September Update

In the movie V for Vendetta, the heroine Evie tells V that she’d like to resist the tyrannical government that’s in power, but she’s paralyzed with fear. She said it in passing, but V took it as a silent plea for help. So V arranges for her to be kidnapped, tortured and threatened with execution, all so that Evie could face and accept death and in doing so, lose her fear of it. In the end, the “gift” she was given was priceless, even if the process nearly killed her.

Things haven’t been quite so extreme for me, but this has definitely been a “supernaturally hard” summer. Over the summer I’ve experienced so much failure and frustration, and so many closed doors, it started to become obvious it wasn’t an accident. My summer started out with my engagement to my fiancée Kim becoming a casualty of the fight against abortion. I’ve spent the last 3 months attempting to fundraise, with almost no fruit. My trip to Florida has been canceled twice. Large, unexpected bills have come from out of nowhere.  When I asked the Lord to give me a glimpse of His reasons for doing/allowing all this,  He revealed to me that He was working on my steadfastness, and also answering a prayer of mine. I had asked Him for more spiritual strength, and this seems to be how we get it.

   In the beginning and middle of all this, I was so depressed that I could barely get out of bed some days. But as I’ve drawn near to the Lord, He’s really been showing me things and doing deep work in me. He’s been giving me practical application of two verses:

1st Peter 4:19 “Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good,”

and Romans 5: 3-5 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems or trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” This has been one of the first times I’ve able to thank God for the outcome in advance, based on what other periods like this have done for me.

     Another gift I’ve experienced from being blocked twice from going to Florida and watching that battle pass me by, is a hunger for activism on campus this Fall. I normally absolutely dread it, but I can honestly say this is the first time I’ve felt excitement about it. I do feel strengthened, and ready to get to work!

FALL PLANS

Another thing God revealed to me is that He’s been slowing me down for a time, in order to speed me up. As firmly as doors seemed to have been closed this summer, they’ve begun to finally open for the Fall:

  - I’ve begun doing High School outreach with a group of fantastic local pro-life veterans. I’ve been asking God for this for a while, so this is very encouraging to see it being answered!

  -Early in October I’ll be attending an abortion healing retreat, with an eye towards joining their staff in future retreats. There aren’t many men on staff at these kinds of retreats, so it looks like I can be helpful there.

   -Not long after the retreat, we’ll begin CBR’s Fall Campus Tour. We’ll be fairly local this time, with displays at schools in SC and GA.

   -After our Fall Campus Tour, I’ll be heading down to Florida to do some Evangelism, Lord willing.

   -On top of all that, I’ve taken a position working as a local district captain for Equal Protection. Equal Protection is a South Carolina pro-life abolitionist group that has had a lot to do with the sweep of Freedom Caucus members who won the primaries. They’re gospel centered, and do great work. When I’m not working with CBR I’ll be helping Equal Protection to get more local churches engaged in the fight to end abortion here in SC. If you’d be willing to arrange a meeting for me with your pastor, I’d be grateful!

Praises:

-Thank God for helping me link up with other people who are burdened to reach high schoolers with the truth about abortion, and the good news of Jesus.

-Since May 11th this year, the local abortion clinic on Grove Road has been closed on it’s busiest day of the week, Saturday. This has been due to God hearing the large number of local churches who have committed to coming out and praying against it.

-Justice seems to finally be reaching some of the clinic escorts who have made saving babies all but impossible at the local clinic. Charges typically have never stuck, but over the past month, the escorts have actually been required to do jail time.

Prayer Requests:

-That God would go before us and prepare the hearts of the students on campus, and bless us with lots of divine appointments!

-I still struggle with the fear of man. I’d be grateful for your prayers that I’d value the lives of students and babies over my own dignity and comfort.

-Please pray that the Florida abortion referrendum fails.

-I need monthly financial partners for this work. If you feel led in this area, please let me know.