40 Days For Life: DAY 38: This is a first!

 

Today we share something that has never happened as we close out the largest spring campaign ever! An expectant mother visited the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania vigil site, asking to speak with one particular sidewalk counselor she had met a few weeks ago. "She said that she changed her mind about aborting her child [after] talking to this counselor," said Paul, the local leader. "We were hugging her and thanking God. We all had tears in our eyes. It was a beautiful moment for the mom and all present." But there's more! It turns out this mother's teenage daughter is ALSO pregnant and was planning to have an abortion. After her encounter with the 40 Days for Life team, the woman went home and talked her daughter out of having an abortion too! One vigil site interaction spared a mother from having an abortion, spared her daughter from having an abortion, and spared both her child and grandchild from being aborted.

This family did not know about pregnancy resource centers, but the Harrisburg team was more than happy to help connect the mother-daughter duo with one. Volunteers are now planning a baby shower to support them as well.

Plainfield, New Jersey 40 Days for Life Outreach Director Sue Thayer recently spoke at a campaign event in Plainfield, New Jersey. During her visit, the former Planned Parenthood manager spoke at a former Planned Parenthood facility! The abortion facility is now in pro-life hands and is being rebuilt to serve human life. "Sue gave her talk in what used to be the waiting room," said Lisa, the local leader. "We were given a tour of the upstairs, which will [host] hundreds of people coming to pro-life education classes given by the new owner of the building, a priest from a local church."

Ithaca, New York As an abortion-friendly college town, Ithaca can be a tough place to be pro-life. But the local 40 Days for Life team is clearly making inroads and winning supporters. Kerry is participating in his first campaign this spring. He decided to track the feedback he got from passersby. "Thumbs up" outnumbered "thumbs down" by a ratio of nearly 3 to 1. "It's so encouraging to get a thumbs up," he said. Local leader Mary Anne agreed. "Isn't it incredible that such a small gesture makes a difference? Let's keep encouraging each other."

You have heard it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. — Matthew 5: 43-44 Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us. Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm. Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. 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