300 DAYS IN THE DESERT - 300 DAYS FOR LIFE

El Paso, Texas is in the middle of the 8th 40 days for Life campaign and today marks our 300th day for Life! 300 days of peaceful prayer, witnessing and giving hope to those in most need.

During these 300 days, we have witnessed the Hand of God in so many wonderful ways. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ever present guiding us and giving us strength. We have seen moms decide for LIFE some 260+ times! Those are the ones we know off, because we believe this is only the tip of the iceberg of the real number of babies spared from abortion! We have seen thousands of people humble themselves by standing out in front of the local abortion clinics praying for LIFE. Praying for LIFE to the Giver of LIFE! We have guided and comforted post abortive women by referring them to help resources. We have seen hundreds of people turnaround and not go into the clinics because of our prayerful presence. Women have stopped to show off their babies and thank us for being there. We have seen about a dozen security guards quit their job not wanting to continue to escort those babies to their deaths. We have seen about a dozen nurses quit their job, not wanting to continue to work in those awful places of death. We have seen fathers change their minds and rescue their babies against all odds. We have seen grandparents rescue their grandchildren when all hope seemed lost. We have seen moms walk out saying yes to LIFE and we have seen how the weigh of the world vanishes from their shoulders in front of our eyes.

During these 300 days, we have seen true miracles like the time a father decided towards the end of the abortion day to save his wife and child. Finding out that she was last for the abortion procedure because the babies were twins. These were the very first two babies spared from abortion during the first campaign in the fall of 2007. Or that time that we had been asked for prayers for someone wanting to abort. As it turned out, the abortionist at the time of the procedure did not find her baby in the ultrasound. Twice her Gynecologist found the baby in the ultrasound and twice the abortionist failed to find the baby at the abortion clinic. We believe that the Angels of Our Lord hid that baby giving the young mom enough time to reconsider and choose LIFE! Or that time on Ash Wednesday that a young lady sat in her car weeping and unsure of what to do. Later she told us that she believed that she saw two Angels and what looked like St. Francis praying for her. Needles to say that she kept her baby! Or the baby that survived the chemical abortion! Or the glorious day when ALL SIX Planned Parenthood clinics closed in El Paso! Or the countless women that received the Grace of courage to reject those pressuring them to abort. Present everyday Our Lady with her intercessory prayers for the babies and their parents, showing us that Her Heart beats loud and clear with love for all Her children. St. Michael the Archangel protecting us, always.

During these 300 days, our prayer warrior Kim found her vocation as a Poor Claire. Our best and most experienced sidewalk counselor Esperanza (SP) could no longer help out due to an illness and had to retire. Alfonso, our most faithful prayer warrior whom we are dedicating these 40 days for life is now in Heaven interceding for the little ones.

During these 300 days we have seen the worst and the best that human beings are capable off. Despite of everything, or perhaps because of what we have experienced as a faithful community, we have learned how to love with a kind of love that can only be described as divine. A love that does not judge, a love that does not tire, a love that wants all to be saved, a love that wants all to know Christ.

As to the planning and organization of our 40 days for life campaigns in El Paso, Mother Teresa of Calcutta best described it when she said, “We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.” If during these 300 days for life, a single soul has been shown the beauty of the Kingdom of God and how attainable it is, then all effort has been worth it.

All for the Greater Glory of our Creator!

For Life!

Miguel

So by their Fruits You Will Know Them

The Holy Spirit will work through you at any moment, just as he did with us today. Today is the Feast Day of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of fathers, and the protector of Jesus and Mary.

Pat saw a car coming into the clinic parking lot and urged me to go over to the sidewalk. She gave me some liturature to pass out, and I approached this young man as he was getting out of his car. His wife/girlfriend stood back in the distance. The young man was holding a precious, beautiful baby girl with soft curly black hair. I said, "Good morning, how are you?" "Would you like to take some information?" To my surprise, he started walking in my direction. I handed him the information and told him that he was so blessed with his child, as I ran my fingers through her little curls. I then asked him if his wife/girlfriend was pregnant and he said, "yes." I then told him that the pregnancy help center would do an ultrasound for them free of charge, and that this place performed abortions and was not very family friendly. His wife/girlfriend then walked over to us and told him, "Let's Go!" I said, "goodbye and God Bless you!"

As they were walking towards the clinic gate, Pat briefly spoke to the young man and gave him a rosary.
They were not in the clinic very long, less than 10 minutes. Pat approached them once again and spoke with them briefly. Meanwhile, I stood on the sidewalk praising God with the other prayer warriors. By the grace of God they chose not to abort their precious baby. This was further confirmed when they stopped to kiss each other before they entered their car. I knew that God had already worked in their hearts, and it ended with a kiss.

What made them change their minds? The most, simple love of our Lord Jesus Christ saved their baby! He worked in their hearts, and He used a simple plastic rosary with his image on it as His instrument. They told Pat - that as they were entering the clinic; the nurses told them to throw the rosary away in the trash can! This bothered them, so they left the clinic in haste. Praise God!

"Beware of false profits, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:15-20

We thank you Jesus for saving this precious baby from the evils of abortion. We continue to pray for this little family, and may they continue to grow in faith and love, imitating the holy family. We also ask for the intercession of Saint Joseph, to protect this beautiful family.

Sonia Rand

Spring 2011 Campaign fliers

Click to enlarge 

Graphic Images Save a Child from Death

Today is the 2nd day of 40 Days for Life. I know that some of the sidewalk counselors and I thought this morning, "Lord, when are you going to start saving some babies!" So after a long morning of prayer, just before leaving, a young couple of about 18 years old arrived. I introduced myself and her name was also Gaby. I asked her if she was thinking about abortion. She said, "Yes." I showed her the information and said, "This is what they do to the children," and showed her the graphic images of the "Did you know?" pamphlet. 

She ran to her car and started to cry - a lot. Her boyfriend came over and I gave him a rosary and told him, "Your baby's heart is already beating out of love for you. If you pray, you will never have to go through an abortion...ever." He thanked me and they went inside the clinic. 


Moments later they came out and stayed in their car for about 15 minutes - longest 15 minutes of my life. My friend Karen offered them an ultrasound and it seemed like they snapped out of it and started leaving. I approached their car and asked her how she was feeling. I then asked her if she was keeping her baby. Still sad, she said yes. She asked about the ultrasound and I gave her a pair of baby booties. I tried to help lift her spirit and assured her she was doing the right thing. She finally smiled and thanked us. 


Those long hours in the sun paid off! 


I know that many people don't agree with showing graphic images as a way to help save lives. However, this is a perfect example that it is necessary for people to see the truth. We need to put a face to what the sin of abortion is and for women to confront their reality. I remember 2 years ago when I shared this story with you, What does it mean to be a soldier for CHRIST?, I posted that the father of a baby was greatly affected by the graphic image and it played a big role in choosing life for his family. 


We shouldn't be afraid of these images. We need to spread the word and show it to our friends. Below are links to pictures and videos. 
I hope this story encourages you to join us praying at the clinics. God bless you! 


- Gabriela 


Graphic Images: http://www.priestsforlife.org/images/index.aspx
Abortion video with Eduardo Verastegui (actor from Bella): http://www.massmediamail.com/durarealidad/  (scroll to bottom of page) 

Committed to Christ (Comprometido a Cristo)

According to the Webster dictionary, “committed” means to “to obligate or pledge oneself” and one person that stands out as being committed to Christ has always been our friend Alfonso Avendaño.

In the Fall of 2007, Alfonso said that he wanted to make a difference, he wanted to help those babies in danger of abortion and the only way he knew how was with prayer, prayer, prayer. That Fall during the 40 days for life campaign, Alfonso, Don Manuel and others met in the evenings outside Calvary (Hilltop) abortion clinic and prayed. Other people joined, but there were very few men, so Alfonso came up with a plan.

In the Spring of 2008, Alfonso who is a very active member of the Legionarios’ Regnum Christi asked his fellow brothers to join in. They joined and we started having male coverage during the evening prayer vigils! Two men every evening!

Alfonso continued his prayerful witness outside that abortion clinic on a regular basis, even between vigil campaigns. Alfonso, like many other beautiful persons has been the voice of those babies who never had a voice. He has interceded for the babies, the mothers, the fathers, the abortionists, the nurses, the security guards, for so many. Because of his intercessory prayers, Alfonso has helped to bring a little piece of the Kingdom of God to every one of us. Alfonso has cooperated with Our Lord in bringing the Good News to those persons in need.

We recently received news that after a brief illness, Alfonso went to meet Our Lord in heaven. We lost a true hero, a true gentleman, a friend in Christ. In moments like these, we remember the words of another pro life advocate (Henry Hyde) when he said:

“When the time comes as it surely will, when we face that awesome moment, the final judgment… I really think that those in the pro-life movement will not be alone. I think there will be a chorus of voices that have never been heard in this world but are heard beautifully and clearly in the next world – and they will plead for everyone who has been in this movement. They will say to God, ‘Spare him because he loved us,’ – and God will look at you and say not, ‘Did you succeed?’ but ‘Did you try?’”

Alfonso tried, we know he did, and many babies are alive today because of his intercessory prayers, and those babies who did not make it, I’m sure they escorted Alfonso to meet Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Alfonso, Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.


Your friends for Life!

Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mathew 25:34)

$260 Refund

Today a shower of blessings came to Hilltop clinic. A total of 21 people showed up to pray while we only saw about 7 women going into the clinic. Saturdays are usually big abortion days, but not today in El Paso. One youth choir from Queen of Peace showed up, here is a clip. Or click here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx6XgxiehSQ No Greater Love

As people were arriving to pray and others finished their prayer shift, a car from Juarez shows up and doesn't want any information. The couple finally leaves, and as they exit I tried offering information and I saw that they had a check in their hands for $260. I asked the woman, "Did you change your mind?" She said, "Yes," with tears in her eyes. I talked to them for a few minutes gave them some really beautiful crocheted booties and a rosary. A men's ACTS group witnessed this and gave them all chills! They were extremely encouraged and promised to come back to pray more!
Friends this is what prayer does, saves souls! 40 Days for Life is a great opportunity to impact people's lives. Thanks to everyone committed to pray to end abortion.

God Sent Me an Angel

We're at the final days of 40 Days for Life and these days are usually the most tiring. As I dragged myself to the clinic to pray and sidewalk counsel, I thought that maybe we won't do 40 Days for Life next year. It's not fun being out there by myself at all. 

After finishing my St. Michael prayer, I soon started my Rosary. A mother and daughter walked out of the abortion clinic. As I tried talking to them, only the mom, Irma, approached me and said that her daughter, Estefania, couldn't do it. Irma told me that last night she was still trying to convince her daughter to not have an abortion. The mother showed incredible faith in God and seemed sure that her daughter would not have an abortion. I gave them all the information and pamphlets and handed her some baby booties some great friends crocheted. This makes it 25 lives saved since September 22! 

Moments later, a truck drove out, and the woman inside was in tears of despair. If you've ever seen this when praying at the mill, it's very disheartening because you know she didn't want to do it, was maybe pressured or just regretted it moments later. 

So while I'm still in awe of the saved baby, sad seeing a crying mom, a young man walks by the clinic, and turns back to ask me how to get to the Cathedral. I tell him and he looks at Our Lady of Guadalupe, sighs, and just stares at her image with so much love. He asks me, "What are you doing?" I said, "I'm praying because they kill babies here." He grabbed one of my rosaries I had on the chair to give out to the women and he said, "Let's pray a rosary then." As soon as he said this, I knew he was heaven sent. We began to pray and I just felt so much peace. I was so happy because I no longer was by myself. As we were praying, he kept staring at Our Lady with so much love and reverence and his face would brighten. He then would then glance at the 8 week baby in the womb poster with a lot of sadness. [One of the main reasons we have the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is because of what the image represents. In the image she is pregnant with Jesus.]

After we prayed a decade of the Rosary, he stopped and said, "I have to go to the Cathedral to pray. I have to make a trip somewhere very far and I won't come back." He then asked, "Please say a prayer for me at 12. I am going now." I then asked, "What is your name?" He said, "I'm just a twin, I have no name." He said bye but I hugged him instead. I told him, "God bless you and I will pray." He looked sad to leave, but content and accomplished. He sighed and walked away. The back of his jacket said EAGLE. 

Minutes later, after wiping my tears and thanking God for sending him, I see 6 beautiful white doves flying across the street in front of the clinic. I thought, "God why 6? Why not a biblical number, like 7?" The instant answer was, "The angel I sent you was the 7th."

What a blessing to be directly encouraged by His Holy Angels! The angels are here to help us and encourage us! Don't be afraid to talk to your guardian angel. They are just waiting to give us good counsel and protect us. 

Hope to see you all next week for the Jericho March. Hilltop clinic October 25 - 31st.  Monday - Sunday. Each day at 6:30pm.  

God bless you and may the Holy Angels protect you!