Today, our team in Austin needs your prayers. Early this morning, I received the following email from our team on the ground in Austin, and I wanted to share it with you to see what we are up against.
Make no mistake about it: I believe what is happening right now in Austin is spiritual warfare. Our students and staff have endured it all this week: discrimination by the YMCA, bus breakdowns, a hit-and-run on one of our rental vehicles, threats from pro-abortion supporters at the capitol, technology failures, and illness.
And despite the fact that our team has only been getting about 3 hours of sleep a night and is exhausted from being outside in the 100 degree heat for 12+ hours a day, today is the most important day of our week as the pro-life omnibus bill has passed the House and is going to the Senate for a final vote. Because they are so desperate, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and other pro-abortion forces are preparing for a war at the Texas state capitol today.
Our supporters have been simply amazing this week. The outpouring for support, prayers, and help in Austin can never be repaid. We’ve had some of our friends come by and donate cots for our team to sleep on and others come to the capitol to feed us. And in Austin, our team has been prayed over by some of the authors of this pro-life bill, we’ve met with the Lt. Governor of Texas and former Senator Rick Santorum, and have had pro-lifers drive our team places when our bus broke down and give us keys to their hotel rooms to help some of us shower.
But right now, I need you to pray:
• Pray for the safety of our team and of our students.
• Pray for the hurt people on the other side who are preparing to do all they can to stop this bill, which will save babies’ lives and women from the hurt of abortion, from passing.
• And pray that we can get out the story of what is happening in Austin out to the nation. Sadly, our team has seen this type of behavior before but not when national cameras have been present. Now is our time to not only pass life-saving legislation that could have a domino effect across the nation but to show the world just what those advocating for abortion really are about.
Of course, even with our bus breaking down in Austin and the YMCA bullies forcing us to scramble for showers, the unexpected roadblocks haven’t kept our spirit down. If you have the opportunity, join our friends in Austin and let them know you support their work with a quick donation today: https://sfla.webconnex.com/txmatching. I know they’ll appreciate the encouragement.
Thank you for all of your support and prayers over the week! I can’t wait to send you our final victory report!
For Life,
Kristan
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Kristan Hawkins
President
Students for Life of America
(sent from my iPhone)
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From: Brendan O’Morchoe
Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 02:55:57 -0500
To: SFLA Austin Team (Beth, Alexa, Missy)
Subject: Schedule, Plan and Reminders
Earlier tonight, I met with a couple of people from folks who have been doing recon all day. This has moved beyond just the typical pro-aborts and has become more of an Occupy movement. This is what I know so far: There are at least 40 paid “chaos leaders” throughout the capitol and grounds, split into quadrants. There are rumors that the pro-aborts will be throwing paint at pro-lifers. In the gallery, they will be unfurling large banners and planning a march around the capitol. They are planning for lots of arrests and making arrangements to get people out of jail quickly and back into the fray. The police here have been conducting riot drills tonight and are preparing for the worst. Our number 1 priority is the safety of the students for whom we are responsible.
It was suggested to me (and I agreed) that we have a rendezvous point in case we have to retreat out of the capitol. That point for SFLA will be (removed for safety purposes). If Beth sends out the text alert to meet at (removed location), everyone leaves. No questions asked and no delays. At that point, Beth and Alexa will go directly to the (removed location) to meet the students. Missy and I will make sure we get all of the students safely out of the capitol.
Here’s what Abby Johnson just posted to Facebook to warn as well:
I just wanted to post something in preparation for tomorrow. I have had a couple of legitimately concerned abortion clinic workers (from Austin clinics) contact me to let me know what is being planned for tomorrow. Both Planned Parenthood and NARAL are no longer encouraging their supporters to be civil and courteous. These workers are telling me that many are planning on getting arrested and being aggressive with prolifers (including physical contact because they don’t think we will press charges).
I am writing this to you guys because I used to be one of the abortion supporters. They are very angry, hurting people. At this time, they feel like they have nothing to lose. I am not posting this to frighten any of you…rather, I am posting this so you are aware of what we are dealing with. AND, I want all of you to go in armed with the power of prayer.
St. Michael, pray for us.
—
Brendan O’Morchoe
National Director of Field Operations
Students for Life of America
(sent from my iPhone)