The 40 Days for Life campaign that just ended was challenged by rain, wind and cold.

But despite the rough weather, the reasons to stand in pray outside hospitals where abortions take place far outweighed any of the obstacles.

?Many women who had abortions are now active in the campaign,? said Petra, one of the 40 Days for Life leaders. ?Several of them told us their testimonies, and one of them encouraged one mom from Zagreb to keep her baby. In addition to this mother, we know for five more mothers who accepted their child and turned away from abortion.?

Since 40 Days for Life started in Croatia, the team knows of 36 lives spared from abortion.

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They?re also aware of reductions in the number of abortions ? and more babies being born in one particular hospital in Rijeka. More mothers chose life in Sibenik, Petra said, and during one campaign, there was not a single abortion in Virovitica!

In all, some 5,000 people prayed in front of hospitals in 21 Croatian cities ? and the team knows of more locations in their country that are interested in starting campaigns, as well as volunteers in Serbia and Macedonia.

As a result of the campaign, local participants have helped put together a team in Zagreb to provide direct help to mothers in need ? a team that includes doctors and dentists ? lawyers ? home repair specialists ? even cosmetologists.

?We included more prayer communities, young people and churches in this campaign,? Petra said. ?We had meetings with two Croatian bishops. Apart from the Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic church, we have had very good cooperation with the Reformed Church and the Macedonian Orthodox Church.?

Coordinators from across Croatia will be meeting this month, and plan further discussions in the future. ?We have lots ideas for autumn,? Petra said. ?Maybe new cities, new hospitals, only God knows for sure!?

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David Brandao, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

With 40 Days for Life, David wears many hats. Prior to joining the 40 Days for Life team, he was an award-winning radio and TV journalist. He has also served as a board member for a pregnancy help center and as publications director for a major national pro-life organization.