Sidewalk counseling saves lives
Posted by Matt Yonke on Monday, June 2nd, 2008
Great news is coming in from the front lines of our struggle against Planned Parenthood here in Aurora!
If you haven't gotten involved in the work to save babies and their mothers from abortion, I would urge you to join in. It is a peaceful, prayerful work and, as these stories will attest, vitally important. You can find all the details on how to join in the work here.
I hear stories from our prayer warriors and sidewalk counselors almost every day about great things God is doing outside Planned Parenthood, but I heard two stories last week that I had to share with you all.
The first story happened last Thursday and it comes from Sandy Bradford, one of our most dedicated sidewalk counselors:
Today I arrived at Planned Parenthood at 10:00 AM.
10:15 a car arrived, a man got out, came over to me and said with tears in his eyes "I don't want to be here. She has stage 4 endemitriosis and wasn't supposed o be able get pregnant. Yesterday the doctor told us she has a tubal pregnancy and we should go to the hospital, but she wanted to come here to get it taken care of." I told him this was the last place she should be and that he should take her to the hospital where real doctors were trained to help. He said she didn't want him to come and talk to me. He took my literature.
Then another sidewalk counselor joined us we both talked to him and prayed with him. He was struggling so. He said his name is Peter and her name is Rebekah. He went back to her. They stayed in the car until 11:00 and then went inside. We prayed and prayed for them to come out. They didn't.
I felt strongly that I needed to stay until they came out. I waited all day for Peter to come out as many men do when the women go in for the "procedure". He never came out. I prayed all day for them, that the Holy Spirit would embrace them and comfort them and hopefully change their minds. They didn't come out for 4 1/2 hours! I was sure that she'd had the abortion. I kept praying that nothing would happen to her.
Finally at about 3:30 they came out and walked over to us saying that she didn't do it. They did an ultrasound inside which clearly showed a baby in her uterus! We all rejoiced together, talked, cried, praised God! What an awesome experience! I am so grateful that the Lord allowed me to witness this miracle of His mercy and grace in such a profound way. Peter said whatever we were doing out there worked. I said we were praying! God did the work.
Then I gave them most beautiful handmade baby sweater set that had been given me when I first started SWC. Rebekah was overcome. We talked for quite a while about the baby and miracles, and they promised to keep me posted on her progress. I promised them that hundreds of people would be praying for them and their little one. They were so thankful. He believes in miracles and now she is beginning to also.
This couple really needs our prayers. Hers will be a high-risk pregnancy. She has received immunizations to go to Africa next week on safari. The doctor told her the baby could be deformed. She is very afraid - of the pregnancy and that something will be wrong with the baby. Please dear prayer warriors, continue to lift Rebekah and Peter and their little one up to the Lord for protection, perfect health and salvation!
The second story happened the very next day and was related to me by Connie Betz. Connie has really put herself out there for the cause of life and has suffered gladly the many hazards of sidewalk counseling. Planned Parenthood knows her by name and they are terrified of her precisely because of stories like this.
Connie was counseling Friday morning when she flagged down a car entering the PP parking log. She got them before they pulled in and convinced them to pull over to the Blockbuster parking lot to talk with her.
They were a Hispanic couple in their 30's with four children already. The husband had just recently lost his job and the wife only had a part time job. They had no idea how they were going to afford another baby and, though they didn't want to go to Planned Parenthood, they felt like they had no choice. They had an abortion scheduled for that day!
Well, between Connie's affable manner and the resources she had to offer, she was able to convince them not to go in for their appointment! They said they were headed for the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Elgin, near where they live. What a blessing those CPC's are. Often the very thought that someone is willing to help them through this difficult time is enough to convince them to be open to the new life they have.
I am so encouraged by the reports like these that just keep coming in day after day! If you're not out there involved in the prayer and counseling efforts, I would strongly encourage you to join in the battle. Connie told me that she feels the save she had last week was the direct result of increased prayer. Be a part of something of eternal importance! You can check out the prayer calendar and sign up for an hour to pray here. I hope to see you on the front lines!
I was so impressed by Connie when I was out there as a prayer warrior that I actually pray her sidewalk counseling every day, even though I only get out to PP about once a month. :))
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:41 am
Wow, so the 'real doctors' at the first couple's clinic not only misdiagnosed her but sent her home without managing what they thought was an ectopic pregnancy - a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in this country. Then they saw the presumably not 'real doctors' at PP, are told they had an intrauterine pregnancy and she wasn't tied down and forced to end the pregnancy? Amazing… so how was your sidewalk counseling responsible for the first couple's turn of events and not the diagnostic skill and care they received at PP?
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
In response to # 2-Green's comment
..so how was your sidewalk counseling responsible for
the first couple's turn of events and not the
diagnostic skill and care they receive at PP.
I can speak to this because I was one of the ladies
there speaking to Peter.
And the answer is:
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the
Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6
It was the Lord God who was working in Peter and
Rebekah's heart!
P.S. And yes, I do fully believe this child will
be born and will be healthy.
Peter told us that he had been told by his doctor that
he could not have any children.
….and our God is One of miracles!
June 4th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Green,
Clearly the couple was uncertain whether to choose life for their child or to have it aborted. Sidewalk counselors speaking to them was clearly part of what helped them make their decision.
We're just happy to have the chance to have a positive impact on their decision making process and help them in any way we can.
God bless,
Matt
June 4th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Perhaps it was the counselors inside who helped them make their decision. They weren't forced or talked into an abortion at PP. In fact, it sounds as if the doctors at PP properly diagnosed a uterine pregnancy that the other "real doctors" missed.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
It's just fabulous! to know they escaped that House of Horrors with their baby. Which is not what happens to the dozens of other women who get mutilated every day by those "doctors" and "parenthood counselors" at PP
Praise God and the pro-life sidewalk counselors.
June 5th, 2008 at 1:08 am
I personally feel that you people are promoting child abuse,neglect,molestation and children growing up in foster care.Are any of you physically and financially prepared to take care of the children that these women are either not ready for or just don't want and that you fool into believing that it's wrong to end a pregnancy that was not meant to be?You could be putting your time,money and effort into helping the children in this country that people like you have caused to to be born into poverty,foster care abusive homes,etc. Judge NOT lest ye be judged!!
And practice what you preach!
June 16th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Dear Kathy, if the pregnancy was not meant to be it would not have been conceived. God knew of every child that was conceived and born in this world. And He knows of every child that will be conceived and born in this world, from now to the end of time on this earth.
Love is the answer to all. We wouldn't have all the problems if people learned to value life and love one another. Love does not abuse children, love does not neglect children or molest them. Love does not kill the innocent who cannot defend themselves. Love feeds those who cannot feed themselves. Love clothes those who cannot clothe themselves. Love helps those who cannot help themselves. Love respects and values the dignity of EVERY human being.
It is as basic as starting at the beginning, where all human life begins, in the womb. How can we possible have a world of compassion and love for ALL when we murder a human life that is growing in the womb? That act is the manifestation of a cruel, and loveless society. What needs to be done is a change of hearts. Because with love there are no limits. It is big enough for All! We CAN love and show care to all people. People are the ones who put limits on their love.
And let's not forget the father in this picture. If he knew how to really love he would take responsibility and support the life of his child,and in this way the mother would not feel so abandoned and desperate.
It all boils down to love.
June 16th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Karen You live in a dream world if you think you can LIVE on love.If love doesn't abuse,neglect,or molest then explain why so many children have to endure these things on a daily basis.In your little fantasy world love will conquer all.Unfortunately in the real world that doesn,t happen.I guess that by your response that you think children don,t need anything but love.Well my children and grandchildren would die from neglect if all I could give them was my love.The lord fends for those who fend for themselves.You are only using parts of the bible that fulfill your own needs and that just isn't realistic.If you people would stop and think about it you would reaalize that in life there are many choices that we make and we have to live with what we choose.You cannot make everyones choice for them.If women want to spare their children the pain of life then they have a choice.Society is what society is.I'm not saying that you are wrong but yours is just an opinion like mine only I don't try to force my opinion on anyone with disgusting pictures and signs.Stop using the dead for your own gain or you will be nothing more than a hypocrit.Did you ever consider that maybe something greater than you gave these doctors the ability to control what may have gotten out of control,or maybe you don't think God is that compasionate that he would rather take these childen to heaven painlessly than to have them suffer in this world?Wake up and help the children that actually need you ,you know, those that are trying to live on love. alone
June 16th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Dear Kathy, Could it be you do not know what love is?
You said,
"you think you can LIVE on love."
Love and Life go together. If there is love there will be life. This is true most especially after we die. There are people who have all the "things" they need in this world, but do not have life within them. Why? Because they do not have real love. And my friend, that name for love can also be called Jesus.
Love is not a fantasy. Love, when put into action can do unbelievable things! I use Mother Theresa as an example of what love can do. She took care of those "neglected people”, you mention, she did not want to see them suffer, but she was a great advocate for LIFE, she thought abortion was the greatest evil. Why? Because she LOVED ALL PEOPLE, in the womb and out. Just think how this world could be if people could see the world as Mother Theresa did, and act upon it in each of our own way.
You said,
"If love doesn't abuse,neglect,or molest then explain why so many children have to endure these things on a daily basis."
Your statement is illogical. The children endure those things because they are NOT loved.
You said,
" I guess that by your response that you think children don,t need anything but love.Well my children and grandchildren would die from neglect if all I could give them was my love"
Again, this statement is illogical. If you gave them your love, they would not die of neglect, because you love them, you would put that love into action and never neglect them and do everything in your power to seek out means of caring for them.
You said,
"maybe you don't think God is that compasionate that he would rather take these childen to heaven painlessly than to have them suffer in this world."
Just who is taking "these children" (and I am glad you said "children") to Heaven? Who is pulling them piece by piece out of the womb? NOT GOD. PEOPLE ARE! People who think they can decide who may have life and who may not.
"painlessly"
Watch an abortion some time; it doesn't look painless to me!
June 16th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I believe in choice.Everyone has the right to do with their body what they want.I have four grandchildren because I refused to allow my daughter to abort those babies,however I do not push my opinion on people.My grandchildren do not live with their mother,two are with me,one with my brothers wife,one was adopted by my cousin and now she is pregnant again.God does know what peoples lives will turn out as. God fearing people cristians however their are also drug addicts,prostitutes,child molesters,murderers,rapists,and people who don't want their children.I feel that God has come up with a way to take his children HOME rather than suffer in this world just as he did with the flood that wiped out all humanity exept for noah his wife,children and all the animals.I'm am not an advocate for abortion,I don't tell women they should get one.I also don't tell women they should not.All women deserve their right to privacy in their choice and should not be harrassed by anyone for that choice.I do know what love is everytime I look at my eleven year old son my eight year old grandson and my two year old granddaughter.My grandchildren almost didn't exist because I was actually on the table to have an abortion when I just could not go through with it so now I have a child who is a drug addict who does not take care of her children but continues to have them.That is why I believe that if a woman has an abortion maybe it is Gods way of saving his child from a motherless life to be with him in heaven.My grandson suffers from numerous mental problems due to his mothers neglect of him and her drug use during pregnancy.I believe in saving children that have already entered this world and need help rather than those that God saves in the womb.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
So Kathy are you saying you think it is better to kill people than to help them? Just for the record, people do not do bad things because they were allowed to live. People have free will and choose to do bad things. Also, when a mother is pregnant that child is already of this world. The child is not out there in Space waiting to be born. And it is not her body that is being snuffed out it is her child's. So the claim that a woman has a right to do with her body what she wants is alot of nonsense.
You said,
"I have four grandchildren because I refused to allow my daughter to abort those babies, however I do not push my opinion on people."
Dear Kathy you are pro-life! You just said you refused to let her have an abortion, that my dear is pushing your opinion, but it is more than an opinion, you know what is right. You have a hopeful attitude and just don't see it. Could it be because you are going through so much hardship, you don't want others to go through? Well, offer your sufferings to Jesus, He will bless you and others because you chose life and did not offend our Creator by killing one of his children.
I am glad you did not have an abortion or advocate abortion. See, it is your conscience that you listened to. That is good. Your child being born has nothing to do with her becoming a drug addict. She chose that and then that sin affects everyone. But with life there is hope. I will pray for you and your family. Love is always the better way. And killing someone, and thinking that act is loving, is wrong. Because love does not kill. Love does not destroy. Love treasures all life. Where there is Life there is hope.
God Bless you, and God is so proud of you, Kathy and all your sufferings to help your grandchildren, God will remember, so keep His commandments, "Thou Shall Not Kill" Peace to you and yours, Karen
June 17th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Dear Karen K,
Thank You!
June 18th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Some groups incorporate other forms of street activities with their sidewalk counseling ministries such as picketing, demonstrating, preaching, displaying signs or images, evangelizing passersby or the abortion facility's staff, guards or escorts. However, in its purest form, sidewalk counseling is about saving a child from certain death and his/her parents from certain harm, one family at a time.
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Pamban23
Addiction Therapy
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 am