Since late August, it seems like one calamity after another has befallen us. First, it was Hurricane Harvey and then Jose. These were followed by a massive earthquake in Mexico, and then another hurricane in Puerto Rico (Maria), and then the worst mass shooting in recent American history in Las Vegas which left 58 dead and hundreds injured. Last but not least, wildfires then broke out in California, leaving widespread death and destruction, particularly amongst the elderly.
As a ministry concerned with life, our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones as well as to those injured or suffering property losses. We also individually applauded and joined in with efforts to assist those in need.
Then we heard about something rather shocking.
You would think in the face of all that was happening, perhaps some regular evil-doing, like abortion, would have gotten sidetracked.
To the contrary …
At least one abortion provider in Texas, Whole Women’s Health, announced on September 1 through its blog that they would be offering free abortions to victims of Hurricane Harvey. This was in response to both hardships imposed by the storm and other providers having shut down temporarily.
That’s not all.
If needed, the group was also prepared to provide any financial assistance needed for transportation to any of their four clinics operated in Texas.
Did they have any takers? Yes. At least one local right-to-life group reported that the abortion clinics were busier than usual.
One of the things this group also promotes is that they offer third-trimester abortions. Two-day surgical procedures (up to 24 weeks) are available in their Minneapolis office, and one-day surgical procedures (up to 22 weeks) are available in their Baltimore office. (Fortunately, they are no longer able to offer induced abortions past 18 weeks of pregnancy in Texas due to the recent passage of House Bill 2.)
What happens when a late-term abortion is done? Anyone who has seen an ultrasound of a child in the womb at 18-weeks gestation or later has no trouble seeing a real live baby there!
Neither do the day-school children who have had an Owen’s Mission fetal-model presentation made to them by Lutherans For Life (www.lutheransforlife.org/about/owens-mission). In fact, the ministry is presenting a fetal-model kit free of charge to every Lutheran elementary and high school in the country that will accept one. The fact that we are talking about a human being is beyond question.
Historically, this has made no difference to the pro-abortion crowd. As we were recently reminded of in the Washington Post on October 9, there is no law at the federal level which imposes any gestational limit on performing abortions. In having no boundaries, the United States aligns itself with such distinguished nations as North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, and Vietnam. Isn’t that great company for us to be in?
Now, Whole Women’s made sure they would have the funds needed to “serve” women seeking the procedure. This was posted on their blog—along with a link to donate:
“The need for abortion care does not stop for natural disasters. Your contribution eliminates another barrier for a woman who needs care.”
One collective tragedy is therefore followed by a more individual one. (You could say a “man-made” one, as a previous president liked to call some other events which took human lives.)
There is, of course, a lesson in this. Namely, that we can’t allow Gospel-centered life affirmation to get sidetracked by other major events, either. Indeed, our efforts to save both souls and lives must go on no matter what.
That’s why I appreciate you reading this.
As you know, Lutherans For Life wouldn’t be here without your financial support. About 95% of our funding comes from your gifts and offerings. Unlike some ministries, we have no tuition, fees, insurance, or government reimbursement that we can rely on for the majority of our budget. Therefore, we both very much need and don’t take for granted your financial help!
As this edition of LifeDate goes to the printer, we still need to raise about $334,000 to reach our goal by December 31. That is why if you haven’t yet made a donation, or filled out your sponsor form, or given via our website, we hope you will do so today.
Thank you very much and may the Lord bless and keep you and your family this Christmas and always!