Monday, December 29, 2014

It was Christmas Eve, and I didn't want to go!


*****There has been an update to this post, please read below!

It was Christmas Eve and I really did not feel like going out to the abortion mill.  I had so much to do, family to visit, last minute gifts to pick up;  this really did not fit in.


But, here it was, Christmas Eve morning and I was heading down to the awhc abortuary, the only mill open out of the five here in Orlando.  As I headed down the highway, I had a sense of joy overwhelm me suddenly, and I knew that I was on my way to where I was supposed to be going.

When I arrived, two sidewalk counselors were there, along with two from the prayer support group that come every Wednesday.  Not too long after, another sidewalk counselor arrived.

The abortion bound women started coming in as each of us took our spots offering help and another way, pleading with them to make this the Christmas of Life and not death.  To let their little child continue to grow and experience opening Christmas presents and having a seat at the Christmas table.

We shared with them, that if they went through with having this abortion, every Christmas that rolled around would be a reminder of the day their child was killed.  They would remember this dark, dank place and everyone sitting in the waiting room;  a memory that would not bring good thoughts to mind.

We were able to speak with one young woman who had accompanied her abortion bound friend and encouraged her to go inside and inform her of all the help available, that abortion never will be the answer.  She did try, but unfortunately, her friend's boyfriend's pressuring for abortion won;  this little child lost his or her life on Christmas Eve.

We continued to reach out, pray, read scripture and sing Christmas Carols into the waiting room window.

And then it happened, a truck began to leave the mill, but first stopped at the driveway to let us know she had changed her mind, she was keeping her baby!  

Tears were pouring down her face, thanking us for being there for her.  These were tears of joy, even in the midst of not knowing how things would turn out.  All she kept saying was thank you!
We hugged her and talked with her exchanging phone numbers; she then left with one of the sidewalk counselors who took her to lunch. 

Those of us that remained at the mill were jumping up and down with joy; A BABY WAS SAVED, A BABY WAS SAVED!  We thanked the Lord and left that place of death on cloud nine, 

Yes, for something that I really didn't want to do, proved to bring joy unspeakable, with a very thankful young lady who came close to making a decision that would have left her a broken woman with a broken baby.  And, a little child continues to grow inside his or her mommy's womb, safe from the abortionist's knife!.

I will always remember the Christmas Eve of 2014; the warriors I had the privilege of standing on the sidewalk with--together speaking up for those who have no voice and trying to rescue those unjustly sentenced to death.  And, I will always thank God for filling me with joy as I headed to that place of death and allowing me to witness HIS tremendous love, grace, mercy and power in rescuing this precious child!

This was the best Christmas present ever!

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped:  therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise HIM."  Psalm 28:7

*****UPDATE--As I was getting ready to walk out the door to go to a wedding on 12/30, I received a phone call on the ministry line, and I am so glad I was able to pick up this call!

"Is there anyone I can speak with?"  Were the words that came from the young lady on the other line.  I immediately told her yes, and that I would love to speak with her.

She went on to tell me that she had gone to an abortion clinic on Christmas Eve with a friend who had gone with her, who, she said, really didn't want her to get the abortion and had been trying to talk her out of it the whole way there.

When they arrived, according to this young woman, there were people out front trying to talk with them.  They went inside, but she told me her friend went outside to talk with the "people."  I then asked her what abortion center she had gone to and she said, "The All Women's Health Center!"  I said, "I was there on Christmas Eve and I remember talking with your friend!"

She then said that her friend had gone back inside and given her the information the "people" out front had given her, and again tried to talk her out of the abortion, telling her that the folks out front had said there was help available.  

Then her boyfriend arrived and started pressuring her and she told me she became confused, thinking about what her friend had said and the help that was offered.  She decided to leave, and did not have the abortion!  Here, we thought she had the abortion with her baby dying on Christmas Eve, and instead, she had left that place of death with her child still growing in her womb!

But during the weekend, she kept thinking and thinking and found herself at the awhc abortuary again, on Monday!  When she walked inside, there was no one at the receptionist's desk and she thought, "maybe this is another sign not to do it!"  But then the receptionist came to the front and after talking with her, she made an appointment for Wednesday, which would be New Years Eve!

She told me that when she walked out, she didn't feel good about scheduling another appointment at all, but didn't know what to do.  Then, as she was getting in her vehicle, she saw the brochure that we had given her friend on Christmas Eve, who had given it to her.  She picked the brochure up and really looked at it and began to read it and then put it in her purse.

Fast forward to Tuesday, December 30th, she took the brochure out of her purse and decided to call the number, which she did, and was talking with me!

As she shared what had happened, I said to her, "Honey, I believe that God has been trying to get your attention and show you that abortion is not what He wants you to do!"  Right away she said, "I know!"  I began to share with her the real help available and then asked how old her baby was, to which she replied, "Four months."  I then let her know that everything was there, his/her fingernails, hair, eye color; everything!  I then shared my own experience with abortion and other women; how abortion never is the answer and that this decision is one that you can not take back.

I then asked if her boyfriend was still pressuring her and she said yes.  I told her that no one can make you have an abortion, and the percentage of relationships split up after an abortion.  She then said, "Yes, I've been thinking about that, and I should never do something like this that I don't want to do for someone else!"  I said, "that is right, you have to do what you know is the right thing to do!"

I then asked her, "Are you going to keep that appointment tomorrow?"  And right away she replied, "No, I am not going back there, I am going to keep my baby!"  She thanked me and the others for being there that day, and how thankful she was for her friend that cared so much.  We made plans to go to lunch and I hung up the phone.

When I put that phone down, I was again in awe of God's wondrous and glorious power!  We thought that baby had died, and God has had this baby in the palm of HIS hands!  To HIM be the Glory!  How amazing is the goodness of the Lord God Almighty?  So good, so very good!  Two babies were saved on Christmas Eve.....one that I shall never forget!


Sunday, September 14, 2014

The Ugly Truth of Abortion on a Sign Saved a Baby!

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a baby shower for a young girl who we met at one of the abortion facilities here in Central Florida yesterday.  No, she had not come to this center for an abortion; she along with her mother, happened to be driving down the street one day back in the spring, and noticed a group of us out during one of our Jesus Loves the Little Children Day, 

When they approached, we thought maybe they could be coming for an abortion, but turned out, they wanted to thank us for being there!

The mom shared how years ago when they had lived in this neighborhood, they would drive by and see people standing out in front of this abortion mill with signs, including pictures of the babies who died from abortion.  She told us that they effected her children to the point of tears at times.

Fast forward to the present as she then shared with us that her 15 year old daughter came home one day and announced the news that she was pregnant.  Of course she was shocked, but being pro-life, she unwaveringly stated that she would stand with and help her through this time.  Others, though, were encouraging and pressuring her to have an abortion, to the point that she even made an appointment!

But, as the days went on, this young lady was haunted by the pictures on the signs she saw on a
continual basis when she was younger.  She kept thinking about them and finally realized that she could not do that to her baby!  The pictures of the innocent little ones who had died the painful and brutal death of abortion on those signs saved this babies life!

They joined us another time at one of our Jesus Loves the Little Children Day and then yesterday was the baby shower and what a glorious celebration of life it was with this young lady surrounded by family and her "Life" friends as her mother calls us!

I want to thank those that stood unashamedly in front of the EPOC abortion facility many years ago holding the ugly truth of what abortion really is; the innocent little victims, the babies.  Yes, these pictures aren't pretty, but they are the truth, and the truth is what sets us free! 

There is alot of controversy even in the pro-life community on the use of these pictures, but for me, throughout the years, I have seen so many babies saved and are alive today because somebody was holding a sign with one of these pictures, or a Truth Truck driving through town or parked somewhere.


Let us never, ever be afraid of sharing the truth!





Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Making History in Kissimmee! Halt the opening of Planned Parenthood!

There are those times when you know that you've experienced something great, something spectacular and something that was touched by the hand of God Almighty.

Those moments that make history, and will be remembered for a lifetime.


This is what I experienced last night at the Commissioner's meeting at the Kissimmee City Hall. The hearing room was completely packed out with the lobby and hallway filled with concerned citizens waiting to express their outrage, sadness, dismay, and disheartenment over the proposed opening of a mega-Planned Parenthood.


One by one for over two hours city commissioners listened to people share their hearts with passion, tears, concern and fear for their community if this Planned Parenthood does indeed gain access to Kissimmee.

Winnie Bell was the first person to address
the commissioner s& with a passionate plea.

People from all walks of life, nationalities, color, age, occupations; all with the same heartfelt plea to the commissioners; to do what they could, no matter how small to stop this Planned Parenthood from coming to their community and polluting their town with the blood of innocent little baby boys and girls.

Pastors, doctors, many different ministries, businesses, lawyers all compassionate for the sanctity of Life and speaking on behalf of the unborn child, the plight of abortion, and the negative impact including the violence which surrounds abortion, and the effect this proposed opening would have on their community.
Dr. Litell, an incredible pro-life physician,
 led a prayer vigil prior to the meeting.

The mayor was quite adamant throughout the beginning of the meeting stating that there was nothing that they could do, using the word can't alot!   But halfway through, he finally said, "Well, there is one thing we can do and that is contact our state legislators!"

This after pastors challenged the commissioners that this is their Esther moment, "For such a time as this!"  Business men encouraged them to take the moral high ground and medical professionals shared how they will be the ones that will be left taking care of the women after they receive botched abortions.
Pastor Kevin Wilhoit from Grace Community
Church!
 

Women shared their pain from past abortions and the devestating lasting effects and how they do not want young women in their community to experience what they have experienced.

Dr. Litell who is helping to lead the way in this battle, stood and gave an absolutely passionate speech , creating a long and powerful round of applause that went on and on.



A mother went forward with her Down Syndrome son sharing how she was encouraged strongly to abort her child, but she refused.  She made the point that what we need more in this country are more people like her loving son, not less!  It was so powerful and so beautiful!


I know that this is a mountain we are climbing in trying to stop Planned Parenthood from moving into Kissimmee, but I also know that with God all things are possible!  I saw that Tuesday evening, with only a couple days notice of the Commissioner's meeting, close to 300 warriors showed up armed with the word of God, prayer, HIS boldness to speak and stand against evil and a oneness that can only come from a belief in Jesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Yes, last night, God was high and lifted up; those of us that sat in on the hearing and in the hallway, will never forget how God moved mightily through HIS people speaking for Life and against such an injustice that is permeated toward unborn human beings.


Please join us in prayer and fasting pleading with the Lord to intervene on behalf of the little baby boys and girls that will lose their precious lives if this place of death is allowed to open!  The God that parted the Red Sea, can part this sea......let's pray and walk up this mountain doing what we can to keep Kissimmee free from the shedding of innocent blood!

To God be the Glory!


(Pictures taken by Amber Caroll, video by Allura Lightfoot)


Thursday, March 27, 2014

I'm a Christian, and I've really prayed about this.......

There she stood in the short distance with her hoodie covering part of her face and her head down.

I could see her protruding stomach, knowing that she was well along in her pregnancy.

You see, it was later term abortion day at the awhc abortuary, and she wasn't there for a check-up, she was there to pay someone to end the life of the child developing in her womb.

I called over to her to please come down and talk with me;  I was actually surprised when she looked up and immediately headed toward me.

She was tall, pretty and had a beautiful smile that I could see was forced.

I asked her if she was here for an abortion, and she quickly said yes.  I asked her why she felt compelled to have an abortion and she said, "I was attacked, I can't keep this baby."  I told her that I understood her pain, and I didn't want to make light of the horrible situation, but I also let her know that having an abortion would only add more pain on top of the pain she was experiencing now.

I shared with her the story of Rebecca Keisling, a beautiful woman who was conceived in rape and now speaks out for the rights of others conceived in rape.  I also shared how we should never blame the innocent child for the sins of the father.

I asked her how old her baby was and she said around 4 months.  I then inquired if she had an ultrasound to see her baby and she said yes and that when she had the ultrasound it revealed the baby was missing an arm and that she had to have an abortion.  I told her that there were people that would love to adopt her baby know matter what.

She then shared with me the normal mantra we hear so often, "I'm a Christian, and I've really prayed about this and sought God on this, and I now know that HE understands."

After hearing those words, and feeling like I was in somewhat of a state of shock, I contained myself, and thought, "If she is going to talk about praying to God about killing this child, then I would speak to her with the word of God."

I looked at her and said, "If you are a Christian, you know what God says about killing right?  She put her head down and said yes.  I then said, "Thou shalt not kill."  I then showed her pictures of what her baby looked like, letting her know that her baby was completely developed with a beating heart, and his/her own blood type, organs, hair color, eye color.  And that know matter how this baby was conceived, and even if this baby was missing an arm, Jesus still loves that baby.

She then looked up at me with tears running down her cheeks and said, I know what you are saying, and you wouldn't believe the shirt I'm wearing underneath this hoodie.  She then proceeded to lift her hoodie up to show me her t-shirt; it was a Christian t-shirt with with Jesus written boldly across the front!  She said to me, "can you believe this?"  I really was so sad at this point, not only because of the Jesus t-shirt, but when she lifted her hoodie, I could really see even more her pregnant tummy; the baby in her womb was so big already!  I wanted to burst out crying at this point, so I just pleaded with her to do what God would want her to do, and that would be to trust Him with this child and the situation, not to kill her baby.

At this point, Melvin, the security guard came up to us and told the abortion bound mommy that they were calling her to come in.  She looked at me with tears still coming down her cheeks and didn't leave my side.  I told her I could take her right down the street to a wonderful pregnancy center where they could help her and get her everything she needed including some really good counseling.

Again, Melvin approached us alerting her that they were ready for her.  She looked at me, I pleaded again, letting her know I cared, that this, again, would bring more pain to her on top of the pain she is already experiencing.  Tears were falling on both of our faces now, but she was walking backward up the driveway, not taking her eyes off of mine, like a magnet drawn to this place of death.  I cried out to her to come back; she spoke loudly letting me know she hadn't made up her mind, whereas before she was so sure about getting the abortion.

I stayed alot longer that day, but by the time I had to leave, she was still inside.  I have continued to pray that maybe, just maybe she, at the last minute had the strength to let this little baby live.  I'll never know, unless she calls or I see her again.  All I can do now is pray that she really comes to know the true ways of the Savior, that she repents and gives her heart completely to Him, for He is the only truth in this lost and dying world.

Words can not express how I felt driving home that day, emptiness, sadness, but at the same time knowing that it is in Him that I have to put my full trust, for He is the one that opens eyes and sets the captive free.  I am only His messenger, sharing His word, the rest is in His hands, and in that I found peace.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

All was not well this New Years Eve!

It was New Years Eve and all was not well.
AWHC abortuary, New Years Eve.

It was dark, dreary, chilly and the parking lot was packed.

The faces were not filled with joy anticipating the New Year; just dread, anger, sorrow and despair.

This is when I noticed the young man, he looked lost, saddened and perplexed;  I called out to him and asked if I could help.  I just wanted him to know there was help.

He walked toward me and I recognized that face;  the face of guilt, shame, condemnation, confusion, but a determination to convince one self that what they are doing is right.

I introduced myself and asked how I could help him; he said with a downtrodden face, "There is nothing you can do, I've already tried."

I said, "there is always hope, always."

He went on to inform me that he was a Christian, that his daddy was even a pastor, and he couldn't believe he was here in this mess.

The mess he was referring to was the fact that he was at the local abortuary and his girlfriend who was pregnant, was inside, waiting to abort their baby!


I asked him how old his baby was and he told me he thought around 12 or 13 weeks, I let him know that his baby was fully formed with fingers, toes, and his or her own fingerprints; and that his little baby was precious to Jesus.

"I know, I know, but......"  The buts that we hear so often.  

I reminded him of the scripture, "Rescue those unjustly sentenced to death, hold back those staggering to the slaughter (Proverbs 24:11)," and "Speak up for those who have no voice (Proverbs 31:8)."  I told him, you must try one more time, this is what God would have you to do!  This is a matter of life and death, and just as Harriet Tubman risked her life in the middle of winter to rescue slaves, you must try to rescue your baby!

He took a brochure with information of all the help available and with convicted eyes said, "Yes, I will go back in and try to get her out, I don't think she will, but I will try."

And he headed back into that dark place of death, where so many innocent lives have been tragically lost.  I put out the call for prayer warriors to pray, so the prayers began.

Awhile later, he came out and told me it was too late, there were tears in his eyes;  I believe the reality of this nightmare really hit him.  Earlier while talking, before going inside the mill, he had told me that a couple days prior, he had gone to church and felt that God was telling him not to have the abortion, he said he was sure that God spoke to his heart about this.  He shared this with his girlfriend, but she insisted on the abortion.

He then looked at me and said, "and here you are, talking to me, and about God."  I said, "this can be the day that you get right back with God, and do it HIS way, you know what I'm talking about."

Now, here he was, getting ready to be the father of a dead baby, one of God's precious children.


Amber with Abbie & Josh reaching  out
 to abortion bound men &women
.
My friend Amber showed up at this point with her two precious children and we continued to reach out to the New Years Eve abortion bound men and women while we prayed for a miracle.

We waited and waited and then we saw the young man drive his car to the back;  we knew that meant the abortion was over and she would be coming out.

We went to the back and sure enough his drugged up barren girlfriend was coming out, a broken woman, with a broken baby.

After getting inside the vehicle, the car drove toward us and stopped, he rolled the window down and I looked at his tear stained eyes;  true brokeness was over this man and I said, "please, right away, try to get her in post abortion counseling (she was to out of it to understand), and then I looked at him and said, "and you are going to need post abortion counseling."  I showed him where he could go to a men's post abortion group.  With tears streaming down his face, he said he would.  I gave him my number and told him to call, and I pray he will.

Yes, for this couple, New Years Eve will never be the same, it will always be a reminder of the day their baby was killed.  But I pray, that through this horror, that this young man will return to the Father, the creator of this universe, to leave the ways of the world and run back to HIM with reckless abandon.  

This, oh God is what I pray, January 1, 2014.