two families were happy. The suffering and fear were gone, and I graduated from school.”

It’s been ten years full of challenges, she said, “but I feel blessed to look at those green eyes full of life each and every day. Saying yes to life was the best decision I could make, despite the fear and the circumstances.”

This mom understands that every life is a gift from God. “My son has taught me to be a better person, to strive every day to be the best version of myself, to be their best example, to be the best mom I can be for him.”

She has no doubt that ten years ago, she made the best decision possible by saying yes to life.

[Salvation]

DAY 8: Another Planned Parenthood reaction

October 5, 2016

We’ve seen a variety of responses from Planned Parenthood as the 40 Days for Life UNITED bus has pulled up outside their doors.

At several locations, they’ve closed early. At others, they recruited protesters in pink shirts to carry banners reading “health care happens here.”

They repeated the unexpected closure strategy yesterday in New York. But in Pennsylvania, it was something different. They remained open, and staff members — including the — abortionist came out to listen.

One of the speakers they heard was a woman who talked about her abortion experience and her quest for healing.

How Planned Parenthood employees handle this is something we place in God’s hands … but He has already been using this bus tour in ways we didn’t expect.

[Salvation]

UNITED TOUR: New York and Pennsylvania

October 5, 2016

New York City may be “the city that never sleeps,” but the Planned Parenthood center was all locked up … unexpectedly closed for the day. No doubt they knew the 40 Days for Life UNITED bus tour was in the Big Apple!

We had a great rally in Manhattan, around the corner from the Planned Parenthood abortion center on Margaret Sanger Square.

We were blessed to have guest speakers Keri Landeche, the Students for Life Northeast coordinator; Chris Slattery, director of Expectant Mother Care; and Georgette Forney, co-founder of Silent No More Awareness, who tearfully shared that she had her abortion 40 years ago today. Please pray for Georgette, and for all women — and men — harmed by abortion.

At the UNITED vigil stop in Warminster, Pennsylvania, we met many dedicated volunteers … including some who’ve been praying outside this Planned Parenthood location for decades. The crowd erupted in cheers when Steve Karlen broke the news about twins just saved from abortion at the Wilmington, Delaware 40 Days for Life site a few miles away.

At the West Chester, Pennsylvania vigil stop, Victoria from Silent No More Awareness shared her post-abortion testimony. As she spoke, a large, enthusiastic crowd listened to every word – and so did the Planned Parenthood abortionist. The local team estimates between 25 and 30 children lose their lives every week at this facility.

Please pray for the abortionist’s conversion — and for all those who work in and enable the abortion industry.

Philadelphia rocked its UNITED rally, filling up an entire downtown city block outside Planned Parenthood, with faithful people standing together in candlelight.

Special thanks to the great speakers, the news reporters covering the event, the local Alpha Pregnancy Center for bringing their new mobile ultrasound mobile vehicle and the seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo … who had to get on top of the bus for a photo!

Now it’s on to York and Harrisburg for vigil stops — and a rally in Pittsburgh!

[Salvation]

Tulsa, Oklahoma

October 5, 2016

The 40 Days for Life campaign has been making an impact in Tulsa right from the start. Around 350 people kicked off the vigil at the Garden of Hope – land right across the street from the abortion center that’s owned by the local Catholic diocese.

While one church may own the property, the Tulsa campaign leaders say faithful Christians from diverse backgrounds will maintain the 40-day vigil there, praying for an end to abortion.

The opening rally set that multi-denominational tone, with pastors from Redeemer Covenant Church and First Presbyterian Church speaking at the event.

Catholic Bishop David Konderla – who had seen similar vigils first hand when he was a pastor in 40 Days for Life’s home town of College Station, Texas – encouraged the crowd to show mercy to all the victims of abortion, including the children, their mothers and fathers … and those who work in the abortion clinics so that they might find a way out that destructive industry.

[Salvation]

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

October 5, 2016

We are engaged in a fight, noted one of the 40 Days for Life volunteers in Cluj-Napoca, in a recent reflection about standing and praying on a rainy day.

Here’s part of that reflection:

We know how important life is … how much it is under attack … and how many enemies surround us.

Beyond just standing on the street in the rain, we also know that we struggle with ourselves and our will – and our desire for comfort. At times, while we’re standing along the street, there’s a feeling that we are losing.

But we stand on the street, with a smile … to demonstrate that anything is possible when it’s done with God. We remain on the street to defend our values, to defend our faith.

We stand on the street because we trust Him, in His mighty power, His love and His mercy. Standing on the street, we don’t care about the weather, as long as we are united with his cross.

Standing on the street, we continue our prayer, bringing him glory, honor and adoration to God and confess, at any cost, the truth about the life he gave us. Praise the Lord for every soul He created and redeemed through his infinite love!

Today it’s time to stop thinking of ourselves … to take the cross and follow Him with all our hearts.

[Salvation]

DAY 9: Expect the unexpected

October 6, 2016

We knew that driving the 40 Days for Life UNITED bus for 18,000 miles from coast to coast would mean stopping for maintenance. But this stop was unexpected.

Thankfully, the mechanic (above, under the bus) worked on it. The unexpected – a rock – took out the muffler and tailpipe. We DO have a backup plan – AND a backup vehicle. The tour will continue!

“Expect the unexpected” is also something to keep in mind when you’re praying outside the abortion center … like when volunteers hear about a baby spared from abortion – but only years after the fact.

Moms and dads will sometimes stop and show the vigil participants a photo of the child that was saved. Occasionally, they even get to meet the child in person.

This experience puts a face on what abortion is all about – a living, breathing, smiling human being who was in imminent danger of becoming yet another statistic.

It’s why we pray.

Find the 40 Days for Life location nearest you and join us!

[Salvation]

UNITED TOUR: Pennsylvania

October 6, 2016

A little trouble with a rock, a muffler and a tailpipe is not enough to stop the UNITED tour! After $1,030 in repairs, the UNITED bus will be back on the road.

It’s not uncommon to have a heckler ask 40 Days for Life volunteers “How many unwanted babies have you adopted?” It’s not a serious argument, but in York, Pennsylvania, we met an expectant mother who had saved three babies by offering to adopt them.

Ultimately, all three mothers chose to parent their children, but our faithful volunteer continues to support them. After our visit, she left to bring baby supplies and gifts to one of the families that chose life in York. Our vigil team even rents a house across the street from Planned Parenthood to have a base for supporting expectant mothers going through challenging pregnancies.

We pressed on in our backup van … and headed to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Maggie from Silent No More offered her testimony and shared how her story helped save another mother from making the same mistake.

We next arrived Pittsburgh, where more than 100 turned out at rush hour for our western Pennsylvania rally. In this UNITED 40 Days for Life campaign, we have experienced great Christian unity. This event’s speakers included clergy from several different Christian faith communities.

As the sun set, we said goodbye to this beautiful city … and now it’s on to West Virginia.

[Salvation]

Falls Church, Virginia

October 6, 2016

While Ken was praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Falls Church, a man parked his car and asked if he could tell him a story. Ken, of course, was all ears.

The man said he’d been at the abortion facility two years ago. He and his wife had four children … and she was pregnant. “She didn’t want to have and take care of another baby,” Ken related. “He was against it … but eventually drove his wife to the abortion center.”

After his wife went in to take the abortion pill, he saw people with signs outside, standing in prayer. The sight hit him hard, and he was overcome. “I can’t live with this,” he said. “I can’t live with this.”

He called his wife and said, “We can’t do this!” His wife, who was just about to take the abortion pill, threw it down and left.

The man then opened his car door, and inside was his smiling 2-year-old son – the child saved by the prayers and signs.

As he was about to drive away, he stopped to thank the other vigil participants … and again introduced his son.

Ken said one of the volunteers that morning was discouraged because she couldn’t get other members of her church to join her, “but after witnessing this, her heart was filled with joy.”