The Beginning of the End?
Have you ever heard the amusing tale of the child who received the birthday gift of a huge pile of manure? The joke goes that it was accepted with great excitement. With shovel in hand, the digging began in earnest. With that much manure, there had to be a pony in there somewhere!
Optimistic. Yep, that’s me. I’m a glass half-full kind of person! So, when I read last Saturday’s report about the “fancy” ladies coming to PP, my heart did a lil’ somersault! Could this signify the beginning of the END?!
Our shift, first one on Tuesday mornings, is not always taken up with clients coming in, but rather LOTS of workers. It always amazes me that PP is so top heavy. If they have to pay every worker a salary (who’d volunteer for such a job!), their payroll must be sizable. My guess is, if they don’t take in a certain number of clients, PP depends a great deal on government assistance to keep its doors open. (DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD!)
Recently, too, there have been a number of reports of PP being closed on a Saturday. Saturdays are usually big days for business. Hmmm. What’s up with that, I wonder?
This appearance of the bigwigs, coupled with the latest closure of a large PP in NYC, gives me great hope. Could it be that PP’s efforts to retrench are failing? I whisper a prayer to the Father, “Have mercy on us!”
How should we react to this news? Double down! (Bring out the shovels and start digging!) Be ever more present in front of the doors of death at 933 Liberty Avenue! Pray more fervently! Consider fasting from something significant in your life – make it pinch!
If NYC’s facility can topple, all the more ours here in Pittsburgh!
-Tracy
SIDEWALK REPORTS
7:30-9 AM +++ Joe, Tim, and David
TIM: Hopefully we made strong witness to life to all the college athletes walking towards the convention center as we stood in the rain praying with our signs. Sadly several young couples went in and none excepted our resource material nor offers of help. We pray that at least we touched their hearts. Thanks to my year round partners Joe and David for their compassion and perseverance.
9-11 AM +++ Sue
SUE: It was a busy day on the sidewalk, many women went in. It was wonderful to have the joyful, prayerful presence of Corpus Christi parish! We reached out to as many as we could offering help. Some took lit on the way in, passing by and on the way out. Praying their hearts are moved! We had success in giving out about 6 blessing bags…they are a very sweet gesture, thank you for putting them together! Bill was there praying and witnessing with his sign. Nadine showed up again, becoming an official Saturday regular! Towards the end of the shift, the parishioners from the Orthodox church with 2 clergy came to pray. They were holding beautiful icons! Vince, who is a mighty prayer warrior also came as Chris and Dean started the next shift. The sidewalk was covered with much prayer today, thanks to all!
11 AM-1 PM +++ Chris and Dean
DEAN: I’m sorry to report that it was busy at the abortion center. About 20 went in prior to my shift. I only saw a few leaving. They all need our prayers.
1-3 PM +++ Parish/Individual Volunteers
THANK YOU TO MARY, ANDREW, VINCE AND FRIENDS FOR STEPPING IN TO KEEP THE VIGIL GOING! God bless you all!
3-5 PM +++ Jeff and Billy
BILLY: Billy here on a glorious rainy afternoon. Today I am witnessing protesters of all kinds not exactly sure what they are protesting downtown but they have a lot of things going on. My first interaction was with a guy who asked me about when the abortions took place and I gave him the best information I could give him on the subject and said Saturday was our busy day. A lot of foot traffic and a few people came out of Planned Parenthood today. Despite this it was really quiet.