Today is World Down Syndrome Day--a day dedicated to celebrating people with Down syndrome and to ensuring that they have the same rights as everyone else.
It's held annually on 3/21, because those with Down syndrome have three copies of the 21st chromosome...
...and it's an important day for pro-lifers, because in the United States, much of Europe, and Australia, the vast majority of children diagnosed with Down syndrome before birth are killed in the womb.
Iceland infamously claimed to have nearly eradicated Down syndrome...by exterminating the babies who have it.
Tucson, Arizona, 40 Days for Life leader Laura held a prayer rally at which it was reported that following a constitutional amendment that established a right to abortion, courts have dismantled most of the state's legal protections for unborn children--including laws protecting children with challenging fetal diagnoses.
"During the sharing of this information, I had my 15-month-old grandson, who has Down syndrome, by my side," she said. "He gave everyone huge smiles [and] was a great example of why we need to keep fighting in Arizona and get protections back in place."
Take a stand for children with special needs by signing up to pray at your local 40 Days for Life vigil:
In addition to smiles from an adorable toddler, rally attendees also enjoyed hearing the testimony of Anna and Craig, who encountered prayer warriors on the sidewalk when they went to Planned Parenthood 37 years ago!
Those pro-lifers prayed with the couple, but Anna proceeded into the facility for her abortion anyway.
As she lay on the operating table waiting for the abortionist to kill her baby, she heard a voice tell her, "Get up, get dressed, and get out of here."
"Today they [are] happily married and have a 36-year-old-daughter, who is a nurse," Laura said. "She shared that if it had not been for those at the sidewalk praying for her, she would have gone through with the abortion."
Madrid, Spain
Many women don't have abortions because they are pro-choice--but because they feel they have no choice.
That was the case in Madrid, where a couple told vigil participants that they didn't want to abort their baby...but due to financial and personal problems, they didn't see another option.
After conversing with campaign volunteers, the couple left without having the abortion--and the next day confirmed that they would welcome their child!
San Luis Obispo, California
A woman who just celebrated her 80th birthday approached the San Luis Obispo vigil team to share that her mom wanted to abort her way back in the 1940s.
The mother's wish to have aborted her daughter made for a difficult childhood...but the octogenarian said that God has transformed and blessed her life.
"She recently was given an 80th birthday party, and a large group of her progeny were there," explained Katie, the longtime San Luis Obispo campaign leader. "She showed us the group picture and was marveling at how NONE of these beautiful children and grandchildren would have been there if her mother had aborted her!"
Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.
--John 13:5
God, stir up in us the desire to serve as you serve. Grant us the discernment to understand your will for our lives, to use our gifts for your glory, and to love our neighbor well. When we feel that our efforts are in vain, remind us that we do everything for your glory, not for our own fame or recognition. Amen.
