Abortions were committed at the Family Planning Associates abortion chamber in Bakersfield on Monday (Feb. 26) and Tuesday (Feb. 27), but the lives of at least two of the babies who were scheduled to die were spared, at least temporarily. The babies' mothers were helped through the "pregnancy evangelism" ministry on the sidewalks outside the abortion chamber and at the LifeHouse pregnancy help center across the street. Here are a few selected reports from last week's ministry activities:

"Aileen," 35, had scheduled an abortion at FPA on Monday morning, but she was told that she would have to reschedule the appointment because she had eaten an early lunch. After she left FPA, Aileen came to the LifeHouse, because she noticed a sign offering "help before or after an abortion." She told Terri* that she is having depression and anxiety attacks, and she is afraid that her baby may be deformed because of the medications she has been taking. This fear of a deformed baby was her greatest concern and her primary reason for scheduling an abortion.

Terri encouraged Aileen to consider the emotional impact of an abortion, explaining that if she is already depressed, post-abortion syndrome could push her over the edge. Then Aileen confessed "I had an abortion 10 years ago." Terri explained that her emotional problems could have resulted from post-abortion syndrome. Terri asked Beth to join her in prayer with Aileen.

As Aileen left, Terri asked her if she hoped to have a boy or a girl. Aileen said she hoped for a girl, because she already has three boys. Terri gave her pink baby booties along with a "Hope for the Future" Bible.

Aileen called LifeSavers a few days later asking for prayer. She explained that she had called a local nurse practitioner who told her that the medication probably wouldn't have harmed the baby. However, she said she still has an abortion appointment for Tuesday morning, March 6. Terri made arrangements for Aileen to have an ultrasound to help to set her mind at ease about her baby's development.

"Addy," 41, was walking around on the sidewalks outside the abortion chamber on Tuesday. She had an angry look on her face, and the FPA security guard told Terri "she doesn't like you guys."

Terri asked Addy if she was looking for somebody; she said she was looking for her son. Terri suggested that she could use LifeSavers' cordless phone to call him.

After Addy called her son, Terri offered her some literature about abortion. When Terri showed Addy a pamphlet with pictures of aborted babies, Addy seemed shocked.

Terri asked Addy "is your son's girlfriend having an abortion?" Addy said "yes." Addy went back to the abortion chamber's waiting room, saying that she was going to check to see if her son was there. Then she came back out on the sidewalk.

As Addy continued to walk back and forth, Terri said "God obviously wanted you to talk to us," and Addy agreed. Finally, Terri began to feel that Addy's concern was more personal than she had admitted. "Are you here for an abortion yourself?" Terri asked. "Well, I am pregnant," Addy confessed.

"Are you thinking about abortion?" Terri asked. "It's a long story," Addy said. Addy continued to talk to Terri until her son arrived. As she left, Addy said "you saved two for the price of one today." Terri understood this to mean that both she and her son's girlfriend would keep their babies.

"Annie," 23, came to the LifeHouse for a pregnancy test on Tuesday afternoon. She is a single mother, and has attended a local Catholic church all of her life. She told Terri that she wasn't sure what she would do if she is pregnant, because she is scared of going through another pregnancy. She almost had a hysterectomy after her last baby was born because of a problem with her cervix.

When Annie saw that the results of her test were positive, Terri pleaded with her not to abort her baby, and Annie said she wouldn't. Terri referred her to a local obstetrician, and Annie said she would follow Terri's suggestion to talk to her priest about her pregnancy.

"Darcy," 22, came to the LifeHouse with her fiance "Frank" for a pregnancy test on Monday, after seeing a LifeSavers phone book ad. Darcy told Beth that she is "born again" but doesn't attend church.

Darcy had an abortion several years ago, but she told Beth that she would never have an abortion again. Beth gave her literature about post-abortion healing.

Darcy and Frank seemed to want a baby, but Darcy's test results were negative. Beth advised them to wait until they are married. Beth prayed with Darcy and Frank before they left, reporting that they seemed receptive to chastity and gospel evangelization.

Beth referred Darcy to a local gynecologist because her months of amenorrhea indicate the possibility of a medical problem.

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.