I had just got to Planned Parenthood. I was not planning on being there at that time, but other counselors who normally were could not be present that day. I had a lot of other things to do, but I knew having someone outside the abortion mill was the most urgent thing (even if it is not what I wanted to be doing). A car pulled into the parking lot, and two young girls and one young guy got out of the car. I called out to them and started explaining the pregnancy resource center across the street. All three walked down to me, but only one could speak English.

Cici explained to me that her sister, Melinda, might be pregnant. Cici described how her sister had come to Planned Parenthood for a test before, but it was negative. Since then, she got a positive test at home and wanted to come back to Planned Parenthood to check there. Cici said that if Melinda was pregnant, she would not want to have the baby. I thanked God that I had intercepted them! I explained all that the Women’s Care Center could do for them and how they should not go back the facility whose only service is abortion. They walked back to their car and debating amongst themselves as I pleaded with them from the sidewalk. Eventually, they decided to go to the pregnancy center! Praise God! I had the opportunity to walk them over. As I did, Cici took a picture of the abortion pill reversal sign I had out. After a while, they came out of Women’s Care Center. Melinda was indeed pregnant, and she honestly looked terrified. I did what I could to affirm her and offer help, although I would want to say so much more looking back! I was able to get a phone number to stay in contact with them, but they have since stopped responding to me. I am so thankful they left Planned Parenthood, but I know Melinda and her baby need much prayer. I would be incredibly grateful if you would join me in that!

That same day, another woman talked to me and left Planned Parenthood to get a pregnancy test at the Women’s Care Center. That is not all though! We had six people walking down the sidewalk change their mind on abortion! A group of three guys were walking by as I offered them literature with abortion victims and holy cards with the gospel. They initially supported abortion for young girls who get pregnant, but two of them decided abortion was always wrong after talking to me! Later, two girls walked by who thought abortion should be legal. They both changed their minds after realizing how abortion violently starves or dismembers children. Lastly, three more guys passed by. None of them really knew where they stood on the issue, but after seeing photos of abortion victims, two stated that abortion is always wrong! On a day that I really did not want to be at Planned Parenthood, God reminded me how important it is and how much fruit He can and will bear outside the abortion mill when we give our “yes.”

Our efforts and prayers on the sidewalk are having an impact! Planned Parenthood has been closed multiple days some weeks! They are hiring a doctor, nurse, and healthcare assistant to do abortions. We are seeing unfamiliar staff show up (one new staff member was going in with birthday balloons the first time we saw her- how ironic is that!), but we know they are still short staffed especially when it comes to doctors. Please pray that they cannot find new doctors and that they close permanently soon!

August also included our sixth Torchbearers event. We had seventeen attendees (four of them new) making it our biggest event yet! We held a review of pro-life apologetics, sidewalk counseling, and ministering to post-abortive parents. We also had a new training on evangelism and sharing the gospel! After Mass at St. Patrick’s, one of the friars gave us a blessing before our outreaches!

During evangelism at the Ohio Statehouse, we had three people change their minds on abortion! One of them also changed his mind on overpopulation. He left the conversation excited to look more into the Catholic Church and thanked us for “an intellectual conversation!” We also ministered to two post abortive mothers. One was a former prostitute and took several Catholic pamphlets. The other was not a Christian, but she stayed briefly to hear about Christ’s infinite mercy and the salvation He offers us through His Catholic Church. Another woman asked us to pray for purity in her relationship. She also shared that her sister committed suicide after she was forced into an abortion by their mom’s boyfriend who impregnated her at age eleven. Please pray for Stacy’s soul! Lastly, a fallen-away Catholic who likes to preach on the corner we were set-up at took lots of brochures explaining the Catholic faith!

While this has been one of the most exciting months for our apostolate, we are looking forward to some events that I wanted to make you aware of! We will take a team to attend the National Men’s March to End Abortion in Baltimore on November 15^th. The march will begin at Planned Parenthood and will process outside the USCCB’s 2021 Fall General Assembly. There we will pray for our bishops and their leadership in ending legalized child-killing in our nation. I highly encourage any men to attend this event! Secondly, I am currently in contact with St. Catharine’s parish about hosting a Eucharistic procession to the Columbus Planned Parenthood! We just attended a Eucharist Procession they held on the Feast of the Assumption (see photo below)! I am praying that next year’s procession can bring Our Lord to Planned Parenthood! Pray that this is organized if it is God’s will! I will keep you updated!

As always, my family and all involved with our apostolate are profoundly grateful for your support! We could not do any of this without you! May God bless you! AMDG!

All for Jesus, all through Mary and Joseph, all by God's grace,
Gabriel, Anna, Gabriel II, Leo, and Henry Vance

P.S. Check out our new logo at the bottom! It was created and donated by Dan Fuerst. If you need any marketing assistance, please reach out to him at [email protected]!

We would greatly appreciate your financial partnership in our mission to help provide for both our family’s income and our ministry’s expenses. Give online now!

Mail checks made out to “LifeMinistriesUS” with “Catholics For Life” in the memo to: P.O. Box 6533, Albuquerque, NM 87197