Every once in a while, usually when the temptation to become discouraged has grown strong after weeks or even months of apparent failure on the sidewalk outside the abortion center, God gives us a precious glimpse of the fruits of our labors. The following stories, shared by LifeFront sidewalk counselors, capture the mission of LifeFront.  They give us the courage and strength to continue fighting this great battle for life.  The children snatched at the last minute from a brutal death and their parents who chose life are the great sign that we are exactly where God wants us to be — on the sidewalk. These victories, however, are only a glimpse of the many, possibly hundreds, of precious little lives that have been saved by God’s grace working through LifeFront.  We hope these stories will enkindle your hearts and give you the courage to stand up in defense of these least of our brethren.

The account of the baby-save on January 15th, 2011, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“It was early on Saturday morning. I was out with one other sidewalk counselor and a prayer warrior. It was a really busy day and not a lot of people stopped, but one couple did. I gave them the info and told them about the local crisis pregnancy center. It was a little hard to communicate – I don’t think they spoke English very well, we both had a little trouble. But they knew that I wanted to help and that they didn’t have to go in. They said they were going to go in but I got them to take my name and number. They came out about 15-20 minutes later while we were praying the Rosary.  The man said that they were going to call about counseling with the local crisis pregnancy center.”

This is written by our sister in Christ, mother to our founder, who sidewalk counsels at the abortion mill in Asheville, NC.

“A sparkling fall Friday finds a valiant retiree finishing hisfirst year on the sidewalk and I, once again, standing watch on the sidewalk in front of Femcare.  The first two hours pass quietly.  My prayer warrior holds his “Let Your Baby Live, We Will Help” sign while I thumb my rosary (Catholic prayer beads.)  We chat.  There are many enthusiastic waves and nods and smiles from passersby this morning.  Then, the rush begins.  Cars start pouring in for the 11am surgical abortion appointments.  One very pretty young lady pulls up the driveway in an expensive late-model car.  She emerges alone to join the two escorts and various others who have come to put their tiny sons and daughters to death.  I am speaking over the microphone: reminding them that they are mothers, fathers with precious babies alive and growing, God’s babies; offering help whatever their need; begging they not give up on themselves and their babies and be consigned to a life of suffering and sorrowing; talking and pleading and hoping the words fly on the wings of the Holy Spirit.

The pretty young lady covers her ears, shaking her head back and forth,and turns on her heel to seek refuge in her expensive late-model car.  My prayer warrior thinks she can still hear inside her car and entreats me to keep talking. He stands in her line of sight holding our large picture of an 8 week pre-born baby.  I do continue speaking to her, to the others still assembled on the porch entering this place of death.  I ask John, ”What is our girl in the car doing?”  ”She is collapsed over the steering wheel.  Now, she is wiping her eyes,” he replies.

There is a lull in the arrivals and I go to the spot where our pretty girl can see me motioning over and over for her to come.  And then we hear it, the ignition of her engine.  She backs up stopping at the foot of the steps.  The escorts approach.  I beg God to keep her moving away from this place that kills lives and souls.  And she does.  Her window is open and she sobs almost uncontrollably as she slowly drives down the driveway.  I reach in to touch her, hold her and lead her to park next to the sidewalk where we keep vigil.

Through her sobs, she tells a familiar story:  ”My daddy is so mad…He threw me out…He doesn’t want to see me anymore…He won’t help me with college anymore…My family is ashamed of me…They said they are not for abortion, but now they want me to have one…”  All the signs of a loving Christian family are there underneath her anguished travail.  This family “explosion” took place two days ago.  Anger and panic can kill a tiny baby and the heart of this family.  What is needed is time; time for anger and hurt to subside, time to remember what they already know.  A poor choice was made by this beautiful girl.  Taking the life of her innocent son or daughter will not repair her moment of weakness.  Face reality.  Adjust plans.  Knowing that God’s love and her family’s love are stronger than her weakness and their’s will bring great blessing.  These are the things of which we speak.

She is ready to call home.  I walk down the sidewalk praying for God to bind this daughter and father together.  It is a long five minutes of prayer.  She motions me back to the side of her car.  She weeps, but with a broad smile.  ”He said to come home!  Thank you.  Thank you for talking me away from this place.”  We embrace.  They will forever be a blessing to me—a daughter, a grandchild.  Never to be seen again, but treasured always.

My prayer warrior has been vigilant at his post with his sign.  He approaches as our girl drives away.  I recount our miracle.  He is overjoyed—a real turn-away!  He plans to celebrate tonight at home.  I shall celebrate, as well, but with a divided heart.  All during the time I was face-to-face with our beautiful girl/mother, cars continued to bring other mothers for their appointments with death.  There was no one to call out, to plead, to be mother or grandmother or sister to them.”

The account of the baby-save on September 29th, 2010, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“We had a baby save!  A very nice couple stopped for me just as the Rosary was starting on the sidewalk, around 9:30.  It was a man and woman, about my age.  The woman was upset and crying, but the man I could tell, wanted to talk to me.  He said he just wants to do what’s best for her and he stopped for me because he saw everyone saying the Rosary and thought we might be better than Planned Parenthood.  (YAY prayer warriors on the sidewalk!!!)  I asked if I could take them to the local crisis pregnancy center. They said yes!

At the local crisis pregnancy center, the girl was too upset to go in so her boyfriend said he’d go up and check it out first.  I asked if I could stay with her and she said I could.  We talked for awhile.   She doesn’t believe in abortion, she said, but she didn’t think she was really having an abortion since she was just going to take the abortion pill.  She told me she was about 8 weeks along so I talked to her about what an 8 week old baby looks like and showed her a picture and pointed out that the baby was sucking his thumb.   Then she opened the Life or Death booklet I had handed them at PP and when she saw the aborted baby parts, she threw it down and said there was no way she could do that.  We kept talking. She would have the baby even though it would be hard.  YES!  We exchanged contact information and I told her that I want to help however I can and for her to remember that there are so many of us that care about her and her family.

Her boyfriend came back and was very excited!  She seemed somewhat excited too and they decided to both go into the local crisis pregnancy center.  I told them I had a baby bag with baby items in my car that I want to give them and they seemed happy about that.  Then I remembered my rosary – I turned around and told them I must have dropped my rosary in their van but that I want them to have it.  They really seemed to appreciate that and said thanks.  I walked back to my car and got my baby presents and brought them to them.

Her boyfriend seemed so genuine and caring.  And Karina is beautiful and sweet.  I know it won’t be easy for them but I will be praying for them and providing them any support that they might need!”

The account of the baby-save on July 10th, 2010, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“On July 10, a couple leaving Planned Parenthood had their windows down and the woman was smiling.  They stopped and told the LifeFront counselors that “we changed our minds.”  They said they didn’t need any further assistance and drove away.”

Praise be to God we had 2 baby saves this past Saturday at the abortuary!

The account of the baby-save on July 17th, 2010, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“A woman was coming out of planned parenthood after she had dropped off her what looked to be like her high school aged daughter. As she was leaving the parking lot she had her windows open so I walked up to the car and started talking to her…explaining to her the risks that the abortion would have on her daughter….and that she would never be able to get this baby back….The whole time I talked she kept her head down and then sped out and left. The next thing I knew (about 10-15 minutes later) I saw her come pulling up the drive again with her daughter in the passenger seat…She looked at me and said “We didn’t go through with it. We changed our mind” I asked if she needed any help and she said “Nope.” and they drove off.

About 30 minutes after that , a car pulled up windows down. She had her window down so I handed her the information and started talking to her. She proceeded to go ahead and go into the parking lot. I just started praying for her and asking God to intercede and save that little baby. The next thing I knew her car was in the drive and she was crying. We went across the street and talked some more. and after much tears and discussion I accompanied her to the local crisis pregnancy center. She talked with counselors at the local pregnancy center and came out with a huge smile on her face and a bag with baby clothes in it. The first words out of her mouth…”I didn’t know it was a baby. Did you know that it has arms and legs…and they just tear those off!” I gave her a big hug and we both shared some tears. She is for sure going to be keeping the baby. God is so good….All the glory and praise be HIS!!”

The account of the baby-save on June 15th, 2010, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“Praise God, we had a baby save last Saturday!  A Hispanic couple pulled in and stopped for information.  I had about 30 seconds to talk to them before the security guard came down and forced them to move.  They entered Planned Parenthood, but left again after only 5 minutes or so.  As they exited the lower driveway, they stopped and talked briefly to another counselor.  The husband gave me the thumbs up sign as they drove by and then stopped in the road.  I asked them if they needed anything and they said no — they had the addresses and numbers of the crisis pregnancy centers.  The wife in the passenger seat was smiling.”

The account of the baby-save on May 21st, 2010, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“Victory at PP today! Only by the grace of God was I able to talk to a couple and deter them away from that evil place. It was great….the couple was very open. They had no idea of what they were getting themselves into, had never seen information like the pamphlet I gave them. It seems they were there out of panic. This was a brother and sister whose family lives in Africa. They are worried about money, their education, and living arrangements. The sister got pregnant in Africa while visiting.  They were really nice and very grateful for the conversation and said they were not going into Planned Parenthood. An inspiration came to me and I have decided to spiritually adopt this couple for the next nine months! I am so excited to be able to ask God to bless them in everything they need.”

The account of the baby-save on April 4th, 2010, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“One of our counselors attended a banquet for a local crisis pregnancy clinic. They played video testimonies from some of the mothers they have helped who chose life for their babies.  Our counselor was so excited when she heard one couple’s story. . .

‘After a failed morning after pill we went to Planned Parenthood…we pulled up and there were protesters outside. One of them stopped us as we were going in and gave us information.  She showed us what the baby looked like and what it looked like after an abortion. We took the information and looked at it in our car….I had no idea what our baby looked like….and had no idea what the abortion really was….My girlfriend went in…..But when she came back out I knew she was going to keep the baby….we chose life for our baby that day!”

In our counselor’s own words (and exclamation points) — praise God!!!  Another baby save we didn’t know about!!   It had to have been one of our counselors!!  It just goes to show that even if we don’t stop them going in that if we can just get that info in their hands it could change their minds!!!  So AMAZING!!  God is so awesome….made me think of how many babies LifeFront has saved and not even known about….I can’t wait to get to Heaven to meet all the babies we have helped save. . . .  Even though we don’t always see the fruits of our labor something could very well be happening!!!’”

The account of the baby-saves on March 6th, 2010, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“This past Saturday, March 6, we had one, possibly two, turn-arounds at Planned Parenthood.  My husband was counseling down at the lower drive and noticed a couple arrive.  The man got out of the car and headed in, but the woman stayed in the car.  He beckoned to her and she finally got out and went inside with him.  A few moments later, they exited the building, returned to their car, and sat talking for a long time.  The woman was crying.  Then they left.

Another one of our counselors was at the top driveway and spoke with a young couple as they entered.  They weren’t sure if they were pregnant.  She told them about a local crisis pregnancy clinic and offered to escort them up the street to it and they agreed!  She showed them up to the office and said they seemed excited about the possibility of a baby.

Praise God for two little lives saved . . . and four souls!”

The account of the baby-save on January 11th, 2010 as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“A great gift from God was given to us amidst the cold and snow this past Saturday at Planned Parenthood.

One of our valiant sidewalk counselors never lets anything stop him from being out there and I knew we couldn’t leave him alone, so my new husband and I bundled up and headed out.

Despite the cold, several cars stopped for us.  While one of sidewalk counselors was busy talking with someone in the driveway, another vehicle pulled up in the street behind, waiting to enter.  I stepped out into the road and offered literature to the young woman in the passenger’s seat.  She hesitantly opened her door when she couldn’t get the frozen window down and informed me that she had already read that exact brochure and had made up her mind.  I told her about the phone numbers and help available and she said she’d already been to those places and talked to everyone and had made up her mind.  I said how beautiful she was and what a beautiful baby she would have and she replied that she hoped to have children in the future, but she’d made up her mind.  I warned her of the risk of sterility from abortion and she said she knew that but was willing to take the risk.  I told her other things, too, but she’d made up her mind and in they drove.  I prayed to our Blessed Mother that she would touch that young woman’s heart with her mother’s love.

They pulled around the back where I couldn’t see them, so I didn’t know they were still sitting in their car until I walked around the back a while later.  Our other sidewalk counselors on the other side of the building told me that they had gone inside for just a few minutes and came back out, talking seriously.  I watched them talking in their car for a while and then returned to the front entrance.  Some moments later, they drove back up the road and left. Thank you, Blessed Mother, for interceding for that young mother.”

The account of the baby-save on November 20, 2009 as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“I had a couple that changed their minds yesterday! They just drove in, glanced at the pamphlet I was holding up, and after about 10 minutes drove back out and said “Once I saw your pamphlet I decided I am not doing this!” That was it! There were also 3 other people on the sidewalk praying with me so I am sure that made an impression as well. The impact of this was so important because it showed me the importance of staying faithful. Faithfulness out there is a matter of life and death!”

The account of the baby save on November 7th, 2009, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“This last Saturday, we had a turnaround at Planned Parenthood.  One of our sidewalk counselors talked to a young couple when they drove in the top driveway.  After they parked, the young man walked back down to the sidewalk to continue speaking with her, but the security card called out to him that he could not talk to us.  The couple went inside and came back out about 20 minutes later, got in their car and pulled down to the driveway.  The young woman in the passenger seat rolled down her window and with a big beautiful smile on her face said, “We changed our minds” and gave our sidewalk counselor big hug!  Our sidewalk counselor accompanied them down to a local crisis pregnancy center where they gave her their contact information, said they would love to have a baby shower with LifeFront and that they are going to get married!  Praise God!”

“For unto us a child is born…”  -Isaiah 9:6

On Thursday, October 1 (Feast of St. Therese the Little Flower), around 8 pm, one of our babies was born. She was the sweet baby saved from abortion on February 14 of this year.  She weighed in at about 7 pounds and is perfectly healthy. As you can well imagine, words cannot begin to describe the immense joy that all of us at LifeFront felt upon hearing this news. In the words from our counselor who had the pleasure of meeting this bundle of love, “The joy of holding that baby and smelling her little head, knowing that she may never have been born — I really cannot describe it.”

The account of the baby-save on September 10, 2009 as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“I spoke to a mother and her daughter about the free ultrasounds crisis pregnancy center. They were interested because that particular day she couldn’t get an ultrasound at Planned Parenthood. They proceeded into Planned Parenthood and came out about 20 minutes later and said ‘We are going to take you up on your offer of a free ultrasound.’ They proceeded to go to the local crisis pregnancy center”

The account of the baby-save on March 6th, 2009, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“A baby was saved today! I was out there at 9:00 and was praying by myself and I saw a couple go in. About 10-15 minutes later they came out and drove away. Then the guard came out and started watching so I thought maybe that was a sign that the couple had changed their minds! I also think God wanted me to know how effective it is to have even one person praying out there!”

The account of the baby-save on September 6, 2008, as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“A young lady arrived alone. Our valiant and in her own words “out of practice and rusty” counselor chatted for several minutes with this young woman. Meanwhile I prayed like mad for that the Holy Spirit would give our counselor wisdom and to soften that young lady’s heart toward her unborn child. Before I knew it the security guard started down the driveway to interrupt them. Our counselor graciously invited the girl to pull across the street. This young mother was then taken by our sweet counselor to a local crisis pregnancy center, where she took a pregnancy test, and made an appointment for an ultrasound. This is proof that God can use even a “rusty” and “out of practice” counselor to change hearts and save babies!”

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” –Matthew 21:22

Today 3, maybe 4 babies were saved at the Mill in Overland Park. Planned Parenthood didn’t take a break from its bloody work for the Labor Day weekend, but thanks be to God, neither did our valiant sidewalk counselors and pray-ers!

The account of the saves as told by one of our dedicated sidewalk counselors:

“Our first turn-around of the day was a young couple who had arrived separately.  As soon as one of our counselors started speaking to them on the microphone (used to project our voices across the large parking lot so we don’t have to yell), the young woman covered her ears, shook her head, and said “stop, stop.”  Our counselor responded, “I can’t stop, honey.  Abortion needs to stop.”  Her companion got out of his car, gave us the finger and said something unrepeatable, and they went inside.  About 20 minutes later, the girl came back out and dropped to a crouch just outside the entrance, with her head in her hands.  Her companion followed her out and put his hand on her shoulder, then they both walked around the back side of the building where we couldn’t see them anymore.   One of our counselors grabbed the microphone and headed around to the back entrance. There she spoke to them both very briefly before the woman headed back inside.

About a half hour later, they both came back out and walked over to the woman’s car, where they stood for some time talking.  As she passed our counselor in the driveway, she rolled her window down and said in a shaking, tearful voice, “I didn’t do it, ok?  I didn’t do it.”  And she drove away.

One of the others was a young girl (maybe 15) whose parents brought her very early.  They had been inside for a long time when I saw them all walk out the front door together and go around to the back where their car was parked.  After a while I walked down to the back driveway, where another counselor was sidewalk counseling.  She’d been speaking to them over the microphone while they sat in their car with the windows down, apparently fighting amongst themselves.  Our counselor said she’d pretty much said all she could, so she was just letting them think on it.  Then the girl got out of the car and headed inside by herself, followed by her father.  The mother stayed in the car. Soon the mother got out of the car and went inside, too.  A few minutes later, the whole family came out, got in the car, and drove away”