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Orlando Reports 4th Quarter
October - December 2003
Blood Stained Mud in the Field of Harvest
"And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you . . . Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed." I Peter 3:13-15, 16
Sanctuary Ministries Update
Saturday, 25 October, 2003
6:15am on through the day
Sidewalk Counselors: Gina, Jesse, Patte, Mark, Shirley
"Time for the Harvest"
Prayer Warriors: June (St Paul's), David (Covenant), Stan & Brian (Campus Crusade)
Friends on the sidewalk: Holly & Paul
As I drove to the clinic in the dark this morning, I prayed & worshiped. My heart welled up with thanks ... for the forgiveness wrought in my Savior's bloody death and triumphant resurrection ... for the goodness that Jesus has brought into my soul for the last 26 years of my life ... for the mystery of His sweet Divine relationship that has changed everything for me ... I was keenly aware of the blessedness of my life and the emptiness of the lives of those whom I was about to encounter at the abortion clinic. How long has it been since you thought about what Christ's Passion for lost souls has accomplished on your behalf? Do you understand the greatness of His Divine intervention in giving you ears to hear and eyes to see? Jesus said:
"To you it has been given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God ; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables." Mark 4:11
and
" ... great is the mystery of godliness ..." I Tim 3:16
If you have been arrested by Christ, this "mystery" of faith and godliness has been revealed and borne out in you. Without this mysterious conquest of your heart and soul, you'd still be "dead" in your trespasses and sins. But instead, you are DEAD to your sin and ALIVE to God. Oh, what glory!
As I meditated on this great mystery, I realized then, what a tremendous responsibility I have. "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required ... "
Luke 12: 48
I was glad, then, to be driving to the place where the lost were running headlong into death. I was glad to be able to give what Jesus requires. I am merely performing my duty as a daughter of this kind King. As a slave of Christ I am called to: "Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter." (Proverbs 24:11) It is part and parcel of my Christian life to love and rescue my perishing neighbors. For it is written: "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so." (Proverbs 3:27) I deserve no special honor or kudos for doing what is plain and necessary as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven and the community of Orlando . Jesus owes me no thanks. "Does He thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, `We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'" (Luke 9,10)
Faith and duty go hand in hand, and so, I drive the miles into the city in the dark. My missionary companions join me, and together we wait . .
A steady stream of headlights approaches. Women wait patiently and are escorted one by one to the sacrificial altar of the abortion table. (One feminist author calls abortion a "sacrament".)
We engaged dozens of our neighbors this morning. I am only going to tell you about two encounters.
* Arthur, Sandra & Jessica * Arthur made light of his girlfriend's pending abortion saying; "If it don't fit, eradicate it." The 55 year old man smiled and "educated" me with his philosophy: "I'm a primate. My whole intent is to be a predator- to catch a woman, have sex with her and move on."
I spoke with Arthur's girlfriend "Sandra" and her friend "Jessica" as they walked on the sidewalk. Jessica turned around and pushed her finger into my cheek and said: "You better leave us the f alone, b*#!" When the two women came back outside to smoke with Arthur a few minutes later, I quietly stood beside them. Sandra said: "Don't bother me. I'm going to do it, this is my choice and there's nothing you can do to stop me." When I said, "Sandra, you are not carrying a "choice", you're carrying a "child", Sandra responded, "Yes, it's a child and I'm going to kill it. Now leave me alone. I can kill "it" if I want to and you can't do a thing about it." I said; "You are not an animal, Sandra", her friend Jessica spoke up: "Oh yes I AM, I AM a dog. I am a f-ing bitch in heat." Sandra laughed and said; "Yes, that's right!" I gently corrected them, "No, you are not animals. You are women. You are made in the image of God. There's a preciousness about you as human beings just as there's a preciousness about the baby you are carrying." Jessica screamed, ran toward me and kicked me in the hip. Jesse and Gina drew near for support. Although Gina gently tried to persuade me to back off, I sensed a quiet urgency in my spirit and I wasn't afraid. I continued to reason with the three of them but I did let Orlando police officer Charles (on duty as clinic security) know about the incident. When he questioned Jessica, she admitted to kicking me, adding "And I smushed her face too!" (I hadn't told him about that.) What I saw in Jessica's eyes as she made her bold declaration was profound lost-ness. At that moment she was unveiled to me. Jess was a child, unloved, rejected, forsaken and forgotten. I remembered the feeling ...
I felt a surge of compassion for Jessica, as for a wounded child.
* Santoro & Viveca * 17 year old Santoro and 16 year old Viveca didn't always use birth control. Now she was 12 weeks pregnant. Accompanied by her mother "Rita", sister "Jada" and her 9 month old nephew "Jorge" Viveca made her way up the sidewalk towards the clinic door. Although she appeared shy and uncomfortable when I spoke with her, Viveca was a very strong-willed girl. She seemed determined to murder her baby. The couple gave us three reasons why they were going to kill: Viveca's father would be very angry if he found out, Viveca wanted to continue to go to school and Santoro was going back to Colombia .
After Viveca made her way inside the mill, I had an opportunity to speak at length with Santoro. Santoro was NOT a first time daddy. With a 7 month old daughter back in Colombia , Santoro was here in the states to pursue a soccer scholarship. I had a heart to heart with this bright, ambitious, polite young man. I encouraged him to do the right thing and go to Viveca's father and confess what he had done. I asked him to own up to his responsibility for his baby. Then I showed Santoro what would happen to his son if he didn't stop Viveca. I handed him a photo of a bloody, dismembered 10 week old baby. "This is what is going to happen to your son, Santoro." He winced and turned away, pleading, "Don't show that to me. I can't look ..." Since he had paid the $375 for the abortion himself, I challenged Santoro to go inside, take the money back and tell Viveca that he was going to own up to what happened and make things right. He agreed to try and headed into the clinic to find Viveca. I Santoro that I was praying for God to use his words to rescue his baby.
While I counseled with Santoro, Gina was spending holy time with mama Rita, who was holding and feeding her darling grandson Jorge in the back seat of the van. Rita seemed to be letting her rebellious daughter run the show, saying "This is what Viveca wants." Gina told Rita her story. Ten years ago, her 15 year old daughter Michele revealed that she was pregnant. The photo of Sarai that Gina always keep sin her pocket melted Rita's heart. We held Jorge while Rita went inside to take a stand for the life of her grandchild.
Next came Jada, Viveca's sister and mother of sweet little Jorge. Gina and I spent 15 minutes getting to know this delightful young married mother of three. (Twins AND little Jorge!) Soon Jada was anxious to go inside and try her hand at convincing her sister what a blessing a baby would be to the entire family. I slipped a beaded bracelet around Jada's wrist and Gina prayed over her in Spanish. She asked the Father to give Jada the words to reach the stubborn heart of her little sister.
We went on to minister to others, praying for Viveca and her infant as we went. Mark faced the abortuary door and preached the truth from his heart. The rest of us labored alongside him, spreading the seeds of faith in the field of souls.
Imagine our joy when Viveca and her family came out of the clinic together! They gathered together beside their van. With smiles all around, LIFE BECAME A CERTAINTY for the baby in Viveca's womb. (Or BABIES, since twins run in the family : ) We took their telephone number, promised to be in touch and happily waved goodbye to Viveca and her family!
For Sandra, Arthur, Jessica and the thirty others who murdered their young this morning, there will be death and a terrifying curse in the day of reckoning. The Scripture explains: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ... so they are without excuse, because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:18-21
Lord, help them to beg for forgiveness and from the depths of their desolate hearts cry out: " . . . deliver us from evil . . ." Matthew 6:13 . . . Lest they perish in their sin and guilt!
But for Viveca and her babe, Santoro, Jada and her children, Rita and her husband there is a declaration of life and a blessing: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live. ..." Deuteronomy 30:19 Father, we ask that you would reveal Yourself and Your glory and might to this family! In Your sovereign wisdom, kindness, mercy and grace, bring them ALL to saving faith in Your Son Jesus!
At Sanctuary Ministries, our goal is to be satisfied in Jesus and to bring His presence, purpose, anointing, authority and GLORY straight into the heart of darkness. Called to be a holy influence in an unholy world, we follow the Apostle Paul's example and are careful to heed his Romans 12:21 warning:
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
We place ourselves where the enemy of life violates God's Law. Though God's command is clear; " . . . Shed not innocent blood in this place!" (Jeremiah 7:6) the devil and his sons and daughters mock the Creator by torturing and dismembering 27 innocent victims without ceasing. The murdering spree goes on every day, seven days a week here in Orlando . Sanctuary Missionaries boldly speak the eternal truth that Almighty God, Creator and Redeemer is to be honored and yes, FEARED, above all others and above all circumstances! Together with Jesus we proclaim:
"Fear Him who . . . has the power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" Luke 12:5
Won't you join us NEXT time?
From the Field of Blood and Souls,
Patte Smith
Sanctuary Ministries
http://www.sanctuaryministries.homestead.com
Nightmare on Lucerne Terrace
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter."
Proverbs 24:11
"Unwanted" describes not a condition of the child, but an attitude of adults."
~ from the MUST READ book "Pro Life Answers to Pro Choice Arguments" by Randy Alcorn
Sanctuary Ministries Update
Thursday, 23 October, 2003
Late Abortion Day
Sidewalk Counselors: Patte, Suzanne, Gordon, Shirley
Prayer Warriors present: none
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Sadly, every month is full
of domestic violence in Orlando --- the mecca for late term abortions.
* The Gerardo Family * drove all the way from Virginia in their PT Cruiser to kill. (Their vanity license plate spelled out: TWIN PT) Mom, Dad and two lovely daughters. They rolled down their window and I handed one of the daughters our special ministry packets for late abortions. Nineteen year old "Valerie" was 20 weeks pregnant (halfway to term). Valerie covered her eyes while her baby sister turned through every page of the packet slowly. I said: "I realize that you don't want to raise this child, but there is someone who does. Let me introduce you to Suzanne." I explained that Suzanne is an counselor at A Chosen Child adoption agency. Suzanne stepped forward and told the entire family that there were wonderful couples waiting to love and care for Valerie's baby from the moment of birth. Since everyone was quiet but listening, I asked Mrs. Gerardo if she was willing to support her daughter through the process of adoption. Mrs. Gerardo looked me in the eye and said; "No."
When I explained that her help and understanding would be key if her daughter was to have the courage to choose adoption. Mrs Gerardo said: "No, if Valerie is going to have the baby, she is going to keep it." I pleaded with her; "But, if she doesn't want to raise this baby --- you are helping her murder your infant grandson or grand-daughter." I showed them the photo of Little Mary and said; "This is what is going to happen to your grandchild. He will be born bloody and lifeless. THIS is what you are doing here. THIS is what you will see when your daughter gives birth to your first grandbaby." Mrs. Gerardo shook her head. I spoke directly to Valerie, who was still covering her face. "Let me help you stay in Orlando through the remainder of your pregnancy. We can walk with you as you choose loving parents for your baby and all will be well." Valerie's window went up and they pulled into the back parking lot. Although we repeatedly called out to Valerie and her family, they never spoke with us again.
* Missy & Warren * Although Missy lived with boyfriend Warren she didn't want to have to tell her mother that she was pregnant. Besides, she was worried about their finances, thinking that they weren't in any position to start a family now. Warren told us; "She knows that I am against this." Between 20-21 weeks gestation, Missy borrowed the $1400 for the labor and delivery abortion from her mother under false pretenses. When I explained to Warren that they could give the money back to Missy's mom and go through the adoption process for FREE, he responded: "Actually Missy told me that she was thinking about adoption, but I told her that if she didn't want to keep the baby, that I would raise it myself." I pressed further: " Warren , if you were willing to go along with Missy's idea of adoption, a decision about placing the child could be discussed over the coming months. You would have time to learn about adoption and meet perspective parents. No one would FORCE you to give the baby up, but you need to support Missy if she is willing to consider adoption. Your baby's life hangs in the balance." When I learned that Missy and Warren live in Altamonte and that Missy sometimes attends St Mary Magdalene, I assured Warren that the Lord would provide a supportive church family for Missy as she continued her pregnancy. I gave Warren the name and telephone number of a wonderful ob/gyn in Altamonte and asked if he would be willing to bring Missy to have a free ultrasound at a local women's center. "Free?" he asked. "Yes, Warren , FREE." "Go inside with all of this information. Ask Missy to come back out and talk to us. In the meantime, I will try and schedule an appointment with Dr DeFreese and Center for Pregnancy today. " With that Warren went back inside to talk to Missy.
I called Dr DeFreese's office. They would be glad to make room for Missy to see the nurse practitioner at 11am ! I knew that Center for Pregnancy scheduled free ultrasounds on Thursday afternoons so I gave them a quick call. Unfortunately they don't have a hotline, so there was no one to answer the phone. We all prayed that Warren was making headway with Missy.
* Jose & Jacqueline, Carlos, Mom and Sis * Jose arrived early in a low-rider car with those weird skinny tires that look like spares. Jose waved me away, but he was with another man, "Carlos", who promptly took my ministry packet and showed interest in reading it. Carlos had a pained expression on his face, which I took to mean that he didn't think abortion was such a great thing. Jose, however, was very hard to communicate with. When Carlos drove away, I was left with Jose, who mumbled incoherently. I think he was trying to tell me that he didn't want to talk to me, but I kept on. I asked if he was waiting for his pregnant girlfriend and he said "Yes". He paced back and forth, in and out of the clinic and in and out of his car many times, dismissing me every time. Jacqueline finally arrived with her sister and mother. Her sister took a ministry packet from Suzanne as they filed inside. Shortly afterwards, they all came out to the front. 16 weeks pregnant with her first child, Jacqueline listened carefully as I spoke to her about how we could help her through pregnancy. Jose had given her the $1000 to kill their baby. "Jacqueline, this is your very first child. Do you sense the wonder?" Her eyes were clear. She was listening. Her sister abruptly grabbed her arm and pulled her back inside. Suzanne and I looked at each other. "Why did she do that? Why wouldn't she want her sister to receive help and hope through this pregnancy?"
* Gloria & Pete * Suzanne spotted the couple as they parked across the street and made their way towards us. "Isn't that the couple from two weeks ago?" She was right. It was the engaged couple who'd come to OWC for the "morning after pill" on October 9. I greeted Gloria and asked what she was doing back at the abortion clinic. "I'm here for a pregnancy test --- to be sure that I'm NOT pregnant." When I asked: "What will you do if you ARE pregnant, Gloria?" she responded, "I would keep the baby." Although the pregnancy test was negative, Gloria will never know if she WAS pregnant BEFORE she took the morning after pill or not. She will never really know if she chemically aborted her baby or not. We talked for 30 minutes. Pete had been sort of hoping that she WAS pregnant. He is anxious to start a family with Gloria. The two are living together and going to be married soon. Gloria asked, "Patte, do you ever need volunteers? I'd like to be able to help you with what you do." I gave Gloria some of our ministry info and took her address and telephone number down. The truth is, since I get so few responses from Christians to my e mails for help in following up with the women we convince not to abort, I probably will have Gloria befriend a pregnant young lady.
* Missy & Warren * As I was speaking to Gloria, Warren and Missy made their way to their car and LEFT the abortion clinic! I was very sorry not to have had a chance to speak with Missy, but Warren had Dr DeFreese's number as well as the number for Center for Pregnancy. Please pray for this couple as they face the challenge of the days ahead. Pray that they make a committment to see their baby to a safe birth 4 1/2 months from now!
* Norma & Celine * Celine went in and out of the clinic several times, telling us to "Back off! I'm tired and in no mood to talk." She had brought Norma in to kill her baby late in pregnancy.
* Jenna & Steve * Jenna's round belly and big blanket revealed that she too had come to Orlando Women's Center to labor and deliver her infant in late term abortion. Although I called out to them from the back parking lot, they refused to come close enough to talk or take our ministry packet. Steve kissed Jenna softly and left. Jenna slowly made her way into open back door and closed it shut behind her.
Gordon noticed that when our painting of Jesus (holding an aborted fetus) fell over, Jose carefully stood it back up on the steps. Perhaps it was Jose's background that had taught him a measure of respect for religion and the person of Christ. It is sad that Jose didn't seem to fear or reverence the Lord of Life enough to do His will in protecting the baby he fathered with Jacqueline.
Thursdays are always gruesome here in Orlando . Although five women came to murder the children they carried in their wombs, four remained when we left. A whole new group of abortion-bound women came at 1:30pm to kill their babies in the first few months of pregnancy. The evening promised to hold a true nightmare for four babies as their mommies pushed them out of their bodies. As I drove home yesterday I couldn't help but think of how many Christians were going to spend $50 a person to go to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios when there is a Horror Night available for free every Thursday at 1103 Lucerne Terrace.
Please come to our special annual "Time for the Harvest" Prayer vigil this Saturday. It is being led by St Paul 's Presbyterian Church with Covenant Presbyterian also joining in. Information attached!
From the Field of Souls,
Patte Smith
Sanctuary Ministries
http://www.sanctuaryministries.homestead.com
Ignorance is bliss . . . ?
"I would not have you be ignorant . . . "
Sanctuary Update
Thursday, October 9
Orlando Women's Center abortion clinic
Late Abortion Day
8:15-10:50am
Sidewalk counselors: Patte, Suzanne (an adoption counselor from A Chosen Child Adoption Agency)
Prayer Warriors: Pat Harmon & Becky Spain
* Patricia * As I arrived and set up my sign at 8:15 am , I met Patricia. She had come to Orlando Women's Center to have a check up with the nurse practitioner who comes on Thursday mornings. (Pap smears and birth control are very inexpensive there . . . about 1/3 of what you would pay at a regular doctor's office.) Patricia was from Argentina . Having lived here in the states for two years, I was impressed. She was an accomplished speaker of English. Patricia had a lovely accent and was very friendly. We spoke for a few minutes and I explained that I had come to speak to the women who were going to be aborting by labor and delivery. Patricia was surprised to hear that abortions were performed throughout all nine months of pregnancy. She didn't approve.
* Angelina & Sal * A taxi cab pulled into the driveway and a couple in their mid forties got out of the car. They were carrying a large suitcase and another smaller bag, so I knew that they had come to kill. Neither Angelina or Sal spoke any English. I guessed that they had flown into Orlando from Puerto Rico to kill their baby late in pregnancy. (Abortionist/owner James Pendergraft advertises heavily in the Puerto Rico .) I was right. Neither Suzanne or I speak Spanish, so I quickly asked Patricia if she would be willing to translate for me. She smiled and said: "Sure!" What a kind providence that Patricia was with us! With her generous help, I discovered that Angelina was 45 years old. She had been told by her doctor in Puerto Rico that she was high risk because of her age. She explained to Patricia that they wanted the baby and didn't really want an abortion, but she and her husband Sal were simply doing what the doctor had recommended. They had four children and didn't want to have the baby if it wasn't "safe". I asked Patricia to translate:
"Please, we can help you get through this pregnancy. There are special doctors who will see you and care for you. Even if you have to stay here in the United States to do it, we will find a way!"
After a few minutes, Angelina told Patricia that she didn't want to talk any more about her private business. We weren't able to get any more information out of them, but I continued to reason with Angelina and Sal; speaking to them in the Spanish phrases that I have memorized for ministry:
Dios dice que el aborto es un pecado mortal. (God says that abortion is a serious sin.)
Este es un sitio de muerte. (This place is a place of death.)
El aborto te har dano moral, fisico y emocional. (Abortion can harm you spiritually, physically & emotionally.)
My words, Patricia's enthusiastic translations and the prayers of the saints fell on deaf ears. Angelina and Sal went inside and started the gruesome procedure of killing their growing infant.
* Regina * arrived next. From Haiti and speaking only Creole with a tiny bit of English, it was hard to communicate with Regina . I finally gathered that she had not come for abortion, but for a check up.
* Gloria & Pete * 18 year old Gloria and her fiance Pete arrived. When I approached them, Gloria was very receptive and relaxed. "I am not here for an abortion. If I WAS pregnant, I wouldn't abort. I would feel awful and could never bring myself to kill a baby. Actually I'm here to PREVENT pregnancy." When I asked her to explain she said: "I am here for the *"morning after pill" (aka emergency birth control)." Gloria and Pete had sex just 7 hours prior to coming to the clinic. "We are about to get married and want to have children someday, but this is too soon." I challenged Gloria to re-think her perspective about this
situation. "If Pete's sperm met your egg, then you ARE pregnant, Gloria. A fertilized egg means conception." Gloria said: "But that's just it, I don't know if I'm pregnant. Ignorance is bliss."
I went on: "It's true, Gloria, you may NOT be pregnant at all. If that is the case, then taking these pills will not kill your child. But, if you don't wait long enough to be able to find out if you are pregnant you will be haunted by the thought that you MIGHT have killed your growing little one. Please - forget about the morning after pill. Wait and see if you're pregnant. If you need some help and support through your pregnancy, we'll do what we can to stand with you." Gloria wasn't in a rush to get inside. She and I spoke for another 30 minutes or so. During this time, Pete never opened his mouth. He stood quietly and patiently beside Gloria. When I asked Gloria if she believed in God, she said; "I was raised Catholic, but after all that I have seen and heard in the church, I don't want anything to do with them. I do love God and want to please Him, but I don't want anything to do with organized religion." I explained to Gloria that the Bible clearly indicates that God creates people ON PURPOSE. "God says: 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.' (Jer 1:5)
If you ARE pregnant, Gloria, it is because of His kindness. This child is a gift and a message of His grace to you." Although Gloria listened intently and seemed to appreciate the time I was taking to counsel her, she really didn't want to take the chance of having a child. Before we parted I asked her: "What if, after taking the morning after pills, you discover that you are STILL pregnant . . . what will you do then?" Gloria didn't hesitate for a moment. She said: "Oh, I would definitely keep my baby."
When we left we knew that at least one and possibly two, babies were under a death sentence inside the clinic. Suzanne, Pat, Becky and I were grateful for the significant conversations and powerful prayers of the morning. Each of us was touched by those we'd met and we knew that Jesus had been with us through the hours of reaching out to our lost and dying neighbors on 1103 Lucerne Terrace.
Orlando Women's Center is staffed with employees who speak the many languages of their "patients". Gregg Cunningham of the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (http://www.abortionNo.org ) says:
"We must be at least (IF NOT MORE) determined as the abortion providers. We must ask ourselves: Where is our moral authority when we are only "hobbyists" in our pro-life activism? When we spend so little time, energy, and money battling abortion? We need MANY full-time, take-no-prisoners, no compromise, servants who are determined to end child killing. If WE don't care enough to do anything, who does?"
If we are to be as serious about saving lives as abortion providers are
about destroying them, we must have missionaries who speak the language
of the women and men we encounter from all over the world. One doesn't
need to travel to Haiti , Japan , Mexico , Russia , Ethiopia to reach the
lost peoples of those countries. You can have an international mission in
your own backyard. NOW.
UPDATE ON SANDRA: I met Sandra, a 26 year old graduate student, at the clinic on August 13. She was aborting her baby at 4 1/2 months of pregnancy so that she could go ahead with her plans to study in London . After convincing Sandra and her mother that God would be with her as she did the right thing and had her baby, Sandra managed to settle in at university in London . I would like to give you an opportunity to be a blessing to Sandra. She will be delivering her baby around Christmas time and Sandra wrote me a rather frantic e mail this morning. As a full time student, Sandra was promised that her pre-natal medical care would be covered by the national health system. Now it turns out that she is NOT covered! She doesn't have enough money to see a midwife. Would you be willing to provide some financial assistance to Sandra? If so, please mail a tax deductible donation to: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1231 Reformation Dr, Oviedo , Fl 32765 Att: Sharon Leigh. Include a note indicating: "For Sanctuary Ministries --- Sandra" and I will be sure to send it as your gift to this struggling, fearful mom.
From the Heart,
Patte Smith
Sanctuary Ministries
http://www.sanctuaryministries.homestead.com
* FYI: The "Morning after pill" aka "Emergency Birth Control" is marketed under the brand name Preven. It is offered to women up to 72 hours after intercourse. (Often when birth control has NOT been used, or the condom has ripped or the woman has been raped.) Preven CAN prevent pregnancy by blocking the process of ovulation (ovary releasing a ripe egg). But, if ovulation has already occured, allowing for the possibility of conception (egg meeting sperm) the morning after pills can also cause abortion. The pills work to harden the uterus, preventing implantation of a fertilized egg, thus the child in his earliest stage of human development, is in effect, chemically aborted. The TRUTH: Women who take Preven must live with the fact that they MIGHT have caused the death of their baby. (Or babies, if there is a multiple pregnancy.)
“Kids are a Dime a Dozen”
"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34
Saturday, 4 October, 2003
Sanctuary Ministries Update
Orlando Women's Center abortion clinic
6:15-10am
Sidewalk Counselors: Gina, Jesse, Allura, Jennifer, Patte, Eric, Myrna
Prayer Warriors: Kate, Matt, Jesse's home church group, Myrna, the Groves
and one other
* Jamie and Lois * When I arrived Jesse and Gina were conversing with 19-yr old Jamie and her mom Lois. Clinging to her from behind, Jamie hid her face in her mother's shoulder. They had driven over 2 hours from their home in Arcadia . Jamie was 4 weeks pregnant and had enlisted her mom's help. Lois said: "I am just trying to support my daughter. This is what she wants and I want to be there for her in this decision." Lois did all of the talking. From what we could gather, Jamie had some medical issues. Mom Lois looked dazed and confused. She didn't really seem comfortable with the abortion of her grandchild, but Jamie obviously had the last word in their relationship. We believe that Lois allowed her daughter Jamie to dominate her, submitting to her daughter to hold onto the relationship. What she didn't realize is that when a mother "helps" her daughter kill her infant, there comes a twisted wedge between them, that often never truly heals, but remains a place of bitterness and resentment AGAINST the mother. Jamie will ultimately resent the fact that her mother relinquished her god-given role as nurturer and instead became an instrument of destruction to her precious daughter and the grandchild she was carrying.
* Ethan * was earnest and soft-spoken. He seemed gentle enough, but his words betrayed his heart. His first words were: "She was raped by a n----- ! Wouldn't you bring your daughter to do this if she was raped by a n-----? " He was serious. "No, I wouldn't bring my daughter here if she were raped. If my daughter was raped, Ethan, she would be a victim. Bringing her to murder her innocent infant would make a victim out of my grandbaby and would do nothing to ease the trauma or pain of her rape. In fact, abortion would make her guilty of KILLING her victim, which is even worse than what the rapist did to her." Ethan cringed: "Don't say that." I went on; "I am telling you the truth. The child your girlfriend is carrying is not a threat to her. He or she is innocent. And remember, this baby is hers. She may have her mommy's eyes, her mother's laugh." Ethan explained: "She doesn't have a CHILD. Right now it is only 3 weeks. It's not a child until it can breathe and think. And besides, this is half n-----." I asked Ethan: "Do you believe that a black person has less value than a white person?" Ethan responded: "Yes, I do. The bible says that God punished the blacks by marking them with the curse of their color." I gently corrected him. "No, that is not what the bible says. God created all people equal. Every soul is precious in His sight. The color of the skin only represents what region of the world they came from." Ethan said: "Well, anyways, kids are a dime a dozen." When I asked him what he meant, he explained: "We can make as many more as we want." I told Ethan that his girlfriend had to sign the abortion consent form that explains that one of the risks of abortion is that she may NOT be able to have children after the abortion. "This may be the only child she ever has, Ethan." With that, Ethan excused himself. "I've really got to get in there to be with her. I'm sorry. If she was carrying MY baby, we wouldn't even be here. I've got to go."
As I told the other sidewalk counselors what Ethan had said, Gina wisely remarked: "But, this baby COULD be his!" I hadn't even thought to say that to Ethan, but hoped that I'd see him again so that I could speak these true words to him.
* Dan & Miranda * Dan nearly dragged Miranda up the driveway into the clinic. Across his black tee-shirt was written the name "Strongbow", so that's what I called him until we heard his real name spoken. When Dan swore at me, Miranda put her hand over his mouth. He grabbed her hand and raced up the steep driveway to get her inside the clinic. A few minutes later he came outside to sit on the porch. When Jesse tried to talk to him Dan said "I'm going to KILL you." Undaunted, Jesse continued to reason with this volatile young man. As the morning wore on, we had ample opportunity to speak with Dan and his pretty girlfriend Miranda. Miranda listened politely for a long time, then she burst out: "I'm asking you nicely, PLEASE STOP TALKING TO ME. I believe in God too. You just have to understand that this is my choice." " When I continued to reason with Miranda she said; "Since I have already said that I don't want to hear any more, why do you keep talking?" In a wise and tremendously kind voice Allura answered Miranda: "The truth is that we care about you and we care about your boyfriend, but we also care about your baby. Your baby is important. Important enough for us to persist with the two of you because unlike you, your baby DOESN'T have a choice."
* Ethan continued * When Ethan walked out of the clinic door again; I called out to him: "What if this baby IS YOUR CHILD?" Ethan came toward me with obvious intention. "Please, don't reveal things like that to everyone around here." I explained: "When you come to an abortion clinic to murder a child, you relinquish your rights to privacy. This is a matter of life and death and I intend to do whatever it takes to make you face the truth. Well, Ethan, what do you say? What if this baby IS your baby?" Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "Have you had sex with your girlfriend in the last three weeks?" Ethan admitted that he had. I challenged him; "Your girlfriend could have been pregnant with your child ALREADY the day she was raped. OR you could've conceived a child with her AFTER the rape. The only way you will ever know, Ethan, is for you to let this baby be born. Then you will see if she is your daughter. If you kill her today, you will NEVER know for sure whether you murdered your own flesh and blood. You and your girlfriend will live with the guilt and shame of this for the rest of your lives. Don't do it." I begged Ethan to consider adoption counseling for the remainder of her pregnancy so that they could choose a loving couple to adopt their baby should they discover that the infant was indeed the child of the rapist. "But, I want you to know this, Ethan, God knows and loves this child no matter who the father is."
Ethan looked me in the eye and asked: "Have you seen God?" I returned his gaze and answered honestly: "Yes, I have." He pressed me: "Do you mean you've seen God in pictures?" "No, not in pictures. I have seen God in the faces of those in whom He lives and breathes. I have seen God in the eyes of those who love Him and in the eyes of those who were created by Him. Jesus explained that when we care for the sick, the hungry, the naked, the imprisoned, we come face to face with Him." (Find this in Matt 25.) Ethan looked thoughtful as he turned and walked through death's doors. We never saw him again.
In the face of the horror and human carnage of the abortion clinic I was surrounded by God's infinite patience, wisdom, kindness, grace, goodness and love in the faces of those in whom God dwells, my dear brothers and sisters on the sidewalk. The Father is leading/training/teaching us to reach out to Him by reaching out to the lost and dying at the abortion clinic. Although I have given you a FEW of today's missionary stories, I am leaving out far more than I am including. There was Sherry, Louise, Artie, Mandi, Tom, Charlie, Tabitha and MORE. I'd like to ask you a question:
When was the last time you had a soul-searching conversation about the meaning and origin of human life, the power of sin, the difference between right and wrong, the significance of the individual? Do you long for your life and your walk with Christ to have an impact on your lost neighbors?
From the Field of Souls,
Patte Smith
Sanctuary Ministries
http://www.sanctuaryministries.homestead.com
Come with Me and I will make you fishers of men . . . Matthew 4:19 <//><
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2003 3rd Quarter Reports - July-September