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USA (MNN) — The Planned Parenthood scandal: it’s a politically-charged, divisive topic.
Is there an underlying message for U.S. Christians?
“God makes a way, and I think He’s making a way for us to take a stand for life,” says Melinda Delahoyde of LIFE International.
Planned Parenthood scandal: an overview
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Earlier this week, in response to a series of undercover videos released by the Center of Medical Progress, the House of Representatives passed a measure asking Congress to defund Planned Parenthood for a year.
Next week, Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards will appear before a Congressional committee which is investigating the Planned Parenthood scandal.
While it’s grown over the past few months, this controversy isn’t exactly new, Delahoyde observes.
“For decades, people have fought to defund Planned Parenthood,” she notes. “It seemed almost impossible.”
Next week, Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards will appear before a Congressional committee.
(Image obtained via Pinterest)
The current Planned Parenthood scandal grew from videos released online–fairly “under the radar”–to a bill being addressed at the highest level of U.S. government.
It says a lot about the scandal’s underlying issue: the sanctity of life.
“It’s God’s Truth. It’s the sanctity of life created in His image,” says Delahoyde.
“He makes a way, and His Truth comes out. That is certainly the testimony we see in 82 countries around the globe.”
The underlying issue
LIFE International helps pro-life leaders talk with abortion-vulnerable people about God’s design for life.
Portrait of a young pregnant woman in summer park
(Photo, caption courtesy LIFE International)
“The Gospel is essential to those types of conversations,” says Delahoyde.
Currently equipping and empowering ministries and ministry leaders around the world, LIFE International partners with the Church to save lives in Jesus’ name.
Sometimes, that takes shape in a conversation over coffee.
“Many times when a woman comes, she is looking for help; she wants to know the truth,” Delahoyde shares.
“And, many times there’s opportunity for what we call ‘spiritual conversations.’”
According to Delahoyde, “spiritual conversations” give volunteer counselors a chance to assess what the woman who’s come to them with questions may be thinking.
Often during this vulnerable period of time, Delahoyde shares, pregnant women–and sometimes the family members or significant others pressuring them to have an abortion–may feel like they have no other options.
Take the woman who came to LIFE International’s headquarters last week, for example.
“A woman walked through the door and said, ‘I had an abortion 17 years ago in this building. I need to have one now.’” Delahoyde recounts.
LIFE International’s headquarters used to be the largest abortion clinic in West Michigan, Delahoyde explains.
(Logo courtesy LIFE International)
“Because the LIFE International staff is trained in volunteer pregnancy counseling, they were able to talk to her about the life of the baby and [share] the truth about the sanctity of that life,” she continues.
“That woman chose life for her baby that afternoon.”
It’s only with help from readers like you that LIFE International can keep their doors open to abortion-vulnerable people seeking answers.
Get involved with LIFE International here:
Our prayer must be”Father, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Father, help us to loosen the grip on our will long enough to find out what you will IS for the unborn. Thank You for Your love and mercy; for Your infinite concern for every father, mother , and child. Compassionate God, we know that You know and care about the present and future for every human being, and that nothing is impossible for You. Your enabling grace is there for those who ask and seek and knock. Enable us to stop ignoring You, but instead to trust You. I pray this in Jesus’ Name.