A View from the Sidewalks

What is Sidewalk Counseling?

2008-05-02T13:08:00.000-05:00

Sidewalk counseling is "reaching out" to mothers and fathers, who are contemplating or planning abortion, to offer them information that they have a need and right to know. It is conducted by way of conversation and literature. It is done with love and out of concern for unborn children who are in danger of being deprived of their God-given right to be born into the world and for their parents, especially mothers, who are in danger of being severely harmed in numerous ways.

Sidewalk counseling is conducted on public sidewalks outside abortion facilities on days that abortions are being committed and/or days when pre-abortion evaluations or pregnancy tests are provided.

Parents may be offered information about where to go for free pregnancy tests, counseling and practical assistance, as well as fetal development, adoption, abortion procedures, risks and side effects, and post-abortion counseling and healing.

Some groups incorporate other forms of street activities with their sidewalk counseling ministries such as picketing, demonstrating, preaching, displaying signs or images, evangelizing passersby or the abortion facility's staff, guards or escorts. However, in its purest form, sidewalk counseling is about saving a child from certain death and his/her parents from certain harm, one family at a time.

In fact, the term "sidewalk counseling" was devised to counter the media characterization of a group of pro-life advocates in California as demonstrators. This group had set aside their signs and all other external evidence of demonstrating and organized their efforts to be the most effective means of reaching and speaking with people in order to offer alternatives to abortion.

See 'Serious Thoughts on Sidewalk Counseling' for an in-depth reflection on this subject. Also see 'The Origins of Sidewalk Counseling'.

For more information, commentary, resources, and ministries that you could join, visit Children Deserve Birth.

What Is the Gabriel Project?

2008-05-02T13:06:00.000-05:00

Following the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 which made abortion legally permissible in all the States, the Rev. Msgr. John Perusina, late pastor of St. Michael Parish on Sage Road, Houston, put a sign outside the rectory which said: If you will have your baby, this parish will help you in every way. The original sign still stands today.

This was the beginning of the Gabriel Project. In 1990, Cathy McConn from St. Cecilia Parish in Houston and her friend, Rex Moses from Corpus Christi, saw the sign, and the Gabriel Project was developed throughout the Galveston-Houston and the Corpus Christi dioceses.

The Gabriel Project is parish based crisis pregnancy intervention. Through the parish acting as the Good Samaritan, Mom receives the love, care, and spiritual, material, and emotional support she needs throughout her pregnancy.

The parish community responds to Mom with unconditional love. A “Sign of Life” is placed in front of the church stating that help is available to pregnant women. A trained mentor, the parish Gabriel Angel, is responsible for ongoing contact with Mom, throughout her pregnancy and beyond.

The Gabriel Project is not a referral service. The Central Phone Number posted on the sign is the most crucial element of the Gabriel Project and its key to success. It is not intended to refer callers to pregnancy centers. When a woman calls for help, the Central Phone Line volunteer will directly contact the parish Gabriel Project Coordinator at the Church closest to where Mom lives. The Parish Gabriel Coordinator will contact a trained Angel in her parish. The Angel will call Mom and set up their first visit at the parish.

To learn more about the Gabriel Project and how to best implement it your area click here.

Also read 'The Gabriel Project: Interview with Catherine McConn'.

Fredi

2008-05-02T13:00:00.004-05:00

Message to the pro-life community
A Reminiscence
Pregnant? Need Help? You are not alone! Free P...
From A San Francisco Sidewalk ~ May, 2007
From A San Francisco Sidewalk ~ April, 2007
COLLECTIVE PRAYER AND FASTING FOR THE 2006 ELECTIO...
338 Women and Babies Saved in Dallas!
Invitation to Christians
The Power of Prayer
Appearances
Welcome, Lauren! Save Story from Lauren's first da...
Mission to Abortion Center Workers
To our newest bloggers: Welcome!
Sidewalk Counseling
Holy Saturday Miracles in Dallas
Free Sidewalk Counseling Newsletter
Sidewalk Counseling saves a definite 359 lives in ...
A Life Saved - A Family Touched by Sidewalk Counse...
'Protesters' [Sidewalk Counselors] a help, not a h...
Pray for Abby Women's Center
Kentucky Fried Chicken Protest: Saving Chickens, I...
Thanks, BlogJacket.com for our new site design!
Save Story from Dallas
DaWanna is OUT!
Another save this past Saturday
Update on the Clinic Worker...
Talked to Clinic Worker! She wants to leave. Pray ...
Used surgical gloves on the sidewalk...
What is Sidewalk AfterCare?
Prayer at Greenville Women's Clinic
We had a save on Saturday morning!!!
A Call To Sidewalk Counselors

Message to the pro-life community

2008-02-06T16:20:00.000-06:00

People are making too little out of embryo destruction. If we continue to focus on the facts that abortion by surgical procedure mutilates children and that abortion hurts women rather than emphasize the personhood and right to life of all unborn children, we will never win the fight against the killing of embryonic children.

Can we say that a woman had changed her mind about the morality of abortion if after having seen an image of a surgically aborted child, she chose to have a chemical abortion, or because she was too far along to have a chemical abortion she chose to give birth, but would be willing to chemically abort her next child in the early stage of her pregnancy?

Can we say that anyone who sees an image of the mutilated body of an aborted child will become pro-life and defend the right to life of all unborn children from the moment of conception?

Can we say that people will not reject the killing of embryonic children until they see an image of a destroyed embryo?

We must equally defend all unborn children from the moment of conception by emphasizing their personhood and right to life.

No matter how small, a person is a person. Let us unite in our defense of each and every one of us.

ALL CHILDREN DESERVE BIRTH

A Reminiscence

2007-09-01T20:24:00.000-05:00

It has been over four and a half years since my first happy occasion to visit the pregnancy resource center nearest to the killing center at which I started a sidewalk counseling ministry. With the upcoming date of an annual fundraiser dinner for the PRC approaching and the fourth day after the dinner being Gabriela's fourth birthday, I thought it would be good to share this reminiscence of the ministry's first child and mother saved.

On February 19, 2003, during our second presence at Planned Parenthood’s killing center in San Rafael (CA), Gabriela's mother chose birth for her. The mother, a young Spanish-speaking woman, had felt helpless before she encountered us on the sidewalk attempting to speak to her and to offer help. It was difficult to communicate with her, but because of our Christ-like demeanor she was able to see that we were there with love and that we desired to help her.

She had prayed that someone would help her because she truly wanted to have her baby, but before her encounter with us she did not know to whom she could turn for help. So going on the "advice" of the child’s father who had abandoned her and their child, she had made an appointment to terminate the life of her child that day. On her way to the killing center she turned her prayer for help into a prayer for forgiveness for what she was about to do - which she believed was a necessary evil. Through the grace of God she found out before it was too late that it was not necessary after all, and God snatched her and her child away from "Planned Victimization" - from those who had told her that her unborn child was a blob of tissue.

It wasn’t long before she cheerfully and confidently found herself being escorted to the PRC. I wish you could have seen the joy on this young mother’s face or could have heard the joy in her voice as she related to us that she truly wanted to have her baby and how grateful she was for all the help being offered to her in answer to her prayers. As I drove her home that afternoon, I told her she would sleep like a baby that night - without pressure and fear - unlike what the previous night must have been for her. With a sweet smile and peace-filled heart, she concurred.

Earlier that same day a nasty woman told us that we were doing a disservice to the women who came there. She didn't get to ask Gabriela's mother what she thought. She was speaking out of ignorance. If anyone tells you that sidewalk counselors do a disservice to women, share the fact that you know otherwise. Share the fact that not every mother or father who carries his or her cross to Calvary truly wants to be there. That some of them are grateful that we went along with them. And that the babies who are killed while we are there are grateful that we - like Mary and John who remained with Jesus at the foot of the Cross during his time of death - remained with them during their time of death.

Also on that same day I received the following note from another pregnancy resource center:

“ … Certainly, use us in your handouts. I have no problem with that. In fact, just within the past hour we had a client come in for baby clothes. She had an abortion scheduled at Planned Parenthood (I believe) and she said that she couldn't go in because someone talked to her on the outside and gave her a brochure to read. The brochure included our Pregnancy Center address so I'm assuming that she encountered your group. Anyway, she decided not to have an abortion; and it turns out that she's having TWINS! According to her, she was going to take the life of what she thought was one baby and (in her words), "Instead God blessed me with two babies." She lives with her grandmother but other than that she is alone in this pregnancy. We invited her back for any help we can give her. THANK THE LORD!”…

For someone not to be at these killing centers is not only a disservice to the babies and their parents, but also a disservice to God. For me it is a sin of omission - may God forgive me for all that I’ve failed to do.

Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me... Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. (Mt 25:40,45)

Precious Gabriela

Scheduled to die Feb 19, 2003 ~ born Oct 10, 2003
Thanks be to God, Creator of us all

CHILDREN DESERVE BIRTH

Happy Fourth Birthday Gabriela!

Fredi

2007-08-19T14:31:00.000-05:00

Pregnant?

Need Help?

You are not alone!

Free Pregnancy Tests
& Counseling

Call or visit one of the help

centers listed on the back of

this card. An experienced,

caring counselor will listen to

you with respect, answer all

your questions and help you

explore all your options without

any pressure to influence
your decision.

We can help you obtain:

housing, food, baby & maternity

clothes, baby furniture, medical

care, and adoption services.

Don’t feel helpless or hopeless.

We care about you.

Let us help you.

+++++++++++++++++++

Place your local
pregnancy center info
on the reverse side
of this 3.66" by 8.5" card.

Courtesy of Children Deserve Birth

From A San Francisco Sidewalk ~ May, 2007

2007-05-23T14:47:00.000-05:00

On the Thursday just before Mothers Day I was getting ready to leave for the sidewalk when I stopped to pray and for some reason I was encouraged to leave my signs and baby models at home and just bring my literature, Rosaries and my Mothers Day roses. As I was driving through Golden Gate Park the traffic suddenly came to a standstill. A very large truck had just spilled out huge planks of wood onto the road. I managed to exit Park Presidio and finally made my way to the abortion mill. I was running really late and it just seemed to be one of those days when little things just don't go right. I have learned that when we face those little obstacles, something good usually happens. My partner Fay was already there. There we were just the two of us with our literature, roses and Rosaries. We managed to give out a few roses and literature to women going in but no one had changed their mind about ending the life of their little one. I could not help but feel so sorry for them and for the way they would feel on future Mothers Days for the rest of their lives. Then I approached a young couple and I asked if I could speak to them and give them some information. The woman looked so sad. She looked up briefly and then just stared down at the sidewalk. The young man said that he would accept the information that I was offering. I handed him the literature on prenatal development, a Rosary and a rose. They went in to the mill and came out about ten minutes later. I went over to talk to them again as they were getting into their car. The young man still had the Rosary and the rose. He said that they had looked at the information I had given them and had a change of heart. I gave them another rose and wished the young women a Happy Mothers Day. I offered them further help if they should need it. She thanked me and said that she could not go through with the abortion. Her unborn child is 16 weeks old. Thank you Jesus for this victory in life and for roses, Rosaries and Mothers Day. Please pray for this couple and for their precious baby.

Nora A. Dougherty
frontlinesf@aol.com
San Francisco, CA

From A San Francisco Sidewalk ~ April, 2007

2007-04-14T17:12:00.000-05:00

Lots of rain on this February day. I got pretty soaked early in the morning even with an umbrella, but then it became on and off showers, typical weather for this time of year in San Francisco. I arrived at the abortion mill early, armed with literature on prenatal development, referral lists and our life exhibit. I was there early enough to catch some local high school students and to offer them "Love Matters" newsletters, abstinence candy and Pro-life coloring books for their little brothers and sisters. They were very receptive; most agreeing that abortion is a terrible thing to do to a tiny baby. Then, almost like clockwork, the abortion mill staff arrived. About a half hour later two deathscorts were stationed in front of the door to the mill. My fellow prayer partners and counselors arrived and there were six of us stationed near the mill in prayer. I managed to give out a few literature packets to some of the men and women going in but was not able to engage anyone in conversation about saving their baby. It was a very busy morning for the baby killers.

About two hours into our morning a couple approached the door. The woman took literature from me but they both went into the mill. A short while later the young man came out. He went over to the parking lot and was standing by his car. I went over to him and asked if I could speak to him. He agreed and I handed him some literature. I encouraged him to go up to the mill and speak to the young lady that he was with. He looked over some of the literature and said that he would go up and try and talk to her but first he was going to have a cigarette. I encouraged him to skip the cigarette since it was bad for his health and even worse for the baby since if he did not intervene now then it may be too late. He put the cigarette out and we started to walk over to the entrance. We were about ten feet from the door when the woman came out. She told us that she had changed her mind. She seemed so happy when I told her that he was just about to enter the mill to try and save their baby. She said that she was twelve weeks along. She also said that she was sitting in the waiting room and that someone from the clinic staff had come out and grabbed the literature that I had given her away from her as she was looking at it. I gave her some extra literature as well as a 12-week model of an unborn baby. I also handed her a Rosary and a pin with a medal of Our Blessed Mother. What started out as just another rainy day in San Francisco became a day of great rejoicing for this victory in life. Thank you God for giving courage and grace to this couple who chose life over death for their precious little one.

Nora A. Dougherty
frontlinesf@aol.com
San Francisco, CA

COLLECTIVE PRAYER AND FASTING FOR THE 2006 ELECTIONS

2006-11-03T09:47:00.000-06:00

I am intending to fast for several reasons, primarily the life-saving historic pro-life measures that voters will decide this November 7th.

It'll be a short but intense fast on Monday and Tuesday until the polls close in California (8:00 PST, 11:00 EST).

The prayer focuses will be:

*California Proposition 85 (Parental Notification Law)

*South Dakota Referred Law 6 (The Abortion Ban)

*The Defeat of Missouri's Amendment 2 which, if passed, would sanction human cloning and the death of human embryos.

*Texas Gubernatorial Race for the victory of the only pro-life candidate, Rick Perry. This will be critical in the repeal of The Texas Futile Care Law, a measure that allows hospitals to deny treatments to ill or disabled people without the patient/family's consent.

*Pro-life Victories in all States

and of course,

*Miss Charlotte Paige Wyatt, who is in danger of being placed under another Do-Not-Resusitate Order.

I would be blessed for everyone to pray in agreement with me in Jesus' name during these two days. Those that feel led to fast, I would love you to join me.

God bless you all!

-Jacque

338 Women and Babies Saved in Dallas!

2006-10-30T10:45:00.000-06:00

I just got the word that so far this year, 338 women have turned away from Dallas abortion centers after talking to sidewalk counselors. This represents 338 women that were directed to real help, not a business that wanted to take their money, kill their babies and kick them back out onto the street, bleeding and at a higher risk for future physical, emotional and spiritual problems. That also represents at least 338 babies that will now get a chance at life.

Praise Jesus! Praise him till your voice is hoarse and your knuckles turn white! :)

-Jacque

Invitation to Christians

2006-08-21T22:32:00.000-05:00

From Fredi

Each of us is called to represent Christ to others and to be his instruments of love, mercy, and peace. Although each of us may encounter different ways of embracing that calling, all of us should open our minds and hearts to a multitude of opportunities. Each of us should reflect on how we represent the mind and heart of Christ with regard to the sanctity of life and the evil of abortion. Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me... Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. (Mt 25:40,45)

What makes abortion so abominable is that it kills. No matter what procedure is used nor whether it is surgical or chemical, a life is snuffed out. Someone’s future eliminated. A pre-born infant, child, adolescent, adult - a person - is deprived of its very existence in the physical realm. Can any deed be more anti-Christian?

Unfortunately, there are a great many places throughout this land, which we continually ask God to bless, where his precious infants are put to death in horrific numbers and in horrific ways. These killing centers present us with daily opportunities to represent Christ with the intent to save lives and souls.

We can be defenders of God’s precious infants as we pray for them and their parents. We can pray for the conversion of their parents that they will say "yes" to the life created by God and entrusted to their care. We can offer counseling and practical assistance to parents. We can pray for the conversion of the abortionists and their staff and all who support them in any way. We can pray for the conversion of those who live or work in the area or who pass by and who are anti-life or ambivalent. We can pray for God's forgiveness and mercy.

For those babies who will die, we can remain with them at these modern day Calvarys, as Mary and John did at the foot of the Cross, and offer what might be the only human love they will have encountered during their very short lives. We can pray that God be with them before and during the time of their death, and that, in his Blessed Triune Name - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and with the tears of Our Lady of Sorrows, He baptize them and carry the sacred souls of these Holy Innocents to Heaven.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, I invite you to learn about the various defense of the unborn ministries that you can join or support, and I pray that you may be open in mind and in heart to "listen to him".

The Power of Prayer

2006-07-06T16:29:00.000-05:00

Every Friday after the 8:30 Mass at Queen of All Saints we go down the street to the corner of Grant and Pacheco. We pray the whole rosary. There is no protesting as such but we do give out information and talk to people who are passing by. About one month ago a woman came up to me, put her hand on my shoulder and said "Thank you for being here. If it were not for your praying here I would not have the beautiful grandson I have today". She smiled and walked away. Was that worth 20 years of prayer? You bet it was! We should never underestimate the power of public witness. We pray and God works the miracles. Whether or not we ever know about them does not make any difference.

Submitted by Mike Ronco,
San Francisco Bay Area, California

Appearances

2006-06-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

by Fredi

While I was waiting for one of the killing center's victims to exit the car she arrived in, I noticed her putting on lipstick. My first thought was that she might be one of those cold-hearted ones. Then when she got out and I saw the way she was dressed, I was even more concerned. She had a lot of skin showing and tattoos. I approached her in the same way as I do everyone. She listened intently with a quizzical look. I noticed that she was looking at the logo on my jacket seemingly trying to determine what it was. Then she asked if I was a father. Yet another thought crossed my mind. I figured she would soon be telling me that this is none of my business. I replied with "yes I am a father" and went on to explain why I was giving her literature and why she should go to the pregnancy resource center that I was recommending. She responded with "thank you father" as she extended her hand to shake mine and then turned to walk toward the entrance of the building. It was then that I realized she thought I was a priest. I stood there a little stunned over that as I watched her enter the killing center.

After a while I noticed her standing in the parking lot. I called out to her asking if she was thinking about it. It was difficult to hear her because of our distance and the street noise, but we managed to converse for a little while. I told her to come and talk to us, but she didn't come over. I asked her if she prayed and recommended that she go for a walk and pray. I told her that she would get the right answer if she asked the question. She said that she had given birth to a child once before and that her life was messed up and that she wasn't very healthy. I told her that whatever problems she had, she could be helped. I also told her that if she couldn't raise her child, someone would adopt her child. Thinking that she might be concerned about the child’s health, I said that no mater what was wrong, no matter how bad things were, there would be no justification for taking the child's life. I also told her that if she had had an abortion in the past, the people at the PRC could help her to heal. She said "thank you father" and our conversation ended.

I walked over to my partner and after commenting that she was very pretty, I felt that I had to tell her that. I called out to her and asked if she had looked in a mirror lately. I told her that if she did, she would see a beautiful face and realize what a beautiful child she was carrying. Shortly after, she went back in.

After a while she came out again and I thought she was leaving. I asked her what she was thinking. She said "well I'm not in there anymore, I'm out here, what do you want to talk about" or something like that. I asked if she had read any of the literature and she said that she had read it all. I asked if she had any questions, but she didn't. I emphasized that she needed to go to the PRC. She said that she didn't have any money. I told her that everything would be free including prenatal care for the first six months of her pregnancy. She told me that she would be homeless if a friend hadn't taken her in. I told her that the PRC might be able to help her with housing. I also told her that what they couldn't help her with, my wife and I and my friends would.

She had been dropped off and I had taken public transportation so we didn't have a car to go to the PRC. I suggested we that begin walking and try to flag down a cab along the way. She, with all that skin exposed, was cold so I gave her my jacket to wear. As soon as we began to walk, I informed her that I was not a priest and explained that I was a father of a child in Heaven who had not survived an ectopic pregnancy. I pointed out that abortion doesn't make parents non-parents; it makes them parents of a dead child. She seemed to understand.

When we got across the street I said that I should have given my partner my remaining literature packets. She said to go ahead and even offered to run back and give them to him. I went ahead and did so as she waited for me.

As we continued our walk we talked about our faith. We also talked about post abortion syndrome and the need of healing. She said that she was in need of such healing. She revealed that she had been pregnant with twins a year ago and that one of the babies had died without her knowing for a while. Tragically, after she found out about the death of her child, she aborted the other twin.

Before we knew it we were at the PRC. Although I always try not to judge by appearances, I succumbed once again on this day. Fortunately I was reminded to try harder in the future and never to underestimate the Holy Spirit.

Welcome, Lauren! Save Story from Lauren's first day of Sidewalk Counseling

2006-05-25T08:14:00.000-05:00

Hi! This is JacqueFromTexas, your moderator on A View From The Sidewalks. I'm so pleased to share this story with you about two of my favorite people: My new friend, Lauren from My Choice, His Life, who never ceases to amaze me with her moral tenacity and intellectual insight, and Diane, a member of the Abby Women's Center team and a sidewalk counseling superhero who pleases the Lord in a way that only she can.

I got this story from my email box from Diane, and I thought it so great I wanted to share it with the world:

I was at Routh Street abortion clinic doing street work on May 20, and as the two African American women left their car to enter the clinic I called out to them. The young girl continued in. But the older woman approached me. "She looks hostile," I thought, and I sent up an extra prayer. As it turned out, she is hostile for Jesus! It was her "step-granddaughter" having the abortion, and she had come with her to stop her. Her name is Florence, and she is an elegant, intelligent 70-something. Her granddaughter had begged her to not go in and "preach to the clinic staff."

As Florence explained the situation I asked her how far along the baby is. Florence said she thought about 14 weeks (the young girl was wearing an outfit which looked like surgical scrubs so it was hard to see her belly.) I armed Florence with literature and fetal model, and we began to pray. I told her the guard would try to take them from her and she said, "He's not taking ____ from me!"

As she walked back to the clinic the guard stopped her so she went to her car, opened the door, and closed it again (I knew the lit and model were still in her large front pocket.) But as she got to the clinic door, out came her granddaughter sobbing hysterically. I knew the baby was too far along to abort. As they left the clinic in their vehicle, I stopped them in the alley. The girl was still hysterical and Florence was talking gently with her.

I began to tell her that I understood she is angry with her boyfriend but not to use this child as a weapon against him, that he has given her a great gift, that both her grandma and I had been through difficult pregnancies and that God had helped us, that those babies had become great blessings. But she seemed inconsolable.

Then Lauren, the beautiful eighteen-year-old who had come to pray at the clinic for the first time that day, stepped to the car window and began to lovingly address the girl. She told of her own "crisis pregnancy" at seventeen; how, although she had married the father all around her pressured her to abort (she had been awarded full scholarship to attend college,) And how when her water broke at twenty-three weeks she was put on bed rest in the hospital for seven weeks until she delivered by C-section. And how her beautiful little boy just turned one year old.

And I could feel the wonderful presence and peace of the Holy Spirit in that dirty alley by the abortion clinic as the girl stopped crying and began to relax with Lauren's words. We offered her every help we could, and she can still abort at Aaron's abortion clinic at fourteen weeks. So please pray she'll make it. Florence said she'd get her through. I think she will.

Praise you ladies for your words of hope and having the passion to get out and share them. I expect we'll be hearing a lot more from Lauren. :)

Mission to Abortion Center Workers

2006-05-01T21:17:00.000-05:00

As soon as the girl got out of the truck she started yelling, "you had better... police....arrest!" I couldn't quite make out what she was saying, but I gathered it wasn't good. "I'm sorry, sister, I can't quite hear you." She came closer. She was an abortion center worker. The first one to arrive, in fact, for the day. She would open the killing center. She said, "you had better not block the driveway, like those people were doing yesterday, or I'm going to call the police! I will have you arrested!" I answered, "Sister, I promise you, not only will I not block the driveway, but I will personally guarantee that no one else will block the driveway today." She seemed a little confused. She continued, "Well, you just need to know... everytime you people make trouble, I get yelled at." I replied, "I'm sorry to hear that . . . honestly. My name is Michael. What's your name?" She introduced herself and seemed still more confused and rather caught off-guard. I went on to let her know that we were there at the abortion center to help her as well - we would even help her to find a job if she was interested in changing her life. "You do that?" She seemed genuinely surprised and pleased. The transformation was amazing - one moment she was threatening me with arrest, the next she was inquiring about a new job. "Yes, of course," I said, "One of my best friends used to work for Planned Parenthood. She actually assisted in abortions - before she became a Christian, that is. Are you a Christian?" She nodded in the affirmative. "Then you know you're not supposed to have any part in this business, don't you?" Once again she nodded. I continued, "Tell you what, bring me your resume, and I will do everything I can to help you find a way out of this place. What are your salary requirements?" She replied quickly, "$15 an hour." "I will do my best," I said. But then I added, "Just remember, you may have to do something really scary - to step out in faith and trust God." She nodded again in the affirmative, unaware that by the end of that day I had talked to three other abortion center workers, all claiming to be Christians, and all asking for help to find a new job. These are my sisters and they need to be rescued as much as, perhaps more, than the babies they help to kill. Will you pray for them?

Michael
Rockwall, TX

To our newest bloggers: Welcome!

2006-04-18T16:34:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce that our sidewalk counseling family has grown!

We now have sidewalk counselors from:

Sacremento, California
St. Paul, Minnesota
Greenville, South Carolina
Dallas, Texas
The San Francisco Bay Area, California
Washington, DC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We look forward to gaining prospective from sidewalk counselors in even more parts of the country and abroad. If you'd like to join us in sharing your stories outside of abortion mills, please email abbywomenscenter@gmail.com.

God Bless You,

-Jacqueline
Dallas, TX

Sidewalk Counseling

2006-04-17T18:18:00.000-05:00

by Fredi

Lives and souls continue to be saved in the San Francisco Bay Area.

On this particular day in Oakland at least one child was allowed to live, at least one mom was spared from making a tragic mistake and suffering the many consequences - physical, emotional and spiritual, and one woman began the healing process just one year after aborting her child rather than what could have been decades later. All, thanks be to God.

A mom to whom I had given literature upon her arrival and came out of the abortion mill shortly after, said "You are so right" and that she couldn't go through with the abortion.

Shortly after, the Holy Spirit and I reached out to a young woman who had come there to find out if she was pregnant. I explained to her why I was there and what was contained in the literature that I had given her. I recommended that she have her pregnancy test done at First Resort (pregnancy consulting services) and offered to drive her there and take her home afterward. She accepted my offer, but it was only 9:00 and First Resort wouldn't be open until 10:00. I was concerned that I might lose her, especially since she had come by bus and it was raining steadily. Because I was alone on that morning, leaving with her at that time would have meant abandoning the other moms who would be arriving shortly. It had been a typically busy morning already. I pointed out to her that the Amtrak station was just up the block. I asked her to go there where she could sit comfortably and read through the literature that I had given her while I remained outside the mill for another 45 minutes to help other women just like her. She agreed and at 9:45, as I started to make my way to the train station, I was relieved to see her returning to meet me.

As we chatted for a couple of blocks during our walk to my car, she confided that she had aborted a child one year earlier at this same killing center. She had read through the literature while at the train station and learned the facts about abortion. No, it's not just a "blob of tissue" and yes, there are side effects and risks and other consequences. She said that previously she did not have a clue. Now, knowing the facts, she was regretting that abortion.

She was sad and upset that none of the staff had informed her of the facts at that time even in the least way. That came as no surprise to me. California doesn't have an informed consent law and these baby killers aren't the least bit so-called pro-choice. There is only one "choice" that is able to satiate their hunger for money.

I consoled her as best I could in both practical and spiritual terms and told her that the staff at First Resort would be able to counsel her further and that I would also put her in contact with a minister, which I did as soon as I arrived home.

While we were driving to First Resort she received a phone call during which she found out that she had been granted a four-year scholarship to NYU. I tried to assure her that if she were pregnant, God would provide just as He had with her scholarship.

Her pregnancy test turned out negative, but I am certain that she would not have aborted her child had she been pregnant.

I asked her if anyone was there last year reaching out to her as I had done today. No one was. Perhaps she had gone on a day or time of day that no member of our tiny team of sidewalk counselors was able to be there.

Judging from her receptiveness on this day, I have no reason to believe that she wouldn't have been as receptive last year had someone been there for her and her child. Her child would be alive today and she would not be wounded.

This disturbs me very much and I hope that it disturbs you as well because your help is desperately needed!

If you have any spare time or are able to reprioritize your commitments, I implore you to be concerned enough about these poor victims – mothers and children – to make yourself available to them. We have both a civic and Christian responsibility to come to their aid. Considering all of the ways in which God is being offended in our time, can there be any doubt that we are living in a time of Divine Mercy? By participating in sidewalk counseling you can be an instrument of God’s love, mercy and peace.

There are many killing centers in the Bay Area (or wherever you live in the world). There is at least one near you.

With regard to the killing centers in San Francisco, I understand why some individuals may be intimidated by the buffer zone ordinance initiated by the city’s Board of Supervisors in August of 2003. Promoters, supporters and defenders of this despicable ordinance have judged all of the mothers who will arrive at abortion mills as having cast their decisions to kill their own babies in hearts of stone. They care nothing about these women and their babies. They care nothing about a woman's right to know all of the facts and her right to change her mind and they care nothing about an unborn child's right to be born.

Despite this unjust ordinance, it is perfectly legal to sidewalk counsel in the city. The ordinance is simply stated and if properly understood, can be used to defend your rights to free speech while you legally and safely exercise them in complete adherence of the unjustly imposed restrictions. Do not allow it to prevent you from doing so. Be not afraid.

"Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right."
(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Further Reading:

Holy Saturday Miracles in Dallas

2006-04-16T12:24:00.000-05:00

“Pray for the girl in the truck. She’s reading the literature I gave her.” I motioned towards the truck as I spoke to Joe, Holly and Oscar, and the Christians formed a circle and began to pray. I held back– hoping that mother and daughter, talking and reading the literature and looking at the photos of pre-born babies, would choose life. I didn’t want them to feel pressured, but I was torn – should I say something? I knew that the Holy Spirit could speak to them more powerfully than I. Yet, when the doors of the vehicle opened, I knew that it was time for me to act. “Are y’all Christians?” I asked. I had seen their bumper sticker, “God Bless America” and hoped to engage them in conversation. Mother and daughter both assured me that they were Christians. “Well, then you know abortion is wrong, don’t you?” Mother took charge of the conversation, admitting that she knew abortion wasn’t a good choice, but assuring me that I did not understand their situation. “You know - you’re right. I have no idea what your situation is. But I know this – God works in the midst of life’s most difficult circumstances. It’s in those tough times that the Lord makes us stronger and blesses us and shapes our character.” Mother went on to explain how her daughter already had two babies and that she herself suffered from nearly unbearable physical problems. “Anyway” she said, “It’s not a baby.” It might surprise the reader to know, that in all my years of pro-life work and sidewalk-counseling, I have almost never heard an abortion-bound person claim that the life about to be extinguished was not a baby. “Not a baby?” I looked over at the young mother and asked her gently, “How far along are you? Do you know?” She had such a sweet face – the tender face of a child and a mother. She told me of her pregnancy and we talked about her baby. I called her baby “she” and spoke of her already-beating heart and of the fact that her little fingers and toes were already forming. Mother interrupted. “Well, it’s not a baby yet,” she exclaimed. “Not a baby yet? What about Psalm 139 where God proclaims that He knitted us together in our mother’s womb? What about John the Baptist, leaping for joy in his mother’s womb in the presence of Jesus, himself pre-born, alive in the womb of Mary?” Mother had no answer. She looked at me and smiled. “You must be an angel,” she said, as a tear welled in her eye. “My name is Michael.” Mother began to crumble. She told me how hard her life was and that I did not understand. We hugged, and I assured her that she was not alone. Her daughter seemed to gain strength, even as she spoke in a near whimper. “Mommy, I don’t want to do this. Let’s leave here.” The struggle had not ended. Mother said, “No. We’ve got to at least go inside and talk to the people.” She reached for her daughter’s hand. Her daughter resisted and replied ever more forcefully, “No – let’s go to this other place (The White Rose Center; staffed by Christians.) I want to see my baby on the ultra-sound.” Mother scowled, “I am mad at you Michael” even as she made her way back to the driver’s side of the vehicle. I motioned to Joe. “Joe, go ahead and get in your car. Get ready to lead them to the White Rose.” Before departing, this sweet mother hugged me – her embrace was one of thankfulness and joy. She had chosen life because Christians prayed and acted in loving obedience to God. And she was not the only one who had chosen life on Holy Saturday, 2006, at the Fairmount Center in Dallas. There was yet another. I cried that day.

Michael
Rockwall, Texas

Free Sidewalk Counseling Newsletter

2006-04-05T15:36:00.000-05:00

I am the Education and Counseling Director for Pro-Life Action Ministries in St. Paul, Minn. We are developing an international network of active sidewalk counselors and would love for you to join us! I have been sidewalk counseling for about 25 years and I edit a little newsletter called "Sidewalk Counseling News" which is meant to encourage, inspire and educate those who go out to the abortion centers to save lives. (We all know how difficult this ministry can be sometimes!) It is published three times a year and contains sidewalk counseling tips, etc. We also welcome submissions for possible publication from sidewalk counselors all over the world! If you are interested in receiving and/or contributing an article to this free newsletter, please contact me at: debra.braun@plam.org Please include the name of the abortion center where you sidewalk counsel and/or pray and the name of the city in which it is located.

May God bless your very important work on the sidewalks!

Debra
St. Paul, Minnesota

Sidewalk Counseling saves a definite 359 lives in Dallas in 2005!!!

2006-03-27T12:45:00.000-06:00

And there were another 200 hopefuls not counted in that number that left the clinic, whom sidewalk counselors never saw return.

359 is a lot of children. To put that into perspective, that's at least 718 little eyes that will get to see the world, 35900 little fingers, 35900 little toes.

Praise God for His efforts through the Catholic Prolife Committee, the body responsible for organizing sidewalk counselors of every dominination to accomplish so much for humanity.

-Jacqueline
Dallas, TX

A Life Saved - A Family Touched by Sidewalk Counseling

2006-03-21T14:17:00.000-06:00

Although I had spent eight years in the pro-life movement in California, Saturday, March 18th, was my first day sidewalk-counseling in Dallas. I'm not sure I had the faith to think that I could make a difference on that day, but God had other plans. I showed up at the Fairmount Center right about 9:30 am. Thankfully, many other dear Christians were already in place - some praying the Rosary, others gently offering hope and information to the young ladies entering the abortion center. I saw first-hand that the pro-lifers of Dallas had hearts of love and compassion. About thirty minutes after my arrival, a car pulled up. The sweet young mother Griselda and her husband Miguel were Catholic believers. I talked to them about their needs; about the fact that we were there for them whatever the need; be it a job, medical care, financial assistance or merely friendship. As we talked, the conversation shifted to faith and the blessings of children and family. Before long, our trust had grown to the point that we began discussing the name of their baby- Griselda letting me touch her tummy, and Miguel beginning to beam with pride. The young couple had decided for life - they thanked me profusely and drove away from the abortion center - which, except for the loving presence of pro-lifers would have been the grave of their child. Be encouraged - our presence on the sidewalks does make a difference! Not only was a life saved on Saturday, but a family was saved from the lifetime heartache of abortion. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful welcome to Dallas!

Michael
Rockwall, TX

'Protesters' [Sidewalk Counselors] a help, not a hindrance: Article from the South Florida Sun Sentinel

2006-03-14T14:22:00.000-06:00

Below is a letter in a newspaper about sidewalk counselors from the perspective of a woman who was once entering an abortion facility. It's a stark contrast to the opinions of sidewalk counselors held by the regular visitors/commenters at I'm Not Sorry, who characterize us as hair-pulling, screaming, threatening, name-calling zealots. Where I have never seen evidence to support their accusations, I always stumble across evidence to refute them. Below is an example.

Protesters' a help, not a hindrance

Natasha Murdock
West Palm Beach
Posted March 14 2006

U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks will soon rule on an injunction against a buffer zone ordinance. Why? "Protesters" want to present their message outside a local abortion center.

Awhile ago, I came to Presidential Abortion Center with my boyfriend. We stopped at the driveway when we saw two individuals offering literature.

One spoke to my boyfriend regarding our needs and why we came.

The other showed me a sonogram of a young baby/fetus from a hand-held DVD player. My tears flowed as I saw and realized what was growing inside me.

My boyfriend and I decided against the abortion and I ultimately gave birth to a beautiful son.

These "protesters" did not state an opinion. They did not even tell me not to have an abortion or that abortion is wrong.

And when we changed our minds and decided to have the baby, they did not respond, "Good, our opinion was heard" and go on their way.

Rather, they helped provide for all of our material needs and more. They gave of themselves; their love, care, concern and time.

How can that be wrong?

Pray for Abby Women's Center

2006-02-16T09:32:00.000-06:00

It is my pleasure to introduce you to my love, my pride and joy, ABBY WOMEN'S CENTER.

AWC is a dynamic approach to the Crisis Pregnancy Center/Pregnancy Resource Center concept. Instead of expecting abortion-minded women to come to us through advertising, we go to them, by sidewalk counseling in front of abortion mills. Our sidewalk counselors give women information, and direct women to free sonograms and other resources. Saturday is the biggest killing day of the year, yet few pregnancy centers are open on this day and even less are close to the inner city where the killing is being done. We desire to change that.

AWC also provides comprehensive care. Instead of just providing referrals and baby items, we provide mentoring. We know that an unplanned pregnancy can cause a woman to give up on her dreams. Our mentoring program seeks to thwart her disillusionment and help her make goals to achieve her dreams in light of having a child. She wants to go to college? Let's look at grants for students with dependent children and family housing options. Let's look at subsidized childcare availability. We want her to know that pregnancy is the beginning of a new life, not the end of her own.

Our social work services program seeks to determine the client's needs and ways to meet them. Does she need a sonogram to confirm a pregnancy and the Medicaid form so that she can receive pre-natal care? Does she need assistance finding housing or leaving an abusive relationship? That's where we come in.

Our abortion after care approach is different from other pregnancy centers. Most women only seek abortion healing 7-10 years and several abortions later. We stand at the exit of abortion mills with special Bibles and gospel tracts, along with a message that God still loves them and that they can be healed and never endure another abortion. Our contact information is also available and we refer to post-abortion recovery classes. God loves these women, and we need to minister to them in the brief window we are given.

We know that we may only have one chance with a woman heading into an abortion mill, but we have daily opportunities to minister to the clinic workers. Our outreach to clinic workers is a vital aspect of our ministry. So far, in just a few short months of witnessing, we have been able to help one young lady leave the industry. So many famous conversions happened because of the steady love given by Christians to clinic workers. For a great example of this, pick up a copy of Won By Love, the story of Norma McCorvey (Roe of Roe v. Wade) about how she left the industry and found salvation through Christ. In fact, one by one, the workers at Miss Norma's clinic left the industry to find Christ. The abortionist, however, is still aborting in Dallas at the very clinic where we witness.

Now you know what Abby Women's Center does. But did you know that WE DO ALL THIS WITHOUT A BUILDING?! So far, our sonographer works out of another center, our social worker and mentors schedule with the individual women to meet at restaurants and in homes, and our sidewalk counselors are stationed all over the city of Dallas. We know that it's God's will for us to have a permanent presence next to Aaron's Women's Health Center, the only late-term abortion mill in North Texas, but we need more funding to make this happen.

One local pastor has offered to let us make a presentation at his church and take an offering. Please pray that this will be fruitful. If you would like to support the work of Abby Women's Center, please contact us. Our email is abbywomenscenter@gmail.com.

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Jacqueline for the AWC Team
Dallas, Texas

Kentucky Fried Chicken Protest: Saving Chickens, Ignoring Babies.

2006-02-06T09:36:00.002-06:00

This weekend, Keisha and I drove by a KFC protest. A man in a chicken suit, a woman with a bullhorn and about 6 individuals with signs causing a scene about KFC's cruelty to chickens.

Here is a picture of one such protest:

[Sorry, link is obsolete]

While I am of course disgusted by cruelty to animals, I am more disgusted at their indignation for cruelty to a bunch of chickens while simulataneously disregarding human babies that are killed in much nastier ways.

If they really want to protect "innocent" life, why don't they come join me in front of the abortion mill?

Thanks, BlogJacket.com for our new site design!

2006-02-01T16:15:00.000-06:00

The new design of this website was created by Blogjacket.com.

Thanks Blogjacket.com for making our blog both unique and aesthetically pleasant!

-Jacqueline
Dallas, TX

Save Story from Dallas

2006-01-26T08:40:00.000-06:00

Written by Michael, a sidewalk counselor in Dallas:

This is a story about a young Indian couple who came to one of the Dallas abortion centers. It was one of the first times I had been there. Fortunately our real veteran, Jackie Lee, was there to guide the process. She saw this couple drive down the wrong driveway. She said "Michael, get over there, they are trying to find the abortion center."

I ran over to the other driveway and waited for them to turn around. They drove back up the driveway and rolled down their window. I leaned down on the passenger side, where the mom was sitting, and ask them if I could help. The mom never looked up. She had a look of fear and shame. Her husband said they were looking for the clinic. I asked why they needed the clinic. He said what do you mean? I said, directly to his wife, are you pregnant. She did not answer. The husband did and said she was pregnant. I said, "How wonderful, you must be very excited." He looked at me strangely and said, "I am, but the timing is bad." I said, "Why is the timing bad?" He said we are in school and the timing is not good. I again asked, why is the timing bad, do you need money? They said no. "Do you need an apartment or a place to live?" He said no.

I asked again, "why is it bad timing?" The husband finally said, "I want this baby, but my wife does not". I said, "have you prayed about this together?" He said they had not. I said, "that is the real problem; you are trying to handle this on your own." The husband said, "Yes I believe this is true."

I asked if we could pray right now for peace of mind and for the healthy and wellbeing of the mom. The husband said yes.

Since I was leaning in the window on the mom's side I took her hand and began to pray. "Sweet Jesus please protect the health and wellbeing of this beautiful mom and her child. Please give this man the strength to be the father that you have called him to be. In the name of Jesus please bind up any confusion about this decision and help this husband and his wife, the mother of this beautiful baby, make the right decision, in Jesus name."

I said to him, you need to be the man and realize that a woman may say "we cannot handle this right now." What she is saying is " I am not sure you are strong enough to take care of us." Can you be the man and do what you are supposed to do? If someone were to do harm to your wife, would you stand by and let them harm her, or would you do, as I am sure you would, stand in the door of your home and give your life for your wife? He then said, "of course I would protect her."

I said, "then you must protect her now, and protect your child in her. When God gives you a child, you cannot second guess HIS wisdom. You cannot toss out the precious gift God has given you. How do you know this is not the only child God will give you. Do you know how many marriages fall apart from the trauma such as this? Do you really think you will be able to look at your wife again in the same way, or she to you, knowing the life of your child was taken for convenience or bad timing?"

Will you take five minutes and go someplace quiet and pray with your wife alone. Take her from this evil place. He left.

A few minutes later he returned. He drove in. Jackie and I nearly fainted. We prayed out loud for Jesus and HIS mom to come rescue this child and claim this mom. A moment later they drove out and stopped. The husband rolled down his window and said, "we are going to keep our baby. I can handle this." We praised him for being the man called him to be. We reassured him how pleased God will be with this beautiful act of unselfishness. We again offered help, but he said they did not need it. I gave him my own business card and cell number, and they left. Praise God

If Jackie had not realized they were a couple searching for the Abortion Mill we would not have had this opportunity. Praise God for her wisdom

-Jacqueline
Dallas, TX

DaWanna is OUT!

2006-01-17T14:20:00.000-06:00

I got a call from DaWanna and she has chosen to leave the abortion clinic. She's decided to go to graduate school and make a clean break from Texas. I helped her do some packing on Saturday. I love her so much and I'm going to miss her.

Our prayers were for God to open a door for her where He would have her to go. I explained that God doesn't bless disobedience. So instead of expecting a nice new job or scholarship to lure her away from the clinic, God needed her to just say, "No. God hates this. I love God and I quit." That's what she did. She had no other jobs or idea how she was going to survive, she just said no.

Right after that doors flew open wide, and God gave her exceedingly abundantly above her dreams. When I went to help her pack, her mother was there. She said to me that DaWanna told her how we met (I on the sidewalk and she in the clinic), how she wanted DaWanna to leave, and that angels are in strange places sometimes. I thought that was a sweet thing to say.

I am filled with joy that she is no longer participating in the destruction of innocent life and that she is fufilling God's plan for her life. She's studying divinity and family ministry and will without a doubt do amazing things for God.

Thanks for your prayers for DaWanna.

That's one down...How many clinic workers to go? :)

-Jacqueline
Dallas, Texas

Another save this past Saturday

2005-12-07T15:50:00.000-06:00

On December 3rd at the abortion clinic in Greenville, SC one woman decided to leave the abortuary and not abort her baby. She stopped and told us as she was driving away in her car.

We showered her with love and shared her joy of knowing she was doing the right thing.

The prayers of God's people are making a difference!

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Update on the Clinic Worker...

2005-12-02T09:38:00.000-06:00

I don't want to violate her privacy, but I have had extensive phone conversations with Dawanna (it's spelled) and she and I have dinner plans on Saturday night. We spoke for over an hour this past week and she shared some details about what goes on inside that nausiated me.

I wanted to offer all an update and say that she is seriously thinking of leaving and will hopefully have a new job soon.

Stay in prayer!

-Jacqueline
Dallas, Texas

Talked to Clinic Worker! She wants to leave. Pray for DJuana.

2005-11-14T14:13:00.000-06:00

I was making my Thanksgiving plans with my family and needed to determine if I needed to be at the mill the following Saturday. So I called them. I got a clinic worker named DJuana. Here is my best memory of our conversation:

Jacque: Are you doing abortions Saturday the 26th?

DJuana: We're closed all that week until the 26th.

Jacque: But you are open that Saturday?

DJuana: How far along are you?

Jacque: Oh, I'm not pregnant. I come and pray outside your clinic on the days you kill babies.

DJuana: So you're a protestor.

Jacque: No, I'm a pray-er. I don't protest. I know you guys don't like me much. (*nervous laughter*)

DJuana: I don't dislike you. You pray for our patients?

Jacque: I pray for everyone.

DJuana: What do you pray? I'm not so sure I want someone praying for me if I don't know what they're praying.

Jacque: I pray for the patients and everyone that works there that they would stop killing babies and that the would come to know Jesus because He is the only way to be saved.

DJuana: I don't kill babies. I'm just doing my job.

Jacque: So you're not a medical person?

DJuana: No...

Jacque: My prayer for you is that you would find a job that doesn't involve killing babies at all.

DJuana: Do you have one?

Jacque: Are you serious? I can find you one. What would you like to do?

She then said that she couldn't talk about it right then. I asked for a phone number and she said you didn't have a reliable one, so I gave her mine. Pray that she calls me. Also pray that I find her a job and I can call her back with the good news. I'd like to find a job with one of my pro-life Christian network that is guarenteed so she can leave for good at also be ministered to regularly.

Pray for DJuana.

-Jacqueline
Dallas, Texas

Used surgical gloves on the sidewalk...

2005-11-14T09:42:00.000-06:00

I took my usual stance at the exit of Aaron's Women's Health Center in Dallas at 10:00 a.m. for a most unusual Saturday. I stay from 10 to 2, as that is the time when most women exit the clinic after their abortions, but this day, people were manuevering to exit out of the entrance to avoid me. Whereas they could have simply backed up and left through the exit, they instead would back up, turn the wheel, pull forward a little, turn the whell again, back up, pull forward again and then drive toward the entrance. So much work, simply to avoid a pony-tailed young girl that only wants to give them a smile and a free Bible if them reach out to me to accept it. Instead, they break traffic safety rules and drive off in haste. With so many people recklessly driving into the entrance as quickly as possible to avoid the other sidewalk counselor, I began to wonder if there would be a wreck.

I got an unusual number of aural assaults this time. Not from visitors to the clinic, but from those on the ajoining highway. I got a "Get a Life!" and a classic "F(*& you!" and many a horn blast. But I also gave out more Bible than ever before. I guess the enemy felt the need to counter that by having his children out in full force with the long blares of car horns and obscenities. It didn't impede our work at all.

I saw something again that made my stomach turn. A used pair of surgical gloves, lying on the sidewalk last week. This week, I saw another pair (perhaps the same) crumpled in the parking lot. In a video I watched at a recent pro-life fundraising dinner, it gave a tour of a now-closed clinic. When they removed the exam tables, they found layers of dried blood. Used surgical gloves on sidewalks and dried blood do not suggest to me a sterile environment in which to have surgery, but 39 women laid down there on Saturday, submitting to and paying to be wounded unnecessarily.

Please pray that those who took my gospel tracts would read them, and that the Holy Spirit would soften their hearts. Also pray for those that avoided meeting my eyes, or exited through the entrance. They are in unspeakable physical and spiritual pain. Remember them when you approach the throne of grace.

-Jacqueline
Dallas, Texas

What is Sidewalk AfterCare?

2005-11-10T09:41:00.000-06:00

Hello, Pro-Life Brethren!

Before I begin, let me tell you a little about me. I am not your typical sidewalk counselor. I actually do after-care only (after-care meaning that I have resources for women after they have had their abortions). I do this for several reasons. First of all, I do deeply care for unborn babies and there lives are important to me. Although the enemy does want to steal, kill and destroy, those unborn babies aren't his true prize. I beleive that the enemy is truly after those women, those clinic workers, and our complacency as a nation. See, what happens to a woman after she has an abortion, is that the enemy begins twisting the truth, lying to her, saying that what she has done is so bad that God can now longer love or forgive her. While what she did was indeed horrific, Jesus' blood covers all sins, offering us mercy and grace. But of course, Satan does not tell her that, but only reinforces the lies that she can not approach the throne of grace.

Then what happens? Well, she attempts to dull the pain by engaging in behviors that hurt her (anorexia, bullimia, drug abuse, alcoholism, promiscuity, suicide). Many of those activities lead to another pregnancy when the circumstances that drove her to the first abortion are not resolved, but compounded. So she aborts again, sometimes because she doesn't beleive she deserves to be a mother. Those women that due seek after care help normally seek it 7 to 10 years after the first abortion and 3 or more abortions later. By that time, more children have died and her life seek irreplarable.

What after-care does is it stops the enemy in his tracks. By telling women that God still loves them as much as he did before she got pregnant, before she had an abortion, before she herself was even born, the enemy's ability to lie to them dwindles. One time I was praying outside an abortion mill, and one patient's boyfriend had to carry her to the car because she was so weak. My friend Jackie, an older Catholic lady (just FULL of love) went to her to talk. The girl looked at her and said, "What have I done?"

Jackie said, "You need to pray. You need to tell God you're sorry and that you'll never do this again, and you need to pray."

The girl said, "I will. I'll pray everyday."

The enemy wanted to tell that girl that she could never approach God. The enemy wanted to destroy her, but Jackie's few words made so much difference.

I hand out special bibles and gospel tracts for those that do not wish to talk along with a pamphlet that has my phone number. The information inside leads them to healing resources that will share the gospel as well. I pray for their salvations or convictions, every one, and that they would never abort another child again.

So, this is preventative sidewalk counseling. :) With 47% of abortions being repeat abortions, leading a post-abortive woman to the cross seems the way to save babies in the future. Regardless, Jesus LOVES those women so much and wants desperately to save them. Saving women saves babies and thwarts the enemy. That's why I do what I do.

We rightly seek to save babies from horrible, unnecessary deaths, but my presence also tells those women that it's not just there children I care for but them as well. It's not just the innocent unborn babies Jesus cares for, either. Pray for the salvations of post-abortive women and for mercy on our nation, in Jesus name.

-Jacqueline
Dallas, Texas

Prayer at Greenville Women's Clinic

2005-11-09T17:59:00.000-06:00

Most Saturday mornings I try to go to the abortion mill Greenville Women's Clinic.
The clients of the abortion clinic drive in though a gate from the main road. There isn't a sidewalk. And there is only a short driveway between the street and the gate. Once they drive past the gate we can't approach them unless we want to deal with the security guard. Each Saturday morning there is usually someone on that short driveway that trys to flag the clients down to offer them some literature and get them to talk. Many do stop to take the literature but few stop to talk.

That is where I feel I have a place that is needed there. You see, I am an intercessor. It is my job to stand in the gap for the babies that are being led to slaughter there. I read the Word and pray scriptures that call for justice and protection of the innocent. I ask the Father to give the mothers that are there grace to repent and change their minds. I ask that they would be given the fear of the Lord. As the apostle Paul said concerning the weapons of our warfare in the spirit - they are not carnal but MIGHTY for the pulling down of strongholds. This abortion mentality and the whole industry that supports it is a stronghold of the evil one. We have authority as believer's in Christ to bind and to loose.

Each week is different. Sometimes there is liberty in prayer and other times there seems to be a heaviness that hinders it. As each car drives up I try to pray as the Spirit gives me utterance. Sometimes through tongues, scripture or just a cry to save the life of that baby. The real battle is in the heavelies. It is a battle that we can win, if we will use the weapons of our warfare in faith and believing prayer.

grace and peace through Jesus our Lord,
Bro. Galen

We had a save on Saturday morning!!!

2005-10-24T18:20:00.000-05:00

And the deathscort (a.k.a. "clinic escort") that has been standing between us and the ladies we're trying to speak with has backed down at Bill's request. See, Bill says that he's waiting for a "sign." He beleives that if God thinks killing unborn babies is wrong, that he'll see a sign.

A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Matthew 12:38

One final thought, as I stood out there, praying, as babies were inside being legally slaughtered an ambulance flew by. And I thought, "Yes, rush to help the born person!" 10 or some babies died that morning and will never have sirens blaring for them, only the ding of a garbage truck as it backs up to pick up their bodies.

A Call To Sidewalk Counselors

2005-10-17T09:40:00.000-05:00

This forum has been created to encourage you in your work for life.

So many pro-lifers never see what goes on outside an abortion mills and are likewise oblivious to the view from the front-lines. So many do not even know what a sidewalk counselor is, and many have misconceptions that we use violence or intimidation.

Because of these misconceptions, so many prolifers and prolife support organizations do not recognize or support the efforts of sidewalk counselors. We need their prayer support and the prolife movement needs more solidarity. This blog will educate on our important efforts and hopefully bridge the gaps the enemy uses to divide us.

I am looking for a cadre of sidewalk counselors to contribute regularly, posting stories of saves and hope but also alerting the prolife community of prayer needs.

If you wish to contribute to the blog, please email me at abbywomenscenter@gmail.com.

-JacqueFromTexas