Opinion

March 16, 2012 (40DaysforLife.com) – A few days ago, I shared the great news about two 40 Days for Life locations in Iowa where Planned Parenthood facilities closed.

That makes 22 locations where 40 Days for Life vigils have been held on the public right-of-way outside — and the abortion centers shut down. Praise God!

Sometimes … the abortionist just stops showing up!

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

The 40 Days for Life vigil in Columbia takes place outside a Planned Parenthood office that has had a hard time keeping an abortionist on the payroll.

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For months at a time over the past few years, this center has been unable to offer surgical abortions because no one would perform them.

Earlier this week, the local team in Columbia learned that for at least two weeks, there will be no abortions at Planned Parenthood.

“We’re not sure what the reason is,” said Kathy in Columbia, noting that Planned Parenthood is being very tight lipped. They are just “not scheduling appointments in Columbia until March 27.”

“Please continue to join us on the sidewalk as we thank God for His gifts to us,” said Kathy.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Volunteers in Richmond marked the midpoint of the 40 Days for Life campaign with a candlelight vigil. They also shared stories that they pray will have happy endings.

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They watched as a car with an out-of-state license pulled into the abortion center’s parking lot. But the two people inside never got out. They sat there for half an hour, drove away — and did not return.

A short while later, prayer continued as another couple walked toward the building. One of the volunteers asked if they wanted to talk, but they entered without stopping. Within about 20 minutes, however, they left the abortion center, turned up the street and walked away.

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Ann in Richmond said they prayed that both couples “have a change of heart … and chose life for their child. Praise God for faithful witnesses who stand and pray and who offer the love of Christ.”

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Here’s an update on an item from earlier in the campaign. The Orange County team shared the story of Fernando, a man who rides his bicycle 10 miles to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil for several hours every day. Getting to the vigil site was a challenge because he had to stop often to fix the bicycle.

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After the story got out, Fernando got some unexpected assistance — a repair job for the bicycle, complete with new tires and tubes, thanks to anonymous donors. It was a kind gesture that he really appreciated.

The Orange County prayer volunteers were also joined by an unexpected guest — a woman who was on her way into Planned Parenthood.

“She shared that she had an abortion in the past, but that this time she wanted to continue with her pregnancy,” said Alejandra. “She joined the vigil to help other women avoid getting an abortion.”

The volunteers offered the woman post-abortion healing referrals. “Please pray for her as we try to reach out to her and help her,” Alejandra said.