From 40 Days For Life: DAY 31: VIDEO – First campaign in Hong Kong

Dear Deacon John,

 

Faith, courage and persistence.

All were needed to start the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in Asia ... and one person made it a reality.

There’s always at least one big surprise when we ask for volunteers to lead new campaigns. This time … it was from a courageous young man named Joseph.

Joseph is an American who saw the need for prayer in the city in which he’s currently living – Hong Kong.

At first, even he wasn’t sure it would be possible. But today, seeds of new pro-life efforts in Hong Kong are being planted.

Be inspired by this short video that’s partly in English, partly in Chinese (don’t worry – there are subtitles). The attack on the dignity of the human person is global, but prayer works ... no matter what part of the world you live in.

 

To watch the video, click on the image below ...

 

... or go to:

 

https://40daysforlife.com/2016/03/11/day-31-3/

 

Simply put, no one has done this before in Hong Kong. And as the campaign goes on, more volunteers are getting involved. It also helps that all of the 40 Days for Life materials have been translated into Mandarin and Cantonese.

 

The languages may be different, but volunteers see many of the same sights outside Hong Kong Family Planning that are seen at other vigils – including greatly disturbing sights, such as the medical waste truck and at least one ambulance.

 

“I know I really have to pray,” Joseph said. “What we are doing matters.”

 

Perth, Australia

 

 

“A wonderful turnaround this morning!” said one of the 40 Days for Life team members in Perth.

 

A couple drove into the driveway … but stopped and opened their window to talk to one of the counselors. The young woman said she was there for an abortion. “She was really quiet and she looked really scared,” the volunteer said.

 

They took information about free community resources – and went inside the abortion center.

 

About five minutes later they came out, got in their car, drove off … and didn’t come back!

 

Another couple had been inside the facility for about an hour. As they were leaving, they walked up to the people praying. The young woman told them, “I’ve changed my mind. I’m keeping my baby. Can I please have a hug?”

 

“It is imperative that a physical, peaceful and prayerful presence be outside of the abortion clinic,” said one of the Perth campaign leaders. “Imagine if our people weren't there? Praise God that He uses us to do His will. Peaceful, prayerful presence works!”

 

Manizales, Colombia

 

Manizales is one of a dozen Colombian cities taking part in this 40 Days for Life campaign.

 

This is their first vigil … and they’re seeing tremendous blessings from their prayer presence on the sidewalk – including at least one mother who changed her mind.

 

In this case, confirmation came not by word of mouth but by text.

 

One of the volunteers had given this young woman her number. Here’s what she had to say:

 

“A huge thank you to you and everyone from 40 Days for Life! We have decided that we are not going to abort and that we will have our baby who is on the way no matter what happens. We thank you so much and now more than ever we need your prayers!”

 

So please keep praying for this family – and to all those in similar situations who need God’s strength.

 

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Here’s today’s devotional from Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh, Pastor, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.

 

Day 31 intention

For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.

 

Scripture

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

— Psalm 139:16

 

Reflection from Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh

Human beings — God’s tapestries.

Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence.

Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use — God’s creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God’s unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16).

The Hebrew word used to express God’s forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery. In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God’s artistic mastery.

And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being. Each is fashioned by God and known by him and we can proclaim on behalf of each, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

 

Prayer

Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.

 

Printable devotional

To download today’s devotional as a printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/media/day31.pdf

For life,

 

SHAWN CARNEY President 40 Days for Life www.40daysforlife.com