The church across from the greens at UF
It was a cool morning. The sun still low and tall trees all around us so we were in the shade as we sorted through our material, supplies, and posters. Before setting it all up, we would gather as a group in a circle and Mark, our director or someone would read Scripture. He would give a refresher to our day reminding us what we were doing and that we should be doing it for the glory of God and with compassion, lovingkindness, and concern. Short devotions and prayer before our day began was always a great help and God was with us. After prayer, we decided where to place the posters and which would alternate showing abortion and pre-born photos. The team took their places around the area, ready to start. Brochures in hand, we were ready to stand for the unborn. At least, I was. I am talking to a teammate, Summer, in the photo below.The teammates usually would share their experiences daily and help each other out by giving different perspectives or new ideas of how to thwart any arguments or comparisons in support of the "choice."
I was nervous again. Of course. Even the best speakers are nervous before they speak. I said a quick prayer asking the Lord to work through me and to speak through me. I was His and all I do is for His glory. The students start to pour out of the building and walk past us every hour when the students go from one class to the next or to break or lunch. While at Florida State, I stood behind the posters. This time, I stood in front of them or by them. I stood on the edge of the sidewalk and started thrusting the brochures to students and some staff asking, "What do you think about abortion?" Students would walk by and not even glance in my direction or at the brochure I was holding. Some students would glance, catch my eye, but I could tell they were not interested or in a hurry. I would respond, "Have a good morning!" Some smile. That is good, isn't it? At least they are being polite. Some would slow down and ask quickly, "Who are you guys?" Some would just say, "What?" absentmindedly and I'd repeat, "What do you think about abortion? We're pro-life." A couple of students responded with crude expletives and walked away quickly. A few did stop and stand for a second before responding with an answer and a conversation would begin. I did have a good conversations with a few today and the next day. We were at University of Florida for two days.
Some students were very pleasant to speak to. They listened intently. I asked them questions and they answered. They questioned me and I tried my best to answer them. One man, perhaps a staff of the college, came to me and said that he is going to make a statement. His statement was, "If abortion was made illegal, the rich women can travel to another country and abort their child. The poor women couldn't do that and thus have to carry child to term." He wanted me to tell him how much I agreed with that statement. I said that I agreed with it strongly. It is possible that the wealthy women can just hop on a plane and travel to another country where it's legal or not an issue and have the "surgery." The poor women couldn't do that and so we will, by all means possible, help them with their pregnancies, aid them with finances, and guide them in readying for the raising of their child or if they chose not to, to help them consider adoption. It is also possible, though I hate to say that I know it is certain, that some women here in the U.S. will have abortions illegally. This man then asked me why I cared. He went on to explain that he only cared for himself above all. Then his family almost as much as himself. Then others, like me. Then these babies on the posters. Then the animals. He gestured with his hand a tier of how much he cared for each of these from most to least. He asked me why I cared so much about these babies. I said it's because they deserve to live and that they were equal with us in value. They are HUMAN and have as much value as a human that has lived a full life to old age. I told him that I cared about him too. He was a bit surprised. "Really?" he said. I replied, "Yes." He admitted to being selfish and complimented my selflessness. I had to tell him that I once was pretty selfish myself, though I cared about others more than this man did. I was selfish in pleasurable and worldly pursuits and didn't consider the consequences of my actions upon others. I said that I now have a good relationship with Jesus and relying on the Holy Spirit in my Christian walk to be more and more selfless and to rid myself of pride. After a few more minutes of explaining how I care about people, even people I do not see, people in other countries, suffering, people who need to hear the Gospel, and even the unborn, this man told that that I was a rare case. He said that he hasn't met someone so caring of others as I was and that I had given him something to think about about his own soul. He left. I prayed that I had planted a seed and that he would seek Jesus as his personal Savior. What joy. Simple joy. I ended my days at UF with peace in my heart.
After standing in the hot sun for four hours, I was still waiting for more opportunities to expose abortion. But it was time to pack up and go. I can't deny I was looking forward to returning to the Redmonds and to a filling supper. I loved that family and loved their hospitality. The late afternoon and evening was relaxing and some of the guys played with frisbees and played frisbee football. I was so out of breath and told myself that I should really get back in shape. Ha! Here are a couple of pictures of the Redmond's property.
Once again the Redmonds outdid themselves and we all appreciated their hospitality. Mrs. Redmond offered to do our laundry and I was thankful! I don't like stuffing dirty clothes back into my bag. I slept great and a breeze came in the window all night. We prepared sack lunches in the morning and headed off to UF for another day of outreach. The description above applies to both days of outreach at UF. I can't remember what day each of the conversations were, but this is my experience at UF and I was even more encouraged and ready as we headed towards Orlando, FL where we would have outreach at University of Central Florida. We left UF at around 3:30 pm and headed to the Schrimsers, a family who offered to feed us a wonderful chili supper and their home for fellowship & relaxation. Their homes (Mr. Schrimser's father's [who was in assisted living and who's wife had died 2 years earlier] home was next door, but it was empty and the guys and Mr. & Mrs. Raker stayed there) were on a beautiful lake that offered wonderful views of the sunset. The lush grass felt good to my feet and I spared no time to hop on a swing and have fun. Mr. Schrimser cleaned out the pool at his father's house and we guys pulled on our trunks and jumped in the...ah! it was chilly!...pool. It felt good though. The women and the Drayers left for The House of Hope and stayed there overnight.
Well, this is the end of Part II. I didn't know that there would be a Part III, but there will be one. I didn't want to make this too long. So, I'll wrap things up in the next post and I will have several more coming. I already have drafts waiting to be edited and posted, but I'll wait til after Justice Ride, Part III is published.
By now, God is nudging me constantly and a woman who volunteered to bring us lunch on campus the second day of outreach at UF told me, within five minutes of getting to know her, that I should be a preacher. What? I don't think I could do that, but I remind myself of Moses and Jeremiah. They also doubted fulfilling God's calling or command, but they did it. God was with them. He is faithful. I believe that. I know He will be with me and I know He will never fail me. So I am ready.
Until next post. God bless.
I was nervous again. Of course. Even the best speakers are nervous before they speak. I said a quick prayer asking the Lord to work through me and to speak through me. I was His and all I do is for His glory. The students start to pour out of the building and walk past us every hour when the students go from one class to the next or to break or lunch. While at Florida State, I stood behind the posters. This time, I stood in front of them or by them. I stood on the edge of the sidewalk and started thrusting the brochures to students and some staff asking, "What do you think about abortion?" Students would walk by and not even glance in my direction or at the brochure I was holding. Some students would glance, catch my eye, but I could tell they were not interested or in a hurry. I would respond, "Have a good morning!" Some smile. That is good, isn't it? At least they are being polite. Some would slow down and ask quickly, "Who are you guys?" Some would just say, "What?" absentmindedly and I'd repeat, "What do you think about abortion? We're pro-life." A couple of students responded with crude expletives and walked away quickly. A few did stop and stand for a second before responding with an answer and a conversation would begin. I did have a good conversations with a few today and the next day. We were at University of Florida for two days.
Some of them were pro-life all the way, especially the young men. Almost every woman I got into a conversation with were "pro-life except when...". In other words, pro-choice. But I find it weird to use "pro-choice". I am pro-choice as well. I support ourselves making our own choices. We all make choices everyday. "Pro-abortion" is what I'd prefer to use. The pro-abortion advocates are using "pro-choice" in the name of women's rights and allowing women to make a choice for their child's life. It is not theirs to make but the child's. Just look up Tim TeBow and Andrea Bocelli. Their mothers refused to abort them. Look at their lives now and how they've impacted people in one way or another. The 56 million babies aborted since 1973 could have been special people!!This young woman was pro-choice, though she wouldn't do it herself. I tried all I could to convince her on the spot, but I wasn't successful. I do believe, though, that I did plant a seed and that she may have checked out the information on the brochure. I shall pray for this young woman.
I had a rather pleasant conversation with this student. He is pro-life and I asked him if he would be able to tell someone else why he is. He said he really couldn't. I explained to him how he could support his beliefs as a pro-lifer. Equal rights. Human beings. Life at conception. Ways to help troubled women. Ways to help post-abortive women. How to produce good arguments (hey, I was still learning and he did help me with a few pointers he brought up himself). I hope he can join the fight and fight effectively!
Some students were very pleasant to speak to. They listened intently. I asked them questions and they answered. They questioned me and I tried my best to answer them. One man, perhaps a staff of the college, came to me and said that he is going to make a statement. His statement was, "If abortion was made illegal, the rich women can travel to another country and abort their child. The poor women couldn't do that and thus have to carry child to term." He wanted me to tell him how much I agreed with that statement. I said that I agreed with it strongly. It is possible that the wealthy women can just hop on a plane and travel to another country where it's legal or not an issue and have the "surgery." The poor women couldn't do that and so we will, by all means possible, help them with their pregnancies, aid them with finances, and guide them in readying for the raising of their child or if they chose not to, to help them consider adoption. It is also possible, though I hate to say that I know it is certain, that some women here in the U.S. will have abortions illegally. This man then asked me why I cared. He went on to explain that he only cared for himself above all. Then his family almost as much as himself. Then others, like me. Then these babies on the posters. Then the animals. He gestured with his hand a tier of how much he cared for each of these from most to least. He asked me why I cared so much about these babies. I said it's because they deserve to live and that they were equal with us in value. They are HUMAN and have as much value as a human that has lived a full life to old age. I told him that I cared about him too. He was a bit surprised. "Really?" he said. I replied, "Yes." He admitted to being selfish and complimented my selflessness. I had to tell him that I once was pretty selfish myself, though I cared about others more than this man did. I was selfish in pleasurable and worldly pursuits and didn't consider the consequences of my actions upon others. I said that I now have a good relationship with Jesus and relying on the Holy Spirit in my Christian walk to be more and more selfless and to rid myself of pride. After a few more minutes of explaining how I care about people, even people I do not see, people in other countries, suffering, people who need to hear the Gospel, and even the unborn, this man told that that I was a rare case. He said that he hasn't met someone so caring of others as I was and that I had given him something to think about about his own soul. He left. I prayed that I had planted a seed and that he would seek Jesus as his personal Savior. What joy. Simple joy. I ended my days at UF with peace in my heart.
After standing in the hot sun for four hours, I was still waiting for more opportunities to expose abortion. But it was time to pack up and go. I can't deny I was looking forward to returning to the Redmonds and to a filling supper. I loved that family and loved their hospitality. The late afternoon and evening was relaxing and some of the guys played with frisbees and played frisbee football. I was so out of breath and told myself that I should really get back in shape. Ha! Here are a couple of pictures of the Redmond's property.
It was spacious and as I've mentioned in last post, there are other homes on the same acerage and several of Mr. & Mrs. Redmond's children's families live in these homes.
The front yard where the guys played frisbee. Spanish moss hanging from the trees was beautiful.
Once again the Redmonds outdid themselves and we all appreciated their hospitality. Mrs. Redmond offered to do our laundry and I was thankful! I don't like stuffing dirty clothes back into my bag. I slept great and a breeze came in the window all night. We prepared sack lunches in the morning and headed off to UF for another day of outreach. The description above applies to both days of outreach at UF. I can't remember what day each of the conversations were, but this is my experience at UF and I was even more encouraged and ready as we headed towards Orlando, FL where we would have outreach at University of Central Florida. We left UF at around 3:30 pm and headed to the Schrimsers, a family who offered to feed us a wonderful chili supper and their home for fellowship & relaxation. Their homes (Mr. Schrimser's father's [who was in assisted living and who's wife had died 2 years earlier] home was next door, but it was empty and the guys and Mr. & Mrs. Raker stayed there) were on a beautiful lake that offered wonderful views of the sunset. The lush grass felt good to my feet and I spared no time to hop on a swing and have fun. Mr. Schrimser cleaned out the pool at his father's house and we guys pulled on our trunks and jumped in the...ah! it was chilly!...pool. It felt good though. The women and the Drayers left for The House of Hope and stayed there overnight.
Mr. Schrimser's father's home with pool. A chilly dip.
Our area of relaxation, the Schrimser's back porch
First thing we did upon arriving, dip our feet in the lake!
The view of both houses and the lush yard.
Both of our nights at the Schrimser's were peaceful
Well, this is the end of Part II. I didn't know that there would be a Part III, but there will be one. I didn't want to make this too long. So, I'll wrap things up in the next post and I will have several more coming. I already have drafts waiting to be edited and posted, but I'll wait til after Justice Ride, Part III is published.
By now, God is nudging me constantly and a woman who volunteered to bring us lunch on campus the second day of outreach at UF told me, within five minutes of getting to know her, that I should be a preacher. What? I don't think I could do that, but I remind myself of Moses and Jeremiah. They also doubted fulfilling God's calling or command, but they did it. God was with them. He is faithful. I believe that. I know He will be with me and I know He will never fail me. So I am ready.
Until next post. God bless.
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