Commentary by Shawn Carney, 40 Days for Life
November 1, 2010 (40DaysforLife.com) – It’s Day 40 — and I have great news to share! As of right now, we know of 541 babies — and their mothers — that God has spared from abortion.
That’s at least 3,352 since the first coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign a mere three years ago. And who knows how many more that we’ll never hear about?
“The Everett Planned Parenthood is closed again,” wrote Ed, one of the local 40 Days for Life leaders in Everett, Washington. “It’s the third Friday closed this campaign!”
In Columbia, Missouri the Planned Parenthood facility there hasn’t done abortions since August 9. Faithful volunteers are continuing the vigil, and Planned Parenthood doesn’t like it.
“We found out that Planned Parenthood in Kansas is watching us on video — over 100 miles away,” said Kathy in Columbia, “and they called in a ‘violation’ to the Columbia police station.”
The “violation”? There was a camera tripod sitting in Planned Parenthood’s driveway. “Soon two police cars showed up and they went in,” Kathy said.
It turns out the tripod belonged to a reporter who was working on a news story. The police quickly left when they found out what was really going on. “One officer has come out twice — and he’s not too happy with Planned Parenthood.”
And all this time … no abortions in Columbia!
And of course … no abortions AT ALL in Severna Park, Maryland … where an abortion facility closed its doors forever at the very beginning of this campaign!
Who knows how many lives have been saved in Columbia and Severna Park?
There have also been at least four abortion facility employees who have left their jobs during this 40 Days for Life campaign — possibly more. And others may be thinking about it.
And then there’s Anita’s van — a life-saver on wheels. It has “pray to end abortion” painted on the side, along with a pregnancy help center’s phone number and the 40 Days for Life web address.
Lives have been saved because of the information on the van — no one knows how many. But this pro-life mission was about to come to an end. The van was about to be repossessed.
Anita had no idea what would happen. So she prayed. She had to decide whether to pay her tithe … or the note on the van. She paid her tithe.
Anita didn’t know it, but one of her friends sent out an e-mail that explained the situation. And people started giving. Before long, there was enough to pay off the loan!
“This is not my van,” she said. “This van belongs first and foremost to God, and then to every single pro-life person out there.”
The van — and its message — will stay on the road. And who knows how many lives will be saved?
“Abortion will truly be finished one day,” Anita said. “I pray it is very soon. The walls of deception are crumbling as we speak. The truth is spreading — one heart at a time — and all of you have played a part in getting that message out. Thank you all so very much!”