At the Mill: March 30, 2013

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?
 The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

Spring is here, and I'm trying to figure out the appropriate attire for being out at the Mill. I don't need my gigantic black down coat anymore, or my gray toboggan with a big fuzzy puff on top. Or my snow boots. I tested out some shoes I bought at Meijer, they didn't suit well for the concrete sidewalk.

Laura and Elizabeth came out with me today. We also had Kim, Mark, Marybeth, Angie, Tamra and Paul along with Jeremy and a man (sorry, I forgot his name) who had signed up for the SWC training class. This was his second week out observing. He is also involved in Human Trafficking ministry. The abortion industry and human trafficking kind of go hand in hand. :(

 I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before, but Jeremy RIDES HIS BIKE there from Reynoldsburg. According to Google maps, that's about an hour one way. Sometimes he takes the bus home, today he rode his bike back home.

It seemed a bit "slower" today. We were able to talk to quite a few people. Unfortunately they all went inside.

Paul and Tamra stayed primarily in the back. A couple workers came out to smoke. Paul got to talk to one girl for a bit last week. She works in the "sad room". The sad room is where the employee has to piece back and account for all the body parts of the baby after an abortion.
Paul shared the Gospel message to the two women. Offered the one girl the book, "Case for Christ" by Lee Stroble. He told them it was about a man who was an Atheist that researched the account of Christ and converted to Christianity because of it.
The women pretty much ignored him.

Kim talked to a girl and her friend out front for a minute. She was there for an abortion. Kim told her what happens to the baby during an abortion and the girl was very distraught after that. She and her friend went back to their car and called someone.
The two went inside and a little while later, a woman came up yelling and cussing at us. That woman was more than likely the girl's mother. These are assumptions we're making, but we figure she probably called her mom and told her what we were saying to her, and she came out to reassure her daughter and give us what for. So sad. Paul told her we care more about her daughter and grand daughter more than she does. It's the TRUTH!

The first couple that came in when I got there, Mark tried to talk to, he followed them all the way up front. The guy was angry and was yelling at Mark to go away.
Mark tried to admonish a man who brought in his daughter for an abortion. He came out, sat in his truck and read a book. Mark was telling him to stand up and be a man, how can he read a book while his grand child is being aborted?
Mark also tried to talk to a man who was with his wife/girlfriend? He said she was raped and he didn't want to raise some psychopath's child. He said he was a Christian (while cussing up a storm) and he was just there to see what their options are. He said he knew about Kinder and was going to go there also. I told him later when they came out to smoke that Kinder would refund any money they spent there if she carries the baby to term. As he pulled out a wad of cash he said he hasn't given anyone his money yet. I'm just letting you know sir, that place down there won't charge you for anything. He had quite an attitude and a sailor's mouth, but I wouldn't have considered him hostile. As weird as that sounds.

Angie talked with a girl who came in with a friend/sister, and mother? She was told she had some sort of cancer and it was basically "her or the baby". Several people told her to get a second opinion, that these medical diagnosis are often wrong as far as the life of the baby is concerned.

I'm re posting my sister Laura's experience from her Facebook page:
Praise God I had a voice so I could talk to one mom.
She was coming in to find out her options. She's 4 weeks pregnant and has a blood clotting disorder (Protein S deficiency/disorder), and thyroid disorder (I have an under active thyroid disorder as well), and she said the medication she normally takes for the blood clotting disorder can cause birth defects, BUT she could get shots (heparin injections) during her pregnancy. I shared with her about a mom I knew who had multiple sclerosis and gave birth to a healthy baby (her Doctor was very concerned for her & the baby's health during her pregnancy), I also told her of mom's I knew who were told that they should abort because their baby could have a health problem/birth defect, and they ended up delivering a perfectly healthy baby. I told her that with technology in the hospitals these days there is a lot they can do to help women and babies with complications, and encouraged her to do her research when she got home because the abortion facility might not give her all the facts. She did say that she has another appointment with her "home" doctor, so I took that to mean she was probably getting a second opinion, and we encouraged her TO get a second opinion.
There are a lot of routes I could've taken in that conversation, but I just decided to leave it at that. I reassured her that those out on the sidewalk aren't here to harass women, but to help them and give them resources. She seemed to be appreciative of the conversation.
The counselor I was standing next to on the sidewalk actually has a sister that had a similar blood-clotting disorder. She had 1 still birth, another miscarriage, and then found out that her blood clotting disorder was the reason she couldn't carry a pregnancy to term, so she started getting the shots, and finally was able to give birth to a boy, who I believe is 3 years old now.

I was able to talk to a few other people walking by on the street. They all were horrified by what was going on in that building.
I also talked with "Mr. Ralph". I usually see him walking by there on Saturdays. I formally introduced myself. He's probably in his 70's or 80's. He lives at a shelter close by and has been there for about a year and a half. There are three other men he lives with as well. He likes to get out and walk, go to Wendy's about twice a day. I asked him if he  had trusted Jesus with his life. He said he didn't really know about that, but he prays. So , I'm sure I'll get to talk with him more. He seems to be a sweet old man.

I had a chance to talk with a Mexican woman. She rode up in a taxi. She was there for a consultation. Her body language seemed like she was undecided and really didn't want to be going in there. She has two children and their father is in Mexico. She has to work to take care of her children and she can't take care of another one. I told her about Kinder, adoption, the emotional trauma she will experience after an abortion, increased risk of breast cancer. I told her about abortion procedures based on how far along she was in pregnancy, that it is murdering a human life. I offered to walk down to Kinder with her. She thanked me and went inside. I told her I would be out here if she wanted to talk afterwards. When she came back out to get in the taxi she didn't want to talk to me at all.


While I was reading a guy came out and walked down to me after I asked if we could talk. He was in there with a friend whose wife was in their for an abortion. I gave him information about Kinder, adoption, I told him abortion is murdering an innocent human being. I explained what happens in an abortion procedure. His eyes got big and he sounded a bit shocked and said something like that is bad. I asked him if he could get his friend out to come talk to me. He did. Neither of them could speak English very well. I tried talking to his friend, they started speaking in Spanish to each other and walked back inside. WE NEED SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO SPEAKS SPANISH WELL!!!

I began reading aloud from Ephesians 2 and talking about how tomorrow we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, Friday we remembered His death on the cross. It got broken up a few times because of other people coming in and out I tried to talk to.

Ephesians 2

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.
¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
¹¹ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
¹⁴ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
¹⁶ And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
¹⁷ And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
¹⁸ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
¹⁹ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

It was about noon and we were getting ready to head out and a girl walked out in tears, crying really hard. Marybeth gave her a brochure on post abortive healing. I tried to catch up with them to talk. I asked if I could pray with her, and told her there is hope, healing and forgiveness in Jesus if she repents and trusts in Him. I offered her friend a brochure, she didn't take it.
I burst into tears as I walked back to the group. We prayed for her that she would cry out to Jesus after this experience.
Abortion is murder. It's not a procedure someone gets done and just goes on about their day. Your body has another human being growing and living in your womb. This is a natural process. It is not a natural process to have a baby ripped or vacuumed out of your body. Your body is aware of the trauma. Her tears showed that she was aware of what just happened. That she murdered her baby. That woman will never be the same.

I would be right there with those women, if it weren't for Your grace and mercy. Thank you merciful Father for saving me. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for the sins of Your people. I rejoice that Jesus did not stay in the grave, but He conquered death and reigns on His throne!
Innocent blood only needed to be shed once

Oh dear Lord, draw this nation to you! Turns these parents hearts to their children!
Raise up more soldiers for this battle!!

Rise up Church and fight for these vulnerable, precious gifts He has given us.

At the Mill, 3.16.2013

Rain was in the forecast, but the Lord was gracious and we didn’t have a drop while out there on the sidewalk! The roads were wet so that posed a challenge as far as speaking with people and being able to hear them.

People lining the sidewalks to pray.

We had SO many people out there praying!! Mark counted 55!!!

There was a group praying between 7:45-9. Then there were more folks stretching across the sidewalk praying. 4 Friars came out to pray as well.

Tim, Christina, Bonnita and Elizabeth came out.

We also had Kim, Mark, Paul and a couple newbies- Marybeth and Angie.
Kim brought her 14 year old niece. She was doing a presentation on abortion for school. She couldn't help but call out to people.

No hostile people this week. A lot of people that didn't want to talk. Most people did not take any literature either. I stayed up front primarily with Kim.

There were two couples I recognized from last week. Last week was their consultation. This week was their appointment to kill their baby.

The one couple drove up in a taxi, just like last week. Mark had talked to them last week, showed them the fetal model, told them they were already parents.

I said as they walked up, " I remember you from last week! I know you know you're parents and you have a baby growing inside you! I will give you a ride down to Kinder! Please don't go in there!!"

"It's just germ cells"

They went in anyway. The guy came out to smoke later and Kim talked to him. He said "it was just a clump of germ cells." 

Kim told him the "fetus" is just a stage of development, it does not make the baby any less human. Her niece asked the guy if she was any less of a human than Kim because she was a teenager? 

BAM! How bout them apples?!

Sorry.  Anyway...

Mark, Kim and a Friar talked to one man (all at separate times) bringing his girlfriend in. He sarcastically responded to our pleas upon entering. He parked right in front. He was smoking the whole time. His windows were down, he heard all of us, every person we called out to.

After he talked to Kim, we found out this was his 3rd child to be aborted. I think they were from different girls. He told his girlfriend he would take care of the baby. But she wanted to get an abortion. I had more compassion on him afterwards. I waved to him as I left.
AND stupid me, I had literature about post abortive healing and one directed to fathers of aborted babies... totally slipped my mind to give him that!

Learning experience...

There was a couple that came in, the woman was 14 weeks along. We begged her to not go in. The man she was with came out a bit later. He was her fiance.
Mark talked to him for close to an hour, breaking down every stronghold and excuse the man had for killing his baby.

He said he grew up in poverty, he already has a 2 year old, he and his wife are both in college. It just wasn't the right time, he said.
Mark asked him if he understood it was a human being, and he would be killing a human being. The man responded, well, I haven't developed a relationship with it yet.
Mark responded saying so it's okay for me to kill a 2 year old on the street because I have no relationship to the child?

Mark pleading for the life of this man's baby.

This type of dialogue continued for quite some time. Mark pleaded and pleaded through tears.

I interjected for a bit. I grabbed Elizabeth and said to the man, " She has a little baby brother who was adopted by a woman in your fiance's situation! She was going to law school, already had another kid. She was going to abort, but changed her mind. She was able to choose what family her baby could go to. His name is Valiant and he has a beautiful life with lots of people that love him!" I showed him Pastor Mark's Facebook profile picture with Valiant and Gideon on his lap.

He said not all kids get so lucky. And, he said he didn't want someone else raising his child.

Mark continued on. At one point, they were both on their knees crying.
Mark asked him if he had any heroes in his life.

The man said not really.
Mark continued, A hero is someone who does the right thing even when it's hard. You could be a hero today and save your baby from death!

Even after the man admitted abortion was wrong, even after Mark said he would raise this man's child, even after Mark broke down every strong hold... He walked away from the building, as his girlfriend sat in the lobby, waiting for them to call her name so she could murder her precious child.

Yet another testimony of God's sovereignty, and only He can make a heart of stone into a heart of flesh.

There were a few times where there wasn't any traffic coming in or out of the building, so I began to call out to the people sitting in the waiting room.

Again, people moved away from the door.

Remembering Laura's words of "you may have said it 10 times, but it's the first time they're hearing it", I gave a similar plea:

Please come out and talk to us. We are waiting to help you! You are a mom already and while you sit in that room, your baby is growing and receiving nourishment from you. Please don't do this! Have mercy on your child! You will live a life of guilt, shame and regret. There is a place down the road that will help you with anything you need! Please come out!

Jesus What a Friend of Sinners!

Tim, Christina, Bonnita, Elizabeth and I sang a couple hymns towards the end of our time there.

There was a Muslim family that was coming in for an appointment (by family, I mean, husband, wife and two small girls). Kim called out to them saying that is no place to bring in children, they do abortions here. The wife was pregnant and definitely looked too far along to have an abortion. I don't know what kind of appointment she had, but they cancelled it!! They didn't know that place did abortions.

Although we did not save any babies from slaughter, a worker at the mill came out to talk to some counselors in the back about quitting!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! They gave her information on Hazel's Hope. A place where she can stay and be paid while she looks for employment elsewhere!!!

We also had some great opportunities "seeding the culture".

Kim and I had a chance to talk with 4 men walking by on the street about Founders.

The conversations usually start like this,

"Good morning, how are you today?"

"Do you know what this place does?"

"They kill babies."

"So we're here to pray and try to help these women to change their mind and keep their baby"

The first man we talked to got pretty fired up.

"Why ain't ya'll going in there?!"

"We'll get arrested sir."

We told him the abortionist has been killing babies for 40 years.

"Where he at?! Is he in there??!!"

Kim and I are both getting kind of nervous because he might just actually walk in the building and raise some hell.

He started yelling at the people walking in the mill, "Don't go in there! They in there killin babies! Don't go in there!"

The next man was a bit smaller in stature, he had a tool belt slung over his shoulder, smoking a cigarette. It was hard to understand him at first.

He asked why we all were out here. After I told him, he said, "Ain't this legal? Don't these women have a choice?"

I said, yes sir, unfortunately it is legal, but that doesn't make it right.

He eventually got into a conversation with a woman standing next to me. She started telling him about Margret Sanger and Planned Parenthood.

The next man that came by Kim asked him how he felt about abortion. He said it was against his religion. I noticed he has a crucifix coming out of his sweater. He is homeless for the moment, but he said he was about to get a place soon. He sold and used drugs for 20 years, but his life turned around.

He liked what we were doing out there. I told him we're out here every Saturday and he should come join us. He said he would.

Kim also gave him some information on a place a friend of his who was pregnant could stay. They homeless shelter he was at would not accept her because she was pregnant.

The last man that walked by was deeply saddened about the abortions done. Kim and I told him to let his friends know about this place and to come out and pray with us some time. He said he would.

You never know talking with people if you can expect to see them out on the sidewalk. I pray we do. It would be wonderful to get more people from that neighborhood out on the sidewalk!

It was a good day!

A worker wanted to quit, seeding the culture, LOTS of people out there praying, got to sing some hymns.

In closing, I'm going to link to an article written by a man whose family goes out to their local Mill on Fridays and Saturdays. His wife, Lisa, brings all 10 of their children if they are all healthy!

His article (here) highlights why they bring their children to the Mill. Good read.

Go in peace to serve the Risen and Reigning Lord Jesus Christ!

-Ashley

At the Mill, March 9, 2013

Prayer Warrior!

No snow on the ground. We had some warmth and sunshine even!!!
The morning started off pretty cold but warmed up to about 40 degrees by 10:30ish.

My mom came along with Rebekah and Elizabeth Robinette.

Everyone loved that children were with me. Elizabeth and Rebekah brought hope and life with them. They are the fruit of the womb. They are a blessing.

My mom came to wage war with Prayer and God's Word. She prayed for every person she saw walk up. She read Scripture. She had weapons of warfare with her and she used them well!

It was a busy day out at the Mill. We had a fantastic coverage with Sidewalk Counselors and others there to observe and pray.
Paul and Tamra, Mark, and Kim. Susie and Marybeth that I took the training class with were out there also.There is a woman I have seen out there several times with her son and his girlfriend. They come out and pray for an hour or so. I finally was able to formally introduce myself to her. Her name is Monica, she is such a sweet woman and is passionate about helping these women and saving babies.

Cecile came with coffee and doughnuts again. Always a pleasure to see her shining face!

And we had a couple Friars out there. One had sandals on, the other was barefoot.

So, busy day. Most of the counselors were able to engage in conversation with people.Mark talked to a woman who, as he said, "had not spiritually aborted her child yet." Her heart was not stone. She was in for a consultation to "discuss her options." She had a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old baby. Mark was feeling pretty good about the conversation he had with she and her friend.
But, she had the consultation, and once she walked out of the building, didn't want to talk to Mark anymore. She had scheduled an abortion.

Mark also had a conversation with a man walking by on the street. He was along the side and I was in front. I could see that he was talking to him for some time. He told him what Founders does, showed him the 12 week fetal and how an abortion is performed. I didn't know that the guy was just walking by, so I gave him literature about abortion. He was looking at the fetal model, looking at Founders and walking solmenly down the street. Who knows what was going on in this man's heart and mind, but it seemed like something Mark said got ahold of him.

We had a few hostile people out there. Monica was praying out front and started to tell this woman about Kinder down the street. The woman got in her face and started yelling at her. Man! I tell you that is hard for me to watch and remain calm. I was ready to start in on that woman, but Mark stepped in and asked if he could talk with her.
You have to understand these people are not angry at the Sidewalk Counselors, they are angry with themselves. Simply us being out on the sidewalk is a reminder to them of the wickedness that they are about to do.
It's hard for me to not yell back at them when they're yelling at people who are talking peaceably with them, just offering help.

It happened again, a husband and wife came escorting their daughter and boyfriend into Founders. The man yelled at Tamra and told her to go away, his wife yelled and told us to leave their daughter alone. Again, I bristled up. They're yelling at my friend! She's just trying to help!
I called out to them saying we weren't here to condemn them, we just want to help. The daughter looked up and over at me as she walked closer to the building.

I began to wonder if she was under 18, because once her parents went in with her, they left shortly after and the boyfriend stayed. He was looking out the door. He had to get his phone or something from the girl's parents. I kept asking if I could talk to him. He told me he didn't want to talk. I persisted and told him if he didn't want to take responsibility for his child, there are plently of people that would love to raise his child. He had to exit again, I saw him come back with ear plugs in. I cried out to him again saying I know that you're just trying to drown out our pleas, but we truely want to help you!!

 I also need to prepare myself for when people actually do stop for me to talk with them. 

The first was a girl and I assume her mom. She said she didn't know how far along she was. I told them about Kinder down the road and how wonderful adoption is. That was all I could get out. My mind went blank.

Then, there was a guy I noticed who had been in and out a coupe times. I asked if I could talk with him, and he came up to me! I was so shocked that he would give me the time of day I was at a loss of what to say. 
I asked him if he was here with a friend, he sad yea, my girlfriend. He was probably early 20's
I asked him what he thought about abortion, he just shrugged his shoulders.
I asked him why he thought abortion was the answer.
He just casually responded, "We don't want it"
I said, do you know that is a human life, and that they're going to rip
He interjected , and tear it to peices, yea. 
I told him about the emotional trauma this could cause her.
He, again, casually said, She's okay with it, we're both Athiests anyway.

I was at a loss.

Toward the end of our time there, the traffic flow slowed down. My heart swelled and I began calling out to the people in the waiting room. 

Please come out and talk to us! There are people 5 blocks down the road that are waiting to help you!

Your child was not a mistake! Your child is a blessing and was given to you by God!

Even as you sit in that waiting room, you are supplying safety and nourishment to that child!

Please come out and talk to us!!

Rebekah noticed people moved away from the door. 

 
Driving home, I was thinking about my conversation with the young man- thinking about all the things I could or should have said.
One question that came to mind after the fact, " So, say your girlfriend was at home, sleeping, and someone just came in and ripped her arms and legs off. Would that be okay?"
I thought about engaging him in the Gospel, if anyone had told him about Jesus...

I am SO thankful that it is not on my shoulders to change people's hearts. There is so much rest in knowing only God has that power. And while I should fight and try as much as I can, I am able to walk away from the Mill at peace, knowing that I have done what God has calld me to do, and I can leave the rest in His hands. His yolk is easy and His burden is light.
You could wear yourself to the ground if you think it's all on you to save these women and babies. If I would have just said this...

Again, it's like I'm in a different universe when I get back to "normal life" after leaving Founders. 
Saturday, I think I got a small glimpse of what it is like for soldiers to come back home from a war. I'm walking into Meijer and there is a car pulled up to the front, someone standing outsde the passenger side, leaning in. I'm flashing back to when the boy got his phone from his girlfriend's parents. A woman asks me if I want to try a sample of food. I'm flashing back to me asking to talk to people as they're walking into the Mill. Even as I'm walking up to her, I have this overwhelming sense if I say no to her, she will start to run away and cry. I wanted to help her. I snapped out of it and realized she just asked if I wanted to eat some bluberries. So, I ate some.
I heard a child scream in the store, I was filled with anxiety. I saw the couple he was with. It appeared the boy had a different mother than the woman his dad was with. I started wondering about their situation. Was the dad excited to be a dad, or did he not want to at first? Was abortion a consideration of theirs?

It is a war zone out there. The Enemy is at work at Founders, and while he has no hold on me, he whispers lies to me while I'm there, trying to discourage me. 

What do you think you're doing out here? You can't help these people.
You've never had an abortion, you don't even have kids- why would anyone listen to you?
IN THE NAME OF JESUS GET BEHIND ME SATAN!!

If you're out there on the sidewalk (well, in anything really), don't listen to his lies. Keep fighting the good fight in what God has called you to do!

I am thankful for this time at Founders. I learn so much every week I'm out there!

In closing, I'm posting a video about the work that Sarah Cleveland does for the unborn. Her passion for protecting the unborn and helping the least of these is worked out into her every day life.

I love the point she makes when she starts talking about foster children. She says a lot of people say these children would have been better off not being born... but they have the opportunity to be rescued.

Just beautiful.

Watch it here .

To God be All Glory!!

Rebekah and Elizabeth.
Rebekah wanted to throw snowballs at the front door of the mill. :)

March 2, 2013

Another cold morning out there at Founders! High of 30 degrees. Cloudy, windy and snow at times.

Mark was back on the sidewalk after a month of doing pro-life work elsewhere. It was good to see him. I briefly met a woman who was at the SWC training class, Susan.

I also had fellow saints from my church out there with me (Tim and Christina, Luke and Laura), along with the lovely Charity and Elizabeth who came all the way from Akron to visit and observe.

Mark was the only seasoned sidewalk counselor there that day, so Laura, Christina and I got our feet wet for sure! Charity was even calling out to the people, offering to help.

Mark stayed in the back alley with Susan and Tim for a bit. Laura, Charity, Elizabeth, Luke and I were up front. Christina switched out with Tim and came up front. Christina was loosing her voice but still attempted to call out and offer help.

Again, a lot of cold hearts. A lot of weak men coming in with their ( I assume) significant others to slaughter their child. A lot of weak men not wanting to deal with the consequences/ responsibilities of their foolishness and sin.

Tim called out to one man telling him he should protect his girl and not go in there. The guy responded, “I am.”

Mark came out front to see how we were doing for a minute and talked to a man who was “just there for his friend”.

Mark started off by asking him if he knew why we were out here. (also, I’m always impressed when people actually do take time to listen and talk with us. The guy just had a hoodie on)

Mark showed him the fetal model of a 12 week old baby and explained an abortion procedure to him. He also explained that even though the guy said he doesn’t really support abortion, he is supporting it by taking his friend to this place. Mark pressed him further about abortion being murder, they guy responded with, “well, it’s a social issue and everybody has their own opinions.”

He didn’t take any of the literature we offered to him.

We did get literature into quite a few people’s hands, which that always gives me a glimmer of hope. They’re in the waiting room for at least an hour, I’m hoping they read it.

Two women walked up and I saw they had gotten literature from Mark and Susan in the back. I encouraged them to please read that information because it talks about thing they may not tell you in there. Later I found out one of those women had come to Founders for an abortion, but changed her mind. She even showed Mark pictures of her baby. But she was there to support her friend.

Just because someone chooses life for their child, doesn’t mean they are pro life.

One man came out of the building several times on his phone. His back was facing me and he was completely ignoring me, but I still called out to him. I said what a blessing their child could be to another family who cannot have children.

There was a gold Chevy Impala that pulled up front and the couple just sat in their car for a long time. They finally got out and started walking toward the building. Laura asked what they were coming in for. The guy said, “Man, I don’t even know why she’s here, what are you comin’ here for?”. She said an ultrasound. They walked in the door, and walked back out. I don’t even think the door had time to shut before they walked back out. Laura showed the guy the brochure about Kinder. She also told him if they get an ultrasound here, they might pressure her to have an abortion. They walked back to the car and we thanked him for stopping to talk with us.
Elizabeth said she felt a warmth come over her. Charity and I both kind of had a similar sensation. Holy Spirit moving? I think so! J

 They sat out in their car again for a long time. Charity and I walked up to their car and asked if we could talk, if they had any questions. They guy said no.

They sat in their car for a bit longer then drove off.

Turn-away?

I really don’t know. I hope so.

We also met a girl and her boyfriend. She was getting birth control and said she would be right back to talk to us. It was about 5 minutes later and she came up to us. She said she is pro life. She just moved here and she said this was the first place that popped up to get cheap birth control. I told her she may want to try Franklin County Board of Health to see if she can get it elsewhere, because by going to Founders for birth control, she’s keeping them in business and her money is going towards abortions.

She told us she had two boys, one died ( yea, she just told us that like nothing, and I wasn’t really sure if I should ask her about how it happened and all that.), and her other boy, her mom adopted because at the time she had an abusive/alcoholic boyfriend.

Charity asked her if she knew Jesus. She said yes, she was a Christian. She said, “I know I don’t look like one, but I am and go to church.” She had really short bleach blond hair, a tattoo on her neck and a dog collar.

I told her about the sidewalk counseling training class, and that it would be helpful to have people out here like her who have given their babies up for adoption and all that. She said she was interested in the class and liked what we were doing. I gave her my name, number and email address. I also gave her the website for GCRTL.

We thanked her for talking with us and she went on her way.

It  was about noon after we finished talking with her. So we all prayed together and left.

It’s so funny how bold we think we are until we’re actually faced head on with the situation. All week I had been praying and thinking of things to say to people and Scripture to recite. I was READY! I knew the Lord was going to be with us and I was ready to take on whatever came at me!!
 

Then I got on the sidewalk.

And I’m terrified. 

People are coming in and I’m forgetting what the heck to say!

It was hard for me to not feel like a broken record. But Laura reminded me that it may be the 10^th time I’m saying this, but it’s the first time those people are hearing it.

It is frustrating being out there and not knowing what people are coming in for. You can normally tell when a woman is coming in for an abortion because she’s wearing loose fitting pants and has a bag with her. Other than that, you don’t know if they’re here for a consultation, or if it’s a post abortion follow up.

There was a woman that was dressed as if she was coming in for an abortion. It looked like it could have been her dad taking her in. They were inside for a couple hours. When they came out, I asked if we could pray with them. There is forgiveness and hope in Jesus and she wouldn’t have to live with a lifetime of guilt and regret, that His grace is sufficient. They kept on walking as if I wasn’t there.

You really do come into contact with people that are completely opposite of you.

It was beautiful to watch my sister talk to a big black man about Kinder down the road. She stood right next to him, looking him in the eye. I knew she was out of her comfort zone, and making a deliberate effort to do so. “… but the righteous are bold as a lion” Prov. 28:1

I feel like it wasn’t long after that another car pulled up and another sizable black man got out of the car. Thuggish ruggish he was. His hands were covered with tattoos, I offered him the literature, he glared at me as he walked passed, not saying a word.

It’s hard to look people in the eye out there. You see their pain, their anger, their hopelessness. Part of me wanted to look at the ground while he walked by me. But those people need to see my eyes. I want to offer them help, hope. I pray that is conveyed in my eyes.

I have to take a moment to commend my friends Charity and Elizabeth for waging war in the cold. I love that Charity jumped right in, calling out to people, on her knees praying on the cold sidewalk. Their love for the Lord and passion for protecting the unborn and those women was obvious by them simply being out there on a day like that.

Kudos ladies. 

It was definitely a good training day. Next week there will be more seasoned counselors that I will be able to work along side with and not just observe. I’m looking forward to that!

I am so thankful the Lord provided me this opportunity to serve these women and unborn babies.

The victory is already won, and Christ is still reigning on His throne, but we still have to fight in the battle against the seed of the serpent.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Ladies having tea at Zen Cha after serving at the Mill.