In April 2014, Sidewalk Advocates for Life was founded. In that same year, one of our first Sidewalk Advocates, Mary, wrote about her journey to the sidewalk. And now, over a decade later, it still holds true:
“I continued to hear stories of women who’d had abortions saying, ‘If only somebody had stopped me,’ and their pain was plain to see. I’d tried speaking with people going into Planned Parenthood, but I didn’t know what to say. And my little prayers seemed so weak against the tide of evil being done there.
Then, I heard about Sidewalk Advocates for Life. It sounded like something I should, at least, check out. I liked the fact that it was NOT a protest — no signs, no slogans, no yelling. They focus on the woman’s predicament, not just the baby’s. And they were grounded in faith. So, I attended the training, and it was eye-opening, yet filled with optimism. We learned so much! Finally, now, I know how to approach the clients headed into Planned Parenthood.
Sidewalk Advocates for Life is a prayerful, peaceful outreach to help people in our community. We are taught how to engage them in conversation and find out what their needs are. Then, we give them options that they don’t know exist. This is true for those seeking abortion, but also for those who are there for other healthcare services. There are better options, but they (often) don’t know that. That’s why I’m out there every chance I get, hoping to turn one more person away from Planned Parenthood’s lies, and hopefully, toward Christ.
It’s easier than I thought. For one thing, we are never out there alone: we always have a partner, so I never have any fear. Plus, we have the tools to meet the clients’ needs. Studies have shown that abortion appointments have a dramatically higher no-show rate when pro-lifers are out on the sidewalk, actively engaging women about their choices. No-show rates shoot up to 75%! Imagine that! Just by being there, we can save babies’ lives and their mothers’ souls.
You may be as surprised as I was: it isn’t as difficult as you might think. And it has enhanced my prayer life, as well. God will never be outdone in generosity! So, give Him some of your time, and He’ll return it to you — with increase. I know that He has done that for me.”
Submitted by Sidewalk Advocates for Life – Spokane, WA
Interested in joining our life-saving mission? We need you! Learn more at sidewalkadvocates.org/getinvolved.