John,

Some states are proud to allow abortion through all 40 weeks of pregnancy, deny health care to a baby who survives an abortion, and not even require a doctor to do the abortion. 

New York is a sad example of this grim reality...

...but that can't stop 40 Days for Life from changing minds on the sidewalks.

Sol in the Bronx approached a "visibly pregnant" woman headed for an abortion--accompanied by her beautiful three-year-old daughter. The mom initially dismissed Sol's encouragement, stating that another baby would be too much work.

Sol persisted. She looked at the woman's daughter and said, "You obviously know that all children are a gift from God. What do you do with a gift from God? You cherish it."

Sol's use of the word "gift" changed the mom's demeanor entirely, and she decided not to proceed with her abortion.

"She smiled so much after that and went home with her pregnant belly and her lovely daughter," Sol said.

The abortion business appears flustered by the pro-life presence, as it has begun erecting barricades to keep sidewalk counselors away from clients.

It seems to be counterproductive.

"They are obviously blocking their own entrance and caging themselves in," Sol observed. "It's so, so sad to see them look like caged rodents. We want them free. And so we pray for them with compassion." 

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Former Planned Parenthood manager and current 40 Days for Life outreach director Ramona Trevino's visit to the Badger State couldn't have been scheduled any better.

Ramona joined the La Crosse campaign just days after Planned Parenthood announced it was pausing abortions across Wisconsin.

The fortuitous timing meant that not one, but two, local television stations ran segments on Ramona's visit, shining a light on the atrocity of abortion and the lifesaving impact of 40 Days for Life vigils. Congratulations to Marie and her team for landing this media coverage!

After Ramona's talk, she met a woman who shared a powerful story.

"Her parents forced her into an abortion at the age of fourteen," Ramona said. "She didn't come to terms with it until 40 years later. Since then, she has been actively involved in pro-life work, hoping to help spare other women a lifetime of pain and regret."

Slovakia

Slovakia's two 40 Days for Life campaigns are celebrating the passage of a landmark constitutional amendment that prohibits surrogacy, limits adoption to man-woman couples, requires parental consent for sex education, recognizes only two sexes legally, and safeguards the country's sovereignty from international pressure.

And God used the witness of pro-life Christians to make it happen!

"This historic victory came after a local March for Life where two undecided politicians were moved by the witness of the faithful," explained 40 Days for Life director of international campaigns Robert Colquhoun. "Their votes proved decisive."

And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

--Luke 2:49-51

Lord, we trust that you are always with us even as we encounter the mysteries of life, both great and small. Please give us the grace to accept your will for our lives, especially in the moments when we cannot fully understand how your plan will work together for good.

For life,

Shawn Carney

President & CEO, 40 Days for Life