Our North American outreach director, Steve Karlen, calls Wisconsin home … but he’s traveling from coast to coast during this campaign, speaking and praying at many 40 Days for Life locations.
Steve has met many great, salt-of-the-earth volunteers in his travels. But he’s also run across an occasional critic. Usually, the opponents just toss angry words. But one time … they tossed a coffee cup!
Here’s Steve’s latest report.
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
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I was welcomed warmly at two 40 Days for Life locations in the Seattle area. But I was also greeted by a couple of random people who took exception to the idea of a pro-life prayer vigil.
At one stop, I had a coffee cup lobbed in my direction – no damage, thankfully!
At the other vigil, a guy drove up to a stoplight to berate us for several minutes. He said we needed to mind our own business, keep to ourselves, and not tell other people what to do. He obviously missed the irony of his statement.
It certainly didn’t deter any of the vigil volunteers, who faithfully gave their time to pray and fast for an end to abortion.
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ISSAQUAH, WASHINGTON
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The team in Issaquah staged a wonderful event. When I first arrived, though, there was a man protesting the vigil. Of course, the 40 Days for Life volunteers didn’t let anything disrupt the peaceful, prayerful spirit of the evening.
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GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK
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Switching coasts … it was a most interesting visit to Glens Falls. They have a house next door to the abortion business that serves as something of a pro-life welcome center.
Earlier in the campaign, they watched a woman leave the abortion center with just her hospital gown and no shoes. She got into a car and drove off quickly. They saw another woman arrive for an abortion in a taxi. She got out … told the people praying that she couldn’t go through with it … and got back in the taxi and left.
I was also told about a teenager protester, who peppered the volunteers with a host of questions. When they answered his questions, though, he listened. They’ve spoken with him for hours, and it appears that he may be having a change of heart.
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NORWICH, CONNECTICUT
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These prayer volunteers in Norwich mean business! They spend their whole time here in very serious prayer. They cover 24 hours a day here … and if they are in danger of missing any hours, Brian, a very soft-spoken man, takes them himself. He’s a very inspirational leader.
CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!
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HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS
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I had the privilege of attending a powerful candlelight vigil in Haverhill.
I have to give these folks credit for coming out to pray on a night when the Boston Red Sox were playing for a spot in the World Series. The vigil was during the game – and I’m sure there were Red Sox fans there. But the babies were their priority.
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Thanks again to Steve Karlen for a look at some great campaigns!
LifeNews.com Note: Shawn Carney is the campaign director for the 40 Days for Life pro-life prayer campaign against abortion.
