From 40 Days For Life: DAY 21: The right choice on the Left Coast

There are more 40 Days for Life campaigns in California than any other state ... and in fact — to the surprise of some — the campaign is strong on entire West Coast of North America! Katharine O'Brien, 40 Days for Life's director of youth and Hispanic outreach, just got back from a visit to Washington and British Columbia. She found resolve.....courage.....and hope in unexpected places.

Victoria, British Columbia The 40 Days for Life team in Victoria faces a bit of an obstacle. Buffer zone laws require the vigil to be across a major intersection from the abortion facility, which is then tucked away among a group of stores. Despite that restriction, Katharine said police officers came by to thank volunteers for being cooperative. "They have been supportive of the rights of the campaign," she said, "and helped when they've had incidents of aggressive opposition." During the time Katharine was at the vigil, passersby were highly positive in their response.

Mount Vernon, Washington Good news from the 40 Days for Life team in Mount Vernon – the number of abortion days at Planned Parenthood is decreasing. Katharine asked for prayers for Cindy, the local coordinator. "She is a fantastic leader and has such a good sense of humor. She says if this Planned Parenthood shuts down, she'll go on to the next one!" Katharine also met a volunteer named Elaine, who stands and prays outside Planned Parenthood for two hours every day, "despite how much it hurts her back. She's been spit on, but is not giving up!"

Everett, Washington For the 40 Days for Life volunteers in Everett, going to the sidewalk to pray often means putting up with opposition from Planned Parenthood supporters. "They try to get a reaction from the vigil participants and constantly antagonize them," Katharine said. They scream, chant, get right in their faces and try to block the sidewalk. "The 40 Days for Life volunteers know the importance of being out there to fight for life," she said. Katharine said that Rachel, the local coordinator, is "a young mother of four and a fun leader" who is working hard to get members of more different faith communities praying together on the sidewalk.

Wenatchee, Washington The Planned Parenthood location where the 40 Days for Life vigil is held is an abortion referral center. They just moved in not too long ago and seem quite uncomfortable with the community's response. "There are 'No thank you, Planned Parenthood' signs all over the neighborhood and the 40 Days for Life team has been there since they opened," Katharine said. "Pastors in the community have written to the city to tell them that they don't approve of Planned Parenthood." Katharine met with the local leaders as well as the vigil coordinator, "who really keeps up with getting the vigil filled. It's a testimony to what a good job the campaign is doing."

Tacoma, Washington It's always the "random stories" that make campaign events interesting. "A man walked up and shared his testimony," Katharine said. "He was in jail and the mother of his baby didn't know what had happened to him. Since she didn't seem to have any support, she decided to get an abortion." But in a case of perfect timing, the father was released and was on his way to see her … only to spot her walking into the abortion center. "He ran and stopped her," Katharine said, "and she chose life. His daughter is now four years old and named Destiny."

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand. -- Ephesians 6:12-13 Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly Yours. Thank you for hearing our requests for direction and protection. Thank you for the victory that is ours because of Your Son Jesus. See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn D. Carney President, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316