"He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces. He was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:3-4
As we stand here on the edge of Holy Week, we are faced with the suffering and death of Jesus. Although it is difficult to view, I feel it is important this week to meditate on the pain our Lord endured out of love for us. Perhaps you can watch a movie, view art depicting the crucifixion, or attend a Stations of the Cross service, like the one we are hosting this Friday, April 3 at 10:00 am at the abortion clinic in Wood Dale (Advantage Health Care, 203 E. Irving Park Rd. See below for more details and other locations). By looking into the pain-filled face of Jesus, we come to understand the depth of His sacrifice and unceasing love for all humankind. This truth fills us with a renewed sense of determination to love and serve Him all the more every day. It reveals what we really mean when we say "Jesus died for us." In a similar way, when the truth of abortion is revealed through graphic pictures, it is our prayer that the discomfort people feel at the sight of dismembered babies will fill them, and us, with a renewed sense of purpose. By showing the horror of what words like "terminate a pregnancy" really mean, we become convicted to keep working for Life until the day this abomination is no more. Then, just as Jesus triumphed over death in the Resurrection, He will trample over the culture of death that perpetuates abortion. Wishing you and your families a blessed and happy Easter! News from vigils in Wood Dale: ** During the month of March, we estimate that at least 86 babies were ripped from their mothers' wombs and discarded like trash at Advantage Health Care in Wood Dale. ** It has been very difficult to reach clients in these cold months. Many just rush in. However, we have been able to hand out some Project Rachel brochures to clients as they leave. It is our prayer that they will seek forgiveness and never commit another abortion, especially in light of the fact that of the over 1 million abortions in the US every year, 45% are repeat abortions. www.lifenews.com/2012/10/21/did-you-know-45-percent-of-abortions-are-repeat-abortions ** Today we saw two couples in their late 30's at the clinic. In both cases, the husband dropped off the wife and then returned hours later to pick her up with their living children in the back seat. The one car had two boys in the back who looked about 11 and 13. The boys looked at me, confused by my offer to their mother for free post-abortive counseling. The other couple had one boy in the back aged about 10, who was not aware that his parents had just killed his sister or brother. The pain of abortion is not limited to the baby, the mother, or the father; it extends to the entire family and especially the siblings. There is support for siblings of aborted children: https://survivingsibling.wordpress.com/ ** Gratefully, God has blessed us with at least 4 women saved from abortion that we know of in March! One husband left telling prayer warriors that "She changed her mind." A young couple in their 20's went in early in the morning around 6:30 am but came out as the abortionist arrived almost 2 hours later. They spent a long time talking in the car but then drove off without having the abortion. ** A young Hispanic mother named Elsa arrived for an abortion on a busy Saturday. Thankfully a group from Mission San Juan Diego was there to speak to her in Spanish about Life. Elsa has three children already and her husband is threatening to leave her. Although she is scared, she chose life for her fourth child! Please keep her in your prayers that she will reach out to a crisis pregnancy center to walk alongside her during this difficult time. ** The Wood Dale employee that we mentioned last month has told us she found another job and is leaving! God answers prayers. Thank you for all your concern for her. Please continue to pray for a smooth transition and God's healing power to enter her life. We also have not seen Jocelyn (clerk who started last May) in several months. Praise God! ** We still need prayer warriors for Saturdays at Wood Dale! You saw above how God works through you when you take the leap of faith and show up. Will you be part of the next life saved in Wood Dale? All it takes is 2 people to stand together in prayer; you don't need any signs or any special training in counseling. Call or email for more info: 847-651-4877 [email protected] Pray for These Abortion Employees - Nancy: Office manager and post-abortive woman - Dr. Goyal: owner and operator of Wood Dale and 3 other suburban and 1 Chicago abortion mill - *Marisela: Listed as “Medical Records,” She has been sarcastic to us in the past, often sent out to bring unsure women back in. - Eugene: Orderly/POC. We believe POC stands for “Product of Conception,” which is how abortion clinics refer to babies. This job may require him to reassemble the aborted babies’ precious bodies to make sure no parts were left inside the mother. - Marcelino and Omar: drivers of the "Medical Waste" truck that comes to the clinic every Tuesday morning. - Amy: works at Hinsdale clinic which is now up for sale. She spoke at length with a sidewalk counselor there. Pray that the building sells, forcing this young woman to find a new, hopefully life-affirming, job. - *Anonymous Employee at Wood Dale. * Starred have a copy of the Abby Johnson letter. You can print a copy of the letter here: www.attwn.org/wp-content/themes/attwn-child/images/attwn-onepage-lightbackground.pdf.
0 Comments
|
Our vigil update writer:
|