Dear Friend of Life:
Mary in Spokane, Washington couldn’t have said it any better.
When we set up this life-saving program, we did so on faith. We prayed that everyone who participated felt more confident than ever before to head out to the sidewalk and serve abortion-bound women and men in a disposition of peace with great love.
Recently, Mary in Spokane wrote a letter to her community to share how Sidewalk Advocates for Life has greatly impacted her ministry on the sidewalk — and we’d love to share her beautiful journey from struggle to joy!
Against the “culture of death” and the abortion industry, what can someone like me do? …I continued to hear stories of women who’d had abortions saying, in effect, “If only somebody had stopped me,” and their pain was plain to see. I’d tried speaking with people going in to 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 in June. It was really good education: eye-opening, yet it filled us with optimism. We learned so much! Finally, now, I know how to approach the clients headed in to Planned Parenthood. And I know even better how to pray for them! Because we learned about what they might be thinking, and how to meet them where they are.
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.
Please consider attending the next training (in your local community)… I wasn’t sure it was right for me… until after I had attended the class, and tried my hand at it. 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.
Hoping to see you out there!
Many blessings,
Mary S.
Sidewalk Advocate
Spokane, WA
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY — THANK YOU FOR SHARING, MARY!
Additionally, don’t forget that applications to bring Sidewalk Advocates for Life to your local community this Fall are open through August 31! Ready to apply? You can do so here: www.sidewalkadvocates.org/apply.
Also, for those who might be interested in our program, but still have questions –don’t forget that we’re holding a general Q&A call tomorrow! (YES, IT’S FREE TO ATTEND!) Here are the details…
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 12 at 9 pm EST / 8 pm CST / 7 pm MST / 6 pm PST
CALL-IN NUMBER: (425) 440-5100; PIN CODE: 888658#
TOPICS ADDRESSED: What sidewalk counseling method do you use? How many people do I need to run the program? How much is the program? What’s the time commitment? Can I do this if I’m really busy? Do I have to be at the abortion facility a certain amount of time each day? …and so much more!
***If you cannot join us at call time, no worries, we will send out the recording about 24 hours after the event.
As far as this week — we invite you to join with us in prayer via the devotional, below, and visit one of our locations in Shreveport/Bossier City, LA!
Friends, let us press on in this great work to save lives, transform hearts and end abortion!
This past July, SAFL Executive Director, Lauren Muzyka, was invited to do an in-person training for about 30 new Sidewalk Advocates in Shreveport/Bossier City, LA!
These new Sidewalk Advocates represented different churches, different ages, different occupations and different walks of life — but held in a common a desire to peacefully reach out and love abortion-bound mothers and fathers.
In short, what resulted was an incredible enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to hitting the sidewalks to save lives and transform hearts in Northern Louisiana!
In fact, Chris — who runs the program in Shreveport/Bossier City — reports many blessings thus far including three babies saved, much literature passed out, ministry to abortion workers …and more!
In one of those beautiful stories, Angela — one of their most enthusiastic Sidewalk Advocates — was running between the two driveways of one of the abortion facilities one morning, letting women earnestly know that they had other options at the pregnancy nearby. The clients told the pregnancy center that they chose life because even though Angela was very direct and persistent, they also felt great kindness and love through her pleas. In short, the example of this Sidewalk Advocate spoke volumes to these two women, and they were persuaded to choose life for their babies.
This story reminds us of Scripture, which admonishes us to be bold, but loving…
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God …for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
– 2 Tim 1: 6-7
WHAT A VICTORY!
We are so grateful for Chris’s leadership and his community’s dedication to defending human life!
Please remember them in your prayers as they alternative coverage between both the abortion facilities in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA, respectively — and work up to full coverage at both!
We cannot wait to see all that God will do in Northern Louisiana!
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL: “TOGETHER WE ARE WINNING!”
by Dr. Pat Castle, President/CEO, Vitae Foundation
Verse(s): “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord!’” — John 1:23
Reflection: John the Baptist was an Army of One crying out in the desert. In 2014, we are still in the desert crying out for an end to abortion, but we are not alone! Pro-Life ranks are great and getting greater. This past year, 93 abortion facilities closed, bringing them down 73% from the abortion industry’s peak in 1991.
At that peak in 1991, I was a third year cadet at the Air Force Academy, just beginning my military service and striving to make straight the way of the Lord – for God and country. Following God’s Way brought me to the end of my military service this May and the beginning of full-time pro-life service as President of the Vitae Foundation this June. The Vitae Foundation does research-based pro-life mass media, helping to change hearts and minds for saving lives.
Our LIFE Runners Team also delivers pro-life mass media. We have over 2,700 runners, walkers, and cheerers who move throughout society (including church, work, school, market) with REMEMBER The Unborn, Jer 1:5 jerseys.
And we look across the movement — so full of the great work of friends who are teaching students, putting on prayer vigils, training sidewalk counselors, helping abortion workers and exposing Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry. All of these efforts have come together under a beautiful synergy, creating a perfect storm that I believe God will use to one day end abortion!
Vitae’s slogan is so very true and encouraging: “Together We Are Winning!” – noting true teamwork between Pro-Life organizations. All on Christ for Pro-Life!
Call to Action: The pro-life movement works much like the Body of Christ — we all have different gifts, talents and functions, and we are at our best when we are working together and cheering each other on, knowing that the victory belongs to the Lord! Pray and ask God how you can be a positive voice for unity in the pro-life movement.
The task for a Christian is to drown evil in an abundance of good. We should live positively, full of optimism, joy and peace. We should be understanding with the followers of Christ and with those who abandon him, or do not know Him at all. But understanding does not mean holding back, or remaining indifferent, but being active. — St. Josemaria Escriva