"Thank You for making our Christmas a better one and all the times you have helped me..."

       Only two days before Christmas and a distraught new mother left a message of despair on our phone. She had recently given birth to a baby boy and had nothing for him or his other siblings under a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree. We phoned her back and found out that she had contacted other agencies and was too late to receive any toys or help with gifts for her children.  She was in need of basic baby supplies and some food for Christmas. It was getting late, but we would call her in the morning. Yes, we were busy preparing for last minute Christmas plans and family arriving to spend the holiday with us.

       By morning, we prayed and the other kids agreed that we could still get everything done and go where there is a need. Half of our team went shopping; the other half wrapped and baked. By late morning, we had everything packed and ready to deliver to this young mother. Our daughter Isabella volunteered to ride along and bless this family with a little Christmas cheer. We drove for a while and met at a halfway point off the highway. To our surprise, she brought the newborn baby for us to view and delight in. "Oh, he is precious." Sound asleep. It was too cold to take him out of his safety seat. Another time we will get to hold him. We then began placing some gifts in her car for under the Christmas tree for her children to enjoy on Christmas morning. With tears in her eyes she thanked us. She told us she had nothing to give them as she had to take off work when she had the baby and lives paycheck to paycheck. "But praise the Lord, at least you have job." She smiled. We gave her a gift card and some baby supplies. She hugged us and we watched her drive off. 

       It was a good feeling to be able to help someone in need who thought there was no hope this Christmas. It is not so much a hand out as it is a hand up. And in doing so they see and feel the love of Jesus at this special time of year. God asks only that we drop whatever we're so busy doing to accept one loving gesture. All it takes is a willingness to let another hand take ours.
       "The only gift is a portion of thyself."- Ralph Waldo Emerson
       Be encouraged ~Angela

"Blessings come in small packages"

       She turned the corner, and from a distance  we could see a small child in her arms. "I saw the van; I knew you'd be there." As she approached us, I remembered this face. "Oh my gosh, it's Brittney!" I exclaimed. I looked at the baby she was holding and asked, "Is this the baby girl?" "Yes, her name is Cassie." I asked if I could hold her. "Yes Ma'am," Brittney said, and I smiled as she looked into my eyes welling up with tears of joy. Brittney's were as well. "My goodness, you're so beautiful and such a big girl." She closed her eyes and rested against my chest, and I told Brittney, "She's so precious. And to think where she almost ended up. God is good."
       I then explained to our photographer that when we first met this little angel, she was approx 18 weeks pregnant and inside Hope Clinic preparing for the two day abortion. Brittney's mom came out, and Daniel convinced her to go back inside and bring this pregnant daughter out to us so we could save the baby. He offered to reimburse them the cost of the ultrasound fee the abortion mill had already charged them. A few minutes later, the mother and daughter came back out and into our van where we were able to view little Cassie where she was auditioning for her life. We convinced them not to kill her and took action. Daniel set up her physician appointment and took them to our staff obstetrician to reassure them the baby was okay from the prepping of her scheduled  abortion. We continued to support her and made sure she got to her doctor appointments and had clothing and much needed baby supplies.

       This past 40 Days for Life campaign, her mother even came back and spoke on behalf of how effective being outside the abortion mill with help and the right people was in her life. Her granddaughter was saved in the ultrasound van and about to make her arrival. "She is a blessing Brittney. Do you ever regret keeping her?" She replied, "No ma'am! She is my life. I can't imagine the world without my little Cassie. I can't thank you and Daniel enough for all your love and help. You got us through a difficult time in my life. I will always tell her how you saved her." With that I hugged her. "Please keep in touch if there's anything we can do to help." One more long hug and we handed her back to her mommy and they walked to their car.
       Thank you Jesus! Every time we are blessed to see the fruits of our labors, we know we are doing the right thing in being that voice for those without one. "How blessed is he who cares for the helpless." Psalms 41:1

"Thank you for your service, your ministry, and your dedication; we had no idea..."

"An evening of HOPE!" and this was just one of the many positive comments from the audience for this evening's event. We were invited to come speak on behalf of our ministry and pro-life at Holy Childhood Church and School where a large gathering of parents, children, and youth was underway. Monsignor Hartlien and committee members welcomed us as we were seated at the head table. We were treated to festive surroundings and a delicious Christmas potluck dinner. AWESOME! It was hot and I didn't have to cook!  We quickly set up our ultrasound van for small group tours and eventually after our speech, we planned on viewing an ultrasound on an expectant mother for all to see. We brought some of our children and our most recent saved and adopted baby. "Ooohhs" and "ahhs" could be heard. We handed out literature, factual stats, and took many questions after our talk. Many were unknowledgeable on abortion, let alone the abortion mill in Granite City. We spoke in detail about our dedication, what got us involved, and that, "In order to save lives you can't just say you're pro-life; you have to do pro-life. We go to where children are being murdered daily. We are the frontlines on the battle and the last lines of defense. We are the Red Cross in a war zone."

        We spoke of our successes, victories, and adoptions. Many did not know that the only prerequisite in gaining employment at Hope Clinic is that you had to of undergone an abortion at least once. Also that in Illinois, "We are known as the dumping ground for underage abortion and a child predator's paradise, as no parental consent is needed as long as the pregnant girl has a ride home. We have witnessed girls as young as nine years old undergo an abortion in Granite City. Many parents' rights have been trumped due to the lack of enforcement of parental notification. It's the law; it has been on the books since 1995. Hope Clinic thinks it makes better parents than you, the ones footing the bills for your underage minor."

       After our Q&A session, we were whisked out into the ultrasound van where we performed an ultrasound on a willing participant. Small groups of the audience kept coming inside to view. "WOW! That's amazing! Thank you for your inspiring ministry," were more complimentary comments. We gave God the glory in all this. Fr. Abraham came inside the van and was so impressed with our work. He kept saying, "This is amazing! I've never seen anything like this." I asked where he was originally from and he replied, "Nigeria." I then told Fr. Abraham that in his native country, if a woman tried to get an abortion or killed her child, the village leaders and officials would, "Stone her to death." He agreed whole heartedly. "Yes, abortion is not allowed in our country," he added.     

       After the last group of  participants visited the womb service van, we returned back inside the hall to a reception line where we were hugged and thanked by a lot of attendees, and where the committee leaders blessed our ministry with generous financial donations and baby supplies. Several asked for our contact information to speak at other pro-life events and churches and we obliged. This evening's celebration of LIFE was well received and good seed was sown. "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." Luke 8:15 

Another One Bites the Dust!

Hope Clinic Director of Nurses...QUITS!

 “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

Ephesians 5:11

November 6, 2010

      

            Praise the Lord, the “Name Them and Shame Them” tour has exposed another worker of iniquity inside this slaughterhouse. We have been praying for years for this young man since we first laid eyes on him at the tender age of 17. Ryan Goskie, a Granite City home-towner and former Catholic altar boy, began volunteering at this abortion mill as a deathscort and was being groomed by former long time education director and assistant counselor, Allison Hile, until her firing three years ago. Ryan was the only male employee inside Hope Clinic surgical abortion center other than the abortionist.

            Recently he has been sighted at the St .Clair County Regional Educational offices in Illinois. During the past few weeks we have been asking the public to please pray for him. We posted a sign on our ultrasound van with this request in front of the abortion mill where he worked killing babies. In the past he has boasted of his ability to train residents over in St. Louis at the Barnes Jewish Washington University School of Medicine on how to dismember little babies in the womb. We have held several prayer vigils witnessing to the public--and the hospital--of this abomination concerning medical residents having to train to do abortions at this hospital and teaching institution.

            Reportedly, Ryan has taken a position at a local hospital, hopefully saving lives rather than taking lives. “Lord, create in Ryan a new heart. Guide his hands to save and preserve all life. We pray for the medical community and workers of iniquity. Lord, may they cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek justice for the oppressed, and defend the fatherless. God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation, realizing that they too have a purpose and a destiny. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.”     

            “And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so.” Ezekiel 33:19. 

Abuse of Power in Granite City

October 30, 2010

“The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.” ~Edmund Burke 

Meet the Hope Abortion Mill Meter-Maid

Lance Reynolds

 Now meet home-schooling mom and prayer warrior Christa Owens and some of her six children.

She looks pretty dangerous doesn’t she?

            She is so dangerous that Granite City Police Officer Reynolds decided to embark with lights flashing in full pursuit of Mrs. Owens (who had just left the abortion mill) to give her a $20.00 parking ticket for being parked halfway in the yellow area. This was all very upsetting to her young children. When faithful pro-lifer Stan came to her aid, meter-maid Reynolds threatened to arrest him for jaywalking and ordered Stan to stay on the curb. This campaign of intimidation and writing $120.00-$750.00 tickets against the Small Victories Ultrasound Van and their peaceful supporters is outrageous.

            This past Tuesday, the Ultrasound Van was parked 80% within the parking zone. Only four minutes after parking, Hope abortion mill employee Ryan Goskie summoned the Granite City Police. Meter-maid Reynolds pulled alongside the van and began writing another outrageously priced parking ticket. When the Small Victories director attempted to back the van up another foot, meter-maid Reynolds sprang from his car, thrust open the ultrasound van door, grabbed her arm, and threatened to have the van towed. We explained, “We’re not going anywhere; we’re backing up.” There were witnesses to this account and they, too, thought this was over-kill. And this meter-maid has been issued a firearm?! God help us!

Isaiah 1. Woe to this once great city, it has now become a desolate town full of innocent blood and injustice. Its officials rule as roaring lions and take no correction. They oppress the righteous and take bribes. They deprive the poor and innocent of justice. They call evil good and good evil. Its inhabitants have become slaves to complacency and have fallen under a curse of what is evil. The shepherds are leading their flocks astray and their foes have become their masters.

When God’s remnant stands against evil and is making huge inroads by saving hundreds of babies and taking innocent blood away from Satan, they are a target. The devil will come hard after you for righteousness’ sake and you will be persecuted. In the past two years of our 18 year daily ministry on the streets of the City of Slaughter, we have seen hundreds of babies saved and adopted; we have seen conversions of employees, moms, and dads from this abortion mill. On a typical Saturday, Hope abortion mill would kill approximately 45-60 babies. This past Saturday we witnessed the killings of 15 babies and the saving of five babies scheduled to be slaughtered, including a set of twins. God is rejoicing and the devil is angry. Our prayers and daily witness have been powerful.   

  The ultrasound van is being targeted as it has been a source of truth to the abortion-bound mothers and their accomplices. It was so effective that this past Saturday, a Hispanic couple pulled onto the abortion mill lot and listened to us as we called over, “No aborto, no aborto.” They looked over at the Special Forces with the free help sign and came inside. Little did we know that all HELL would break loose as the portly male deathscort would pursue them and actually attempted to break into our ultrasound van where we were performing an ultrasound. Alleluia! We were able to view a set of 8 week old twins as the prayer warriors used their bodies to block the deathscorts from grabbing the door handle and entering our pregnancy van. “This is private property; you have no right to go inside,” they told the deathscorts.

The devil was fuming. Yet, this shows you the arrogance of those who love death.  The abortion mill brazenly thinks it can walk right inside our life-saving van without a thought to the contrary, whereas if a pro-lifer walked up to the slaughterhouse doors and attempted to go inside they would be arrested on the spot, hauled off by local Gestapo, and sitting in a cell at the “Granite City Hanoi Hilton.” You see, there is a double-standard in this City of Slaughter where injustice reigns;For,instead of "protecting and serving" equally,local law enforcement, through harassment and intimidation, has chosen to side with the abortion mill against our ministry and anyone who would dare stand with us in the cause of saving the innocent.Understand,the abortion mill brings a lot of bloody revenue into this deplorable town. Not the steel mill, but the baby killing mill keeps this city afloat financially. It’s called “blood-money.”

            Just last week during the Fall 40 Days for Life campaign, Christa and her children were praying on the front sidewalk when a young girl came back out of the abortion mill and decided to keep her baby. She came into Christa’s arms for a loving embrace and heard words of encouragement and thankfulness from this precious prayer warrior and her dear children. BAM! Little did Christa know then, but she instantly became a target of the devil. She just helped save a life.Like so many, she didn’t stay at home or in her comfortable office and fight the battle for little boys and girls destined to be slaughtered from her lazy-boy; she was with us in the trenches. That makes one dangerous in the fight for life, good versus evil. We should all be living that dangerously: living in such a way that through love and commitment and simply "being there",we are a threat to Satan and his kingdom of evil.Until that final day when we hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  Keep praying for a conversion of hearts, especially Officer Reynolds’ and those who take part in killing babies; but until that final day, we will see you at the gates.

            Be encouraged ~Angela 

"I'm tough. I'm not a huggy person; it takes a lot to make me cry..."

SATURDAY, October 23, 2010

      In today's intention: May we absorb the truth that GOD IS PAYING ATTENTION to us, and to each human life, individually and personally. Candy and her sister Tiffany pulled onto the adjacent parking lot to the abortion mill; deathscorts and Mary and the youth group followed. I urged Donna to join them. Then God said, "It's okay; go on over." The deathscorts were at bay as God allowed a divine appointment with the facade of a hardened woman. Deathscorts tried to interrupt us, but we had protection. "Just give us ten minutes." Candy replied, "I'll have you know my mind's made up; I'm tough,.." but she agreed to come inside the ultrasound van. She had to walk through the groups of prayer warriors who were signaled to "pray harder" at the possibility that we may save a baby scheduled to die this day.
      Once inside, she kept up the front of being a self-made woman, making it on her own, raising two daughters already, and no man in sight; the government is not the "daddy" as most are, plus she is holding down a job. "Let's see how far along you are." "I already know," she said as she lay prone, twelve weeks. We scanned. There, an approx 12.3 week old baby appeared with his hand up by his mouth. "We may have a thumbsucker." "Thumb-sucking is not allowed," she answered.

       Donna talked about Jesus and His plan. Candy told her, "I believe in God, but science also." "I don't see any gills on this one," I replied. "Look! He is dancing." They focused on the screen. It seemed like we talked forever. At one point, Candy told us she was abused and victimized for most of her life. "I'm tired of struggling." "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It empowers you to be a strong woman. Nothing in life worth having comes easy," we told her. "You don't have to be a victim; you can be a victor, an overcomer."
       She heard the heartbeats, 142 per minute; our guestimation was "a boy" but will be confirmed with her physician. We went over resources and mentors we could help with. "Just ask," we told her. She then began opening up a little and shared how she has no support, and never did, from her family and didn't depend on anyone. She doesn't trust anyone, especially after the abuse she and her daughters have been through with a former husband, which would explain why she doesn't like hugs. "It's okay Candy. I've been there; I know how it feels to survive that kind of abuse. That is why you don't like touching. I understand." We were exacerbated, running out of words. I asked her, "After seeing your little boy, are you still going to go in there and go through with his execution?" Her face was poker straight, and she asked, "Why do you say it that way?" "Because it's the truth of what the abortion mill is going to do to your child. He doesn't get a trial or jury; he won't get any pain medication, but you will." The van was quiet. When our words failed, "Let's pray," and we did.
      I then looked up and said, "I've done all I can do inside here. What are we going to do?" She began sitting up, and for the first time I noticed tears in her eyes.Tears! They fell to her cheeks. She softly announced, "Well, I won't be going in there." I sat next to her as she wiped the tears, and I patted her leg, "It's okay." We took a few breaths. "I know you are not a huggy person, so I won't hug you, but could I please buy you breakfast?" We then exited the van. As I extended my hand out to her,and helped her down the steps, she grabbed it and asked my name again. "Angela," I answered. She replied, "Thank you Miss Angela. Yes, I will accept breakfast."

       As we walked through the prayer warriors, I handed her some money to buy breakfast and explained where McDonald's was located. We made sure she and her sister got to their car unscathed; the deathscorts had gone by now and the troublemakers silenced their mouths from screaming. God was in control. I thanked her sister Tiffany for all of her help and support. "Call me, Candy. Be careful on your way back home." She smiled and got in the car. I returned to the sidewalk and felt a mountain lifted from our shoulders as they pulled off the lot. That was a hard one. We prayed again thanking God for allowing our hands to reveal the handiwork of God that lay nestled in this abortion-bound mother's womb. We also prayed for what appeared to be a hardened mother's heart, to be softened after listening to God's plan for her life and how much He loved her. Oh, how God cares for life and calls His people to to give of their time to appreciate, to care, to protect, and to love. Guide our hearts, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. ~Angela

"I'm 30 weeks pregnant. I didn't know you guys would be out here or you could help me..."

TUESDAY, September 28, 2010

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:18

     Thank you Jesus! It was midnight abortions; abortionist Erin King had arrived early. As the abortion-bound mothers walked quickly up to the purple doors, it was so obvious they were advanced in their pregnancies as their swollen bellies were hanging over the lip of their pants. We pleaded mercy and offered other options. Cars were driving by; many cursing us this day. We knew we were on target with the devil.
        We had just confirmed our third save for the evening when the two college girls from St. Louis University came back out and looked over at us. God was answering prayers. We met them in the alley; the passenger was in tears as she told us her situation. We tried to soothe her and dry her tears as her friend  looked on. Her name was "Hannah." "That's our daughter's name!" We briefly shared her testimony; they smiled. "We would be willing to adopt another baby in order to help you out and save this precious one's life." She looked at me with tears and said, "I' m 30 weeks pregnant. I didn't know there would be anyone out here that would help us or that cared." "Did they show you your baby?" I asked. She handed me a paper. On it was the typical view mothers only get, that is the measurement of the crown  part of the baby's head, "So they know how long it will take to kill your baby and how much to charge. We could show you your baby if you like?" She looked at her friend, "We really don't have time. I just want to get out of this place." We handed her our brochure,  pointed out resources, and quickly prayed with her. She promised to call us.

      As they drove off the lot, we gathered in prayer.We remembered today's 40 Days for Life intention: "May we have a heart and a zeal to save the poor and release the oppressed." Just then Andrea, a recovering addict we spoke to earlier, came out for a cigarette break. She had shared with me her plight. She was in rehab; this was baby number 4. She prayed to God to give her peace and to let this one in her womb come back to her another time as she was trying to get her life back on track. I pleaded with her and said that, "Our God is a loving God; a God of mercy and grace. But God hates the shedding of innocent blood. That baby is innocent. There are other options such as adoption." I shared about the post-abortive depression many women have gone through after their abortions, but Andrea was willing to take this risk. "I'm not here to judge you; that is up to God. But as His messenger, I'm offering you another way out, no matter the circumstances."
       The abortion mill workers were eyeballing us and getting irritated. Finally, the guard came over and scolded Andrea that the staff has called her twice upstairs. 'There is still time to change your mind. God loves your baby, and He wants the best for both of you. Who knows what this child can grow up to be? He is full of endless possibilities. All he needs is a chance." She hugged me and whispered, "Thank you for caring. I will think about it and I will take your literature." With that, she walked back inside.

       We prayed once more, "Lord, touch her heart. Let that innocent baby stir in her womb. In today's prayer You empower Your spirit to do Your will on earth. Send us the poorest, the most broken, the most captive, the most blind, and the most oppressed in the world: the innocent pre-born children in their mothers' wombs that are scheduled for destruction. Help us to bring them healing, liberty, sight, and justice through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."