Being ambassadors for life

It was cold; not exactly a day anyone would choose for a pleasant stroll around the city. However, that did not stop hundreds of area pro-life advocates from gathering together at the Scottish Rite, in Fort Wayne, to rally and march for life yesterday! It was a packed event! If you did not get there early, consider yourself fortunate if you could find a parking space without driving around for several minutes!

It is obvious that the number of passionate and dedicated supporters for life continues to grow each year. Cathie Humbarger, of Allen County's Right to Life organization, commented that we need to "get up, dress up, and show up." She said that while January would not have been the time of year she would have wanted to do it, she was glad that so many people were willing to participate in the event, despite the cold temperatures.

During the rally, there were a lot of informative pro-life updates; as well as acknowledgments made to the numerous clergy and government representatives in attendance who tirelessly stand for life. Among the many were Commissioner Nelson Peters, Senator Marlin Stutzman, and Congressman Mark Souder; each sharing a few words of encouragement to motivate everyone to keep standing strong. Congressman Mark Souder said it best when he stated that "we have to be the conscience of America...we will not go away."

The highlight of the rally came when keynote speaker, Abby Johnson, shared her amazing testimony! Abby Johnson is a former Planned Parenthood worker, from Texas, who resigned after she "saw the truth on an ultrasound." She said she watched the "unborn baby losing the fight" as the child tried desperately to get away from the abortion instrument.

That moment was Abby's turning point; her wake-up call. Prior to witnessing that ultrasound, she had bought into the lies of Parenthood; that it is about women's health, prevention, and birth control and that abortion should be rare. However, when the truth was made clear to her, she realized that what Planned Parenthood was doing was wrong and that not only were they not about prevention, but they were using abortion as a means of birth control because it makes the most money. She said she was told by one of her superiors: "Abby, you need to get your priorities straight. Abortion needs to be your number one priority." She was told that if it was not, she probably was not going to make it (i.e. her job). 

Abby said she realized just how much her job was centered on abortion. She said that in her "budget" there was "x" number of abortions she was supposed to have per month. She questioned why an organization, who claimed to be about prevention, was pushing abortion over family planning. She said her family planning goal always stayed the same while the abortion goal continued to go up. Why was it not "the other way around"? In a WorldNetDaily article, she said: "Abortion is the most lucrative part of Planned Parenthood's operations." In order to keep increasing the company's income, they had to keep pushing abortion.

By far, the most difficult part of Abby's job was reconciling it with her faith. She said that of the many clients that came in, she approximated that about eighty percent of them were Christian. Over and over again, she said women asked her about their souls, the souls of their babies, hell, forgiveness, and most of all: "will my baby feel this?" Abby said that she followed the "script" that Planned Parenthood gave her and always said "no" to that question, and tried to assure them that, as she also believed, that they were doing "God's work." In fact, she said there would even be women holding onto their rosaries while lying on that abortion table. She says she wonders if she had known, and if they had known, about the "foundation of lies" on which Planned Parenthood is based, "would it have made a difference?" Would they have chosen life if they had known the truth?

Abby said that all of this made her realize the "need for increase in activism in the pro-life movement." She encouraged everyone not to be discouraged and to continue to be persistent and persevere. She said that not only do we need to change the laws, but peoples' minds as well. We need to "be there...on the front lines," she said.

Abby said that she had no idea that she would be where she is now. She said it was because of people, like the 40 Days for Life volunteers, it made it possible for people like her to see the truth. She said we need to have open arms, resources, and real help available to people who don't know the truth. They need our compassion and understanding; not our anger, judgment, or condemnation. While that may be hard for some, she said to "love them anyways" and that we have real hope to give to women, "not a false sense of hope that Planned Parenthood tries to give people...wherever Christ is, that's where hope is." You never know who you're going to impact. "Next year, you could have your abortion clinic director talking to you" she said.

In closing, Abby said that "so many people have rationalized Christ in a way that's not true." We need to be a "Christ-like witness." There needs to be a sense of urgency about the issue of abortion. Children are dying and women are hurting. "What will you do to save children?" Abby asked. She said not to get caught up in the "bystander effect." Do not just stand around, watching the horror unfold, and refuse to get involved! Evil does not take a holiday; and neither should we. Previous generations may have stood by and allowed such things to go on, but what about ours? It is time to stand up and declare that this will not be our legacy and our future! Not us, and not our children!

The masses marched around the city, following the rally, and assembled to hear closing testimonies from the women of Silent No More. In one particular testimony, an African-American woman boldly stated that you do not see many women of her color speaking out. Yet, she said that of the number of abortions performed, they make up 36% (even though their population percentage is less than that). That is not a coincidence! She urged us, "Don't be deceived!" in reference to the many lies about abortion.

The ripples of abortion affect everyone (including the fathers of aborted children). There is so much guilt and shame that is felt because of an abortion. However, those courageous women shared that there is indeed hope, healing, forgiveness, and grace at the foot of the cross. Jesus knew of everything we would ever do. Yet, He chose to be crucified for our transgressions and forgive us for our misdeeds. As one woman mentioned, we need to be like the woman at the well who tells the world about Jesus after encountering Him and being transformed by His love!

Not only should we all be inspired by the testimonies we have heard, but we should be moved to action. Their lives should inspire us all to live ours with more conviction and commitment to doing what is right. We are His ambassadors. Therefore, one must strive to be that "Christ-like" witness. Defending life is the most basic element of our calling; because without life, what do we have? Life is life!

For more information: See WANE TV's video of the event. See also this video interview with Abby Johnson.