Genocide Awareness Project, 04.23.13 *WARNING* Graphic images

Well, I will be at a baby shower this Saturday, thus, unable to make it out to Founders this week.

TODAY, (Tuesday, April 23) I had the opportunity to take part in my FIRST Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) at Columbus State Community College! You can read more about GAP here.

Suited up in my armor. 

My friends Sarah Cleveland and Darius Hardwick were out there. I got to put faces with names among some of my Abolitionist friends on Facebook, and meet some more new people! One included a woman who brought her new baby girl she adopted from an abortion minded mom! It was great to be with a group of people committed to Christ and the work of fighting for pre-born babies.


It was a smaller scale than what I had seen online.

Photo Credit: Spencer Anderson

Basically, I passed out brochures regarding abortion that contained a Gospel Tract as well. If people stopped, or were looking at the display, I would ask what they thought about it,  what they thought about abortion. I did get the bird, BUT I also had quite a few encouraging conversations! The Lord knew I needed some encouragement, so He brought it to me. :)

When I first started handing out brochures and trying to talk to people, I had the anxious urgency I normally do when I'm at Founders. After a couple minutes, I realized I'm just here to educate people, I'm not standing between life and death for a preborn baby. So, once I got over that, I had a good time.

It was interesting how the people that were obviously for abortion had no interest in engaging in conversation. The people that were "pro-life" or against abortion were very open to talking.
One professor stormed by the display saying, "Don't you have anything else better to do with your time?! Just leave! No one wants to see this!"
Darius talked to a math professor who thinks human beings are just as equal in value as cows.......

Yea, college campus. You'll have that.

The first person I engaged with in conversation was a black woman with no top teeth, probably in her late 40's, early 50's. She takes care of her 5 grandchildren (I think that's right. The oldest is 16) and mother who is in diapers. And she's a student at Columbus State. It's hard work, but she says she wouldn't change it for anything. She was horrified by the display. We talked for quite some time. She spoke about all the options and resources out there for moms with unplanned pregnancies. Abortion is never an option in her mind. She said you can drop off your baby to a Police Station without having to worry about anything, so many people can't have children and would love to adopt! We got on the topic of sin and how messed up the world is. THEN, she said something I had never heard anyone say: "You know, so what if this child grows up to be a murderer, give him the opportunity."
That has just stuck so much with me.
I've heard people say, "what if my child grows up to be a criminal?". And of course, we try to throw a positive spin on in, " but your child could grow up to be a brain surgeon!!"
So what if they grow up to be a murderer, give them the opportunity.

Okay, moving on to conversation #2:
Alissa walked over to one of the tables in front of the display, cigarette in hand, getting out her laptop. I asked her what she thought about the display. She's pro-life.
She told me she has two children, one 5 1/2, the other 20 months old.
I said, "And you're going to school?"
"Yea, and working full time".
She said she thinks abortion is a cop-out. Her mom was single, worked, went to school. People are just lazy.
I gave her a high five.

Conversation #3:
I noticed a guy standing and starring at the display, so I walked over and asked what he was thinking.
"I think you need to get a new hobby."
I asked what he thought about abortion.
"It doesn't affect me. I don't have an opinion."
Well, I wasn't really sure how to respond to that, so I just walked away. Apathy...

Conversation #4:
 I think this was my favorite conversation!! I was elated after I talked to these women!
Two black women (probably around my age) were standing by looking at the signs, so I asked them what they thought about it. They said it was awful.
One of them told me she had 2 children. She got pregnant shortly after having her first. She went to an abortion clinic to have an abortion. She didn't want to. There were people out in front praying ( I assume, or sidewalk counseling), and she looked at the people walking in the building. They were yelling at the people on the sidewalk. She was in her car looking at those going in the building and thought, "I'm not like these people." And she left! Her 2nd child is 4 years old now and she is so glad she didn't get an abortion!! I told them I go down to Founders trying to offer help to women and her story just blessed me so much! We then talked about how women have a lot of emotional issues after an abortion. We talked about how we don't have the right to take a life, it's worth it to live with some embarassment in the begining, than a lifetime of regretting an abortion.
It was fantastic.

Conversation #5
 Kim, a beautiful black woman, probably in her late 30's/early 40's.  She couldn't get over the pictures! She looked at the aborted baby and said how beautiful she was. We talked about our worth in Christ, we were bought at a high price, these precious babies are made in His image... just another wonderful conversation. I was so encouraged to hear another woman speak about her love for the Lord and how she wants to honor Him in her body. She just recently broke up with her boyfriend because he did not value her like God does. She knows her worth in Christ! She knows she has value, that she is a treasure and no man will take that from her until she is walking down the aisle, waiting to say "I do".

I was just SO encouraged by all these conversations!! Discouragement began to creep in as I faced constant rejection at the abortion mill on Saturdays. The Lord revived my soul and gave me some fuel to addd to my fire!!

GAP was awesome! I hope to do more of these type of events whenever possible. The abortion mill is the last and final stop for a woman and her child. Educating on the value of human life and the evil of abortion is a great way to fight for the end of aboriton!!

Created Equal and Greater Columbus Right to Life will be hosting an (free) Apologetics class on Saturday, June 1st from 8:30-12:30. If you want to learn how to build a strong case against abortion, you should attend the class.
You can contact the director of GCRTL Beth, beth@gcrtl.org.

Woot!

-Ashley

At the Mill, 04.20.13

Seriously! It's past mid April and there were snow flurries!! Windy and cold and miserable out there. The sun would make an appearance from time to time, but mainly hid behind the clouds.

We had several newbies out there today actively participating! We had the normal seasoned pack of sidewalk counselors there as well.

Because we're getting more folks out there, we are probably going to be able to have two shifts out  on the sidewalk! We haven't really been able to stay for when women come out after their abortions. Occasionally a couple will filter out, but we aren't able to talk to them all. So this is good news!! The Lord is raising up more sidewalk counselors to better serve these men and women!!

We all had a couple interesting interactions today.

Ezekiel 3:18-19 If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die—and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade the wicked from their evil conduct in order to save their lives—then they shall die for their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their blood. If, however, you warn the wicked and they still do not turn from their wickedness and evil conduct, they shall die for their sin, but you shall save your life.

When I got there, the "fill in" abortionist was already there and he was talking to quite a few of the sidewalk counselors. I had to step back. I'm not ready to face him or talk to him. I heard him quoting Scripture and twisting it to justify his actions. I just stared at him, seeing the innocent blodd dripping from his hands, knowing that once he walks past the door, he will proceed with his normal business of killing babies. It was surreal.
I can't remember if

Then, one of the newbies, Nikki (?) saw a woman walking in SHE KNEW! The woman worked at the library Nikki goes to. She and her boyfriend (I assume) came out after not being in there very long. She said she was here for a friend. Buuutt... as Nikki and Kim talked to her, it seemed more apparent she was just giving them a story. She had sun glasses on and you could tell she was crying. And, she had on loose fitting pants, flip flops and a couple bags with her.
SO, not entirely sure of the situation, but they did leave. And they weren't inside for any amount of time for anything to happen... turn away?
I told Nikki she has a wonderful opportunity to reach out to this woman and love on her.

I tried to talk to a mother/daughter when they went in and came out. I'm thinking it was a follow up appoitnment. The mom turned around and tols me it's none of my business and to please leave them alone.
I got spit at, that was a new experience. She was very far away from me, but as I'm asking to speak with her, offering her help, she turns and spits towards me.

I read Psalm 139 to the people in the waiting room. I told them even while they are in there, God is knitting their child together in their womb and they are still providing nourishment to their baby. We are here to help, God knows their situation.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night,”

even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, and I am still with you.

Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!

O men of blood, depart from me!

They speak against you with malicious intent;

your enemies take your name in vain.

Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

I hate them with complete hatred;

I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

In closing, I'd like you to watch this video. John Barros who is full time out at Orlando Women's Center got the opportunity to talk with a woman who had aborted her twin babies. She speaks about how it has changed her life and she is so thankful for her beautiful son she now has. She would do anything to take back what she did.
Abortion is real. It hurts women and kills babies.

Hear her story

Go out to serve the Risen and Reigning Lord Jesus Christ!

At the Mill: 04-13-13

Cold and windy! I dressed warmer this time. :)

A LOT of my friends/church family came out that Saturday! Pastor Mark, his daughter Elizabeth, Bonnita, Christina and her two year old Christian, Rachel and her dad. Danae told me earlier in the week she would like to come down soon. She and her S-I-L Charity (who came down with her sister Elizabeth a couple months ago) drove down that morning from Canton! They left about 5:30 in the morning!

Fellow SWC included Mark, Angie, Marybeth, Tracy, Paul was there for a bit, a couple friars came too.

Little Christian being a testimony to the fruit of the womb

I met a couple new people out there too! When I first got there, I was in the back alley and heard some yelling coming from up front, so I ran up there to see what was going on. Pastor Dunfee was on the sidewalk pleading to those in the waiting room. He was speaking words of life, and calling to mind how much these men and women's lives will change if they murder their baby. I gave him a high five. So excited to have someone out there speaking with urgency!
He is a Pastor in Warsaw. He used to come out to Founders on a regular basis. There is a strip club in his community that he goes to on Friday nights to witness to people out there. Between doing that, then getting up early to come to Founders (it's about an hour drive for him) wore him out. So he's back at it, just once a month now.

I felt like I was all over the place, trying to keep track of all my friends! Pastor Mark dove right in and everyone he was able to talk to, he told them about his adopted boy, Valiant.
Valiant's biological mom was in law school, already had a child and was abortion minded. She went to a clinic to have an abortion, but someone out on the sidewalk was able to talk with her and tell her about adoption. The day he was born, their family packed up and drove down to South Carolina to get him from the hospital! He has brothers and sisters that love him and he has a good life!

Charity, Bonnita, Danae were in the back alley trying to talk to the employees. A lot of cold hearted women.

4 human beings are present in this picture. :)

I'm not ready to talk to the employees yet, or the abortionist- Harvey Blank. I don't know why, I'm just not ready. Not that they pay attention anyway.

Mr. Sunshine came back with his wife/girlfriend for an abortion. I pleaded for them to not do this as they walked to the front door. The woman went inside as he stayed out to smoke. I asked him why he came back. He started yelling and cussing at me. He's not pregnant, he's not here for an abortion, why can't I leave him the %^*% alone. I replied, "But your girl is in there, I'm trying to help your girl!". He started to say he was going to come down there (threatening tone). I felt the bear that is my pastor come up behind me and the man stepped back. Love my pastor.

It is SO hard for me to be gracious with people like that. I bristle up and want to fight back.

I was thankful for Pastor Mark's sermon that following Sunday. "There but for the grace of God, go I." I think that quote is by John Bunyan.
It really is true!! These people are without the grace and mercy of God in their lives. How my heart should ache for them! How I should reach out to them in love and compassion and offer the only Hope we have in this world: Jesus Christ!!

Pastor Mark and Elizabeth. She was not wanting to pose for the picture

Pastor Mark reminded us all we would be going into an abortion mill, we would be on the street corner, we would be at the bar... But by God's AMAZING GRACE He called us out of that darkness!

SO, the Lord is continually teaching me that as I'm down there on the sidewalk.

-----
On Monday, the 15th, Bonnita and I attended Greater Columbus Right to Life Celebration of Sidewalk Counselors.
I saw many familiar faces there! We were all laughing because we're not used to seeing each other in normal clothes. We're always in our "sidewalk garb" when we are together.

Paul and Tamra spoke about their experiences being involved in this ministry. I really appreciated them sharing 1 Corinthians 3:7- So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

We had Father Wagner talk to us about getting outside our comfort zones- because being out on the sidewalk will most certainly do that!

THEN... I was asked to share my experiences. Beth encouraged me that I wasn't giving a speech, but sharing with friends. :) There were maybe 20 ish people in attendance. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Anyway, here is what I shared with them:

I would like to thank Beth for giving me this opportunity to share my experiences with you all tonight.

First, I would like to give a brief background on how I ended up on the sidewalk at Founders :

I am a member of a Reformed, Family Integrated church in Washington Courthouse. My pastor and his wife encouraged me to see how our church could get more involved in the fight for the unborn. A lot of research later, I found out it was called “sidewalk counseling”. After a quick Google search on SWC, Greater Columbus Right to Life popped up. I checked their calendar, saw there was a group out at Founders on Saturdays,  showed up and have been coming since a couple weeks before Christmas!

How do I wrap up my experiences in a short time frame?

Well, it really is impossible, but I will do my best. J

I have really enjoyed talking to folks who are just passing by. Some think it’s a woman’s right to have an abortion, but most people I have spoke with are devastated by what goes on in the building. One man in particular, Mr. Ralph, passes by at least once a day. Last week he asked me how our praying was going. I told him there are a lot of people praying! He thanked me for talking with him.

One of the hardest things for me has been seeing women come out after they had an abortion. The reality sinks in of what just happened. She was pregnant when she went in there, and now she’s not. One woman looked sick and could not walk very well as she came out. Some women are an emotional wreck, but I would say the majority walk out with their heads hung low in shame and guilt. The reality they murdered their precious baby is more apparent now.

How has being a sidewalk counselor changed me?

It has really changed how I look at people in general. I smile more when interacting with people at the gas station, or grocery store. Everyone has their own story, their own journey they are on. How can I be a Light, how can I help them? I have come to believe children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord, but more so now- what a treasure they truly are. I wonder about these children, and how they came into this world. Were their parents excited when they found out they were going to have a child? Did they consider abortion? Were they worried or afraid of being a parent? Had they been trying to conceive for a while?
I also wonder what the child’s worldview is. Will he or she grow up to value life? Will they see abortion as an option or an abomination? Will it all be relative, or something unthinkable?

About 10 years ago, I took my friend to Planned Parenthood on East Main St. We both knew it was wrong, and killing a baby. She couldn’t see any other way. No one was out on the sidewalk to offer her hope. No one was out there to confront me of being an accomplice in murder.

But there are now.

Abortion will end when ALL God’s people rise up to defend those being taken away to the slaughter.

We go out to the sidewalk to fight the Lord’s battle against the seed of the serpent. The Good News is that the gates of hell will NOT prevail against the Church of Jesus Christ. We need to meet Jesus there, out on the front lines.

Onward Christian Soldiers.


That's all for now!

At the Mill: 4.0.13

Well, the forecast said it was supposed to be warm, but with it being cloudy and windy, it was quite the opposite. So, unfortunately, this was probably the first time I was under dressed for the sidewalk. Oh well, ya live and ya learn.

My mom, prayer warrior!

The Hatfields came out, along with Elizabeth (14), my mom (the prayer warrior!), and Shelby (15) came out for the first time.

Even before the Hatfield's parked, Christina got out of the car to walk alongside a woman coming into Founders. Christina has such a sweet and kind demeanor, and she is aggressive in trying to help these women. Qualities that are much needed out on the sidewalk.

Fellow Sidewalk Counselors this week included: Marybeth, Angie, Tracy, Kim, Susie and Tony was back from maternity leave (his wife just had a baby :)  ). A couple Friars came out as well, and Cecile came a little later. 

I got a chance to talk to Susie for a bit. She's been out on the sidewalk on a regular basis since the SWC training class. She has told everyone out there she had an abortion.
The first person that arrived she tried to talk to. As they walked away, ignoring her, tears filled her eyes and she said, "I hate this, I don't want to be here!" 
She had an abortion the first year it became legal. Drove out of state to have it done. She just wants these women to understand how difficult life is after an abortion. And, obviously, encourage them not to do it.
I told her she is needed out here. She can identify and relate to these women in a way most of us can not. My mom spent some time talking to and encouraging her.

Elizabeth and Shelby!

Traffic going in and out of the building seemed less today. Unfortunately, no lives were sparred. There was a couple I recognized from last week that came for her post abortion follow up. I called out to the man telling him I remembered them and I have some post abortive healing information I would like to give him. He just kept walking.

No one took literature.

We did have an opportunity to sing Jesus What a Friend for Sinners!

The only woman I got to talk to Saturday was bringing her daughter in to slaughter her grand child. She had a story that as she continued to tell it, was hard for me to believe. She was haughty and very matter a fact that she was here to kill her grandchild. Her daughter had lost 30lbs since the begining of her pregnancy (Grandma said her daughter was 2 weeks pregnant). Her daughter already had $1 million worth of testing, and the docters said her baby was killing the mom. So it was mom or baby. 
She was sad it had to be, she has 8 grand children already, but she's going to have her grandbaby killed and that's just how it's going to be. 
We asked her if she had got second opinions, my mom told her the risks of abortion and her daughter could die from the abortion. My mom went back and forth with this woman (my mom has been an R.N. for over 30 years), but nothing could change her mind. She was going to kill her grandbaby (her own words). 

My mom asked if she could pray with her. She obliged. As my mom began praying for her, the woman started saying, "yes. yes, yes Jesus, thank you Jesus."
I was going to start praying with her, but once she started that, tears filled my eyes and I had to walk further down the sidewalk. I was so angry, I couldn't speak to her anymore. How can you thank Jesus as your daughter is inside waiting to kill your grandchild?? I didn't have much motivation to stay after that. Elizabeth and Shelby came to me crying. They could not believe how wicked that woman was, speaking of her grandchild in that way. 

Faithful Soldiers

I read Scripture from Matthew 6:25-34“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

After reading, I spoke to the people inside, letting them know God knows their needs, He knows their situation. If they come out of there, repent, and trust in Jesus, God will take care of them.

One woman kept looking out at me from the window, I waved my hand for her to come out and talk to me, she just gave me the bird. 

The Holy Spirit is manifesting itself in angry workers of the Mill. 

Here is Kim's observation on a unique situation that happened at Founders:

Saturday was interesting to say the least at Founders. We must be stirring things up inside. Had an employee (the gal that drives the white truck that always parks in the driveway) come out cussing at all of us out front and out back that we had to keep moving and that we couldn't just stand there. Sorry that the young girls heard some f-bombs. They must have said something to Officer Regina because she called back-up...Detective Roger Dickinson. He assured us that we were doing what we legally could do....which we already knew we were. Apparently the workers need a lesson in the law. He did say that if there is ever a new officer out there, they may not be totally familiar with where all we can go and not much experience with "protestors" and the employees might take advantage of that. He said if the officers ever ask us to do something that we know isn't right....just do it and call him or one of the other detectives and they can come down. Nice to know they have our back. I also noticed someone looking out one of the front windows (not the front door) when I was talking to a lady. Gave her a little wave to let her know I saw her. POWER OF PRAYER!!!!

That has NEVER happened since I have been going there mid- December. God is at work!!

After our time was done at the Mill, I took everyone home, changed clothes and headed out to Cincinnati to help out my AHA (Abolish Human Abortion) friends with their table at the Midwest Homeschool Convention!

Abolish Human Abortion

A couple of them I met being out at Founders, the rest I had only met on Facebook. So it was nice to connect with them, hear their stories and get to know all of them a little better.

A lot of people they met at the convention were very encouraged at how active they were in the fight against abortion.

I had my ideas of people who hold signs in public places featuring aborted and dismembered babies, signs with "protesting" words on them. I just always looked at "those people" as hyperactive angry protestors. 

At least with this group of AHA folks, that is absolutly not the case. These folks love the Lord and want to obey His word in all areas of their lives. They are passionate about saving the unborn. They do more than just vote every 4 years, go to March for Life, write a check. (not to discount these things, they are a piece of the puzzle) They labor for these babies. 

Holding graphic images of aborted babies in public arenas is based on Ephesians 5:11-  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead, expose them. 

Seeding the Culture

I love John Piper's quote: If we were made to watch a doctor pull off the little baby's legs and arms one by one and place them on the table like a dentist removing cotton from your mouth - if all Americans were made to see what it really is, the pro-life goal of abortion being unthinkable (not just illegal) would be much nearer.

Honestly, ending abortion needs to be on the hearts and minds of every Christian. Going out to the local abortion Mill is one way to do it. But reaching people waaay before they get to those gates of hell is important too.

I'm going to be participating (for a few hours) in a Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) at Columbus State Community College. There will be a big display that will correlate Abortion with the Jewish Holocaust. We'll all just stand in front of the signs and talk to people as they walk by. I don't really know what to expect, but it will be another opportunity to learn and add more fuel to my anti-abortion fire. :) I'm excited for this opportunity to seed the culture and expose abortion in hopes people's hearts and minds can be changed.

That's all I got for now. I think I left out more details than I wanted to, but I'm tired.

                                                                   To God be All Glory, Forever!!

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See Him dying on the tree!
’Tis the Christ by man rejected;
Yes, my soul, ’tis He, ’tis He!
’Tis the long expected prophet,
David’s Son, yet David’s Lord;
Proofs I see sufficient of it:
’Tis a true and faithful Word.

Tell me, ye who hear Him groaning,
Was there ever grief like His?
Friends through fear His cause disowning,
Foes insulting his distress:
Many hands were raised to wound Him,
None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced Him
Was the stroke that Justice gave.

Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great,
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the Sacrifice appointed!
See Who bears the awful load!
’Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man, and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost.
Christ the Rock of our salvation,
Christ the Name of which we boast.
Lamb of God for sinners wounded!
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on Him their hope have built.