Phyllis Buckman wrote:
My dear brothers and sisters, especially Mike Peek, Seth Capps, and others who have ministered at the Shreveport abortion mill, Hope Medical Group for Women. I have a tale to tell.
Today was a trial for me. I had really hoped to join others at the abortuary this morning for my second go at standing at the gates of hell pleading for babies’ lives. Having learned that you, Mike Peek, were not going to be able to make it due to your father's accident and that Seth would not be able to be there either, nor anyone else, I had somewhat decided that it would not be feasible for me to drive there, for I did not have the confidence I felt I needed to reach out on my own. I wrestled with this a bit last night, but finally put it to rest as I went to sleep to the sound of thunder. In my prayers, I told God I would do whatever he wanted me to do, but that he would have to let me know what that was. Then I went to sleep. I awoke around six to the sound of rain and a bit more thunder and took that as a sign that I should just stay home. So I went back to sleep. At seven I could sleep no more and got up to begin my day. As I drank my coffee and read my Bible, checked my email and facebook, I could feel the nagging of a little voice in my head saying ... you really need to go on and drive to Shreveport. I tried to ignore it, but couldn't. So ... around ten I headed over telling myself that if there were others there (even if it were just the Catholics) I would get out and try to do what I could; if not, I would just go on to the health food store I've found near the mill as I needed a few things from there anyway. I prayed all the way there for God to please use me in some way today, no matter how or where.
Well, I got to the mill at about 10:45. As I drove past the front I could see several women sitting on benches they have near the entrance door now, but no one on the sidewalks ... not even the Catholics. I knew that I was probably too late to reach most of those mothers who were going in to kill their babies today, so I battled with myself and drove around the block thinking I should have kicked myself into gear earlier. I drove to the street around the back of the clinic, but by then had talked myself into not stopping, turned right at the next corner and then made the block so that I could get back to Kings Hwy and turn left at the light there between the mill and the college and make my way on to the store. I was disappointed in myself. I prayed again that God find some way to use me despite myself.
As I stopped at the light I could almost not believe my eyes. Across Kings Hwy., to my left, headed up the sidewalk toward the mill was a group of people carrying signs with scripture about sin and forgiveness. One young man was carrying a large cross. My heart jumped! The light turned green, and though I was in the left turn lane, I looked in my rearview mirror and determined that I could go ahead straight across instead of turning. I did so, went down to the next street, turned right, parked and jumped out of the car and started walking quickly back to the Hwy. As I got there and looked, there was that group of people gathered in a loose circle on the sidewalk across from the mill and beginning to pray. I walked on up and listened as one of the men lead the group in prayer for the babies that were being murdered and the women who were taking their babies there to be killed.
When the prayer was over, I introduced myself to them and they were so kind and welcoming. They were not there to minister directly to the women, however. The man who had prayed is Heath Hickman who told me they do this often, walking the streets witnessing to whomever they can and stopping at points to pray. I told them that I had come to try to minister to the women entering the mill, but, since I had never done so by myself, I lacked the courage to get out of the car until I saw them walking the street. Heath wrote my first name on a yellow sticky note and nailed (yes, with a real nail) to the cross where there were many such notes. Then he gathered his group together around me and prayed a wonderful, uplifting and supportive prayer. We bid each other farewell and I then went and stood at the entrance to the mill, alone, but no longer afraid.
I had with me several "Tiny Hands" booklets, some "innocent blood" tracts and some "3 Things God Cannot Do" tracts. I decided that even though the Tiny Hands booklets are actually intended to encourage expectant mothers and the mothers I would be encountering (given the chance) would probably have already killed their babies. However, I considered this and thought that this might be just what they would need to see to bring them to repentance for what they have done. I tucked in each Tiny Hands booklet one each of the other tracts. The "innocent blood" tract is very good at reasoning why life begins at conception, and the other tract lays out the truth that 1) God cannot lie, 2) God cannot change and 3) God cannot allow sinners into heaven. I prayed that if I had the chance to hand this to anyone that they would realize their sin and turn to God for forgiveness.
I stood at the left of the entrance — which now is one-way, entering traffic only. One car turned in with a young couple. The man rolled down the window as I asked if I could gift him with this brochure. He took it, smiled and wished me a good day. I realized that they were probably coming to pick up someone and hoped they would share it with that person. A young girl came walking up behind me who had obviously been to the fast food place down the street. She stopped when I spoke to her, telling me that she was not happy about the friend whom she had accompanied there this morning, but that she could not leave because the mother of the friend had driven them. She took the booklet and tracts and promised she would show them to the friend. I prayed for her and her friend.
There is now an escort seated at the entrance and I tried several times to get him to come over and speak to me for a moment. He completely ignored me the first couple of times I spoke to him. Then finally he approached, but only to tell me that he did not want to speak to me and asked me to respect that. I told him I would, but that I would pray for him also.
I stood there for about an hour, calling out to a few women who came out, offering them the gift of the brochure. All of them ignored me except one woman who held her hand up in the "stop" position and very curtly told me to shut up. No one else driving in even opened their windows and anyone who got out of their cars was quickly approached by the "escort" who, it was plain to see, was telling them to ignore me.
I knew I only had a short while left that I could stay (tasks back home required I leave the mill before 1 p.m., so I walked on around to the back driveway where I was able to offer the package to those leaving. Though several cars left in the next hour, none took the gift.
But there were two bright notes. At the back driveway I saw one woman getting out of her car and walking toward the front of the building. I was too late to reach her, but she came out not long after holding some sort of paper in her hand. I called to her telling her I had something I would like to give her and she walked over and took it and thanked me, but didn't stop to talk. Then, just as I was getting ready to leave, a young man came walking out. I called to him and he came over. He was there with his friend "Katy." I asked if Katy was aborting her child there today and he said no, that she didn't know what she was going to do, that she would have to come back if she decided she wanted to kill the baby. We spoke about the reality that it IS a baby and that abortion is murder and he agreed. The baby is not his. I really had to leave by this time, but he was thankful for the booklet and tracts that I gave him and assured me that he would show them to Katy.
I ask brothers and sisters, that you keep Katy in your prayers.
I also thank you all for being so brave and so willing to give of your time and energies to this holy, holy ministry.. Thank you for being great role models for me. Thank you, even, for NOT being there this morning as this served as a real trial for me to see if I could follow through on my beliefs or if I would cower away. I thank God, for placing Heath Hickman with Fridaymorningmen.org on my path and stopping me from fleeing the task I needed to perform.
I love you all.
P.S. Sorry for the long-winded tale, but I just had to share. :)
