Joanna discusses abortion and rape at Lane Community College.

Despite a cadre of vocal pro-abortion protesters, we met many thoughtful students at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon.

Sharing the Gospel.  “F*** you,” Bryan told Joanna.  For a visual aid, he held up his middle finger.  Joanna responded calmly.  By the end of the conversation he said he was sorry for how he acted.  He brought up rape and the woman’s body in their calmer conversation.  He was an atheist but agreed that selfishness is not good.  Joanna shared the Gospel and why we love and care, and should be self-sacrificial because God loved us first and sacrificed for us.

A changing mind.  This same Bryan came back the next day.  He had thought long and hard about his first conversation with Joanna. “Two months is long enough for a woman to decide, and after that she shouldn’t kill her baby,” he declared.  Progress!!!  Joanna thanked him for thinking about what she said and coming back and encouraged him to consider the implications of his view.  If abortion is not OK after 8 weeks, then why not?  And what does that mean in a country and state where abortion after that point is allowed?

Young moms understand.  Skyann and McKenzie were both teen moms in high school.  Motherhood made them serious so they were already taking college classes.  Skyann kept her baby despite the lack of support she had initially.  “Yeah you’re giving up your freedom, but it’s so worth it.  All you do in high school is drink and party anyway so that’s all you’re giving up.  It’s amazing to watch your child grow,” Skyann said.  “This is so great.  I mean, it’s sad to see; the truth hurts,”  McKenzie chimed in.  Skyann told Joanna about a friend who had been raped.  She went through with her pregnancy despite it all.  She loved her baby no matter what.

Supporting remarks.  We got lots of encouragement at Lane CC:

• “It’s refreshing to see an opposing point of view!”  The young man said he was tired of always being silenced.
• “Good for you.  Hang in there.  It’s the right thing to do.”
• “I’m glad you’re here.  It needs to be in their face.  Stay strong.”
• “Thank you for being here,” said a woman whose grandchild was killed at the local Planned Parenthood.