40 Days For Life: DAY 33: Say "si" to life

Dear Deacon John, There are 354 locations for the current 40 Days for Life campaign -- and 55 of them are in Latin America! We have 26 vigils in Colombia, 25 in Mexico and one each in Argentina, Bolivia, Guatemala and Paraguay ... all operating under the banner of 40 Dias por la Vida.

And that's one of the reasons Lourdes Varela has joined the 40 Days for Life team as Latin American affairs coordinator. Lourdes is based in Mexico City ... and has been very busy visiting local campaign leaders! Here's a quick look at some of her stops.

Guadalajara, Mexico In Mexico as in many other countries ... lives are being saved during 40 Days for Life vigils -- including two in Guadalajara. One story involves a conflict between families. A young woman's boyfriend and his father insisted on abortion and set up an appointment. On the other hand, the young woman and her mother were both fighting for the baby. After much debate, the two women insisted there would be no abortion ... and they canceled the appointment. But please keep all of these people in your prayers. The second story also contains many challenges. A woman who was unfaithful to her husband became pregnant. As the child was not his, he was pressuring her to have an abortion. Thankfully, he accompanied his wife to the pregnancy center. With the help of the counselors at the pregnancy center, they forgave each other and the baby is now safe. "The pregnancy center said all of this would be impossible if not for all the prayers," Lourdes said.

Merida, Mexico Abortion is not legal in Merida, but there's a center that claims to offer "humanitarian attention for women's reproductive health." The local campaign leader got quite a shock when she went to pray outside this building and saw a crude painting on the sidewalk. How crude? Let's just say that a group of teens walked by and one of the boys put his hand in front of his girlfriend's eyes so she wouldn't see it. The leader alerted the police about the painting ... and they were shocked by what they saw. The facility's owner, however, then complained on Facebook that she was being harassed ... and even called the media. A reporter showed up and asked why they were scared of a work of art! An odd situation for sure, but Lourdes said, "the Merida team managed it well."

La Villa, Mexico Volunteers told Lourdes about an abortion-minded young woman who visited the Mexfam center during the last 40 Days for Life campaign. She was desperate and thought abortion was her only option ... but as she was on her way to Mexfam, she asked God for a sign. Of course, when she arrived, the 40 Days for Life vigil was in progress. The 13-year-old son of one of the volunteers noticed the young woman first ... and saw that she was crying. The teen's mom spoke to the young woman, and shared information with her. That was the last they saw of her ... until just recently. She returned to the vigil site with the good news that because of their prayers, she'd decided to keep her baby ... who's due to be born in just a few months.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. — Psalm 8:3-9 Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life. See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney President/CEO, 40 Days for Life

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