God is always working. Moving through His sovereignty to unfold different elements of His plan. Sometimes He speaks and we fail to listen. Undeterred and plan still in motion, He makes it impossible for us to miss His calling. Everywhere I turned, the topic was abortion. On the news. On facebook. In a movie we just happened to rent from Redbox. Even in a novel that I picked up from the library. The tiny flame of conviction soon fanned into a desire to actually DO something about it rather than just be moved by it.
But having a conviction about something and knowing how to follow through with it are two different things. I knew that God was calling me to actively participate in some type of ministry for those unborn...but I was not exactly sure how that would look, what it would be, or even where to start.
But having a conviction about something and knowing how to follow through with it are two different things. I knew that God was calling me to actively participate in some type of ministry for those unborn...but I was not exactly sure how that would look, what it would be, or even where to start.
Thankfully, God does not call without adequately providing a way to act upon it. Last Tuesday morning, during my quiet time, I made a commitment to the Lord - I would do whatever He asked...as long as HE was the one to show me the way. Not two hours later I received an email from a friend of mine in California. She shared how God had been using her family (including her six children) to minister at the abortion mills in Riverside. At the very end, she challenged me to get involved with a ministry here in Charlotte. I looked it up...sent out a quick email introducing myself and a desire to be used...and within an hour I had an invitation to join them at one of the abortion mills that morning. Wow...
With water bottles, snack bags, homemade posters, and a willing, yet nervous, heart - we loaded up the van and headed uptown. The kids had been prepped weeks before. As gently as we could, Jason and I had explained the issue of abortion to them. Their first response was disgust, then anger, and ultimately sadness. Our desire is for our children to grow up with a clear perspective of the world around them and a firm understanding of how TRUTH counterbalances it. Our discussions centered around grace and forgiveness...and most importantly - the Gospel. Just as we are in need of Christ's blood to forgive us and His Spirit to guide us, so those who are making these decisions are in need of it as well.
As we were leaving the house, Amy asked me how many hours away we were driving. She couldn't comprehend the thought the abortions were actually taking place in the city where she lived. Tyler was wondering why we weren't heading to the hospital...in his mind...that is where medical procedures take place. I listened to their questions...and prayed. Prayed for their hearts to be prepared. Prayed for my heart to have wisdom and discernment. Prayed for the girls that were driving the exact same route but for a very different purpose.
Once there, we joined another family already in action. They have actively been ministering at this mill for several years. It is a family with ten children...all different ages...all involved in sidewalk ministry. Some of the kids held signs, some prayed silently on the sidewalk, others stood in the street waiting for approaching cars. The older ones took turns pushing the younger ones in the stroller or playing across the street in the woods. But all of them participated. The Jimenez family just stood back for the first hour or so...trying to take it all in...get an understanding of what was going on...and process the feelings that came with it all.
It's hard to paint the picture of that first morning in adequate words. The abortion mill is situated at the back of a business complex. There are no other buildings next to it. If you drive that far back on the street...it is obvious where you are heading. It is also close to a bus-stop...apparently making it convenient to everyone.
It is not a doctors office...or a clinic. It is not outfitted with proper tools in case of an emergency. It is a mill. A sterile room with each patient lined up so that the abortionist can move down a row and take as little as two minutes on each procedure. Though it is an invasive (murderous) procedure, these patients usuallywalk hobble out of the clinic within fifteen minutes of it being completed.
I wish I could explain the overwhelming feeling of oppression that pushed down on my soul as we stayed there that morning. Or the tangible presence of evil pressing in around us. Or the devastating sadness of watching car after car turn into the lot. It was an eye opening experience for all of us. We were there for a total of two hours. And in that two hours, there were thirty abortions. THIRTY. And that was on a slow day.
The stories varied throughout the morning. Some cars drove in...and stopped when they saw us. We were able to pass out a little booklet Tiny Hands That Hold My Heart - a beautiful, loving book that show pictures of the different gestation stages. We were able to tell them of the THREE doctors in Charlotte that provide pre-natal and delivery care absolutely FREE! We were able to share with them about the places located in Charlotte that provide lodging and counsel during crisis pregnancies. We were able to hand them a little tract that presents the TRUTH of God's grace and forgiveness.
But other cars....drove right past us. Windows sealed tight. Eyes looking forward. Tears streaming down faces. It was heart-wrenching to watch them struggle. Some of them clearly debating about the choice about to be made. One young couple drove in, sat in the car for about ten minute and then walked up to the door sobbing. The young girl was in obvious turmoil. And we all sat and prayed desperately for her heart to be changed. But her partner successfully convinced her...and all but dragged her behind him as he walked into the mill.
Once the patients are "in the back", no one is allowed with them. While waiting for his wife, one man came out to the parking lot and made it very apparent he was disgusted with our presence. He had a few choice words to say to us...followed by some hand gestures. He then proceeded to park his car right next to us on the sidewalk and blast profane rap music. Undeterred, we continued to pray and reach out to any car that would stop and listen. He watched every encounter and cheered when each car pulled into the lot. As we began to pack up and get ready to leave...he turned off his music and calmly walked over to us. He apologized for his actions and the words he had spoken. We asked him about his "story" and why he was there that morning. Turns out, he is a father of four. His wife had just miscarried six weeks earlier. Devastated she went in for her check up only to find out it had been twins. The doctor told her that the child wouldn't be healthy and advised abortion. Even though this same doctor had been the one to admit her to a psychiatric ward because she had attempted suicide after the miscarriage.
At first, we just listened. Hearing his story and the sadness that had already plagued his family. Then we attempted to speak truth...not so much about the issue at hand...but more about God's grace, forgiveness and sovereignty. It quickly changed tones. From calm to frustrated to belligerent. He walked away in anger. Telling us not to pray for him or his family...he would be fine on his own. Ten minutes later we watched, with silent tears, as his wife painfully made her way to the car and drove away. Taking with her a mountain load of tragedy and sorrow.
That night, we sat around and processed all that we had seen and heard. We gave the kids an opportunity to share their hearts...wanting to see how it had affected them. It was a life-changing experience. Tyler told us that he was glad that he had gone. "You've told us about these things before and then I saw them. I know they are real now. It was really sad, but I'm glad I was there because now I know how to pray for them." Amy honestly told us that she was "creeped out" by the whole thing. I told her she didn't have to go back but she told me, "I know God would want me to go. We told them the truth...and there might not be anyone else that does."
It was a day that will not soon be forgotten. A day that we have talked about many times since. And hopefully, a day that marks the beginning of a new Jimenez ministry...
With water bottles, snack bags, homemade posters, and a willing, yet nervous, heart - we loaded up the van and headed uptown. The kids had been prepped weeks before. As gently as we could, Jason and I had explained the issue of abortion to them. Their first response was disgust, then anger, and ultimately sadness. Our desire is for our children to grow up with a clear perspective of the world around them and a firm understanding of how TRUTH counterbalances it. Our discussions centered around grace and forgiveness...and most importantly - the Gospel. Just as we are in need of Christ's blood to forgive us and His Spirit to guide us, so those who are making these decisions are in need of it as well.
As we were leaving the house, Amy asked me how many hours away we were driving. She couldn't comprehend the thought the abortions were actually taking place in the city where she lived. Tyler was wondering why we weren't heading to the hospital...in his mind...that is where medical procedures take place. I listened to their questions...and prayed. Prayed for their hearts to be prepared. Prayed for my heart to have wisdom and discernment. Prayed for the girls that were driving the exact same route but for a very different purpose.
Once there, we joined another family already in action. They have actively been ministering at this mill for several years. It is a family with ten children...all different ages...all involved in sidewalk ministry. Some of the kids held signs, some prayed silently on the sidewalk, others stood in the street waiting for approaching cars. The older ones took turns pushing the younger ones in the stroller or playing across the street in the woods. But all of them participated. The Jimenez family just stood back for the first hour or so...trying to take it all in...get an understanding of what was going on...and process the feelings that came with it all.
It's hard to paint the picture of that first morning in adequate words. The abortion mill is situated at the back of a business complex. There are no other buildings next to it. If you drive that far back on the street...it is obvious where you are heading. It is also close to a bus-stop...apparently making it convenient to everyone.
It is not a doctors office...or a clinic. It is not outfitted with proper tools in case of an emergency. It is a mill. A sterile room with each patient lined up so that the abortionist can move down a row and take as little as two minutes on each procedure. Though it is an invasive (murderous) procedure, these patients usually
I wish I could explain the overwhelming feeling of oppression that pushed down on my soul as we stayed there that morning. Or the tangible presence of evil pressing in around us. Or the devastating sadness of watching car after car turn into the lot. It was an eye opening experience for all of us. We were there for a total of two hours. And in that two hours, there were thirty abortions. THIRTY. And that was on a slow day.The stories varied throughout the morning. Some cars drove in...and stopped when they saw us. We were able to pass out a little booklet Tiny Hands That Hold My Heart - a beautiful, loving book that show pictures of the different gestation stages. We were able to tell them of the THREE doctors in Charlotte that provide pre-natal and delivery care absolutely FREE! We were able to share with them about the places located in Charlotte that provide lodging and counsel during crisis pregnancies. We were able to hand them a little tract that presents the TRUTH of God's grace and forgiveness.
But other cars....drove right past us. Windows sealed tight. Eyes looking forward. Tears streaming down faces. It was heart-wrenching to watch them struggle. Some of them clearly debating about the choice about to be made. One young couple drove in, sat in the car for about ten minute and then walked up to the door sobbing. The young girl was in obvious turmoil. And we all sat and prayed desperately for her heart to be changed. But her partner successfully convinced her...and all but dragged her behind him as he walked into the mill.
Once the patients are "in the back", no one is allowed with them. While waiting for his wife, one man came out to the parking lot and made it very apparent he was disgusted with our presence. He had a few choice words to say to us...followed by some hand gestures. He then proceeded to park his car right next to us on the sidewalk and blast profane rap music. Undeterred, we continued to pray and reach out to any car that would stop and listen. He watched every encounter and cheered when each car pulled into the lot. As we began to pack up and get ready to leave...he turned off his music and calmly walked over to us. He apologized for his actions and the words he had spoken. We asked him about his "story" and why he was there that morning. Turns out, he is a father of four. His wife had just miscarried six weeks earlier. Devastated she went in for her check up only to find out it had been twins. The doctor told her that the child wouldn't be healthy and advised abortion. Even though this same doctor had been the one to admit her to a psychiatric ward because she had attempted suicide after the miscarriage.
At first, we just listened. Hearing his story and the sadness that had already plagued his family. Then we attempted to speak truth...not so much about the issue at hand...but more about God's grace, forgiveness and sovereignty. It quickly changed tones. From calm to frustrated to belligerent. He walked away in anger. Telling us not to pray for him or his family...he would be fine on his own. Ten minutes later we watched, with silent tears, as his wife painfully made her way to the car and drove away. Taking with her a mountain load of tragedy and sorrow.
That night, we sat around and processed all that we had seen and heard. We gave the kids an opportunity to share their hearts...wanting to see how it had affected them. It was a life-changing experience. Tyler told us that he was glad that he had gone. "You've told us about these things before and then I saw them. I know they are real now. It was really sad, but I'm glad I was there because now I know how to pray for them." Amy honestly told us that she was "creeped out" by the whole thing. I told her she didn't have to go back but she told me, "I know God would want me to go. We told them the truth...and there might not be anyone else that does."It was a day that will not soon be forgotten. A day that we have talked about many times since. And hopefully, a day that marks the beginning of a new Jimenez ministry...
