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In Focus
Be strong and courageous
Dear Friend for Life
I have on my office wall an image of a lion, a symbol of courage, and the text of Joshua 1:9.
"Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
I have it there, because even on good days I must find the courage to work against this culture of death. I know that whatever I do, it is only by the Grace of God, who walks beside me as I try to do His will.
In the Middle East and Africa Christians are being killed for their faith. Killed.
Life here in New Zealand is too comfortable. For those of us who profess to follow Christ, giving account for our beliefs can sometimes be too hard - especially when it comes to speaking up for the preborn in danger of having their lives terminated, or the elderly and sick - targets of neglect, abuse and euthanasia. We are afraid of ridicule, of being dismissed as religious nutters, of not being heard - so we hide our faith. Yet Christ is what the world needs!
The fearlessness we must possess in this great battle for life, for faith and for family must increase. The urgency with which we must act is critical. Each day the threats become greater, the call to choose to speak up in the face of evil, ever more unavoidable.
On Sunday, the Abortion Law Reform Association of NZ (ALRANZ) launched a new website entitled My Decision. The site's purpose is to intimidate and bully pro-life medical practitioners and crisis pregnancy centres by naming them. In doing so, ALRANZ hopes to dissuade women from seeking their help.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all health practitioners that refuse to refer for abortion or prescribe contraceptives. It takes great courage to swim against the tide of popular opinion regarding the health of your patients - both born and preborn. Your dedication to knowing and understanding the facts without the blinkers of "pro-choice" rhetoric make you the practitioners that women should be flocking to. You are truly inspiring.
And to all of you who work tirelessly in crisis pregnancy centres, or similar, throughout the country, you are amazing. Your dedication and care for the mothers and their preborn children, as well as fathers and other family members is second to none. Your loving concern is tangible and I know appreciated by those whom you serve. How beautiful it is to see the joy in a mother's face as she holds her newborn child, when just months before she felt her only option was abortion.
This week may I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and to do one tangible thing that promotes a culture of life? Then, could you email me at nzfamilylife@gmail.com and let me know what you have been up to? I would like to compile a list of your ideas so that others can be encouraged to be strong and courageous witnesses to life.
Here are some events that you may like to attend or invite a friend to participate:
Weekly Prayer outside AMAC
Every Wednesday morning people gather to pray outside AMAC (283-289 Dominion Rd - meet on the opposite side of the road). 9:30am.
Vigil for Life
Saturday 30th August, 10:00am to 12:00pm
St Anne's Catholic Church, Emmett Street, Newtown, Wellington
Mass followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during rosary pilgrimage to the front of Wellington Hospital. Please come, pray for an end to abortion. For more information phone Clare 04 237 8343.
Living in Color - a post-abortion healing and recovery programme for women.
Family Life International NZ is facilitating this programme in Porirua from Tuesday 2nd September. To find out more please go to fli.org.nz/livingincolor or email hopeandhealing4u@gmail.com. The flyer can be downloaded here.
Abby Johnson to visit New Zealand
Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director turned pro-life advocate and founder of the organisation And Then There Were None will be visiting New Zealand in December! Please mark your diaries now. You won't want to miss this amazing opportunity to hear Abby's story and find out how you can be an effective pro-life advocate. Abby is a young dynamic and engaging speaker. Venues and further details to be confirmed: Auckland Saturday 6th December, Wellington Sunday 7th December, Dunedin Tuesday 9th December. Find out more information here.
Today we do not face death. Let us honor those who do by being even more courageous as we speak the truth in love and offer practical and lasting support to those who today are in need.
Yours in the service of Life
on behalf of all the team at Family Life International NZ
Michelle Kaufman
Communications Director
Family Life International NZ
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