March 2012
Amanda kneels to make her mark signifying that she thinks human rights begin at fertilization.
She made a beeline for our table, knelt down, and drew her line directly below the conception photo, signifying her view that human rights begin at that point. Later that day, she helped save a child from abortion.
This is how it happened.
After Amanda stopped to give her opinion during a Justice For All outreach at Wichita State University (WSU), I asked her why she drew her line at conception and whether or not she ever gets into conversations with people who disagree with her.
Amanda said that as a Christian she knew abortion was wrong but wished she knew how to make a strong case for the pro-life position to her non-religious friends.
She was eager to learn, so over the course of the next 20 minutes, I gave her a crash-course version of the Abortion: From Debate to Dialogue seminar. The conversation was very animated, and Amanda was a quick learner.
Catherine and Amanda talk near the JFA Kiosk.
As we talked, Amanda became pensive and shared that earlier that week her friend at work, “Kim,” had told her she was planning to get an abortion. Amanda realized the situation was urgent because Kim is only 19, has already had one abortion, is raising two small children, and has an unstable relationship with her boyfriend.
“Amanda believes that God brought JFA to her campus as an answer to her prayer.”
Kim is not a Christian, so Amanda didn’t think it would help to use the Bible to talk her out of abortion. During the two days prior to the outreach at WSU, Amanda had been praying for God to somehow give her the words she would need to boldly reach out to Kim with love. Amanda said she believed God had brought JFA to her campus that day as an answer to her prayer.
I then gave Amanda a copy of the JFA Exhibit Brochure and showed her how to give Kim a two-minute summary. We also discussed Choices Medical Clinic, which provides local resources for women who are considering abortion. I helped Amanda brainstorm how to broach the topic with Kim naturally. We prayed together, hugged, and traded contact information before Amanda had to leave for work.
That afternoon, Amanda gave Kim a ride to work, stopping for coffee along the way. She told Kim that some people had come to her campus to talk about abortion and that she thought Kim ought to look at the information they were handing out.
Amanda prayed silently and handed Kim the JFA Exhibit Brochure, saying, “I know you’ve had an abortion before, so some of these pictures will be difficult for you to see. But I think it’s important that you look at all of the information in here while you’re deciding what to do. And I want you to know I’m here for you.”
“[JFA’s brochure] made me realize that getting an abortion would be worse for my baby than the bad situation I’m in with my boyfriend.”
The very next day, Kim called Amanda to say that looking through the brochure had caused her to think about everything in a new way. Amanda asked what she meant, and Kim said, “It made me realize that getting an abortion would be worse for my baby than the bad situation I’m in with my boyfriend.” Kim said she had decided against having an abortion!
Kim has since visited Choices Medical Clinic for a free sonogram, counseling, and other care. She and her two children have moved in with her mom. She also has a new, better-paying job, and her baby is due to be born this August.
Please pray for Kim and her children, and please pray for Amanda as she continues to reach out to her friend with truth and love. Amanda says she wants to go through our entire training program and to be more active with JFA in the near future.
Note: There’s more to this story. Keep reading.
GOD WAS AT WORK IN THE LIVES OF AMANDA AND KIM
"Extras": More Details from Catherine's original March/April 2012 Letter from which the above report was drawn ("On-The-Spot Training Helps Save a Life")
We thank God for orchestrating these events and working through Amanda to pursue Kim and her precious child. Consider these additional details of the story:
For years Amanda had felt God calling her to do something about abortion, but didn’t know what to do.
Amanda and Kim have such different lifestyles that people at their work have wondered aloud why they get along so well. Amanda is convinced it is all by God’s grace, according to His plan.
Our JFA team would not normally have had an outreach at WSU in January. The only reason we were there that week was to test out the new kiosk before taking it all the way to Arizona at the end of the month.
There's another reason we might never have met Amanda; she was only going to stop at the kiosk for a few minutes between classes. But the class she was heading to got canceled, so she had time to stay and get trained!
After talking with Amanda, Kim called the JFA office the following week on a day that I don’t usually answer the phones, but I happened to pick up. She had already decided to keep her child, but she seemed stressed. I felt privileged to be able to listen, process with her, and arrange a three-way call with one of the counselors at Choice Medical Clinic.
APRIL 2012
“Today I had the privilege of seeing a sonogram of the child whose life was spared by God working through me, and as I watched her wiggle around on the screen, we found out she is a precious baby girl :)”
NOVEMBER 2012: ONE (TINY) PERSON AT A TIME
A Note from Catherine Wurts
Dear Family and Friends,
"Lucy"
This spring I wrote to you about Amanda, who I met on her campus in January. Later that day, she shared our brochure with her friend, "Kim," who had already had one abortion and was planning to get a second one.
Kim said that the JFA brochure helped her realize “that getting an abortion would be worse for my baby than the bad situation I’m in with my boyfriend.”
Amanda and I were privileged to attend Kim’s baby shower on my birthday (best birthday present ever), and we got the news in August that her baby girl was born!
When this picture was taken, Amanda was so happy to be able to meet Lucy for the first time!
Kim and Amanda continue to keep in touch. Earlier this month, Amanda sent me the beautiful photo above with the message, “I’m hoping to meet her soon!” And last week, she sent me the photo below of herself holding Kim’s baby girl with the message, “Finally met her!”
I am so grateful to God for the grace and courage he has given these two young women, and for the life of this beautiful baby girl. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission. Together we are making abortion unthinkable, one person at a time.
In Christ,
Catherine Wurts
DECEMBER 2013: YOU HELPED SAVE THIS GIRL'S LIFE!
A Note from Catherine Wurts
Dear Family and Friends,
Last year I shared a story with you about meeting Amanda the day after her friend, “Kim,” told her she was planning to get an abortion.
Amanda holds "Lucy," now one year old.
After we spoke, Amanda shared the JFA brochure with Kim, and it changed her mind. In Kim’s words, “It made me realize that getting an abortion would be worse for my child than the bad situation I’m in with my boyfriend.”
Kim’s baby girl “Lucy” was born last August!
Amanda continues to be a positive presence in Kim and Lucy’s lives. Last month I got a text message from Amanda. I opened it to find the photo you see nearby, along with the following caption: “The first time I saw my precious jewel since she turned 1.” I just had to share this update with you!
We have heard of quite a number of lives that have been saved as a result of pro-life people lovingly sharing our little nine-inch JFA brochure with abortion-minded women. If you would like copies of our brochure so you can be prepared to help a woman in the same way, please [request them here]. I would also be glad to share with you ideas of how to bring up the conversation and how to share the information in the brochure in a loving way, just like I did with Amanda that day.
Thank you for your support of my work at JFA. Whether you send prayers or financial gifts or both, your partnership allows me the great privilege of being here, living out our mission of training thousands to make abortion unthinkable for millions, one person at a time.
In Christ,
Catherine Wurts