Mik’aela Raymond tells how abortion is a violent way to address a crisis pregnancy.

We returned to the University of Tennessee this past Spring to a mixture of callousness, indifference, curiosity, and blessing. God orchestrates dialogue around GAP, often in a miraculous fashion. Here are a few moments which stood out.

Be the hands and feet. Samuel approached the photos. He stopped in front of CBR staffer Jane Bullington, heartbroken, and asked, “What can I do?”  Showing photos not only changes hearts and minds, but it also prompts pro-lifers to do more. Many Americans
claim to be pro-life, but only in their heads; to end  the killing, we need their hands and feet to be pro-life as well.

Still needs healing. James, a 33-yr-old man, said, “I still regret what I did; my child would be 14. But everybody’s circumstances are different so I’m still pro-choice.” Jane urged him to share his story and seek healing. Please pray for James, that he realizes the full gravity of what he did, so that he can be forgiven and healed.

Does that really answer the question? CBR staff member Joanna asked a passerby “What do you think about abortion?” His response: “Long live Roe v. Wade.”

She wore her heart on her shirt. Jane saw a girl whose shirt said, “I would like to stop and talk to you, but I would be lying.” Jane laughed and told the girl her shirt was funny. The girl almost responded, but then realized that Jane was with GAP. She yelled “NO!” and flipped the bird. I guess she meant what her shirt said!

Making progress.  Sean expressed the unoriginal view that he is “personally against abortion, but wouldn’t stop someone else from having one.” How many times have we heard that?

CBR staffer Joanna Keilson asked him, “If I wanted to own a slave, would you be content with saying ‘that is your decision’ like you do with abortion?” He responded, “No, of course I wouldn’t!”

Joanna replied, “Slaves are human beings, despite the injustice done to them. The preborn are human beings, despite the injustice done to them. It’s not okay to own or kill someone else.”

He paused, then nodded, “I can see that.”   With GAP, the photos create interest and convey facts, and dialogue helps overcome obstacles to clear thinking.

Students began to try to block our signs, put the University forced them to relocate.  The University has learned from experience that we will defend our speech rights and those of pro-life students.

From our Spring 2018 GAP at the University of Tennessee.

Conclusions before evidence.  “I think abortion should be legal up until 6 weeks but not until 9 months. I really don’t know when I would say it’s wrong because I have not studied the development of the baby.”

Killed by “careful” parents.  A parent said, “It’s really sad.  That is why I tell my girls to be careful and not get pregnant in the first place.”  The logic is flawed, because there are many children killed every day that were created by parents who were being “careful.”

Pregnant “men” and favorite races.  Like Forest Gump (or somebody) said, “GAP is like a box of chock-lits.  Ya neva know watt you’re gonna gay-ette.”

Male student: “If I were a female on the way to becoming a male and was pregnant, would abortion be OK?”  CBR staffer Jane replied: “No.”  Student: “If I want to raise the child, once I’m a man, is that OK?” Jane: “YES!”  (The ideal would be a father and a mother, but most of us would choose any living arrangement over being decapitated and dismembered.)

Student: “One other question.  What is your favorite race?”   Jane: “The Human Race.”  Student: “I like your answer!”

Gaining consistency.  A young man tried the bodily autonomy argument except he didn’t support third trimester abortion. Mik’aela convinced him that wasn’t consistent, but unfortunately, he switched to supporting abortion through all 9 months to maintain consistency.  That may seem like a negative, but historians agree that Martin Luther King was effective because he pushed people out of the middle and forced them to take a side.  Ultimately, muddle-headed thinking is detrimental to our cause.

It’s all relative.  One young man wouldn’t consider abortion or anything wrong because morality is relative without a god, universe or higher power.  And according to him there isn’t one.  Of course, he would change his a-moral position very quickly if you stole his smartphone.

We get a lot of great support at the University of Tennessee.

There were some beautiful gems at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville during our Spring 2018 visit.

Planting the seeds, reaping the harvest.  “Last year I was mad at you,” Nola said.  “But I did some studying and realized abortion is wrong.  Preborn children should have a chance to live.”

Future pro-life lawyer.  “I’m studying to be a lawyer so I can fight against abortion.  Thanks for display.  May I have some pro-life buttons?”

We’ll take your baby.  A young woman asked if one of us would adopt her baby.  She said she had an abortion scheduled, but seeing the pictures she was hoping for another option.  CBR volunteer Tony replied, “YES!  Bring your baby here and we will keep her until you should want to come back and get your child,” he said.  We’re all praying for this young woman and her baby.

Experience reveals the truth.  “You guys are doing a great job,” Eric said.  He and his wife had two little girls who were born weighing one pound.  They were perfect.  That changed his whole perspective and even influenced his friends.  “They were people,” he said.

Campus pilgrimage.  Kaiya walked out of her way to find GAP after she heard about a pro-life group being on campus.  She was a freshman and wanted to be a neo-natal nurse.  She was pro-life and she made sure to let her pro-abortion roommates know where she stood.

Shocked by [Perverted] Sex Week.  We often schedule our trip to the University of Tennessee to coincide with [Perverted] Sex Week, an annual event.  “We are so glad you are here!” a visiting mother with her daughter said.  “My daughter is looking at UT to come here.  Did you see all the signs for “Sex Week?”  We can’t believe it!”

Glad his mom chose life!  A young male student asked, “How can anyone see this and think it is good?  I am glad my mother didn’t do this to me!  I am so glad you are here.”

Thanks from the other side.  “Thank you for being here with real information,” the pro-abortion young woman.  She was glad that people were being informed about what choice actually meant.  Forest Gump was absolutely right when he said, “GAP is like a box of chock-lits.  Ya neva know watt your gonna gay-ette.”

Exceeding expectations.  “I want to shake your hand.  My sister was suspected to have autism before she was born.  My mother chose not to abort.  Now my sister is in med school.”

Planting seeds of truth and reason.

by Tony Walker

Through GAP at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK), we have an opportunity to stimulate dialogue.  Many of those people at first oppose the pictures.  But they are willing to talk if I patiently wait for an opportunity, approach them with a gentle attitude, try to answer their questions and statements with honest and truthful information, and thank them for being willing to be there and take a stand.

Many are openly opposed, but by talking, they give me opportunity to plant seeds of truth and reason that begin to grow a little right then and there.

The opposition will argue that the unborn is not a “living human being.”  But we ask if it is “alive” (not dead or inanimate), and they admit it is alive.  Then we ask if it is “human” (not dog or apple), and they admit it is human.  Then we ask if it is a “being” (not just a human skin or blood cell of the mother), and they admit it is not part of the mother’s body.  They are left admitting the unborn is a “living human being.”

Now what they have left is the question of personhood.  They look at pictures of abuse and murder of Blacks, Indians, Jews, and unborn babies who were denied rights of personhood. They were called less than human, so it was OK to abuse and kill them.  The pictures are powerful and help connect the dots between historical and ongoing inhumanity.

I am thankful to be able to be a part of this graphic outcry.  It would not be possible without the gifts and participation of many workers and givers. I also thank the pro-aborts for being there, thinking and talking about this atrocity.  They bring more attention to the pictures and spark more interest in our message.  That brings out the reporters, who then take pictures and video and share it with many more.

After reading that, don’t you want to get in on the action?  Contact CBR and see how you can be a part of the next GAP trip!

Tony Walker is a CBR volunteer from Tennessee.