The final weeks of Lent and first weeks of Easter were both full of outreaches defending the sanctity of life and sharing the good news of our Resurrected Lord!

The training for our Torchbearers this month focused on total consecration to Mary. After Mass, confession, and a blessing from father, but before we went to Planned Parenthood, we led outreach at Columbus State Community College. Created Equal was also on campus that day leading outreach with their Jumbotron TV screen! We had two people completely change their mind on abortion. Lauren, a Damascus Catholic Mission Campus missionary who joined us, prayed with sisters who had not been to church since their father died. They both wanted rosaries! We spoke to an Apostolic who had lots of questions about sexual morality, took a Miraculous Medal, and then came back again for a rosary and a second medal. A fallen-away Catholic happily took a rosary and inspired a friend to come back and get one as well. Rachael spent the whole outreach talking to spoke to Salma, a young Muslim. Brandon, a student who is a Catholic convert, came out to join us and helped us evangelize Michael, an agnostic in search of Truth who took lots of pamphlets. Brandon even invited Michael to his Catholic men’s group on campus.

For our second street outreach of the month, went to Ohio Wesleyan University. We encountered more angry students there than any other campus we have been to. Although they knocked down signs, taped pro-choice propaganda to our display, and brought out protest posters, they did gather in a crowd to actually talk to us. Many of them were very hurt people: one post-abortive mother, two students who had been sexually assaulted, one fallen away Catholic turned pagan, and others. It was definitely the hardest outreach yet and the pro-abortion admin and female campus chaplain who came out and said that images of living preborn babies were “hateful,” were not helping!

As for our other major effort, sidewalk counseling has been increased. Although I had been convicted by Our Lord to be at Planned Parenthood whenever they were open and uncovered, I had resisted for so long to make that same commitment for Your Choice Healthcare, the only other facility in central Ohio. I finally cubmitted to this and made a very manageable plan to go twice weekly until the last appointment arrives. I should have started this much earlier if I would have discerned more honestly. Within a few days of being there, we were able to counsel and share the Gospel with a couple who were leaning towards keeping their baby (the mom could not stop looking at the embryonic photos and the image of Jesus that we gave her). We also ministered to a mother who was there for her follow-up after her abortion and was already hurting. At Planned Parenthood, we got to experience a woman turning away! We also spoke to two women walking down the street who both changed their minds on abortion. One had even had an abortion in her past. She is now connected with the local, Catholic healing ministry.

Every time we make ourselves present, God will bear fruit! Thank you for making it possible for us to spend so much time on the sidewalks fighting for babies and for souls!