PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Members of Project Defending Life Had Encouraging Meeting with Governor Susana Martinez

Written by Bud & Tara Shaver

Albuquerque, NM- September 19, 2011--On Wednesday September 14,  Father Stephen Imbarrato, Director of Project Defending Life as well as Bud and Tara Shaver, also with Project Defending Life, met with Governor Susana Martinez to discuss the urgent abortion crisis in New Mexico.

Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life recently obtained 13 911 calls, ten of which, came from the notorious Late-Term abortion clinic Southwestern Women's Options.These ten calls were placed over a 30 month time span and reveal a troubling pattern of life threatening abortion complications. "The reality is that on average every 10 weeks a woman is being rushed to the hospital as a result of serious injuries inflicted by local abortionists," states Tara Shaver.

The other three 911 calls were placed from the University of New Mexico's very own abortion clinic, the UNM Center for Reproductive Health. The University of New Mexico as well as UNM Hospital are publicly funded institutions receiving funds directly from New Mexico tax payers. Another troubling issue is that the University of New Mexico is also training resident students to do abortions at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health abortion facility.

The meeting with Governor Martinez addressed concerns raised by the 911 calls and also mixed messages that came from the New Mexico Medical Board. Father Stephen Imbarrato, Founder and Director of Project Defending Life issued the following statement after the meeting: "Our concern is for the safety of women in New Mexico. We were encouraged to hear that Governor Martinez shares these same concerns. In fact, we were thoroughly impressed that the Governor's office not only knew about the 911 calls, but had already contacted the Executive Director of the Medical Board to insure the investigation was progressing. We now have confidence that the New Mexico Medical Board is conducting a proper investigation."

Those present at the meeting are very thankful for the open line of communication with the Governor's office. The pro-life community should feel confident that the Governor's office will stay on top of these types of issues. Also present at the meeting were Senator Bill Sharer and Representative Dennis J. Roch.

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Albuquerque’s Sandia Foundation Profits from Troubled Late-term Abortion Business

Written by Operation Rescue

Albuquerque, New Mexico – Operation Rescue has released documentation which shows that the Sandia Foundation acts as landlord for Southwestern Women’s Options, a late-term abortion clinic owned and operated by Curtis Boyd and his wife, Glenna Halvorson Boyd. The Sandia Foundation is a respected non-profit corporation based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with roots in the Catholic Church.

“This puts the Sandia Foundation squarely in the abortion business. They profit from the lease and therefore are enablers and collaborators in Boyd’s grisly late-term abortion business,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

Southwestern Women’s Options has been in the news recently for ten life-threatening botched abortions that resulted in calls for emergency assistance. The New Mexico Medical Board has confirmed that is it currently investigating Southwestern Women’s Options and another abortion clinic based on complaints filed by Operation Rescue and Project Defending Life.

Bernalillo County records show that Sandia owns the land at 522 Lomas Boulevard, Northeast, in Albuquerque, and continues to pay taxes on that property and some improvements. Curtis Boyd only pays property taxes for personal property located at that address.

The document released today is an “Assignment and Assumption of Lease” signed by the Boyd’s and Sandia President and Chief Executive Officer Robert M. Goodman, who acts as “Landlord” for the Boyd’s abortion business.

Sandia originally made a “ground lease” on the property with Neurosurgery Partners in 1983. That company transferred their lease to the Boyd’s on July 15, 2008. On December 16, 2010, Goodman signed a transfer of the lease from Curtis and Glenna Boyd to 522 Lomas, LLC, a limited liability company controlled by the Boyd’s.

“Sandia was founded ‘to aid and assist educational, scientific, benevolent, religious and charitable institutions’, not to profit from the shedding of innocent blood though abortion,” said Newman. “We urge Sandia to get out of the abortion business and return to the noble purpose that group was founded upon.”
Members of the Sandia Foundation’s Board of trustees are as follows:

Vaden Bales, CEO of Wrangler Properties LLC, a commercial real estate development and investment company.

Bernard “Gig” Brummell, a Branch Manager for Dean Whitter and former UNM baseball star who serves on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Finance Council.

Don Chalmers, owner of Don Chalmers Ford dealerships in Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Albuquerque

Rod J. Pera, who has been deeply involved in the Hershey Chocolate empire.

Robert M. Goodman, an Albuquerque banking executive and former president of Sunwest Bank.

Suzanne Barker Kalangis, Executive Director of the Thornburg Charitable Foundation and Manager of Barker Properties real estate companies.

Annette S. Parker, Vice President and Treasurer of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

John Perovich, former President of the University of New Mexico.

We urge those who have concerns about the Sandia Foundation’s involvement in profiting from dangerous, late-term abortions to contact them at gail@sandiafoundation.org, or call them at 505-242-2684.

Read the document.

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Informant Tells of Abortion Death While New Mexico Medical Board Members Obstruct Investigation of 13 Abortion Injuries 

Written by Operation Rescue

Albuquerque, NM – A confidential informant has come forward and told pro-life groups that a woman died from abortion-related injuries at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last month. In a related development, the New Mexico Medical Board is now sending mixed signals concerning a promised investigation into 13 life-threatening abortion injuries revealed by a series of 911 emergency calls.

The informant spoke several times with Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life and expressed concern about the death. According to the informant, an emergency vehicle picked up the body and transported it to an unknown location. Clinic workers who were visibly upset and shaken at the time of the incident were told not to discuss the situation with anyone. Other details provided by the informant gave credibility to the story.

Operation Rescue and Project Defending Life have attempted to independently corroborate the patient death, but HIPAA laws have so far prevented the groups from doing so.

The alleged abortion death has been reported to police.

“We have seen several abortionists, such as Rapin Osathanondh and Kermit Gosnell, criminally charged and sent to jail after abortion deaths. Because of the fact that a death is involved, and because there appeared to be an attempt to cover up the death by ordering workers not to talk, it became our duty to report this to the police,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

The informant came forward after hearing news reports concerning a 911 call placed by the UNM Center for Reproductive Health that had been released by Operation Rescue. During that disturbing call, the patient in the background could be heard groaning and struggling for life.

Operation Rescue and Project Defending Life both filed complaints with the New Mexico Medical Board concerning that call and 12 others from UNMRCH and Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO), a late-term abortion mill operated by Texas abortionist Curtis Boyd. (Listen to the calls.) A letter from the Board dated July 14, 2011, notified Sullenger that an investigation of three SWO abortionists had been initiated.

Last week, complainants Tara Shaver and Operation Rescue’s Cheryl Sullenger received troubling, factually inaccurate letters from a Board attorney that improperly demanded that they supply information that is protected by patient privacy laws.

Sullenger asked Board Executive Director Lynn Hart last week by telephone to clarify whether there would be an investigation. Hart spoke rudely with Sullenger, often interrupting and raising her voice.

“Ms. Hart was unprofessional and accusatory, reiterating the demand that I ascertain patient names and other private information before the Board would proceed with any investigation. Her language revealed to me a radical pro-abortion mindset. At one point she told me there would be no investigation of any complaint filed by me,” said Sullenger.

“To add confusion, Hart followed up with a letter restating her demand for private patient information. It is improper for the Board to ask us to do their investigation for them. The Medical Board has all it needs to investigate the thirteen abortion-related injuries in our complaints. Hart is trying to tank this investigation by making demands that are above and beyond what are actually needed to investigate why women are being injured and possibly killed at two Albuquerque abortion clinics at the rate of one every ten weeks. For the Board to not investigate this medical crisis is to shirk their duty to protect the public from negligent medical practices. Hart is putting her pro-abortion political agenda ahead of the health and safety of women and in doing so has made New Mexico the most dangerous state in America for women.”

Sullenger and Shaver plan to submit additional information as appropriate to the Board this week in an attempt to satisfy some of Hart’s demands. However patient privacy and safety concerns would best be served by a confidential Board investigation instead of asking private citizens to discover patient identities.

Contact Lynn Hart and demand that she put patient safety above her radical pro-abortion agenda.

The New Mexico Medical Board needs to know people are watching this case and will hold them accountable. Without public scrutiny, these cases will likely be swept under the rug. Now is the time for those concerned about innocent life and injustice to contact Lynn Hart and ask her to move forward with investigations into serious abortion injures in New Mexico.

Lynn Hart
Executive Director, New Mexico Medical Board
505-476-7221
lynns.hart@state.nm.us

September Newsletter: God is "Moving Mountain's!"

One Step Closer-Update

In August we experienced more twists and turns with regard to our last newsletter. In July we obtained five 911 recordings that reveal the true nature of abortion and how it physically harms women. We also filed complaints with the NM Medical Board. With reference to the complaints we and Operation Rescue filed, initially we were told that the calls were going to be investigated. Then we received letters stating that we hadn’t provided enough information. The Board was insisting that we provide patient names and the doctors that were on duty during the times of the 911 calls. This information is impossible for us to obtain, in fact it’s not our job to be the investigators, that is why we contacted the Board.

Needless to say our month was full of phone calls back and forth to the Medical Board. The end result is that we believe the Executive Director of the Board was acting as an obstructionist due to her pro-abortion views. She made these views clear on a phone call with Cheryl Sullenger from Operation Rescue. The Board has now removed us from being (the complainants) and have placed the Board itself as the complainants. This means that the Board is held accountable to no one. They don’t have to tell us anything about the status of their supposed investigation or let us know when it’s closed. Please pray that these calls will not be swept under the rug and forgotten about at the Board. These abortionists must be held accountable for their actions and the truth needs to be revealed about what is really happening in these places of death.

We have since obtained eight more 911 recordings for a total of 13. Ten of these calls were placed from the notorious late term clinic here in Albuquerque, Southwestern Women’s Options. The other three call were placed from the University of New Mexico’s free standing abortion clinic. The injuries obtained at these clinics were: a uterine rup-ture with heavy bleeding, an 18-year old patient with chest pains, numbness, and a severe headache after a late-term abortion., a cervical laceration with hemorrhaging., uncontrolled bleeding after first and second trimester abortions, multiple seizures, as well as an abortion on a woman with an undiagnosed ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.

Clearly there is a serious problem here. On average every 10 weeks in Albuquerque another woman is injured as a result of having an abortion. This rate of what we call botched abortions should alarm the Medical Board and these abortionists licenses should be suspended until the investigation is complete. If this were any other doctor’s office or even a dentists office there would be no question about halting all operations at the particular facility. What we are seeing here is a strong pro-abortion bias at work, and sadly the abortionists are protected and women are thrown by the wayside.

Our next plan is to appeal to recently elected Pro-Life Governor Susana Martinez. We are going to ask her to personally oversee the investigation so that the Medical Board does have to answer to someone.

We know that this whole situation is grievous to the God we serve. Please join us in fervent prayer asking Him to ensure that a proper investigation into these calls be performed and that Governor Martinez will take these calls seri-ously as well and hold the Medical Board accountable.

On a side note- Tara was on a local news channel in August as a result of our Medical Board complaints. She was able to share the truth about the dangers of abortion and how it is directly affecting our community. We were thankful that the media picked up on the Medical Board investigation and that Tara was given a platform to speak. Tara was also invited to speak on a local Christian Radio station. This interview encompassed the 911 recordings, late term abortion in ABQ as well as an opportunity to appeal to abortion minded and post abortive women. We praise God for these times to share the truth with the “masses.” Please pray for more opportunities to speak up for the pre-born.

Informant Tells of Abortion Death

A confidential informant came forward and told us that a woman died from abortion-related injuries at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health last month. The informant spoke several times with Tara and expressed concern about the death. According to the informant, an emergency vehicle picked up the body and transported it to an unknown location. Clinic workers who were visibly upset and shaken at the time of the incident were told not to discuss the situation with anyone. Other details provided by the informant gave credibility to the story.

We have met with the Albuquerque Police Department to give them this information. At this point it doesn’t look like APD is going to probe very far into this investigation without more information. Please pray that God gives us more proof of this woman’s death. Each day women’s lives are being put at risk each time they set foot into these clinics.

Flagstaff, Arizona is Abortion-Free

During our time in Flagstaff, God opened our eyes to the reality of one of the greatest injustices in American history…abortion. Our prayer for Flagstaff was that it would become abortion free. This past month that prayer became a reality as the Planned Parenthood clinic stopped doing abortions.

We began our outreach in Flagstaff covered in prayer. We had a peaceful, prayerful and public presence every hour of every day that abortions were performed. We prayed individually and collectively with others, at home and in public. About a year after we began this ministry God called us to full time pro-life work. We entrusted our work to a faithful servant, Johnny Wallace who then maintained a peaceful prayerful presence.

Putting the death knell to abortion in Flagstaff required faith, prayer, boldness, knowledge, love, and dedication. We must pray big, serve and love unconditionally, reach out intentionally, and expect to see God “Move Mountains.” With faith all that is possible, is possible when God is in it. Our prayer is that with your faith in action, God will move the mountains of injustice in your communities, too.

Assault Update

On August 3oth Bud appeared in court with a locally retained lawyer to see what would come of the woman who assaulted him in July. Unfortunately, she only received a slap on the wrist and will not be fully held accountable for her actions. We understand that justice isn’t always served in this life and we’re ok with that. Our prayer continues to be that this woman will find healing through Christ and that others like her will refrain from taking their guilt and shame out on us. Please make this your prayer as well.

August Newsletter: ABQ is One Step Closer...

One Step Closer...

We are continually amazed how God is moving and working here in Albuquerque. He continues to provide opportunities to speak with and minister to women outside of the abortion clinics here. We also continue to be encouraged by how many volunteers continue to pray with us on a weekly basis and how new volunteers are getting involved in many different ways each month. 

At the end of last month's newsletter we stated that we wanted to share with you one of our biggest accomplishments since we arrived here one year ago. Our ministry has many different facets, especially since there is so much to do. With four abortion clinics, one performing abortions through all nine months and a state funded University that has a free standing clinic that trains medical students to perform abortions, we have our work cut out for us.

We realize the need and urgency to be at the clinics to reach out to the women going in. It's also vitally important to provide resources to these women in order to help them, which PDL does so well. However, we must also work to close down these clinics following God’s strategy. Time and time again throughout the nation clinics have been closed down because the public and the Medical Boards have been forced to see, examine, and take direct action to what really happens behind closed doors in these clinics. 

In order to expose the truth, Bud and I obtained five 911 recordings. A friend of ours saw an ambulance at the UNM clinics back in February, and that is what prompted us to request the tapes. 911 tapes are public record and available to any member of the public, One call was made from the University of New Mexico abortion clinic and the other four were made from Curtis Boyd's late term clinic. All five calls were made within a 15 month time period. We know that abortions are never safe for the babies and each tape that we obtained provided documented proof that abortions are not "safe" for women either.

Videos of the calls were created by Operation Rescue and sent to the nationwide media outlets by OR and PDL in order to educate the general public. We also filed complaints with the NM Medical Board and have sent the audio files to the NM Governor Susanna Martinez. You can listen to all of the calls here: http://www.operationrescue.org/archives/five-911-calls-expose-crisis-of-life-threatening-abortion-injuries-in-albuquerque/

The women in the calls were near death as a result of 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester abortion procedures. One woman was turning gray and not breathing normally, three others were experiencing heavy hemorrhages due to a perforated uterus and one woman had a ruptured uterus during a late term abortion. Clearly abortion is not safe and continues to hurt women across the nation everyday. We must get this information out so that women will think twice about trusting these abortionists with their lives, and so these clinics will be shut down

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The big news this month: Albuquerque is one step closer to becoming abortion free! Please pray regarding these efforts and that the Governor and the NM Medical Board will take direct action to close down these clinics. To God be the Glory!

A Glimpse of American Persecution

 Each day as we stand for life, we stand for much more than simply the life of the precious child. Most of the focus regarding abortion is directed to the child and rightfully so. The child is most imminently affected by abortion. However, as we mentioned earlier in this newsletter, women's lives are also placed in jeopardy due to the high risks of abortion complications.

While Pro-Choice/Abortion women dogmatically defend the right to abortion, most of them know firsthand the guilt and shame they carry in their own conscience after their abortion. These post-abortive women are the most hostile to any pro-life outreach, because their choice is exposed for all to see and openly confronted. While we reach out with grace and com-passion, these post-abortive women respond with anger and at times even violence.

I (Bud) was attacked this month outside of the late term clinic by such a woman. She punched and kicked me and another sidewalk counselor. She left a significant gash in my head from her keys. As bad as the incident was, it could have been much worse. God is definitely in control and He is our refuge and protector. Our only concern is for this woman, that she will receive the help and healing she desperately needs. The result of an abortion is deadly for children, devastating for women, and as I learned firsthand this month, often taken out on peaceful sidewalk counselors. How much more should we love these women to Christ and daily stand in the gap on their behalf? If you live in Albuquerque or the surrounding areas please consider joining us in this life saving and life changing ministry.

Watch news coverage of the assault here: Pro-life activist attacked outside abortion clinic  also, read more about the assault here and watch the violent beating here: Abortion Supporter Bloodies Peaceful Pro-Life Activist in Violent Beating.

Strength in Numbers

In July we added two more opportunities for the pro-life community to be a witness for life. The first and third Friday evenings from 4:30-5:30 we held rallies outside the UNM and late term clinic. We had about 25 people join us at each rally. This presence is perfect for the rush hour traffic to see the truth about abortion and that we are resolved to peacefully see abortion end here. Through prayer, outreach and exposing the truth, abortion will end here and across the nation.

July Newsletter: Tears of doubt, fear, & despair turned into tears of joy!

Q & A Time at Legacy

Another Child is Born!

God continues to heap blessing upon blessing on our efforts here in New Mexico. Each month comes with trials, yes, but the blessings and favor of God outweigh them by far. On June 3rd Maribella was born. We met her mom Jen* several months ago by divine providence. You may remember the miraculous story of how another one of our moms (Tina*) brought Jen in to PDL. Tina and her son Candido were featured in our newsletter a couple of months back.

Jen* had an appointment at the Planned Parenthood (PP) next to PDL on the day we met her. Her baby was about 6 weeks old. She pulled her car into our parking lot and there she met Tina and asked where PP was. Tina asked her what she needed and asked her to come in and talk to myself and another volunteer. Jen felt the same way a lot of the moms we work with feel. She didn’t think the timing was right and her boyfriend didn’t want another child and was pushing hard for the abortion. Jen knew though, that she wanted her baby, she just didn’t know how it would all work out. What she needed at the end of the day was encouragement and to hear that she could have her baby and everything would work itself out.

Thankfully, about 4 weeks after we met her she came back to PDL for an ultrasound! I was so excited to see her again, because you often aren’t sure if the mom will come back. At the very first glimpse of her baby all she could say was, “that’s my child”. It was a beautiful day. Since that time Jen moved back to CO to be with her mom and pursue a college degree. Needless to say, Maribella is the love of her life. Glory be to God!

Speaking the Truth, in and out of Season

Tara & I had a presentation at Legacy Church (one of the larger churches in ABQ). We shared a biblical context for the need of the Christian community to reach out to abortion minded couples; to restore justice and minister to the oppressed from John 15:1-8 & Isa.5: 1-7.We also shared about late-term abortion clinic in ABQ and ways to get involved. Many in the audience were surprised by what they heard but also eager to help. We ended the presentation with a Questions & Answers session. It was a blessing to inform even more Christians about the reality of injustice not in some foreign, distant land, but in our own community.

A second presentation we did was on an Indian reservation about 45 minutes from ABQ. Our presence was in collaboration with our friends Manny and Grace. They organized a weekend outreach that included other speakers, free lunches, ac-tivities for kids, and gospel presentations. For a first time event, it went great. Their vision was that if even one person receives Christ and their life is changed as a result of the weekend, it is worth it. We couldn’t agree more! We as Christians should always have that  mentality as we live our lives for Christ.

Tears of doubt, fear, and despair turned into tears of joy! 

There were 4 turn-arounds and two babies saved this month at the late-term clinic. We consider turn-arounds to be when women leave the clinic after speaking with us. Saves are when a woman actually tells us that she is choosing life instead of abortion. One couple had come from Arizona. They went inside the clinic but came right back out and left. As they were leaving they took information from us. The woman burst into tears, and ex-pressed her thanks for our presence and help.

A family pulled up in a large vehicle but didn’t get out. In order to enter the late-term abortion clinic everyone has to pass by several strategically placed signs showing the graphic truth about abortion, pictures of live babies (both inside and outside of the womb), several life affirming word signs, and people in prayer (the most important witness and spiritual component) . No doubt this family was taking in all of this. After 20 minutes they decided to leave. I waved them over and held up some literature. They pulled up and I was able to speak with them and direct them to Project Defending Life. They wouldn't tell me why they were there, but they were appreciative for the help.

Another woman chose life for her baby simply because of our presence at the late term clinic here. She walked into the clinic after seeing our signs and after hearing our words of compassion. She came right back out of the clinic in tears, the holy spirit had convicted her. She shared with us, "Going into that clinic was against my very nature because I am a Christian. However, my family and boyfriend were pressuring me to have the abortion.” Knowing that our presence was used by the holy spirit to convict her solidifies what we already know about being present at these clinics. It saves lives! Praise God, his spirit is moving powerfully here in ABQ!

On another day a taxi drove up and dropped off a young girl. I waved to her and asked her to come and speak with me. She came over and I politely asked her why she was there. She told me she had come from Alamogordo, NM (200 miles) for information from the clinic. I give her life affirming information that we had and told her all the ways we could help her at Project Defending Life. She said she was 18, a Christian, and the mother of 2 children. I told her that if she was currently pregnant that she was actually the mother of 3 children. She started to cry and told me she felt alone, and didn't know what to do. She was going through a lot back home. I prayed with her, and pleaded with her to let us help her. I told her all the risks of abortion and as much information as I could. She said that she needed to get inside. I told her that we would be there for 45 more minutes if she changed her mind.

She went inside and we continued to pray for her. As I was packing up all my signs, she called out and came over to talk with me just as I was about to leave. She confided with me that she was in fact there for an abortion, but that she had changed her mind. She wanted to give me a hug. She was so thankful for the life affirming support and she started to cry again, but this time it was tears of joy. To God be the glory, it is his spirit that convicts of sin righteousness and judgment (John 16:8).

Reflecting on Our First Year in ABQ 

God has done some amazing things in our lives and in this city since we moved here last June. We have been so blessed to have Tara’s nephew Charlie come live with us. We’ve also been blessed with some really great friends. Next month’s newsletter will be more about our big accomplishment of the year but for now we want to consider that Albuquerque, NM is truly the Late-Term abortion capital of at least the U.S.A, and quite possibly North America. This month a family came from Mexico. Through the course of the year we have seen cars from Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, California, Kansas, Idaho, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, New York, and I have spoke with women who came from Hawaii and Canada. Please keep our work in prayer and may God use us to help women choose life that come here from all over North America.

June Newsletter: The Mom’s We Serve...Our Heroes

In May we were blessed to see 2 more babies born. You may remember the testimony from several months ago regarding a baby that was saved via text messaging. Tara received a call from a woman whose grand-son’s girlfriend was going to Planned Parenthood for an abortion. We will call her Jane and she was literally on her way to the clinic, and all that Tara was given was the Jane’s stepmothers cell number. Needless to say we were on high alert trying to contact Jane with many obstacles in the way. Eventually Tara was given the Jane’s cell number and began texting her.



Thankfully, Tara earned Jane’s trust after only a few texts and realized that she wanted to help. Tara was able to text her a picture of a 6 week old preborn baby and encourage Jane to ask to see her ultrasound. Ultimately it became clear that Jane’s parents were coercing her into having the abortion. Jane asked about adoption and wanted to leave the clinic but felt trapped. Heroically Jane left the clinic and chose life for her baby. One week after baby Manuel’s birth she graduated from high school. Manuel is the love of her life and we are so happy for her. What Jane needed was love and support from her family but when families won’t provide these things we will. Jane is a true hero and proof that young girls can choose life while continuing their own.

Baby Lillianna was actually born premature on April 3rd. She stayed in the hospital for several weeks before we got to meet her. Her mom Allison* came to us homeless and addicted to heroin. During the first part of Allison’s pregnancy we helped her with housing, food and transportation. One day we didn’t hear from her anymore. We didn’t know what happened to her or where she went she just stopped contacting us. We entrusted her and the baby to God hopeful we would one day meet again. God did take care of her and brought her back to us shortly before Lillianna was released from the hospital. She is clean and sober now, trying to do what is best for her daughter. Praises belong to God as we witness another woman facing adversity choose life.

Church Outside the Box

One thing that has amazed me doing outreach at abortion clinics, is the people you meet that are just passing by. Like any other ministry, when you take a step of faith and place yourself where God's Spirit is moving, God will place you in the path of people desperately seeking Him and in need. Ministry outside an abortion clinic is so much more than dealing with abortion minded couples, it is about ministering to anyone in need. I have learned to take the church to the sidewalk and worship with our lives as living sacrifices, not just one day a week in a building, but everyday with the people that cross our paths. 

This month, having a presence at the clinics provided opportunities to pray, serve, encourage, restore, and weep with people having nothing to do with abortion. God just knew our schedules, our hearts, and provided divine appointments on a sidewalk and the church without walls was lived out. One of the people I met was a girl who was struggling with addiction. She had been clean for the longest time in her life, but she wasn't sure she could maintain her sobriety. She stated that she was a "back-slidden" Christian, and that she just didn't feel comfortable in the "church scene." One of our volunteers asked her if we could pray for her and if she was willing to be restored to Christ. The young woman said yes with all of her heart. We prayed and she stated that she knew God had placed us in her path and that she now had the strength from God to persevere. I encouraged her with 1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." I told her our Christian walk will not be a sinless one, but each time we fall and get back up it means we are still on the path. We just need to trust that Jesus' blood is sufficient. 

Another person I met on the sidewalk was a man who struggled with addiction as well. He had neurological issues and had been told he would never walk again. He walked with a limp, but he was walking. He said each day was a blessing and he was opening up to the possibility of the existence of God. I encouraged him and told him how much God loves him and that his life has tremendous purpose. I told him that God was waiting for him with open arms and encouraged him to seek God with all his heart in order to find Him. He came back to see me a week later and told me that he went to church for the first time that Sunday and felt right at home for the first time in his life. 

Yet another person we met, was actually drawn to us while I was praying with a volunteer for the end of abortion in our community, New Mexico, the country and the world. He asked if he could use a cell phone to call his mom. He had just gotten off the bus from jail and needed his mom to pick him up. The woman I was praying with offered to drive him to his mothers house. He gratefully accepted. The next time we spoke, the woman shared that she prayed with the young man and invited him to church. That Sunday he partook of communion for the second time, his first time was in jail. She also bought him new clothes and he was very grateful.

The last story I want to share from this month involved a couple I spoke with as they were entering the late-term abortion clinic. The young girl turned and looked at me but continued inside. The young man (holding his three year old son) came over to talk with me. As soon as he walked over, I immediately recognized him from a few months back. At that time he told me he wasn't there for himself, but that he had come with his sister. He assured me at that time that he and his girlfriend had a son, they were Christians and that they wouldn't consider abortion for themselves but his sister insisted on an abortion. 

What a difference a few months makes. This time he told me they were too young to have another child and didn't have enough money to raise another child. We spoke for several minutes and I shared all the resources available to them. I also spoke with him about his Christian faith. I encouraged him as a father and told him to be strong for his family. He took our information and we prayed with him. After only 10 minutes in the clinic his girlfriend came back out and they left. I pray that God waters the seeds He used me to plant and that they make the right choice. 

It doesn't matter if you live in Albuquerque, New Mexico...Church you can join us this week, all week, for service and worship on the sidewalk outside of the abortion clinic in your community. Expect to meet Jesus there and expect some divine appointments. 

...and those were only a few of the stories from church service this month! We’re excited to hear about your stories.