LifeSavers Ministries Weekly Ministry Focus

Volume 1, Number 27 July 10, 2000

Prisoner who chose life claims jail staff suggested abortion 
    (and other ministry reports)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 58:1-7
Prayer Focus
Study proves childbirth is safer than abortion
California Senator seeks to repeal old abortion laws
Special instructions
This week's schedule
Next week's schedule
Publication information
Unsubscribe information

Prisoner who chose life claims jail staff suggested abortion (and other ministry reports)

Last Monday was a somewhat slow day at the abortion chamber, although at least 24 abortions were apparently committed. Abortions were once again committed by the unknown elderly abortionist who drives a white Camry. Here are a few selected reports from last week's ministry activities:

"Trina" called LifeSavers collect from the county jail on Monday and spoke to Tim. Trina explained that she was the prisoner who had been brought in for an abortion the previous week, and had changed her mind after hearing Terri calling out to her from the sidewalk. Trina said she had originally agreed to the abortion because it was suggested by the jail's medical staff. Trina told Tim that she was feeling desperate and depressed because of the jail conditions, and she was feeling anxious about what would happen to her after she is released. She explained that she grew up in a local Church of God, but when her father died from a drug overdose a few years ago, her life spiraled out of control, and she began abusing drugs. She had been arrested because of a warrant which had been issued after she failed to show up for a drug test. However, Trina said that she was not on drugs at the time of her arrest; she has returned to God and is determined to do whatever she can to be able to care for her babies (she has an 18-month old, in addition to her preborn child). Trina needs someone to sponsor her drug tests for a month after she is released. The tests cost $15, and she must take three tests every week. Tim prayed with Trina, and asked Jesus to comfort her and to help her to feel His presence and His love. Later, Tim called the pastor's wife at the church where Trina grew up, asking if the church would be willing to help Trina. She said she would talk to her husband and call back. Tim also contacted the pastor of an Oildale church which Trina intends to attend after she is released. Neither pastor has responded yet. Trina expects to be released later this week. On Wednesday, Trina called back and said that after Tim prayed with her, she felt much better, and she was moved the next day to a better, less crowded cell, where she has been able to witness to some of the other inmates.

"Sheila," 27, came to the LifeHouse for a pregnancy test on Monday. Her test was positive. Sheila told Carlotta that she has three children, and that her fiance is pushing her to abort this baby because of financial pressures. She is Catholic, but has not been attending church services. After Carlotta showed her the "Harder Truth" video, Sheila said she doesn't think she'll have an abortion. Carlotta invited Sheila to bring her fiance to the LifeHouse to see the video. Carlotta also encouraged Sheila to apply for WIC assistance. As Sheila left, Carlotta gave her a Bible and a baby gift, along with pro-life literature.

"Jean," 15, came to the LifeHouse for a pregnancy test. She told Carlotta that she has attended a local Catholic church since birth, and that she has never been pregnant before. Her test results were negative, so Carlotta gave her literature which explains the benefits of abstinence.

"Lyrissa," 15, came to the LifeHouse for a pregnancy test, which was negative. She told Carlotta that she is Buddhist. Carlotta gave her abstinence literature.

"Melanie," 25, came to the LifeHouse for a pregnancy test. She told Carlotta that she is pro-choice, and has attended a local Catholic church for six years. Melanie is engaged, and has already given birth once. Her test results were positive, and Melanie said she will keep the baby.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 58:1-7

Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
     Do you judge uprightly among men?
No, in your heart you devise injustice,
     and your hands mete out violence on the earth.
Even from birth the wicked go astray;
     from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.
Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
     like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
that will not heed the tune of the charmer,
     however skillful the enchanter may be.
Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
     tear out, O Lord, the fangs of the lions!
Let them vanish like water that flows away;
     when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted.

[Ask God to "break the teeth" of those who seek to destroy His children today. Whenever you are tempted to engage in idle conversation, meditate on this scripture.]

Prayer Focus

Ask God to use every sidewalk counselor and every volunteer to His glory today, so that in every situation every volunteer will submit to the Holy Spirit.

Pray for "Trina" (see report above) to continue to submit her life to God, and pray that she will depend upon God for the strength to stay away from drugs. Ask God to lead someone to sponsor the cost of her drug tests.

Pray for Beth Herblet, who wants to run a second LifeHouse adjacent to the FPA abortion chamber in Fresno. Ask God to provide the finances to begin this effort.

Pray that God will bring in the money for this month's LifeHouse lease (due July 15).

Pray for Mike, the new FPA security guard, to submit to God and to take a stand for righteousness.

Study proves abortion is safer than childbirth

A woman's risk of dying after an abortion is four times higher than the risk of dying after a miscarriage or childbirth, according to a study by a government agency in Finland. The study results were released in 1997, but have not been receiving attention in the United States until now.

Researchers looked at death certificates and "reproductive health" records for 9,192 Finnish women, aged 15-49, during the period of 1987-1994. The study focused on women who had a pregnancy-related event (birth, miscarriage, or abortion) in the twelve months prior to their deaths.

- Pro-Life Infonet #2206, July 10, 2000

California Senator seeks to repeal old abortion laws

Three short sections of the California Penal Code make it a felony (under certain circumstances) for anyone to commit an abortion, for women to have their babies aborted, or for anyone to help a woman abort her baby. But San Francisco Senator John Burton (D) wants to strike them from the books, calling them obsolete and unconstitutional. Burton has authored SB 370, which would repeal those penal code sections, which were enacted in 1872 and 1957.

Pro-life groups argue that repealing those penal code sections would open the door to dangerous, illegal abortions by non-doctors looking to make a quick buck.

- Pro-Life Infonet #2206, July 10, 2000

Special instructions for this week:

No signs of any kind
Main focus: prayer
One sidewalk counselor, only offering literature.  If literature is refused, don't talk
    further.

Special instructions for July 17-18:

Only "nice" signs (4-6)
Main focus: sidewalk counseling
One sidewalk counselor, talking to women even when they are walking across the balcony.  Once
     women are inside, just pray.

[This is part of a three-month experiment testing the effectiveness of various tactics. Thank you for cooperating with this effort.]

This week's schedule

[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, July 10
Colleen         8 - 10:30
Susan        8:30 - 10:30
Irene          10 - 2
Terri       10:30 - 5
Debbie          1 - 5
St. Joseph's 1:30 - 2

Tuesday, July 11
Lewis        7:30 - 9:30
Carlotta     7:30 - 9:30
Albert & Ione  10 - 12
Fr. James      10 - 12
Irene          10 - 2
Mary Ann       10 - 3
Terri       10:30 - 5

Next week's schedule

Monday, July 17
Colleen         8 - 10:30
Irene          10 - 2
Terri       10:30 - 5
Debbie          1 - 5
St. Joseph's 1:30 - 2
We need help    8 - 10

Tuesday, July 18
Vince           7 - 9
Lewis        7:30 - 9:30
Carlotta     7:30 - 9:30
Albert & Ione  10 - 12
Fr. James      10 - 12
Irene          10 - 2
Mary Ann       10 - 3
Terri       10:30 - 5
We need help    9 - 10

Publication information

The LifeSavers Ministries Weekly Ministry Focus is published every Monday by Tim and Terri Palmquist, PMB 1911-166, Tehachapi, CA 93581 (http://Palmquists.glorifyJesus.com). All expenses of this publication are paid for by the Palmquists; no funds from LifeSavers Ministries are used in any way to publish or distribute the Weekly Ministry Focus. Issues are available without charge at the LifeHouse on Mondays and Tuesdays. To subscribe to the Weekly Ministry Focus by mail, we request a suggested donation of $30 per year to cover postage and handling. To subscribe by e-mail, just send a message with the subject "Subscribe" to "LifeSavers@glorifyJesus.com" (we request a suggested donation of $10 per year). All donations are optional.

LifeSavers Ministries - P.O. Box 40972 - Bakersfield, CA 93384
http://LifeSavers.glorifyJesus.com

The LifeHouse - 2428 H Street - Bakersfield, CA 93301
http://LifeHouse.glorifyJesus.com

For more information, call 661/323-BABY (661/323-2229).