40 Days For Life: DAY 19: A Six-Hour Conversation on the Sidewalk

 

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An enemy becomes a friend

Abortion supporters love to insist that unless you adopt their pet issue, you're not really pro-life. That was the case in Washington, D.C., where an irritable passerby scolded 40 Days for Life leader Dr. Michael New, insisting that if he was concerned about human rights, he should spend his time opposing ICE. "Then the fun started," Dr. New quipped. "He started dialoguing with Elizabeth, who runs Georgetown University Right to Life. ... Elizabeth used good pro-life apologetics." In fact, Elizabeth had the man so twisted around that he admitted he's not even sure whether he opposes infanticide. By the time the man left, he had been debating 40 Days for Life volunteers for nearly six hours. "It turned out to be a surprisingly encouraging conversation," shared Mykl, one of the participants in the discussion. "We did make real headway. ... He conceded that the unborn are biologically human. ... There's still a long way to go, but that one concession and proof of intellectual honesty was meaningful." Over the course of the afternoon, it appeared that the man's commitment to abortion had less to do with abortion and more to do with anger at God. As evening approached, Mykl and the man made plans to get together again to continue the conversation. "We left as friends rather than enemies," Mykl reflected. "He seems stubborn, yes, but also willing to engage honestly. ... Lord willing, that may bear fruit over time." Southend on Sea, Essex, England While a buffer zone limits 40 Days for Life participants' access to abortion-minded women, Mary and her team stand vigil in a place that provides them with access to conduct outreach to university students. "People in the area don't agree with MSI [the abortion facility]," she said. "Most people are pro-life in their thinking." She recently reported that one day, the majority of people to whom she offered pamphlets about pregnancy help options accepted them! Jos, Nigeria Campus outreach is also a major part of Maureen's campaign in Jos. "The students are always ready to take the campaign to every nook and cranny of the university," she said. Students finish school and move on, but Maureen has done a great job of making sure that she equips each new generation to carry the pro-life message to their peers. "Yes, students graduate and leave," she said. "But they always make sure new members are encouraged to keep the flag flying, speaking against abortion and saving lives of the unborn babies." A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." --John 4:7 Heavenly Father, we pray in a special way for all women who have experienced an abortion. We ask that you draw these women close to your healing heart. Help us all to recognize our deep thirst for the living water that only you can offer, and give us the courage to invite others to the well of your forgiveness. Amen. For life, Shawn Carney President & CEO, 40 Days for Life

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