Saturday, February 28, 2009

Standing Vigil is a Witness!

Standing vigil at Planned Parenthood, 1407 Union Avenue, is a witness.

Two of our prayer volunteers were used by God to make an impression. They wrote us:

"We were standing vigil in the afternoon, only hours before the snow started to fall. It began to rain and sleet. We were holding our signs and giant umbrellas that kept going inside out. We continued though, trying to pray and keep in mind what actually happens in the building behind us. At one point a car pulled over and commented to us, 'Thank you for what you are doing. We were watching you from across the street at 'The Cupboard' [a restaurant]. We were just talking about the two of you standing here in this kind of weather. Wow. Thank you for what you are doing.'"

Someone else found our email and wrote us saying,

"I was visiting Memphis this past weekend and drove past your location on Union Street just as the sleet was starting. God bless you for being there in the horrible weather! A fellow Lifer from Mississippi."

When we stand there, no matter what the weather is like, we make an impression about the reality of what is behind us. It sends a message to our community and to Planned Parenthood. We, as Memphians, are not about to give up on seeking to protect life. We also do not want Planned Parenthood in our community. Especially when the weather is like it was and we still do not budge... it is a great testament to what is our strength: God.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

1st Child Saved! Grandmother and Mother spared from pain of abortion!


"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." - God (Jeremiah 1:5)

The above is what one of our signs say at the vigil site. And, thanks be to God that a mother and her expectant daughter read and believed in the sanctity of life!

Our first "save" happened today, the second day of standing vigil! What a blessed experience to be able to witness a mother turn away from Planned Parenthood and choose life for her unborn child and a life free from the pain and regret of abortion for herself!

Here is what happened, as reported by the two prayer volunteers standing vigil at that time:

They were standing vigil at around 11:00 am when a mother walked up to them. She had seen the signs our volunteers were holding, asking for people to pray to end abortion. Her daughter was standing in front of the main doors of the 1407 building as she came down to talk with us. She said, "I really don't want my daughter to have an abortion. She does not want to have an abortion either. Is there any other option?" Our volunteers supplied her with some information and a card to the local crisis pregnancy center. She thanked them and went back to her daughter. She got her daughter and they left!

Thanks be to God! At the moment it is reported that two other children have been spared from abortion in these first two days nationally (one child in Australia, one child in New Jersey)! What a blessing! Please keep this grandmother, mother, and baby in your prayers! May God bless them!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Kick-Off Rally A Success!

The Kick-Off Rally for 40 Days for Life Memphis was a great success! Everyone met up at Sacred Heart Church, where Reverend William Spink, Jr. from River Oaks Reformed Presbyterian Church gave a talk on the reason behind the time period of "40 Days." Upon conclusion we gathered outside the church to start our walk to Planned Parenthood. Once we got there two children led us in song and prayer. It was an amazing evening, and a great, prayerful start to our 40 Days!

Those that attended sacrificed time, energy, and warmth to be there. We had people come from as far south as Tupelo, Mississippi and from as far north as Savannah, Tennessee. They drove two hours to be with us! Despite it being chilly, people of all ages made the walk (1-90 years old).

A man who joined us from Tupelo, MS wrote saying:

"I went to the kick-off last night. Chills went down my spine when I saw the building on Union Ave., but I'll never forget the dumpster in the alley, to me, it represents life being thrown out as if it were trash. An eleven year-old girl with a wonderful voice sang a song on the sidewalk corner of Planned Parenthood, that was the focal highpoint for me. You should have seen her eyes, it was as if she was staring Satan in the eye saying, 'I will not be moved.' This brings to mind a shepherd boy named David and a stand against a giant. We all should have faith and strength like this child."