Day 25…Thanks to Orthodox Christians for Life, Archangel Gabriel parish & our faithful volunteers!

Stay Strong!

OK team!  It’s time to get out the weights! We have passed the midpoint of this 40Days campaign and we need everyone to stay in shape! Sometimes, discouragement can set in and cause our energy to diminish somewhat. We’ll have none of that!

What must we do to remain fortified? Let’s go to Saint Paul for his recommendations:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand, therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

I encourage everyone to meditate on his words. (As I read along, I was mentally checking, or half-checking, the boxes!) If we stay connected to ALL the channels of grace given to us, The Holy Spirit will ensure we’re strong enough to continue our task at hand.

So, there you have it! Take up the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!

Read on for today’s sidewalk stories!

Joe, Tim & David

(from Tim) It was a beautiful, brisk and busy morning. There was a run/race underway nearby and the St. Patrick’s day parade was about to get underway. Both allowed us to make an impactful witness to all those passing by who were either in or watching the parade or running.  Most were wearing their “green”, as was I. 

I’ve never experienced more positive comments from the passersby and not a single one said anything negative.  It was uplifting.

The first comment came early just as we finished setting up. A woman stopped and looked at the fetal models, looked up at me and said “Thank You for being here”.  Two very similar events occurred when a mom and young daughter came by, one with her face decorated in glitter. The first said “thank you for being here.  I brought my daughter here when she was younger to pray.”  The second stopped inside the arc looked at the models, then at us and smiled. We started to pray aloud and I believe she and her daughter did the same.  When we finished the mom said “God bless you”.  The last event was a big group dressed in their greens and were passing in front and back of us.  Once fellow approached and was passing by close behind me.  I tensed until he said “thanks for being here” and gave me an enthusiastic pat on the back.  As my partners, Joe and David said “it was sprinkle of Divine Mercy upon us”.

Sadly it was a very busy day for the clinic. We were able to give out some literature and one man accompanying a woman stopped allowed us to talk him while the woman entered.  We pleaded for him to try to bring out but it didn’t happen while we were there.

It ended on a good note for me.  My car was parked across from the clinic and got barricaded in both in the front at back.  As I ran over the police officer said to me “don’t worry about it, I’ll move the barricade when you’re ready to leave”.  God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Tim

Andrew & Ann

Chris

(From Chris) -Planned Parenthood had between 6-8 patrons during the 11-1 shift and no one was interested in pro life alternatives or literature. Our church group prayer partners prayed non-stop and we know of course that God, our Lady, and St. Joseph heard them. Other than that, despite the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, the shift was uneventful.

Billy & Anthony

(From Billy) – Saturday 1 to 3 shift. I was with the Archangel Gabriel parish and three additional volunteers 2 more guys and 1 woman. We had a lot of passers by and a couple hurled insults at us. But we did not cower. One lady said she is tired of seeing us. That was encouraging to see we are impacting people. We also had a girl by the name of Sierra who is 19 years old has 2 children and is pregnant. She said she is 3 months pregnant and she did not choose to abort. Please pray for her! And we ended with just passers by! It was another interesting St Patrick’s day parade.