Dear Friend of Life:
Big 80’s hair. Sad women looking out a rain-splattered window. Hokey subtitles. Sometimes too scientific… sometimes not scientific at all. Too much information for a woman-in-crisis.
As our National Team has looked at literature we’d recommend that Sidewalk Advocates hand out on the sidewalk, at times …it’s been tough.
Some of the literature is outdated so much that the hairstyles hearken back to a 1980’s music video — ha! — and we worry we won’t reach the heart of a young, millennial woman.
Other literature can give off a sentiment that we don’t mean to convey at all, reinforcing her sadness or overwhelming her with too much information.
Of course, it’s not our intention to disparage any particular pamphlet. And some literature as of late is trending in the right direction, seeking to be more modern, colorful, inviting, and hopeful.
But at times, we’re really struggling to find something that has everything.
Why is all this monumentally important on the sidewalk?
One thing that we share in our training is that literature is your greatest ally on the sidewalk as it will speak for you when you can no longer speak to the client. It can reinforce the message of life in a powerful, visual way as she hears the concern in your voice and sees it demonstrated through your loving demeanor.
To share one story of how I witnessed this on the sidewalk: I remember one cold winter morning in Dallas when I was on the sidewalk with my partner, John; we were standing near the entrance of an abortion facility, peacefully reaching out. Suddenly, a pickup truck turned the corner and started to drive towards us. As the truck came more into view, we saw a middle-aged man driving with a middle-aged woman in the front seat — and we figured, naturally, she was the one seeking an abortion. I did a roll-down-your-window sign with a big smile and held out the literature. Yet, it became apparent that he wasn’t ready to talk: He slowed down, but didn’t stop the car; instead, he held out his hand to accept the literature. The couple then drove into the parking lot of the abortion facility, and we saw the man sit there and read through the literature …and big tears suddenly started to spill onto his face. Meanwhile, a young teenage girl sat up in the backseat …she had been hiding from us, and we began to figure out that the man was actually the grandfather of this precious child in danger of abortion. After he began to cry, he rolled down the window, and made a motion for me to come to the car to talk! I told him, I’m so sorry! I can’t cross the line …but you can come to us! Long story short, they got out of the car, talked to us, and made a solid decision for life!
There was no doubt in my mind that the literature had saved this precious baby’s life! (Note: The pamphlet I had used — called “We’re Here for You” — is actually produced by Pro-Life Action Ministries, and it’s trending in the direction of all I hope literature on the sidewalk to be!)
I could share dozens of other stories where literature made all the difference in our outreach and literally helped save lives.
It hit me at one point: If this is what represents us… if this is what reinforces the message of life… if this is the only thing they may read when they are getting ready to make a life or death decision… shouldn’t we use the best design, layout, and information possible, doing our best to convey love, hope, and help?
And yet, a crisis pregnancy is not the only situation we encounter on the sidewalk! We are, at times, reaching out to women who are taking abortifacient drugs (like Plan B or Ella or a hormonal contraceptive that may cause an early abortion), planting seeds for chastity, deterring healthcare business from the abortion facility, giving out post-abortion healing literature …and more!
Not only do we want to start more LIFE-SAVING sidewalk advocacy locations and keep our mission going, but our Sidewalk Advocates on the front lines each and every day must be equipped with literature for every situation they may encounter on the sidewalk, knowing that the literature may go with her into the abortion facility / Planned Parenthood office …and may go home with her while she considers her decision.
Friend, we need your help! Today, we begin our 10-day Summer Financial Campaign to raise desperately-needed funds to not only keep our LIFE-SAVING work going, but raise what’s needed to ensure our people on the front lines have the literature they need to be as successful as possible!
Will you help with a gift of $10, $25, $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000 or more to see this project — and our LIFE-SAVING mission — through to victory?
Go here to make a tax-deductible gift of support and HELP SAVE MORE LIVES: sidewalkadvocates.org/donate
Our mission does not survive without your support! Thank you for giving whatever the Lord puts on your heart today so together, with God’s grace, we can see more lives saved!
Again, please help us get to where we need to be to aid abortion-bound women and men in the best way possible: sidewalkadvocates.org/donate
Thank you for whatever you can give today. We appreciate your partnership in this great mission to end abortion through the power of love and peaceful outreach more than I can put into words!
In Christ, for Life,
Lauren Muzyka
Executive Director
Sidewalk Advocates for Life
info@sidewalkadvocates.org
sidewalkadvocates.org
DEVOTIONAL (July 1 – 15, 2017): “Upheld and Strengthened”
by Lauren Muzyka, Executive Director, Sidewalk Advocates for LifeVerse: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Reflection: Sometimes, the truth of the violence of abortion overwhelms us.
When we hear the testimony of a woman who has experience abortion or listened to a former worker talk about the sad and obvious taking of human life inside the abortion facility, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the evident darkness so many have experienced.
Yet, His word tells us that He has conquered sin and darkness overwhelmingly, and He will completely heal us if we but turn to Him. He promises to strengthen us in this battle, renew and refresh us, and “make all things new” (cf. Rev 21:5) through the power of his passion, death, and resurrection.
His love and grace truly makes all things new.
Faith Challenge: Pray for the healing of all those who have experience abortion personally in one way or another.
