“A Light in the Darkness”
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May 31, 2023First, a man threw our fetal models into the street. Then a student told us, “Good luck evangelizing here! Most of us are trans and everyone is pro-choice!” Our Torchbearers outreach at the Columbus College of Art and Design did not seem bright. It was the first time we had been to this campus. As we asked for grace from the Holy Spirit to help us press on, we started to hand out rosaries, Miraculous Medals, and lots of pamphlets on questions about the Catholic faith. Before we knew it, we had the largest crowd we have ever experienced respectfully asking questions about abortion, contraception, sexuality, and the gospel! Even in places that seem the darkest, souls are longing for truth. We hope we were able to be salt and light and do these people justice by sharing the good news.
In May, we had three mothers decide to keep their babies! One of them started crying with joy as we told her congratulations! Another woman said she was only there for birth control, but as she was leaving, she confessed, “I was so embarrassed I was here. That is why I lied… first my GPS took me to the wrong place and then three different apps failed for my grandmother to send me the money. Each was a sign not to do this. Then, you changed my mind!” Praise God! Five women who had just taken the abortion pill and two mothers who had ended their babies’ lives took information. Over two dozen others stopped to talk and take literature. Two were women who were each trying to get their sisters out of the abortion facility. Another woman had a scheduled appointment, but the facility was unexpectedly closed. As she looked through the fetal development photos in the literature, she was wiping away tears. The man with her even wants to come to Mass with us. They are immigrants and he had been deeply moved by Catholic charities in Haiti. How many of these babies were saved and we just do not know about it?
More from the sidewalk: The Family Dollar next to Your Choice Healthcare is regularly donating
drinks to our team. Please patronize them! We saw six clients who had rosaries hanging in their cars, as well as one with a Catholic Radio bumper sticker. We need preaching on abortion and God’s infinite mercy from the pulpit. We spoke to three pro-choice men on the sidewalk, including one who donates to Planned Parenthood. For the first time, we saw an ambulance at Planned Parenthood. A woman was carried out of the back door on a stretcher, with a sheet covering her. We are requesting the 911 call to learn what happened. Please pray for the healing of her body and especially her soul.
Other updates: We had three new volunteers. The 5-7pm Monday shift at Planned Parenthood is filled! The only shift where clients are arriving that remains uncovered is 12-2pm Thursdays at Your Choice Healthcare. Our outreach assistant Rachael can go if she has a partner to join her. Please pass the word! We also presented to the St. Patrick middle and high school youth groups, had a table at a Young Catholic Professionals event, and participated in the annual Fatima Procession in downtown Columbus. Our monthly Friday Initiative saw both facilities closed and included an outreach at the Statehouse focused telling people to “decline to sign” for and to be ready to vote against the proposed abortion amendment. May God bless you for your support and prayers!
URGENT: Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is hiring people to go door-to-door to help defeat the proposed pro-abortion amendment in Ohio. Pay is $15/hour, and you can set your own schedule. Everyone should do this, even if only for a few hours a week. Learn more by clicking here.
