Happy birthday, Mrs. Engen!

On Saturday, April 17th, Mrs. Virginia Engen was honored at an 85th birthday party given by her children. The family asked anyone who want to honor Virginia to give a gift to MWC in her name for the Amazing Grace Home. This thoughtful gesture is typical of Mrs. Engen, a women who has served on MWC's board of directors and has ministered faithfully for the Lord for many years. Over $400 was given in her name for the project with a case of copy paper and some diapers thrown in for good measure! Happy birthday, Mrs. Engen, and thank you for sharing your day with us!

Fundraiser: Backpack Project

500 boxes of backbacks to conquer


Ben Straub, our fearless leader


Seth and Jon are ready


Denise Garsinii and Chris Robertson from West River Road Baptist


Susan Mowen and Veronica Horne from Family Baptist
Mike and Emiko Wederath from Normandale Baptist


500 boxes finished in 6 hours!

Children of the Corn(huskers)

from Family Research Council

After two years of the most pro-abortion administration in history, more states are taking pains to relieve the unborn of theirs. Yesterday, Nebraska made good on its promise to drive a stake directly into the heart of the state's abortion business. With the overwhelming support of his legislature, Gov. Dave Heineman (R) signed two bills into law that could revolutionize the pro-life debate nationwide.

The first law requires women to undergo a mental health screening before they abort their babies. The second, which even the Associated Press called "groundbreaking," is an outright ban on abortion from 20 weeks on. Based on nine scientific studies, pro-life leaders argued that late-term babies can feel pain and, as such, should not be victims of abortion violence. Interestingly enough, the idea came about as a strategy for driving Dr. LeRoy Carhart, an ally of the late George Tiller, out of Nebraska. Carhart, one of the few who still perform barbaric late-term abortions, promised to carry on Tiller's gruesome legacy. Pro-lifers saw this as one way to force him to pack up and relocate.

Both laws are the first of their kind--but, given the interest of other states, probably not the last. Several governors have been eyeing Nebraska's debate to see if they should follow suit--or, more accurately, lawsuit. Irate at the prospect of losing business, national organizations like NARAL and Planned Parenthood have hunkered down to plot a major legal challenge. No matter how the courtroom drama unfolds, this is a sweeping victory in the court of public opinion. Even if judges manage to overturn the law, Nebraska has succeeded in sparking a national dialogue about fetal pain in a country that's reached a pro-life tipping point.

Whether by ultrasounds or the science of sensory development, the Cornhuskers are helping to tug on the sensibilities of more Americans. In a country where even criminals are executed humanely, this should trigger some key questions. If we spare these offenders the pain of their deaths, how much more should we be concerned about the suffering of these innocent and viable human beings? Barring some judicial intervention, the law is scheduled to go into effect this October.

Opportunities abound!

I am so excited about our volunteers!

Whether they are pastor's wives, former exotic dancers, college students, housewives, retirees, or high school students, I am blessed by their sacrificial service to share truth with our clients and callers. Each of them has the common desire to point people to the Lord, to speak the truth to individuals about abortion, and to support and encourage those who are in need of hope. Each of them has been willing to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to minister tirelessly in Jesus' name. This week our volunteers had opportunities to share with people of all ages, from 14 to 45, and from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. All of the encounters were positive, even though there were disagreements about choices, and the individuals the volunteers served indicated that they would refer their friends to us in the future!

To all of you who volunteer, thanks for your faithfulness!

$363 in Baby Bottle Change!

Thank you to Jen and Dan Stahl and their small group for organizing a baby bottle drive for the Amazing Grace Home and for coming to the Center for a tour! This group of AMAZING folks collected funds in bottles and also brought diapers and wipes for our Center's HOPE program. One bottle was full of one dollar gold coins!

Pictured are Kristen Cruze, Jen Stahl, Heather Saffer, Shane Acker, Zach O'Neel, and Dan Stahl. Thanks for praying for the ministry and giving sacrificially so babies can be saved and men and women can hear the Gospel!

April Proclaimed Abortion Recovery Month

Saturday, April 10th, started with a press conference in front of Planned Parenthood in Highland Park to support SILENT NO MORE MINNESOTA's unveiling of its new billboard campaign offering compassionate help to women and men hurt by abortion. Earlier in the month Governor Tim Pawlenty had proclaimed April to be National Abortion Recovery Month. Here is the full text of his resolution:

Many Minnesota organizations offer support and recovery services to those who have had abortions or who have been impacted by abortion. Many organizations in Minnesota promote policies that reinforce a culture of life and hope. Abortion recovery programs help individuals heal by providing counseling, support groups, encouragement. Abortion Recovery Month encourages and promotes healing opportunities and raises awareness of the aftermath of abortion experienced by individuals and families.


My friend Ann Marie Cosgrove and other women gathered to offer hope and help to those who are suffering the aftermath of abortion with the forgiveness of Christ as the cornerstone for redemption.(photo attached)

I think it is interesting that abortion advocates swear up and down that abortion does not cause any emotional, physical or spiritual aftershocks, yet at www.afterabortion.com you can read the testimonies of hundreds of men and women who are struggling to deal with the effect of their abortions on their daily lives. There are a variety of ways individuals suffer after abortion but themes of regret, loss, anger, and spiritual damage are common.

If you are reading this and would like to know more about how to heal after abortion, men or women, please contact me at colleen@metrowomenscenter.org, and I can send you some resources or chat with you online.

I guess we hit a nerve . . .

I am fascinated by the pro-choice groups who are determined to castigate pregnancy care centers, like MWC and others, for offering alternatives to abortion. While "choicers" proclaim choice and demand that everyone "trust women to decide for themselves how to manage their reproductive lives," they are horrified when women are offered the opportunity to explore choices other than abortion. If the choicers truly trust women to be smart and capable, then why do they think these smart and capable women will be irreparably damaged by a simple conversation about alternatives?

I am interested to know why the choicers blocked me from commenting on their Facebook page regarding the Lillith Concert charity controversy? They removed all my comments, even though I was asking honest questions about their view of choice. None of them have yet to accept my invitation to come to the Center for tea or a Coke so they can actually see what we do rather than painting all life-affirming centers with the same broad brush.

The scenario described in the "Socialist Worker" blog would not happen at MWC, and I venture to say that it would not happen at other centers of good reputation. Choicers hate it when life-affirming organization make sweeping generalizations about them, but it's OK when they do it because they are protecting women from harm. Can you say "paternalistic"? How can offering truth abut fetal development, truth about the possible medical possible risks of abortion, and truth about alternatives be harmful to a smart and capable woman? Could it be that choicers are really only about choice on their terms?

Fundraising Opportunity: One Saturday Only!

The Lord has provided another great opportunity for MWC to raise funds for our Amazing Grace Home. This time the amount to be raised is $1,250!

DETAILS:

When: Saturday, April 24, starting at 7 AM and going to 5 PM or for any part of the day that you can help!

What: We need to unpack some boxes, cut out tags on the bags, and repack back the bags in the same boxes. There are 250 boxes. Each box has 20 bags inside, and we will be paid $0.25 to cut out each tag. We think one person can average 3 boxes in an hour.

Where: The Lock Up Self Storage
2960 Empire Lane, Plymouth, MN 55447
We will provide food!

Who: We would like 10-15 people to commit to help. All you have to do is show up ready to work.

Please let me know ASAP if you can help!
Phone: 763.533.8642
Email: colleen@metrowomenscenter.org

Lilith Fair Flap - Pro-choicers are not appearing very pro-choice!

I don't know if you have been following the latest controversy over the Lilith Fair concert that is coming to the Twin Cities. It is a huge female-artist concert, and they have advertised that people can nominate charities of their choice to receive $1 from every ticket sold. This is a secular concert, and it appears that many supporters of it are livid that some of the nominated charities are crisis pregnancy centers from around the country. Evidently the concert travels around to cities in the US, and supporters can nominate charities in their cities to receive the $1 donation.

I did not know anything about this until a reporter contacted me and asked how we had gotten selected. I told her I had no idea but thought it was fine if people wanted to support our cause in this way. We don't support the concert, but if someone was kind enough to nominate us, we will surely put the funds to good use for our "pro-woman" cause.

Anyway, after the phone call I thought I had better check it out, and I discovered a whole bunch of really ticked off pro-choicers and some reasonable ones on the Lilith facebook page listed below. I responded to the post by a woman named Stacy, who challenges the legitimacy of Metro Women's Center specifically.

While we don't support the concert, someone nominated us so I think this is a great opportunity to educate the public about our mission and to invite Stacy to the center for a cup of herbal tea. I know Stacy follows our blog, so come on over, Stacy, and we can chat!

Death on the Prairie

Please join me in praying for my friend John Aron Trandem, who is working to end abortion in North Dakota where there is only one abortion clinic in the whole state (in Fargo). March 28 he sent me the following information. It is hard to read, but I really think it is important to be informed about the thinking of those who support abortion rights.

"One of the reasons I started this facebook group was that I found the local abortuary had a 'fan' page, and so I wanted to create a bigger group which would stand up against the arbitrary taking of human life. We accomplished that goal very quickly and continue to grow with nearly 1200 members!

The reason for this message is to encourage each of you to visit the abortion clinic's page and read their wall posts about their prayer in favor of abortion.

Among the 40 entries is, "Today we pray for a cloud of gentleness to surround every abortion facility. May everyone feel calm and loving." A cloud of gentleness? How does that make sense?

Another is: "Today we pray for the women who travel hundreds of miles to get an abortion. May their determination be rewarded with spiritual strength." What do they deem spiritual strength, and does it have anything to do with God?

Yet another entry reads, "Today's blessing - it is Abortion Provider Appreciation Day - what have you done to show your appreciation for your local abortion provider? Ideas include donating money to your fund, sending a note of support, or calling the clinic to say thank you."

Please uphold John and the folks in ND who are standing for life.

An abortion doula?

I know that it is a lovely spring day and you would rather not think about abortion today, but I have to get this off my chest!

The term doula means "a non-medical assistant in childbirth. A doula is not the father but is usually a woman who is experienced in childbirth. The role of the doula is to provide the mother with physical and emotional assistance before, during, or after childbirth. Also known as a birth assistant, birth companion, childbirth assistant, or labor support professional." (www.medicinenet.com)

The word "doula" comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)

Abortion clinics are now offering the women who come the clinics the services of an "ABORTION DOULA." This practice started in New York City as a way to provide support for a women who was having an abortion. www.thedoulaproject.org [Be advised that this site is graphic!]

Now, I am really confused because I thought a doula was a person who "provides the mother with physical and emotional assistance before, during, and just after childbirth." Pro-choicers like to point out to us ignorant pro-lifers that abortion does not end the life of a child, it's just tissue or a clump of cells . . . but it is definitely not a CHILD!

Well, if that is the case, then what is the need for doula? Isn't abortion just like having your tonsils or appendix out or having a tumor removed? It is according to our pro-choice friends. So, what would be the need for emotional support by a doula when you are just removing tissue or a clump of cells?

Can I get a tonsillectomy doula? an appendectomy doula? a tumor doula? I surely must need physical and emotional assistance to support me after the loss of these precious parts of MY body?

You say, "That is ridiculous." Of course it is. But it highlights the point that we don't grieve for tissue or a clump of cells; we grieve for a child when he or she is aborted. Pro-choicers can't have it both ways--if it's not a child, it's not childbirth. No childbirth, no doula required. We mourn for people, not tissues, tonsils, or tumors.