Dear Friend of Life:
First of all, to those of you in the United States — let us be among the first to wish you and yours a beautiful Memorial Day!
This day reminds us that freedom is not free — and to those who have given themselves in service to defend and protect our many freedoms in this country: we are so grateful! Because of those valiant men and women who have sacrificed and served our country, we have the blessing and privilege of being able to live in a place where we can express our faith and confidently reach out to those-in-need. To those who have lost a loved one in the service — we cannot say thank you enough for your sacrifice. May God continue to bless this great nation!
In that very spirit …we have an exciting update!
Since April 1, we are now celebrating 69 babies saved by God’s grace! That’s also not including 32 hopefuls — those who left the abortion center to “think about it,” but armed with life-saving literature that points them to the local pregnancy center.
It’s amazing to think that the real number of babies saved so far could be up to 101! PRAISE GOD! (And those are just the ones we know about!)
Are you struggling with what to say and how to best approach clients at the abortion facility? We’d love to be a blessing to you!
Applications to bring Sidewalk Advocates for Life to your local community THIS FALL will be open August 1-31, 2014!
Questions in the meantime? Feel free to email us at info@sidewalkadvocates.org!
As we head into Week 9 of our current program, let’s say hello to one of our programs in the East …and continue to pray together with this week’s devotional, written by Program Advisor, Former Planned Parenthood Manager Ramona Treviño!
Ron & Jane serve as Program Directors for Sidewalk Advocates for Life in Manchester, CT!
Ron and Jane shared with us how Sidewalk Advocates for Life (SAFL) made a difference in their peaceful outreach at the abortion center…
“This training has given us focus. We started out not knowing what to do, just wanting to stand against the killing and try to turn people away from a terrible decision. Much of what we did at first was directed to the public, but not so much to the mothers. At that time Planned Parenthood was located on a very busy street. Another hang up for us was that many of the clients were going in for other health services, and we just didn’t know what our message should be to them.”
“Now we know a lot more about how we can minister to those we meet. We have at least some basics of what to say to them. Now we’re not just standing against something, we are there to offer something positive.”
In fact, right after their training with us — days before the official start date of Sidewalk Advocates for Life — Ron & Jane went out to the abortion clinic in hopes of prayerfully encouraging clients to choose life.
They spoke with a young man whose female friend was inside; they armed him with life-affirming help and information, then encouraged him to go inside to pull her out of the abortion facility. In short, he did just that — he went inside and brought her out …and they informed Ron & Jane that she was choosing life instead!
When asked how joining up with SAFL can impact someone else’s simple ministry on the sidewalk, Ron & Jane reflect, “Anyone who has compassion for these little children can benefit from SAFL because it shows you the way to be compassionate to all involved.”
THANK YOU, RON & JANE!
WEEK 9 DEVOTIONAL: SAVING LIVES, SAVING SOULS
by Ramona Treviño, Former Planned Parenthood Manager & SAFL Program Advisor
Verse(s): “He should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” — James 5:20
Reflection: As “pro-lifers,” it’s not uncommon to be accused of only caring about the lives of the unborn. I can see how the other side could perceive this as being true. However, as pro-life Christians we know this is not the case.
Being pro-life is about both saving lives and saving souls. The souls of the mothers and fathers heading to the abortion facility are just as important as the lives that are lost in the abortion center.
Although a life lost at the hands of an abortionist is both heartbreaking and tragic, we find solace in knowing that these children are with our Father in Heaven. (Again, not to make light of that — of course, we go there to save each preborn child, knowing that they were made for life and love and that taking that precious life is never the answer!)
But what happens, then, to the mothers, fathers, families and abortion workers once it’s all said and done? Are their lives not just as important?
Again, as Christians, we know they are. They are the ones left behind after an abortion takes place. They are the ones left to live a life of bondage inflicted upon them by sin. Their souls are at risk of death due to sin.
We are out on the sidewalk, praying and advocating for life — not because we judge, but because we love. And we go to the abortion facility to love all mothers, fathers and workers, too!
It is love that conquers the sin of abortion. It’s love that conquers death — the death of body and soul. And it is love that will lay a foundation that can lead them to love incarnate — namely, Christ Himself.
Call to Action: On the sidewalk we’re called to love, to pray and to be a voice for the voiceless. However, let us never forget that when we’re out in front of these abortion facilities that we’re also saving souls by God’s grace, our powerful witness and our prayers.
Continue to pray for God’s grace, that His will be done. Pray that abortion, sin and brokenness will succumb to the message of the Cross and Resurrection — the ultimate display of love.