I miserably missed the target.

Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself. Galatians 6:1-3

After 16 days at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, we all have had many encounters.

Some of us met other prayer warriors and could visit with them. It's always inspiring and encouraging when we affirm each other, our work and especially when we share the story behind our commitment to being "pro-life". These stories always touch our hearts. Each is unique because we are unique persons.

The ones that leave me with a deep impression are those shared by women who have had abortions. They don't have an "opinion" or a "stand" on the issue of abortion. They have an experience. When they "stand" with us on the sidewalk, they may feel that they were once considered "the enemy" by us and they considered us the "enemy" as well.

I know that they are there because they love Jesus. In the words of one of them, "If Jesus could carry that cross, I can stand here for an hour". They have to face us -the pro-lifers- and they have to face them -the women who have had or are going to have an abortion. They fill the gap. They feel an obligation to "fulfill the law of Christ" by sharing the burdens of abortion and helping other women make a better choice or heal from a life of regret.

Some of us also met with passersby. Those are uplifting stories, in most cases. The nice lady who parks and comes to pray for us, the young paramedic driving into the San Marcos Care Center who stops by to share his experience as a prayer warrior, the young man who wants to be a father and asks for our prayers, and many more. It feels really good to be "pro-life" with them, no challenge at all!

It's also interesting when someone asks us how come we pray for an end to abortion, but not for an end to war, or for other causes, or even when they are "intellectually-pro-choice". In the words of Paul to the Galatians, we "who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit..." and we are usually "prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have".-1 Peter 3:15

However, there was also the challenging encounter. The lady from Africa, now a student at Cal State - San Marcos, who struggles with her faith since she feels that abortion and contraception are necessary in her home country. She went straight to the ladies of "Silent No More" Awareness Campaign attracted by their sign "I regret my abortion". She started a heartfelt conversation with one of them. She could go right into the questions: "Did you have an abortion?", "Why do you regret it?", "How do you know it's wrong?".

I realized that there was nothing I could say to her, because all my reasons, as valid as they are, were not answering her questions. Still, I thought I could give her some helpful literature.....I miserably missed the target. She didn't care! The only person who could talk to her was the woman that shared her experience.

What a humbling experience: "For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself." I learned a very good lesson, one that I hope will make me a "gentle spirit, looking to myself, so that I also may not be tempted" when I try to "correct someone caught in transgression".

It also made me realize that we all need to learn how to work together and be aware that what we have to offer may not be good for someone and that the person right next to us can be the one God appointed for that someone at that time.

I think this is particularly true when dealing with post-abortive women. We are so fortunate to have the group "Silent No More" with us in this 40 Days for Life campaign. If women approach them, we need to let them handle the situation and pray at a distance. God is using them!

Keep praying!

Yours in Christ,
Elena