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In Touch With LifeSavers features in-depth accounts of babies who have been saved and women who have been helped by LifeSavers Ministries, along with news about upcoming LifeSavers events and other ministry news. In Touch With LifeSavers is published occasionally, when funds allow.
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Weekly Ministry Focus

Volume 2, Number 1
January 3-9, 2001

Weekly Ministry Focus
Woman almost aborts baby due to Down syndrome scare

IMPORTANT EVENTS COMING UP THIS WEEK IN FRESNO, BAKERSFIELD, AND SANTA MARIA
SEE DETAILS BELOW
An unknown abortionist committed abortions at "Family Planning Associates" in Bakersfield on Tuesday, January 2. It was a relatively slow day at both the abortion chamber and the LifeHouse pregnancy help center across the street. (Abortionist Kenneth Wright had committed abortions on December 26, which was also a somewhat slow day at both the killing center and the pro-life center.) Here are a few selected reports from recent ministry activities:

Because of fears of a "deformed" baby, "Kimber" had decided to abort, even though she had been hoping to give birth to a baby boy. A local doctor had conducted a genetic screening test on her 18-week preborn child which showed high levels of alpha feto-protein (AFP). The doctor told her that the test results could indicate that the baby has Down syndrome. "My greatest fear had always been having a Down syndrome baby; I don't even like being around them," Kimber later confessed. Kimber called an organization which helps parents of Down syndrome babies, and was told that the baby could be a financial drain on the family because he might need several surgeries.

Kimber asked her husband for advice; he said he would support her decision either way. So Kimber called Family Planning Associates, who told her that she would need to go to their abortion "hospital" in Los Angeles for a three day procedure. She would stay at a hotel across the street from the "hospital" during the two days of dilation preceding the abortion so that she would be nearby if she went into labor. According to Kimber, the FPA staff member offered a very cold explanation of the procedure, saying "we give the baby a shot in the heart to kill it" (apparently indicating the Digoxin abortion method would be used). Kimber was also told that FPA offers counseling for women who are subjected to late-term abortions, but only for women who are at least 24 weeks pregnant.

One of Kimber's friends heard about her situation. "Before you have the abortion, please call LifeSavers," the friend pleaded with Kimber, "I know they've helped other women who have been told that their babies have genetic problems." On Thursday, January 4, Kimber called LifeSavers and explained the situation to Terri*.

"How would God feel about your abortion plans?" Terri asked Kimber. "I'm sure He wouldn't want me to do it," Kimber admitted. Kimber told Terri that she is a Christian and that several years ago she had even been a youth leader at her church. "God has a plan for this baby's life," Terri said, "and whether or not the baby has Down syndrome, he can have a very happy life." Terri asked Kimber if she would consider adoption, but Kimber wondered out loud "would someone really adopt a Down syndrome baby?" Terri also encouraged Kimber to talk to her husband more about how he feels about the baby.

After their telephone conversation ended, Terri asked Tim* to research information on the internet about genetic testing for Down syndrome. Tim found that AFP test results can be inaccurate, and that if an ultrasound shows normal measurements for a baby who tested high for AFP, there is less than a 0.1 percent chance that the baby will have one of the four most common birth defects. Terri also contacted several women who want to adopt babies, and talked to a woman who has adopted several babies with "birth defects." The woman told Terri that she would be willing to adopt this baby too, whether or not he has Down syndrome.

When Terri called her back, Kimber said she already felt better. Kimber had talked to her husband, who said "I felt like you just wanted to get rid of it," but he told her he would prefer that she didn't abort the baby. Terri prayed with Kimber, asking God to protect her against Satan's influence. Afterwards, Kimber said, "Terri, you can rest easy--Satan's not going to be able to influence me."

On Friday, Kimber had an ultrasound which revealed a normally developing baby boy. "He's waving at you," the doctor exclaimed.

Kimber is still waiting for amniocentisis test results, but she is no longer planning to abort her baby. "This experience showed me that I really need to get right with God," Kimber said.

"Penelope," 34, came from Arvin to the LifeHouse on December 26 for a pregnancy test, which was positive. Even though she has attended a local Catholic church for 28 years, she initially said that she intended to abort. But after Terri showed her a video about abortion, Penelope changed her mind.

"Bea," 25, came to the LifeHouse for a pregnancy test on January 2. She has a brain disease and has been told that pregnancy could take her life, but Bea was very happy to find out she is pregnant.

"Andie," 19, came to the LifeHouse for a pregnancy test on January 2. When she found out that she is pregnant, she said that she will give the baby up for adoption. Andie said that the LifeHouse is a "nice place, a very comfortable setting. I would recommend it to someone else in need."

Tim and Terri brought Christmas gifts to "Roderica" (see Weekly Ministry Focus Vol. 1 No. 6) and her baby boy. Roderica and her children were extremely proud of the baby, and even though their hopes to move out of their small house in Arvin have not yet been realized, they were all very happy.


Scripture Focus: Ezekiel 34:15-17
"'I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down,' declares the Sovereign LORD. 'I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.'

"As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats.'"

Ask God to work through you today to bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.


Prayer Focus
  • Ask God to direct the plans of everyone involved in the "pregnancy evangelism" ministry this week, so that their ministry efforts can be maximized. Pray that God will bring new workers into this ripe field.

  • Pray that God will continue to give peace of mind to "Kimber" (see report above), and that she and her husband will draw closer to each other and to God during this pregnancy. (Also pray for the other women mentioned in the ministry reports.)

  • Ask God to motivate people to come to the meetings this week in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Santa Maria (specific details are provided below).

  • Pray for the unknown abortionist who was in Bakersfield on January 2. Ask God to soften his heart so that Satan can no longer use him as a tool of destruction.


Abortionist on trial

Notorious abortionist James Scott Pendergraft is being tried this week in Ocala, Florida on charges of conspiracy to commit extortion, lying under oath and mail fraud. If he is found guilty, Pendergraft could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. For complete details on the Pendergraft trial, see the Voice For Life website (http://VoiceForLife.glorifyJesus.com).


UPCOMING EVENTS:
Monday, January 8 at 6:30 pm
LSM monthly meeting at the LifeHouse


Msgr. Philip Reilly of "The Helpers of God's Precious Infants," in New York will "Proclaim the Gospel of Life" this week in Bakersfield and Fresno. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from this servant of God who has been used to rescue many children who were scheduled for abortions.
Meeting schedule:
Wednesday, January 10 at 8 pm
Liturgical Apostolate Center, 3700 N. Cornelia Ave., Fresno
Thursday, January 11 from 10:30 am to 5 pm
Workshop at Sacred Heart, 9915 Ramos St. (off Taft Hwy.), Bakersfield
Thursday, January 11 at 7 pm
Sacred Heart, 9915 Ramos St. (off Taft Hwy.), Bakersfield
Friday, January 12 from 8 am to 2 pm
Workshop at Liturgial Apostolate Center, 3700 N. Cornelia Ave., Fresno
For
details on these meetings with Msgr. Reilly,
contact Beth at 559-439-2528 or Jennifer at 559-277-9771.


Saturday, January 13 at 10:30 am
Free sidewalk counseling seminar at Calvary Chapel of Santa Maria, 2620 Santa Maria Way
Saturday, January 20 at 7 pm
Right to Life of Central California, Kern County, Fundraising Banquet with Scott Klusendorf
Tickets: $25 per person
For information, call 587-7080
(If you would like to sit at LifeSavers' table at the banquet, contact Terri Palmquist)
January 20-28
White crosses will be displayed outside local churches and the LifeHouse as a memorial to unborn children killed by abortion. If you would like to help with this project, please contact Tim Palmquist as soon as possible.
Sunday, January 28 at 4 pm
Sanctity of Human Life Vigil (meet at the LifeHouse)

For details on upcoming events, go to http://LifeSavers.glorifyJesus.com/events

Ministry schedules

If you are unable to be physically involved in this ministry, please use this schedule to help you pray for those who are on the front lines.

Monday, Jan. 8
Colleen 8 - 10:30
Irene* 10 - 2
Terri* 10:30 - 6
Chuck11 - 3
St. Joseph's 1:30 - 2

Tuesday, Jan. 9
Lewis 7:30 - 9:30
Vince 7:30 - 9
Terri* 10:30 - 4
Fr. James 10 - 12
Irene* 10 - 2
Mary Ann 11 - 3
Chuck11 - 3
Monday, Jan. 15
Colleen 8 - 10:30
Irene* 10 - 2
Terri* 10:30 - 6
Chuck11 - 3
St. Joseph's 1:30 - 2

Tuesday, Jan. 16
Lewis 7:30 - 9:30
Terri* 10:30 - 4
Fr. James 10 - 12
Irene* 10 - 2
Mary Ann 11 - 3
Chuck11 - 3
We need help 6:45 - 10:30
*LSM team members (others are independent volunteers)

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Volume 6 (2006)
Volume 5 (2005)
Volume 4 (2004)
Volume 3 (2003)
Volume 2 (2001)
Volume 1 (2000)
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