Dear Friend of Life:
We’re beginning “week 6” of our new program with our new locations and meanwhile, applications to bring Sidewalk Advocates for Life to your local community are open until May 15. In short, we’re excited to continue our life-saving ministry on the sidewalk while getting the next wave of communities on board!
If YOU are ready to sign up for our peaceful Sidewalk Advocacy program, APPLY HERE
One of the key things about our training program is how comprehensive it is. We not only teach our locations how to effectively reach out in love to abortion-bound women & men, but we teach them how to minister to those at non-abortion facilities, post-abortive women and abortion workers, as well. In every case we encounter on the sidewalk, we teach Sidewalk Advocates to give out the most life-affirming information and resources.
In the case of abortion workers, we let them know that we are there for them when they are ready to leave the business. We refer workers to Former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson’s ministry, And Then There Were None (see www.abortionworker.com). Recently, Abby let the pro-life community know that their ministry has helped 110 workers leave the business in less than two years — WOW!
This ministry is continuing through our Sidewalk Advocates on the front lines, as well! One of our Program Directors on the East Coast reports that she spoke with an abortion worker for about 20 minutes the other day. This worker was very hesitant to converse with a “pro-lifer” on the sidewalk, but her welcoming demeanor encouraged the abortion worker to approach her for help. Of course, we continue to keep that situation in our prayers, in hopes that this young woman will leave the business forever!
If you would like to learn comprehensive Sidewalk Advocacy — don’t forget! Applications to bring Sidewalk Advocates for Life to your local community are open until May 15!
QUESTIONS? Feel free to email us at info@sidewalkadvocates.org!
Speaking of former abortion workers, let’s meet one of our Program Advisors who is celebrating a special anniversary this week! Meanwhile, let’s continue to pray with a devotional written by Program Advisor and SAFL-Columbia, MO Program Director, Kathy Forck!
One of our Program Advisors, Ramona Treviño, is celebrating a very special anniversary on May 6 this year — it’s been three years since she left Planned Parenthood!
Even though Ramona worked at an abortion-referral facility that didn’t actually perform abortions within its walls, she found herself doing things over her three years there that she never imagined — she frequently gave out the number to the Dallas-area abortion facilities and referred for abortions. She also found herself supporting and reinforcing the promiscuous lifestyle of young people, witnessing the extensive heartache that such choices would frequently bring to them.
In the spring of 2011, thanks to inspiration from a local Christian radio station, the prayers and public witness of the 40 Days for Life-Sherman, TX campaign, and God’s grace, Ramona reclaimed her walk with Christ and resigned her position at Planned Parenthood, which resulted in the clinic closing.
Ramona is now sharing the story of her pro-life conversion and exodus from Planned Parenthood, the organization responsible for the most abortions in the United States. She also serves as one of our Program Advisors, giving the SAFL team advice and lending a helping hand in supporting our locations when needed.
See her video conversion story here (NOTE: Ramona’s testimony begins around 8.30 …but the rest of the video is great, too!)
Here is what Ramona said about SAFL: “I am so excited about Sidewalk Advocates for Life — it’s such an amazing program, and God is already using it to save lives and touch hearts across the world! I can’t wait to see the other great things God will do through this program in the future!”
THANK YOU, RAMONA!
WEEK 6 DEVOTIONAL: HIS WORK, HIS LOVE
by Kathy Forck, SAFL Program Advisor & SAFL-Columbia, MO Program Director
Verse(s): “For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ. But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” — 2 Corinthians 4: 5-7
Reflection: As I read these verses, my heart is filled with what really happens on the sidewalk.
We know not these women who are put into our lives by the Lord, but we have such a compassionate yearning to serve them — to serve them even as a slave as we look upon them with love as the light shines upon them. Not our light, but the light of Jesus Christ. For it is His light, His words, His actions, His love which draws them close to us and ultimately close to Him. This light is a treasure and this treasure we hold in our hearts.
Our Lord is the one who does all things, and as we do this gentle work, we realize every day a little more deeply that He is humbling us so that our first thoughts are always to give the honor and glory to Him — He who is within us, He who shines the light on the darkness and brings out women who feel they have no choice.
With amazement, I watch the power of the Lord draw them out to Sidewalk Advocates and ultimately, to those who would also pour out themselves as slaves–the pregnancy resource center workers.
Call to Action: I pray that those reading this and who have been vacillating with getting involved even more deeply, will do so.
I pray that Sidewalk Advocates will duplicate themselves many fold and bring others to the work that is so fulfilling. Sometimes just the words, “You would make a good Sidewalk Advocate!” will be all that it takes.
Let us share this gift with those who are waiting to be invited. Let us include others in this ministry which shines the light on the darkness. Let us not be afraid to ASK.