John,

We have our first report of an abortion-bound mother turning away from Planned Parenthood--and it's an exciting one!

Yesterday morning, sidewalk counselors in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion mega-facility in Fairview Heights, Illinois, empowered a woman to choose life!

"They left," said Fairview Heights campaign leader Kristi, "and did not return."

If 40 Days for Life can save lives at this location, it can save lives anywhere.

The Fairview Heights Planned Parenthood is designed to thwart pro-life efforts:

• Planned Parenthood used a shell company to hide from the community that the building's purpose would be abortion;
• The 16,000-square-foot abortion fortress is structured to maximize killing and minimize the impact of pro-lifers;
• The facility was built on the Illinois-Missouri border to draw clients from the St. Louis market...while taking advantage of Illinois' status as an abortion sanctuary state.

But all those defenses don't appear to be working. The Fairview Heights 40 Days for Life team reported 30 saved babies during the Lenten 40 Days for Life campaign...and they're off and running again this fall!

Richmond, Virginia

Prayer warriors in Virginia didn't wait for day 1 to hit the sidewalk!

Four vigil participants were recently praying in front of Richmond's Planned Parenthood. A young mother made the trip from North Carolina to abort her child.

But after seeing pro-lifers out on the sidewalk, the woman changed her mind!

"She decided to not go through with it and she wanted us to know," wrote Tom, who was on the sidewalk for the encounter. "She knew who we were and she wanted to tell us!"

Vigil volunteers prayed with the woman and took celebratory photos with her. "Needless to say, we were overjoyed," Tom said. "Pray for her."

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

40 Days for Life participants in the Cream City observed a man who had repeatedly harassed (and even threatened) them enter a local pregnancy help center.

Concerned for the pro-life clinic staffers' safety, Dan quickly called to warn them that trouble might be afoot.

Fortunately, there was no trouble. The previously hostile man and a woman left the pregnancy center with baby supplies, indicating that they were expecting--and NOT abortion-minded.

"They went from threatening [us] to keeping their baby in less than eight days," Dan commented. "Crazy!"

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