November 1st wrapped up the national 40 Days for Life campaign and right here in Cherry Hill, thanks to our Helpers, volunteers and of course the Lord ? we had 24 turnarounds!
Twenty women who were heading into the Cherry Hill Women?s Clinic to end their baby?s life changed their mind! What a God we serve! The other four turnarounds came from other sources. This we are really excited about.
One was referred by a prayer volunteer, another was met while looking for an apartment for another turnaround, the third was the sister of a previous turnaround and the last found our sister website www.abortionclinicvigil.com and reached out to us! The word is out that we are here to help and we are ecstatic about that!
Let?s recap. The 40 Days for Life campaign was started in 2004 to echo biblical history where God used 40-day periods to transform and change lives. From Noah and the 40 day flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ?s resurrection ? 40 days, we believe, holds a very special meaning. During these few weeks, people from all walks of life gather together to pray, fast, hold vigils and take part in community outreach ? all with one goal in mind ? to protect life.
?If you keep hammering against one clinic, with your prayer and your presence, the walls should come crumbling down?that is what I pray for,? said Anne Connor, a member of Holy Angels Parish.
Anne was one of the dozens of people from many different local churches who committed to storm the heavens with prayer and the clinic with their presence during the 40 Days for Life campaign. This was Anne?s eighth year volunteering and earlier this year she got to see the fruits of her labor when God allowed her to meet Baby Legacy who was saved during last?s year campaign.
?God allowed me to see, that even though I may not be as convincing as some of our wonderful volunteers, just being there praying does make a difference. Many of these women are looking for just one reason or one sign to not have to go through with their abortion and for many of them we are that sign.?
For Dan Palmieri of Our Lady of Peace in Williamstown, this year felt like hearts were warmer and people were more approachable than other years. He admits though, standing outside the clinic can be intimidating but recalls an instance during his first year volunteering that changed everything.
?There was a woman walking outside the clinic and she was crying so hard. This one guy, Mike, ran over to her and grabbed her like she was dying and just held her while she cried. He ran to her with such urgency. Like he was an EMT and he was saving her life. That is what I call them now, EMT?s for Christ. They were there trying to save the life of that child like it was hanging on by a thread and in that moment if they didn?t do anything it would die. It was so amazing.?
These stories from some of our volunteers just give you a glimpse of how important the work is that we do. We had twenty-four women whose lives are now changed and that my friends, is something to boast about.
But what we do does not stop when the campaign stops. We continue our work for the other 325 days of the year. A security guard at the clinic said to Anne a few years back, ?Why do you guys stop coming after 40 Days for Life? When you leave I have no where to send people to.?
Our presence and prayers are needed to make a difference in the lives of these women and these unborn children. So please continue to stand with us as we strive to build a culture of life in this area. ?God?s work has to be continued that is where the perseverance and the courage comes from,? added Palmieri.
?Specifically, we need people to continue to pray. Some of the women are going to be convicted just by us standing out there and maybe that will turn a heart or make them question what life is all about. Being there is a statement in and of itself and it is a powerful one.?
From the 40 Days for Life team in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
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November 23, 2015
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
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