Steve Karlen, the North American outreach director for 40 Days for Life, describes the Mexican campaigns in one word: ?intense!?

?The local leaders are keenly aware that abortion isn?t something Mexico City wants,? said Steve, who is attending closing rallies. ?It?s been imposed through significant pressure from other countries. That pressure is eroding some of the morality as the younger generation is falling prey to the lies of the abortion industry. ?

The response to 40 Days for Life has been amazing. At a Friday night event, Steve said ?it was raining, and there were still more people than we could count. People took a two-hour bus ride to come pray.?

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This vigil is at outside a Marie Stopes abortion facility in Coyoacan, which mysteriously shut down about three weeks ago. The leaders hope the closure is permanent ? but their vigil continues. This campaign has recorded five saved babies ? including a set of twins.

The other vigils are just as strong. Tere, the leader in Iztapalapa, said there are often as many as 30 people praying, and the local bishop has asked every church to participate.

Both Coyoacan and Iztapalapa are led by participants in the first-ever Mexico City campaign in Roma last year. That Roma campaign was inspired by Lourdes, the local leader, learning about Abby Johson, the former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Bryan/College Station, Texas and the role 40 Days for Life played in her conversion.

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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.