Day 17: Thanks to Our Amazing Volunteers and Awesome Team Members!

So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.

2 Cor 5:17

Are you–like me–shaking your head in disbelief at how quickly time is flying by? On Monday, we’ll be halfway through Lent and halfway through this campaign. It’s a good time to take stock of our progress. Are we making sacrifices for the good of others, striving to be more like our Lord?

If you–like me–could be doing more, don’t despair. It’s never too late. God is so generous with second chances. Each day, we wake up with a new beginning.

Been meaning to come to the vigil, but haven’t made it yet? Good news…we’re launching a brand-new initiative called “23 Days for Life.” It starts today, so you’re just in time to join us. Come and pray!

-Jen

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SIDEWALK REPORTS

7-9 AM +++ Barbara, Richard, and Rose

Daylight bathed our sidewalk. March matters! Tom, Rose, Richard and I followed Diane’s plan and helped set our her beautifully thought out supply chain. The only necessity not immediately in reach is the champagne and chocolate feast we would share with each and every woman who changes her mind today … and chooses life for her little baby. Such a joy that would be!
Katie arrived bringing her ample beauty and pro life supplies. Sidewalk blooms were under way. Pro life love matters!
Kathy and Kim brought our shift to a close. We had greeted each passerby but were unable, as far as we know, to change abortion bound hearts.
God has His work cut out. We feel so blessed to belong to His plan.

Barbara

9-11 AM +++ Kathy and Mark

Thank you to all who came to counsel and pray.
I spoke briefly to one young woman, exiting a car, who was there for an abortion.  She listened to my offer for pregnancy help and accepted resources but sadly went into building.  Katie approached the car and spoke to the driver and woman’s friend to persuade them to help their friend choose a different option.  They accepted literature and attempted calling the woman but she did not answer.  They soon drove away.
Some patrons accepted resources and some did not.

Kathy

11 AM-1 PM +++ Sheila and Libby

1-3 PM +++ Donna and Elaine

Thanks to Fr. Jeremy, Katie, Elaine & Bernie for your faithful witness today.
We had several people pass by with encouragements today. Thank you Lord! One in particular was a woman, “K” who told me she was pregnant and keeping her baby. We conversed for a few minutes and I told her I would pray for her and her baby. She was so full of joy. Another mom with three young children passed by and had positive comments for us. Many were going in and out of PP.  We all tried to talk to them and give them literature. Some took it but went in. One woman in particular, “P” talked to us, went in, and came back out to talk to Elaine but still insisted this was what she needed to do. Another couple went in and the man left with tears in his eyes. Our hearts were breaking on the sidewalk today. We know those babies that didn’t get to see the light of day saw the brightest light in heaven. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
Blessings For Life,

Donna

3-5 PM +++ Pat, Val, and Mike

Pray for Pat who is under the weather…thank you, Val and Mike, for managing the shift. God bless all of you!

5-7 PM +++ Bill and David

Tonight’s shift was cold, cold wind more than anything.  My shift buddy David arrived and very quickly became engaged in a long conversation with a lady passing by that had a lot of questions and interest in what we were doing, probably talked for about 45 minutes and seemed very positive and upbeat about our efforts.  Meanwhile just a few minutes into our shift Judy from Sidewalk Advocates arrived in response to a call for help.  She got right to it offering handouts to everyone passing by including the ladies leaving Planned Parenthood.  I’m sure they were all employees for the first 40 minutes or so, when they came out the door they walked without hesitation to wherever they were going, but then a young girl came out and stood there as the door closed behind her – she didn’t seem to be going anywhere.  Judy tried to start conversation with her, then she reached for some handouts in our rack, as she was doing that a car pulled up and the girl got in.  Judy tried to offer the handouts, the young man shook his head no as he hurried to drive away.  I didn’t realize it, but Judy told me the girl probably just had an abortion.  She said the baggy pants were the giveaway, so we prayed for her.  A little while later I asked Judy what was on the sidewalk about a block away I was sure it was a blanket and not a person, Judy thought so too.  A minute later a lady passed by us, she paused a little while Judy offered her informational handouts, she indirectly responded seemingly in a faith tone but walked on by.  Then a minute later we noticed the lady a block away lying face down on the sidewalk.  She was what we presumed a few minutes ago to be a blanket.  We ran to her and when we got there she was praying to God with her face on the sidewalk.  We tried to offer help but she just got up and walked away.  The only thing I understood her to say was a question to God about what they had done to her son.  We returned to where we had been and offered prayers for her.  She was obviously troubled and too disconnected for us to be of any help.  The rest of the shift was prayers and offerings of hello and information to anyone willing to accept.  Tom and Diane arrived a  little early which was welcomed from the cold wind.  Tonight I’m a little more grateful for the people who were with me, so I say thank you to David and thank you to Judy.  God Night and God Bless!

Bill