LifeSavers Ministries Weekly Ministry Focus                                                          
Volume 1, Number 7             February 14, 2000

Contens:
Christian woman brings granddaughter for abortion (and other ministry reports)
Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Prayer Focus
Literature Focus: Been There, Done That... Now what?
This week's schedule
Next week's schedule
Upcoming ministry opportunity
Spring banquet cancelled?
Publication information


Christian woman brings granddaughter for abortion
Here are a few selected reports from last week's ministry:

 "Lucinda," 14, was brought to the abortion chamber Monday morning by her grandmother "Betty."  Carlotta talked to them as they entered the abortion chamber.  They are both Christians, but "Betty" said "it's her decision."  Later in the afternoon, "Lucinda" came out of the abortion chamber.  With tears in her eyes, she told Carlotta and Terri that she is 20 weeks pregnant and will need to go to Los Angeles for the abortion.  Carlotta gave her a "Hope for the Future" Bible.  Later, "Betty" returned, and Carlotta and Terri talked to her about God's will.  "Betty" said they would keep the baby, and would not consider adoption.  Terri called a few days later and spoke to "Lucinda," who said she will keep the baby.

  As "Edna" (an employee of the abortion chamber, who has blond, shoulder-length curly hair) was leaving the abortion chamber Monday afternoon, Terri offered her a Bible, and she accepted it.  "Edna" had been threatened the previous week by the boyfriend of a patient.  He told "Edna" that he was going to beat her up, because his girlfriend regretted her abortion.  (Apparently she had tried to change her mind after it was too late, and she saw "Edna" as one who was responsible for it.)

 "Rita," 19, came to the LifeHouse on Thursday for a pregnancy test.  She said that she is pro-life, and attends a local Catholic church where the priests are known to be outspoken against abortion.  When the pregnancy test was positive, "Rita" seemed shocked.  Terri gave her a baby gift and fetal development literature.  A few days later, "Rita" told Terri on the phone that her boyfriend doesn't want her to keep the baby, because he already has three children.  "Rita" said she isn't sure what she's going to do.

 "Cathy," 27, came to the LifeHouse with her three children for a pregnancy test, which was negative.  "Cathy" is Catholic.  When Terri asked if they wanted a Bible, "Cathy's" five-year-old son said "what's a Bible?"  Terri gave them each a Bible.

  "Helen," 17, came to the LifeHouse with her 19-year-old boyfriend on Thursday for a pregnancy test.  She and her boyfriend are "born again."  The test was negative.  Terri talked to her about abstinence, and asked if she and her boyfriend could stop having sex.  "Helen" said "no," without hesitation.  She said that her mother (who is also born again) wants a grandchild.  Terri asked "then why don't you just get married?"  "Helen" answered "because we want to have a big wedding someday and we can't afford it right now."  Terri gave her literature on abstinence as she left.

        "Myra" (see Weekly Ministry Focus #5) returned to the abortion chamber again, having once again decided to abort her baby.  She spoke to Terri on the sidewalk about the situation.  Terri was unsure whether "Myra" was really considering abortion again or just using the threat of abortion as a way to manipulate her.  On Wednesday, Rosa and Terri went to "Myra's" mother's home to discuss the situation with her.


                
Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
Pray that those who enter the abortion chamber today will realize that true love will motivate them to protect their loved ones from abortion.  Whenever your mind wanders, and you are tempted to engage in idle conversation, please direct your mind back to meditating upon this scripture.



Prayer Focus
  Pray that God will fill every sidewalk counselor with His love (and with each of the characteristics of this love as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13) as they minister today.
  Pray for "Edna," abortion chamber nurse (see report above).  Ask God to help her to have a desire to read her Bible, and ask the Holy Spirit to convict her today that she should not be involved in abortions.
  Pray for "Rita" (see report above) and her baby.  Ask God to give her peace in the midst of the turmoil she is experiencing.  Pray that she will depend upon God no matter what her boyfriend does.
  Ask God to speak to the hearts of community leaders to take a stand for life.



Literature Focus: Been There, Done That... Now what?
The brochure "Been there, Done that... Now what?" is available in the LifeHouse literature room.  This brochure is helpful to give to teenagers who have already been sexually active, but need direction in how to alter their lifestyle patterns.  Here is an excerpt:
"'I've already had sex... It's just too late for me.'  Says who?  Time for a reality check.  Life is about choices.  Good choices and bad choices.  But life is also about new beginnings.
"Sure there are many roads to choose from, but they lead to different destinations.  So choose wisely.  When it comes to sex, there are a lot of dead ends.  Maybe you know that already.
"But the question is do you have a better map?
"The road to heartache usually begins with a lie.  Giving or taking sex in the name of love is a deception.  When 'I love you' really means 'I want you,' the relationship is headed down a road that leads to being used, feeling cheap, being rejected.
"Each step leads to a greater and greater ache in the heart.  And the ache is called fear:
"Fear of pregnancy.
"Fear of disease.
"Fear of never being loved.
"Sex outside of marriage is a dead end.  The road is scattered with broken hearts, broken lives, of those gone before.
"You don't have to live in fear.  Take a new path.  Sex is NOT about trying to 'prove your love' to keep your boyfriend or girlfriend.  Love does not equal sex.  But here's the good news.  Sex and friendship inside the loving protection of marriage will rock your world."
Been there, Done that... Now what? is published by Life Cycle Books (<a href="www.lifecyclebooks.com">www.lifecyclebooks.com</a>).



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, Feb. 14
Colleen 8 - 10:30
Jose 8 - 10
Rosa? 10 - 12
Mary Ann 10 - 3
Terri 10:30 - 5?
Mike? 12 - 1
St.  Joseph's 1:30 - 2

Tuesday, Feb.  15
Vince 7 - 9
Lewis 7:30 - 9:30
Carlotta 7:30 - 9:30
Jose 8 - 10
Albert 10 - 12
Ione 10 - 12
Fr. James 10 - 12
Mike? 12 - 1
Rebecca 12 - 3
Terri 2:30 - 5



Next week's schedule

Monday, Feb.  21
Colleen 8 - 10:30
Jose 8 - 10
Carlotta 9:15 - 11:15
Susan 8:30 - 10:30
Rosa? 10 - 12
Mary Ann 10 - 3
Terri 10:30 - 5?
St.  Joseph's 1:30 - 2
We need help 3 - 4

Tuesday, Feb.  22

Lewis 7:30 - 9:30
Carlotta 7:30 - 9:30
Jose 8 - 10
Albert 10 - 12
Ione 10 - 12
Fr. James 10 - 12
Terri      10:30 - 5
We need help 9 - 10
We need help 12 - 4



Upcoming ministry opportunity

Saturday, February 19 at 7 am: travel with Terri Palmquist to sidewalk counsel outside the Fresno abortion chamber.



Spring banquet cancelled?

Plans for the LifeSavers Ministries Spring Fundraising Banquet are on hold, due to the unexpected cancellation of Gianna Jessen.  However, the fundraiser is needed in order to maintain adequate funding for LifeSavers.  Please pray that God will give us wisdom in dealing with this situation.

The LifeSavers Ministries Weekly Ministry Focus is published every Monday by LifeSavers Ministries, P.O. Box 40972, Bakersfield CA 93384-0972. Issues are available without charge at the LifeHouse, 2428 H Street, on Mondays and Tuesdays.  To subscribe to the LifeSavers Ministries Weekly Ministry Focus by mail, we request a suggested donation of $50 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).
For more information on LifeSavers Ministries, call (661) 323-BABY or (661) 323-2229.