A mom in Georgia already had two boys when she pulled into an abortion facility's driveway. She had also had two abortions and was headed for a third.
"I was crying," she said. "I really didn't want to do this."
Atlanta 40 Days for Life leader Cathy was standing vigil, holding a sign that read, "We care. We can help." She told the mom that her vigil volunteers had been praying for her all morning.
The expectant mother always wanted a daughter, and she wondered whether one of the babies she aborted was a girl.
Cathy promised that if she kept her baby, the volunteers would help her. The mom walked away still pregnant...and Cathy kept her word.
Cathy brought groceries, clothes for the boys, flowers, and even Christmas gifts.
"She held my hand every step of the way, even during the times when I tried to pull away or run from her," the mother shared. "Guess what...I GOT MY BABY GIRL!"
"I am proof that people on the sidewalk praying correlate to babies being in this world," she said.
Honolulu, Hawaii
A pregnant woman more than 4,000 miles from her family was referred to the Honolulu 40 Days for Life vigil.
She was in the area for just one day. In that time, the team set her up with an appointment and a ride to an ultrasound.
The support eased her anxiety. Her family back home responded warmly, and now she's thrilled about her pregnancy!
"This is a wonderful example of how our presence offers hope and real help to mothers who feel isolated and afraid," wrote James, the local 40 Days for Life leader.
Lisbon, Portugal
"I thought this campaign was coming to an end and that, for the first time, we wouldn't have the joy of hearing about a life saved," said Paula, the longtime 40 Days for Life leader in Lisbon.
Then, her team met a young woman considering abortion, because she was far from her home country and her boyfriend didn't want the baby. After talking with vigil participants, she decided to keep her child! The team sent her home with a pink jacket and booties.
And this baby wasn't even the only one saved in Portugal.
Another mom, 20 weeks pregnant, had stopped responding to prayer warriors and missed her doctor's appointment. Finally, she wrote to say she had an ultrasound and was continuing her pregnancy.
"Thank God!" Paula said.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.
--Matthew 28:19-20
God, you have given me more than I could possibly ask. Help me never stray from your presence, for it is you whom I long to share with everyone I encounter. Show your face through my humility, direct my steps, and let every word I speak be from you. You ascended to Heaven not to abandon us but to be with us. You sent the Holy Spirit to guide our actions. As we conclude this 40-day fast, pour forth your grace on us to carry your light to the ends of the world. Amen.
