40 Days for Life keeps growing … September 27 through November 5

40 Days for Life.com ^ | 09--27-17 | 40 Days for Life staff

[Salvation]

Mount Vernon, Washington

Good news from the 40 Days for Life team in Mount Vernon – the number of abortion days at Planned Parenthood is decreasing.

Katharine asked for prayers for Cindy, the local coordinator. “She is a fantastic leader and has such a good sense of humor. She says if this Planned Parenthood shuts down, she’ll go on to the next one!”

Katharine also met a volunteer named Elaine, who stands and prays outside Planned Parenthood for two hours every day, “despite how much it hurts her back. She’s been spit on, but is not giving up!”

[Salvation]

Everett, Washington

For the 40 Days for Life volunteers in Everett, going to the sidewalk to pray often means putting up with opposition from Planned Parenthood supporters.

“They try to get a reaction from the vigil participants and constantly antagonize them,” Katharine said. They scream, chant, get right in their faces and try to block the sidewalk.

“The 40 Days for Life volunteers know the importance of being out there to fight for life,” she said.

Katharine said that Rachel, the local coordinator, is “a young mother of four and a fun leader” who is working hard to get members of more different faith communities praying together on the sidewalk.

[Salvation]

Wenatchee, Washington

The Planned Parenthood location where the 40 Days for Life vigil is held is an abortion referral center.

They just moved in not too long ago and seem quite uncomfortable with the community’s response.

“There are ‘No thank you, Planned Parenthood’ signs all over the neighborhood and the 40 Days for Life team has been there since they opened,” Katharine said. “Pastors in the community have written to the city to tell them that they don’t approve of Planned Parenthood.”

Katharine met with the local leaders as well as the vigil coordinator, “who really keeps up with getting the vigil filled. It’s a testimony to what a good job the campaign is doing.”

[Salvation]

Tacoma, Washington

It’s always the “random stories” that make campaign events interesting.

“A man walked up and shared his testimony,” Katharine said. “He was in jail and the mother of his baby didn’t know what had happened to him. Since it seemed she didn’t have any support, she decided to get an abortion.”

But in a case of perfect timing, the father was released and was on his way to see her … only to spot her walking into the abortion center.

“He ran and stopped her,” Katharine said, “and she chose life. His daughter is now four years old and named Destiny.”

[Salvation]

DAY 22: Free speech at its best

October 18, 2017

Prayer and fasting are the foundation of 40 Days for Life. That is what we believe will end abortion.

Thank God we can pray, fast and use our rights to oppose the destruction of human life. We do this because we love God … and because we love our country.

Freedom of speech is often attacked and misunderstood these days.

Lately we’ve been subjected to a lot of talk about professional football players refusing to stand during the national anthem.

They may have chosen a poor way to make their point; but when you speak out to oppose abortion, you show the best use of our freedoms. It is patriotic to seek to change the injustices of our nation while respecting those who’ve died so that we can be a voice for the unborn.

We cover this on a new episode of the 40 Days for Life podcast … and share some of the early blessings from you using your rights during this campaign.

[Salvation]

La Paz, Bolivia

October 18, 2017

Citizens’ rights are very much on the minds of 40 Days for Life participants in La Paz, where the campaign is taking place for the third time.

Abortion is, for the most part, illegal in Bolivia, though there are three situations in which abortions may be obtained. But there is legislation pending that would permit abortions in five additional circumstances.

The legislative assembly’s lower house has approved the measure. It has not yet been taken up by the senate, but the 40 Days for Life leaders are concerned that it might become law.

As for the campaign itself, a small but committed group of volunteers pray in front of a Marie Stopes office. This facility’s staff claims that abortions do not take place there.

[Salvation]

Clearwater, Florida

October 18, 2017

If you’re looking for a word to describe the 40 Days for Life vigil in Clearwater, it would be “enthusiasm.”

That’s the report from Jane, the local coordinator, who arrived outside the abortion center at 7 in the morning to find a number of people on the sidewalk standing up for the babies and moms.

“We are seeing such a reduction in clientele” at the abortion center, she said, “and we are very excited to see our prayers working!”

Jane said they will continue to pray that this facility will go out of business. “Who can resist this exhibition of life on the sidewalk?”

[Salvation]

DAY 23: Two quit … one never started

October 19, 2017

More good news today …

… we’ve learned that two more abortion business workers have had a change of heart and quit the industry!

In all such cases, we keep the specifics confidential. Former workers often face criticism, rejection from friends … and sometimes even the threat of lawsuits from their former employer.

Please keep these workers in your prayers as they continue the path to healing.

This now makes 156 abortion employees who’ve experienced conversions and left their jobs during 40 Days for Life campaigns!

We also know of one case during this campaign where a person arrived for a job interview at an abortion center – but after speaking with 40 Days for Life participants, this person left without even walking into the building!

The prospective job applicant was greeted by a volunteer who said that God had a better job waiting somewhere else – a job that truly involved helping the sick and hurting.

That brought tears to the applicant’s eyes.

Pray for those who have left the abortion industry … and listen to the story of a Planned Parenthood manager who had a conversion — and then led a 40 Days for Life campaign!

[Salvation]

St. Paul, Minnesota

October 19, 2017

When a vigil participant in St. Paul approached a woman outside Planned Parenthood, she offered two brochures – including one that’s specifically about the abortion pill.

“I told her to be sure to read the information,” the volunteer said. She also encouraged the woman to visit a nearby pregnancy help center.

As the woman left Planned Parenthood an hour later, she asked how to get to “that place” – meaning the pro-life resource center.

She wasn’t sure Planned Parenthood had been completely truthful with her about the side effects of the abortion pill. They apparently told her there were no side effects.

“She read the brochures while she was waiting and she knew they had lied to her,” the 40 Days for Life participant said. “I told her that she had made the right decision and she would never regret it.”

The young woman nodded her head in agreement … with tears streaming down her face.

“Once again, thank you God!” said the St. Paul volunteer.

[Salvation]

San Luis Obispo, California

October 19, 2017

While several people stood in prayer outside Planned Parenthood in San uis Obispo, a pickup truck parked nearby.

Stickers on the vehicle identified the driver as a Korean War veteran – which proved to be true when a man got out wearing a vest covered with military patches.

“I need to tell you this,” he said. “My mother was 16, unmarried and pregnant. It was really tough; nobody was there for her. She decided to keep the baby, like you’re praying for, right? Well … it was me.”

Driving by the vigil made him think of his mother. “I’m grateful every time I think of her. She kept me. Thanks for what you’re doing!”

With that, he smiled … jumped back into his truck … and drove off.

“We don’t know much about him,” said one of the San Luis Obispo team members. “Of course, we know he fought for his country – for us. He risked his life … and we are grateful. We are grateful, too, that his mother chose life.”

[Salvation]

This is a busy campaign … and today we are going on a quick tour! Enjoy these snippets of good news from the front lines — where lives are being saved in 375 cities during this record-sized campaign!

[Salvation]

Greensboro, North Carolina

Thanks be to God for our faithful volunteers! Prayer is powerful. We can report four confirmed saves in the last two weeks!

[Salvation]

Manhattan, New York

Huge turnout in front of Planned Parenthood on Margaret Sanger Square! There were 94 praying at 40 Days for Life in New York City!

(Margaret Sanger was the eugenicist, racist founder of Planned Parenthood. You can learn more about her in this 40 Days for Life podcast episode.)

[Salvation]

Nashville, Tennessee

Today we were at Planned Parenthood doing our Jericho march when a young couple stopped by and told us that they decided not to go into Planned Parenthood because we were there praying. They showed us their baby in the back seat — about 6-9 months old!

[Salvation]

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Praise reports: An abortion-minded client had been saving money for an abortion, but she ran out of time and is going to parent. Another client said she always thought she would abort but she has decided she can’t do it. Praise God for His convicting power!

[Salvation]

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Despite the drizzly day and the cool weather, participants came to the vigil in front of Heritage Abortion Clinic to pray with Bishop David Walkowiak. Bishop Walkowiak said those present were “a hardy crowd!”

[Salvation]

Canton, Ohio

The Knights of Columbus drive from Alliance each campaign once a week to pray at Planned Parenthood. A gentleman stopped and thanked them for being there. He even offered to buy them supper. One of the Knights writes, “Just wanted to pass that on to you. People are thankful that we are doing what we are doing.”

[Salvation]

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Great news! The lives of five children in the womb were saved — and five women were saved from the pain of abortion this week in Albuquerque. Praise God!

[Salvation]

Before I get to an update on the courageous campaign leaders dealing with California wild fires ... I want to let you know that 40 Days for Life will be featured on EWTN — the Eternal Word Television Network — on Sunday.

I will be on EWTN Bookmark with host Doug Keck at 9:30 am Eastern. The show will be re-aired on Monday at 4:30 pm Eastern.

Today we have a special shout-out to 40 Days for Life volunteers in California who’ve had to deal with the serious fires plaguing their areas.

Some of them have had to evacuate their homes.

We insist on putting safety first when it comes to the vigil. In just one example, the fires got too close for Howard and Ron and the 40 Days for Life team in Napa. “Lost less than seven calendar days due to the unpredictable fires in our area,” Howard wrote.

But that did not discourage these folks once it was safe to venture out.

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Yes, there’s a smoky haze in the air … and yes, those are masks that some of the people are wearing.

“Undeterred by the smoke … 22 stalwart prayer warriors prayed in front of local Planned Parenthood facility,” Ron reported.

For several 40 Days for Life campaigns in California, the fires represent a life-and-death situation. But once the danger subsides, these volunteers will once again turn their attention to another life-and-death situation – at the local abortion center.

And this is why we continue to pray.

[Salvation]

DAY 26: Babies, babies everywhere!

October 22, 2017

The 40 Days for Life family keeps growing!

In the midst of working hard to save babies … many of our team members are having babies of their own!

Steve Karlen, our North American campaign director, and his wife Laura just welcomed their fourth child, Katherine Lourdes.

And there are more 40 Days for Life babies on the way!

FOUR members of the headquarters team are awaiting the birth of children, including Robert Colquhoun, Katharine O’Brien, Bobby Reynoso … and my wife and I.

The pro-life movement continues to grow through changing hearts, changing minds — and having children. Please keep the Karlen family in your prayers as they bring home their new baby girl.