Report from America - Day 32

The call to participate in 40 Days for Life is a call
to sacrifice.

Whenever I read the hundreds of daily e-mails in my
overflowing inbox and see the comments on the 40 Days
for Life blog, it always amazes me to see how many
people are hearing that call and taking it to heart.

Praying outside an abortion facility is not a
convenient thing to do. Yet many are embracing this
sacrifice with faith, hope -- and joy.

Bill is finding such joy in the witness of Patrick,
with whom he prays in front of an abortion facility
in Southfield, Michigan.

"He walks with the help of a cane or a walker," said
Bill, "but he is at this site several times a day and
for several hours each time. Patrick participates in
the wee hours of the morning when many others just
can't. Patrick is an inspiration."

Susan in Greenland, New Hampshire finds similar
inspiration from Vicki, a woman of around 80 years of
age who prays at the abortion center every day. "She
has a tremendous amount of physical pain but is on
her knees at the entrance to the driveway, usually
for an hour or two. This woman prays -- through tears
-- for this abortion clinic to close, as this is her
dying wish."

Pat needed someone quickly to fill a vacant hour at
the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in Jacksonville,
Florida. So she called Marie's cell phone and asked
her if she could get over to the clinic and help.

Marie laughed, because she was attending her
husband's high school reunion in Las Vegas. But she
figured that if Pat was calling her to stand vigil,
she was meant to do so. Pat looked up Las Vegas on
the 40 Days for Life web site and gave Marie the
vigil location.

"No matter where we are, we are united in our
commitment to life," Pat said, "even on vacation."

There is no abortion center in Walker, Minnesota. But
that hasn't stopped the faithful people of this small
town from gathering together and holding a 40 Days
for Life to pray for an end to abortion.

"We are a town of approximately 1,069 people and have
been able to go 24/7 without much trouble," said
local 40 Days for Life coordinator Beth Bohannon.
"People are coming from minutes to hours away. God's
graces have been flowing in abundant amounts allowing
many people to be touched in special ways. We have a
cozy little white tent on the lawn of the courthouse
that provides for a peaceful atmosphere with a touch
of heaven. Many people of all faiths are uniting and
praying together like never before."

Beth said it's an awesome thought that a little town
in Northern Minnesota could be used in such a mighty
way to help transform the culture of death into a
culture of life. "God bless you all for listening to
the Holy Spirit's call to action in saying 'yes' --
by using your hands, feet and mouth to help us to be
part of this exciting movement in ending abortion in
America once and for all."