Street Sheet ~ A Report from our Sidewalk Advocates

Emily Naugle and Joan Shay were stationed as sidewalk advocates at Meridian Planned Parenthood Friday, 12th of Feb., 2016, 10:20a.m.-11:05 a.m.

We observed 4 female patients enter and 3 exit during that hour of time. Emily was holding a sign that read simply:

There is Help.

There is Hope.

At about 10:45, a Meridian city policeman drove up alone and spoke with us. We explained who we were, what we were doing (and not doing), and that we had permission to stand on Stanton property. I gave him the name of the officer with whom Karen was in contact. He explained almost apologetically that they have to respond to all calls, but he could see we were doing nothing wrong. As we spoke to him, a female patient wearing loose comfortable clothing exited the front door. She had parked near us. Joan smiled and waved at her; she waved back and got in her car. The officer left without going into the building.

The blinds of a window at the back of the building dropped loudly and suddenly. Emily had noticed that someone was watching us speak with the policeman from that window. Is it just our imagination…or did Planned Parenthood staff just use the police to provide an escort of distraction for that patient to get to her car?

Another patient exited soon after and stared at us for awhile from near the front door. It seems our presence and the policeman’s presence were being openly discussed to patients inside. Joan

Transitioning to Sidewalk Advocacy

Many of our readers are loyal 40 Days for Life Prayer Warriors.  Many of our Prayer Warriors bemoan the fact that staying on the public sidewalk keeps us away from the vulnerable women entering the abortion facility.  Being a trained sidewalk advocate offers a solution to this.

It is important to pray for the children that are in danger of being aborted.  It’s important to pray for the people that would choose to do that to them.  And it is important to pray for the people working and profiting from this death sentence.  Our prayers are compounded when we allow people to see us praying.  It reminds them that they too need to step up and doing something about the holocaust in our community.  Offering a public, peaceful prayer witness forces people to notice and think.  Abortion exists because good people refuse to think about it.  It ‘depresses them’ ‘is none of their business’ ‘too big of a problem for us to deal with alone’.

But that’s just it we’re NOT alone!

Don’t give up on praying!  If you are interested in adding another aspect to your work for the unborn Contact Us at Idaho United 4 Life to get trained as a Sidewalk Advocate.  Here’s a report from two of our Advocates.

Street Sheet

by Joan Shay:

Karen Simkins and Joan Shay were stationed near Meridian Planned Parenthood (on Stanton property north of PP) Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, 10:20a.m. to 12:25 p.m.

Working from prior information that Thursday is one of their surgical days at Planned Parenthood, we observed that females were leaving the building 1.5 – 2.0 hours after arriving, wearing loose clothing and moving slowly.

We were surprised to see at least 2 patients were driving themselves home!

During the 2 hours we were there, 6 patients went in and 5 came out. By watching who came and went, it looks like scheduling is arranged to allow about 3 patients per hour, staggered for the visiting doctor’s convenience. There would be waiting time, prep time, and maybe allow a doctor in with a patient for 20 minutes? Recovery time would be anywhere from 30-60 minutes? This is only our theory, based on what we already know about medical procedures. We welcome being corrected on these points.

One slow-moving woman emerged and got in a vehicle near us, so Karen greeted her. After entering her vehicle she didn’t immediately drive away. Karen realized she wasn’t well, and stepped over to check on her. The woman had her truck door open and had vomited on the pavement. She said she was okay, just lost her breakfast.

An AmeriPride van pulled up at one point and delivered a very small bag to the building. AmeriPride is a uniforms and linens company.

A professionally dressed woman in a silver minivan parked and entered the back of the building carrying a tote bag and a messenger style bag (like for a laptop). She was a few feet away, but didn’t acknowledge us. Another woman with dark hair exited from the rear and waved and smiled at us after Karen waved at her. These occurred around noon. The office had been open since 8 a.m.

I (Joan) have participated with 40 Days for Life for a few years, praying on the sidewalk along Franklin Road. This time, as a Sidewalk Advocate, I could actually see the people going in and out…..a teenager with her mother, a black couple, women alone, a Hispanic woman picked up by a Hispanic male who hugged her when she shuffled out. It was a real heart wrencher knowing that while we stood outside, inside at least 3 little lives were extinguished.  The people coming out each had their own stories of personal anguish and confusion. The knowledge of that made it more real for me…and more urgent to pray, intercede, educate, be on the sidewalk, and not give up hope!

Events to Commemorate Roe v Wade

March for Life – Boise

Friday, January 24, 2016

Ramona Trevino speaks at  St. Mark’s Church, 7960 W. Northview, Boise,  Ramona will give her testimony, answer your questions and sign her book “Redeemed by Grace”.  Let us know you’ll be there at mysignup.com

For three years, Ramona worked as the manager of a Planned Parenthood abortion-referral facility in Sherman, Texas. In the Spring of 2011, thanks to the inspiration from a local Christian radio station, the prayers and public witness of a 40 Days for Life campaign, and through God’s grace, Ramona reclaimed her walk with Christ and resigned her position at Planned Parenthood, which resulted in the clinic closing.

A dessert-coffee-tea reception and book signing, Redeemed by Grace, will follow.  This is  a FREE event but donations will be gratefully accepted.

Saturday, January 23, 2016
11:00 am  Life Mass at St. John’s Cathedral sponsored by St. John’s Social Justice & Idaho Catholics Respect Life
1:00 pm March begins at Julia Davis Park
Rally on the steps of the Capitol Building with featured speaker, Ramona Trevino.

Events Around the Country

First Ever Walk Northwest!  Spokane, Washington is the location of the first annual Walk Northwest on January 16th.  Featured speakers are: Walter B. Hoye II, Kathy Gonzales, Frances Mack, Rebecca Taylor, and Katherine Thrasher.  A group from the Treasure Valley will be travelling to this event.  Reply to this message if you are interested in joining them.

Walk for Life West Coast San Francisco is where this event takes place.  Multiple related events are happening from Friday, January 22 – Sunday the 24th.  Speakers included Emmanuel, David Daleiden, Uju Ekeocha, and Pastor Clenard Childress. A group from the Treasure Valley will be travelling to this event.  Reply to this message if you are interested in joining them.

National March for Life, Washington DC. In addition to Silent No More testimonies and visits to your representatives listen to: Matt Birk, Sue Ellen Browder, Jim Daly, Dr. Margarite Duane, MD, Jewels Green, Nathan Grime, Caitlin Jane, and Shawn Welcome.

Links to more information on all these events can be found on our community calendar.  No matter the event you attend, please share your experience and pictures with us!  Email: IDunited4Life@GMail.com.

Pro-Life Powerhouse in Boise!

Right To Life of Idaho would like to invite everyone to hear Ramona Trevino, at St. Mark’s Church, 7960 W. Northview, Boise, on Friday evening, Jan. 22 at 7:00 pm.

For three years, Ramona worked as the manager of a Planned Parenthood abortion-referral facility in Sherman, Texas. In the Spring of 2011, thanks to the inspiration from a local Christian radio station, the prayers and public witness of a 40 Days for Life campaign, and through God’s grace, Ramona reclaimed her walk with Christ and resigned her position at Planned Parenthood, which resulted in the clinic closing.

She will be giving her testimony and answering your questions!
A dessert-coffee-tea reception and book signing, Redeemed by Grace, will follow. This is a FREE event but donations will be gratefully accepted.

To help us to ensure adequate seating please register at: MySignUp.com
Your help is appreciated.

March for Life – Boise
Saturday, January 23, 2016

11:00 am Life Mass at St. John’s Cathedral sponsored by St. John’s Social Justice & Idaho Catholics Respect Life
1:00 pm March begins at Julia Davis Park
Rally on the steps of the Capitol Building with featured speaker, Ramona Trevino.

We Have Support

With the couple of uncomfortable encounters a few prayer warriors have experienced it may feel easy to walk away and find something more fun to do.  It is important to remember that we are helping those in desperate need with our prayers and our presence and we have support from the community too!  Read about these encounters:

Blaise,

Yesterday I went down to walk outside PP there on State St. I guess I got there around 11:30, there were four others there. Anyway, it was the usual people drive by honking in agreement and the others who gave us not so pleasant a gesture.  Then a big burly man approached us, you never know what someone might say to us sidewalk prayers,

he said “God put it on my heart that I should stop and pray for you guys”.  (Wow!!!)

He said, ” Would you like me to pray for you?”

Well, that was a no brainer!  “Yes” was our reply. He prayed and then he was gone.

Just thought I would share.

Regards
Carole

---

Carole,

I too saw this man yesterday!  He pulled up and got out of his truck in front of us.  My prayer partner from St. Mary’s said he looked like Hagrid from Harry Potter- and he did!  I got my phone ready for photos or to dial 911, and he came up and asked if he could pray with us!  This gentle giant is a student at the Boise Bible college and as soon as he left, I checked my email and you had posted this encounter from the day before.

Blessings,
Blaise

Praise Report from Joan

As we were wrapping up for closing prayer around 4:00 today (10-15-15) a woman parked her car close to the sidewalk and began to talk to Ted. He motioned me over. The young woman named Heather was driving by and wanted to say she supported what we were doing and thanked us for it. She said when she was 16 she became pregnant and went to Planned Parenthood. They pressured her to get an abortion, because she could not take care of a child, and told her there was no need to involve her parents. Heather wanted to keep her child, so she left. The 3-year-old daughter in the back seat was that child.

We were packing up the signs when Rachel said she saw a car suddenly turn in near us, circle the businesses, and show up in the parking lot on the other side. The driver was peering at us awhile, then pulled away. Pretty soon, she came walking up to us along the side of P.P. building, wearing an official name tag on a lanyard. We thought, “oh, no…what is this about?”. We’re all a little on guard since recent prayer warriors were being negatively encountered. Turns out she was a health care worker named Linda, on her way to work downtown, wishing to thank us for our efforts and to express she was in favor of what we were doing. Whew! We needed that, Lord!

~ Joan

How to Do 40 Days at State Street

Do’s and Don’ts

State Street Prayer Warriors

As we begin the Fall 2015 campaign to end abortion through prayer and fasting I invite everyone to copy and paste the following information for safe keeping. These are the General Guidelines to follow. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you and God Bless,
Blaise Bernal
208-409-9276
blethb@q.com

STATEMENT OF PEACE

 “40 Days for Life/Boise”

By signing up to participate in the vigil, you pledge:

• I will only pursue peaceful solutions to the violence of abortion when volunteering with the 40 for Life campaign.
• I will show compassion and reflect Christ’s love to all abortion facility or Planned Parenthood employees, volunteers, and customers.
• I understand that acting in a violent or harmful manner immediately and completely disassociates me from the 40 Days for Life campaign.
• I am in no way associated with Planned Parenthood, its affiliates or any abortion provider.
• If I am under 18 years of age, I will be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.
• While standing in the public right-of-way at the vigil site:
• I will not obstruct the driveways or sidewalk while standing in the public right of way.
• I will not litter on the public right-of-way.
• I will closely attend to any children I bring to the prayer vigil.
• I will not threaten, physically contact, or verbally abuse abortion facility or Planned Parenthood employees, volunteers or customers.
• I will not damage private property.
• I will cooperate with local authorities.Opening article

General Guidelines
for Prayer Warriors at
State Street Planned Parenthood (PP)

• ADDRESS: of Planned Parenthood on State Street is actually: 3668 N. Harbor Lane
• PARKING: is near the Idaho Athletic Club’s parking lot by Lake Harbor Lane, where we have permission (however, not near the Club’s main door itself , nor at Stanton or PP, please).
• POLICE contact information: 208-703-1553 (the cell phone of Officer Casey Handcuffs) – Save this number in your cell phone!
• VIGIL COORDINATOR contacts:
  • Boise PP Coordinator – Dee Barker – 208-850-3922
  • 40 Days” Facilitator – Blaise Bernal – 208-409-9276
• SIGNS: Each day there will be a “40 Days” sign, a small box of information and prayer helps; each person may bring your own sign with an appropriate caring message (instructions for picking up and storing signs each day will be provided separately to first and last prayer warrior each day) There is one sign with a handle to carry if you wish. Remember the signs are to identify our prayer purpose there – this is NOT a picket or a protest.
• PRAYER is important work — pray not only for the unborn, but for change of hearts for moms, dads, relatives, abortion clinic workers, doctors, media, elected officials, judges — and for each other!
• DRESS appropriately for the weather.
• BE ON TIME, meet your prayer partners and share phone numbers.
• CHATTING: avoid spending undue time chatting during your prayer time; visiting with others is best done in the parking lot before or after your prayer time.
• STAND only on the public sidewalk facing State Street (behind PP), take care not to block any pedestrian traffic.
• EQUIPMENT: If you have a stroller, walker (or if you need a small chair) please make sure not to obstruct those passing by.
• NEIGHBORS: Be respectful of adjacent businesses by not standing on their private property or sidewalks; as well, it’s important that your presence is only at Planned Parenthood (not nearby businesses) so that those passing by will connect us to the abortion business at PP.
• PRIVATE PROPERTY: Take care NOT to stand on Planned Parenthood property, their sidewalks or parking lot — they have been known to call the police.
• RESTROOMS: there are no restrooms available, so plan accordingly; only leave your post if there are others to remain there until you return.
• EMERGENCY: in case of emergency, if you are alone and must leave, please call one of the contact numbers above.
• BEING APPROACHED: At any time you may be approached by others who are:
  • Friendly to the pro-life effort – provide information to them in response to their interest, invite them to join us, get names and contact information if they are agreeable; you may want to invite them to pray with you while they are there, if they show interest.
  • Curious about what you’re doing – the first proper response is that we “are praying for an end to abortion” and “for life”; feel free to engage them in friendly conversation, be hospitable and welcoming.
  • Pro-choice, pro-abort or anti-Christian – smile, be friendly, don’t preach, listen, answer questions if you can, provide them with any information that might seem appropriate; be ambassadors of Christ.
  • Clients at PP, accompanying relative or friend – this has not happened often in the past, but again, be ready with kindness and offers of compassionate help; do ALL you can to provide necessary information and see if they are open to further contact from you or one of us.
  • Passing by in vehicles … honking in support … or against! Either way, the proper response is a smile and a wave.
• CELL PHONE: Bring your cell phone (if you have one) for emergencies only — (otherwise, no phoning during prayer time, please)
• enter the police #’s (on the box of information at the prayer site) in your phone;
• enter our contact #’s so you can contact us in case of emergency or if someone is late, etc. (also on the box of information),
• PHOTO’S: Take photos (if your cell has a camera) of your group, or anything unusual, and send them to us — with reports of encounters at the site.
• REPLACEMENT NO SHOW: If there is an empty hour or two after you – please follow the instructions regarding sign storage in your email from Blaise.

Q & A Regarding Life

Q:  What happened at all of the Planned Parenthoods in Idaho on Saturday, August 22?

A:  Over 600 people gathered to participate in the Nationwide “#ProtestPP“.

Q:  How can I make sure I know about this kind of event in the future?

A:  Make sure you subscribe to the IDunited4Life newsletter — because we’ll be letting you know when things are happening — so you can then forward this information to your own distribution lists — your church, your friends, your family. That’s what’s called “Community Outreach”.  And if you care about LIFE and ending abortion, that’s what it’s going to take.

Q:  What’s next on the horizon?

A:  “40 Days for Life” KICK-OFF RALLY and PRO-LIFE FAIR.

Q:  What will I have to do?  I’m not sure what I want to do, or if I can do anything.  How will I know?

A:  There are hundreds of ways to live out your pro-life beliefs!  Come check out this year’s Pro-Life Fair and see the MANY life affirming organizations and projects at work in Idaho!  This is so much more than a political issue — you might see how you can do something small and easy to change and save lives!

Q:  I’ve wondered about “40 Days for Life” but not sure standing out on the street is not my cup of tea?

A:  Well, if you’ve never tried it, you will be surprised — cuz you might just like it!  It’s prayerful, peaceful, law-abiding, non-political, and uplifting.  Anyone who doesn’t sign the pledge and adhere to those principles will not want to stay.  Look at how peaceful and uplifting the ProtestPP was.  Same thing.

Q.  What about talking to people out there on the street?  What if someone needs help and I don’t know what to tell them?  What if I wanted to go somewhere where I could actually do something else to help?

A.  Aha!  That’s what the Pro-Life Fair is all about.  “40 Days” is co-sponsoring this event in with the Pro-Life student club at Bishop Kelly, in conjunction with the Kick-Off Rally for the fall prayer campaign — just go give you all the information you need to consider that crucial question in your mind … “what COULD I do?”

Life Fair

What: An event to see other groups working for life & 40 Days for Life
When: Sunday, September 20, 2015, 7pm
Where: 7009 Franklin Rd, Boise – BK Front Gym – “The Reg”

The Fall 2015 40 Days for Life Campaign is only days away – Sept 23rd.  Now is the time to get reacquainted with your fellow prayer warriors and the rules of the road to be an effective witness for life.

We have a fantastic lineup of approximately 40 life affirming organizations for you to see.  Each will have a table and facts about their organization that you’ll need to fill up your trivia card for a chance to win prizes including Maverick gas cards or a $50 Roastere gift basket.  You will see: pregnancy centers, a brand new maternity center, adoption agency, student pro-life groups, the pro-life billboard project, post-abortion counseling, abstinence and chastity training, help for those experiencing miscarriage, awareness about human trafficking and internet crimes against children, information about political issues (no “politicking” though!!), a multitude of ways to help those in need with food, clothing .. and prayer groups … and more!

There is no cost to get into the event,
No cost to participate
In Fact You Might Walk Away With a Prize!

A short program for the Kick-Off before the “Main Event” will be the Gamboa family who have just this month opened a maternity home “Gate of Grace” in Boise for up to 6 young women in crisis pregnancies; then a few words about the “Sidewalk Advocacy training” and, of course, “40 Days for Life”.

While you’re there, you can sign up for an hour or more to “get your boots on the ground” during the prayer campaign. Try it! You’ll like it!

Questions? Contact Karen at 208-869-6804 or call Blaise at 208-409-9276

Sign up ahead of time to pray at Boise’s State Street Planned Parenthood at www.40daysforlife.com/boise

But most of all, come and see at
7:00 pm on Sept 20th
at BK

For LIFE!

Praise Report from Melissa

I just wanted to give you a small praise report.

I went out and took over for Tami this afternoon.  I felt a strong inclination that I needed to stay 10 minutes longer.  So, I did.  As I was headed to my car with my first load of things, a car pulled into the driveway and parked.  A man got out and came over to me and said, “I saw you here, when I drove past.  I had to  turn around to say thank you for what you’re doing.  And to give you some encouragement.  It’s just great you’re out here.”

Well . . . as you know this has never happened to me before.  I usually get the creepos who yell & flip the bird, etc.  I have to say my eyes got a little leaky. I knew this gentleman was sent by the Lord for further encouragement.  No only to me, but to everyone who is so faithfully out there praying.

It was nice to see you this morning.  Another wonderful victory!

What do I say?

“…do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” ~Luke 12:11-12

Fear keeps many of us off the sidewalk during 40 Days for Life Campaigns.  Fear of being confronted.  Fear that we wont know what to say, how to defend our stance.  Read about how the Lord led Joan Shay in this moment.

Last week, I looked at the schedule for the day, and decided to fill the 4-5 pm hour, which was empty. That was Thursday, a day I don’t usually go. But while I stood there alone praying, two ladies and their dog came by. I said Hi and backed up to let them pass, but they actually wanted to stop and talk to me!

Two subjects they raised were why do we have someone holding a bloody baby doll and gross photos, and what should the one lady tell her 12-year old daughter about why we were out there. So that was an opportunity to first explain we are not associated with the grim-reaper/bloody baby doll crew (!).

One lady was not born in this country, which gave me an opening to explain “free speech”, which allows people from all angles of the debate to openly express their viewpoints. And this led to their second concern: how to explain these issues to a kid, since they thought “choice” seems to be the most logical position, synonymous with freedom. Why would people be against that?

So I told them I was personally there because I am concerned that in a country of freedom of speech, religion, assembly and electing representatives, a human in the womb receives none of these freedoms, and therefore someone needs to be their voice, preserving their life until they can speak for themselves. These ladies said they never thought of it that way before.

Although I thought of things to tell them ~ after they were gone ~ I have to believe that that was a divine appointment, and even where I felt I lacked, God provided what He already knew they needed.