At least two babies were saved from abortion last week in Bakersfield. Abortions were committed in Bakersfield's FPA abortion chamber last Monday and Tuesday by the unknown abortionist. He had not been seen at the killing center since a month ago, when a botched abortion victim was sent to the hospital after she almost bled to death (see Weekly Ministry Focus volume 3, number 4).

Here are the stories of some of the women who were touched by the pregnancy evangelism ministry last week on the sidewalks outside FPA and at the LifeHouse pregnancy help center across the street:

When "Ilena" found out that she was pregnant, she thought that abortion would be a quick and easy way to solve her problem. She was already struggling to care for her toddler, and she didn't even know where the father of the baby lived. She had met him at a dance in a small town in Mexico a few weeks ago when she was visiting her family.

Ilena rode the bus to Bakersfield, then walked a few blocks to the abortion center. As she walked by on the sidewalk, Terri* tried to talk to her, but Ilena didn't pay much attention, because Terri was speaking English.

As Ilena walked up the stairs and onto the balcony, she came closer to the death of her child with every step but she still didn't understand that abortion would be an act of violence against her own child.

Jose was standing nearby, holding a pro-life sign, so Terri asked him to try to talk to Ilena. As she stood on the balcony, she stopped and listened to Jose's offer of help. After a few moments, she walked down the stairs to talk to Jose more openly.

Terri walked over and handed Ilena some pro-life literature (in Spanish) and a gift box filled with baby items. When Ilena opened the pamphlet, she was shocked to see the tiny hands and feet of aborted babies.

Tears began to pour out of Ilena's eyes as she realized that she almost allowed her own child to be torn apart. She continued to cry for several minutes. Jose offered her a ride home, and she accepted the offer.

Several days later Terri called Ilena, and (with the help of an interpreter), Ilena assured Terri that she no longer intended to abort her child. "I didn't realize what 'abortion' meant until I saw those pictures," she said.

Jose contacted a priest from Ilena's small town and explained Ilena's situation. The priest said he will help Ilena through the pregnancy.

As "Markie" and her boyfriend entered the abortion chamber, Terri told them about the woman who almost died a few weeks ago after a botched abortion. About 30 minutes later, they came out holding hands. Terri asked "Did you change your mind?" Markie replied "yes." Terri gave them a baby gift, and offered to provide additional help for their baby. Markie's boyfriend thanked Terri as they left.

"Lanie," 22, found out she was pregnant by taking a pregnancy test at the LifeHouse. She is single and has attended a local United Pentecostal church all of her life. Lanie told Terri that she will keep her baby.