They’ve called themselves by many names over the years…Tigers…War Eagles…Plainsmen. But regardless of label, Auburn students were some of the most thoughtful we’ve encountered recently. And it sure was encouraging to us. No matter the type of response we receive, we know the soil is tilled, seeds are planted, and the truth takes root.

The pictures work … again. Gabe said, “I think you’re doing this work exactly as it should be done.  Put up pictures and let them work. It is so hard these days to have a reasonable conversation.”

Pictures don’t work?  Jennifer, a Christian student, didn’t agree. “My marketing background says this method does not work for this generation. It only makes them mad and they won’t have a calm, informed conversation with you.”

If Jennifer had looked around, she would have seen dozens of newly-informed students calmly learning how abortion is genocide. Like the great philosopher Yogi Berra said, “You can observe a lot just by watching.”

Yeah, they work. Alex, a chemical engineering student said, “Those pictures make me realize that abortion is killing a child. I used to think that it was just a woman’s choice.” That’s why we came!

Activating the converted. The pictures neutralize the opposition, convert the neutral, activate the converted, and energize the active. Benjamin, a pro-life student said, “Your pictures and answers make me believe I need to be active defending preborn children.” 

“You say it best when you say nothing at all.” Jane offered a brochure to a young man, which he declined. She asked if he wanted to talk. “I’d rather not,” he answered. As his chin began quivering, he walked away, obviously moved. Pray for courage and perhaps healing for this young man.

Courageous Students. We were invited by Auburn Students for Life and greatly assisted by enthusiastic Turning Point USA students. They even took some of our “Choice” signs for a pro-abortion rally later that day! We hope to work with these courageous students again soon.

It was lively in Chapel Hill, as always!

Failure of Christian leadership. “They don’t show you this,” she said. “They say it’s just a clump of cells! They’re lying! That’s a baby! This is really hard to look at.  It makes me angry.” Lilly is a Christian student, but had never seen abortion before. Her complaint was against professors who lied to her, but maybe she should confront church leaders who also hid the truth from her.

Powerful arguments? For more than two decades, we’ve asked pro-aborts to justify decapitating and dismembering little human beings. They can’t, but they gave it their best shot. Their signs and chants were not convincing:

•  Whose campus?  Our campus!

•  Go home!

•  My body, my choice!

•  If you don’t want an abortion, don’t have one!

•  You’ve taken away our right to be safe!

As they packed to leave, one of them, referring to us, remarked to another, “They really don’t have an argument.” Riiiiiiight.

Counterproductive. Tripp laughed. “This is awesome!” he said, pointing to the pro-aborts protesting GAP. “They think they’re hiding the message, but they’re just drawing more attention to it!” He was right. And we love it when a plan comes together.

Quiet support. Many students support our work, but fear reprisals. Jane told one of them, “Take this brochure and, under cover of darkness, give it to someone who is on the fence.” He took it.

Death wish. Please pray for these dear children who tell us they are so miserable that they wish they had never been born. We hear that often. We try to share the Gospel; some listen and some do not.

Thank you! Kathy said, “Thank you. This makes me so sad,” as tears came to her eyes. We thank you, our financial partners, for sending us to Kathy and others at UNC, because we can’t go unless you send us.

During our last visit to the U of Tennessee, we were greeted by a dozen women whose tops consisted entirely of small but strategically placed squares of duct tape. We can only imagine how much it hurt to peel those off. OUCH! 

Yes, they were pretty nasty. The level of hate is quite astonishing, but understandable. These children have been taught to hate their country, hate people who don’t agree with them, and, in some cases, even hate their own bodies.   They appear to have learned that lesson well.

Still, we were encouraged by a steady stream of students who stopped and thanked us for being there. Even on campuses that seem completely overcome with darkness, we always seem to find those few who are lights amidst that darkness.

Inspiring faith. Debbie Picarello was stationed near GAP representing Deeper Still, a post-abortion healing ministry and was able to reach many students who desperately needed it.

Julie was 19 when she aborted at 5 weeks.  She was sure God knew she wasn’t “ready.”  But now she is comforted by a little girl in her dreams.  The girl appears to be 3 years old.  Debbie told her many post-abortive women have dreams of their children in heaven.

Julie was not ready to come out of denial, but she did say, “Your faith is inspiring me today.”

Praying for courage to speak. Melody was almost aborted. Her dad took her mother to the clinic for a consultation. But when her mother came back the next day, sidewalk counselors spoke with her and took her across the street to the Hope Resource Center. This was Aug 18, 2000. Now both Melody and her mom are Christ followers. Melody realizes she has a special story to tell and is praying for the courage to tell it.