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