John,

It didn't take long to receive the news that the first baby of the Lenten 40 Days for Life campaign has been saved from abortion!

Jenny, who helps lead the 40 Days for Life vigil in Panama City, Panama, got a phone call from a woman who had received a 40 Days for Life brochure. The caller's daughter was pregnant...and thinking about having an abortion.

Jenny talked with the expectant mom--who didn't show any sign of choosing life. Jenny asked her team to pray fervently and then called the family back two days later to check in.

The woman who originally called Jenny confirmed that her daughter opted not to have the abortion...and thanked Jenny for saving her grandson!

This saved baby is a huge affirmation for the Panama City leadership team, which is hosting its second campaign.

When Jenny immigrated to Panama last year and decided to bring 40 Days for Life with her, she ran into a surprising obstacle: The local community was reluctant to participate because people just couldn't believe abortions were taking place in their country.

"Jenny had to persevere a lot to get people in the church and the community to accept the vigil," reported 40 Days for Life director of Latin American campaigns Lourdes Varela.

And now that perseverance has paid off, as a child in Panama City is alive and well thanks to the relentless faith of Jenny and her team.

Sarasota, Florida

Nine months ago, prayer warriors at Sarasota's 40 Days for Life 365 campaign engaged an abortion-bound mom. The conversation went well and ended with a visit to the local pregnancy help center.

Last week, that mom returned to Planned Parenthood...to show off her baby to prayer warriors. "I came so close to aborting my baby that day," the proud mother said. "Please don't stop doing what you do!"

Not only that, but the woman is also interested in getting involved in pro-life efforts to serve others just as she was served.

Former Planned Parenthood manager turned 40 Days for Life outreach director Ramona Trevino joined the Sarasota team for TWO kickoff events--one in Spanish and one in English.

The English event was a daylong conference that drew 75 people. "It was an absolutely beautiful day," reported one attendee.

Thousand Oaks, California

Sarasota wasn't the only campaign to get a visit from a baby saved from abortion.

When a mother took the first pill to abort her little boy, the Thousand Oaks 40 Days for Life team worked with the child's grandmother to connect Mom with Abortion Pill Reversal.

The reversal worked! And grandma brought her grandson to the Thousand Oaks 40 Days for Life commencement event, where a priest dedicated the child to God.

"The Holy Spirit anointed us all," wrote Leonore, the local campaign leader.

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

--Matthew 1:24

Lord, thank you for the example of Joseph, who shows us what it means to live with courage in the wake of fear and uncertainty. Bless all fathers with the strength of Joseph so that in every circumstance they may place their trust in you. Help all fathers to answer the call of sacrificial love that comes with the birth of every child. Give them the strength to be not afraid. Amen.

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life