At the end of November, we were able to see a glimpse of the fruit of our labor here in New Mexico. Last October, Tara filed 11 medical board complaints after obtaining 911 calls in a public records request. One of those calls documented a 35 week abortion that had gone seriously wrong and the outcome was a woman with a ruptured uterus. The patient had actually had a previous C-section which increases the risks during an induction abortion. To make matters worse the medication used to increase contractions in labor were overused during the abortion and led to the ruptured uterus. We don’t even know if the woman lived or died. According to the NM Medical Board this abortion violated the standard of patient care and the late term abortionist responsible, Shelley Sella, faced a disciplinary hearing on November 29th and 30th. We’re finally starting to see those who think they are above the law, held accountable. It will take 90 days for the Medical Board to decide what action will be taken against Sella, she could be suspended or lose her medical license altogether. Please keep the outcome in your prayers.
We are glad the New Mexico Medical Board is doing their job, because of their investigation; the late term abortion clinic is now screening all of its patients. Those seeking abortions that have had previous C-sections are being turned away. One woman came to ABQ for an abortion from out of state in August; she had a previous C-section and was turned away from the clinic. We were able to intercept her and Project Defending Life and another volunteer was able to assist her. Her baby boy is due the first week of December! We know that our presence alone turns away abortion minded women…Now the abortionists themselves, are turning them away! This is how God moves Mountains!
“Yes, abortion is legal in NM through all 9 Months!”
We did attempt to attend the Medical Board hearing, however, it ended up being closed to the public. In a state that has an open meetings act it was pretty disappointing to be excluded from this hearing. Unfortunately NM continues to show its pro-abortion bias on many levels. Even though the Medical Board and Shelley Sella herself wanted this hearing to be private we made sure that the community was well aware of what was taking place. We had Cheryl Sullenger from Operation Rescue join us for a press conference the first morning of the hearing and above, you’ll see the Albuquerque Journal Newspaper’s coverage of the hearing.
Here is the video coverage by KOB Channel 4 News. Tara was interviewed for this report :
(You can click here to read the full report.)
It’s really time for people to be enlightened to the fact that late term, full term abortions are legal in NM and women are suffering at the hands of these abortionists. By God’s providence we did just that and will continue to expose the deeds of darkness until abortion is abolished in this state.
Here is some of the news coverage we have received over the past two years in New Mexico!
Heroic Parents Choose Life
This month, while Tara served at our second PDL office, she had the privilege of meeting a very special couple. They came in for a pregnancy test and ultrasound with their beautiful 6 month old daughter in tow. Before they left, the boyfriend asked Tara if abortions were performed across the street because he saw Bud and another woman reaching out through a public, prayerful presence. Tara said yes, and explained they were done into the 2nd trimester. The boyfriend had a look of disgust and shared their daughter’s story. While in the womb she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, also known as “water in the brain,” which is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. Of course, like many people today, an abortion was promoted as the simple solution to this families “problem.” This couple was told that they could have their daughter aborted up until 28 weeks gestation and it came highly recommended. However, this couple was heroic and never entertained the thought of killing their precious child, not for a moment. They told Tara that even though their baby was born with hydrocephalus, she was still the best gift that they had ever received. This man was the proud daddy of this beautiful blessing. As we continue to speak to women who have bought the lie that having an abortion for a fetal anomaly we will forever think of this couple’s heroic choice. Those who choose life in the most uncertain circumstances and despite severe challenges…are true hero’s!
A Happy Story with a Sad Ending
This month we met a woman who being pregnant several months ago went to one of Albuquerque’s three abortion clinics for an abortion. She rushed quickly into the clinic to avoid those praying on the sidewalk. Her and her boyfriend had come to the clinic that day with their minds made up, or so they thought. Her boyfriend actually went over and spoke with a volunteer who was offering help and alternatives for those entering the clinic that day. The volunteer listened to this couple’s situation and helped this woman’s boyfriend see that abortion was not the best option for them. Arrangements were made to help this gentleman find a job and get the couple involved in the parenting program at Project Defending Life. The boyfriend went into the clinic and brought his girlfriend out stating that they would work through things together and keep their baby.
A few weeks passed and life got tough for this couple, they didn’t actually follow up with the help that was offered to them. They had decided shortly after leaving the clinic that they would persevere on their own without the help that was offered to them. However, as time passed, having an abortion crept back into their minds as the solution to their hard times. This time the boyfriend persuaded his girlfriend to go ahead with an abortion, she however did not want to face those who had changed their minds before, and ended up at another clinic in town. This time no one was at the clinic to intercept this couple and she went ahead with the abortion. We will never know if they would have been convinced a second time to keep their baby but we know that offering help the first time gave them enough encouragement to carry on.
Every abortion bears consequences and that’s why we spend so much time at the clinics in ABQ, praying and reaching out to women and couples with the love of Christ. However, we can’t be there all the time. So we pray and ask God to provide workers who can fill in the gaps when we go home for the day. This has been one of our top priorities, to have volunteers praying at the abortion clinics every hour they are open so that every woman is offered an alternative. If you are wondering if being present and praying in front of an abortion clinic is effective, let this be your answer. If you are on the fence and contemplating getting involved, let this true story be your motivation. Every woman deserves to know about what the pro-life community is eager to offer her and her pre-born child. Don’t wait another day to act; a baby and her mom are counting on you to offer her hope and LIFE!
We are so thankful to all of our monthly and one-time financial donors. Without the support of individuals like you, we would not be able to do this life saving work full time. We are humbled by the fact that God has called us to rescue those being led to the slaughter and we so look forward to the day when abortion will be ended in America. Until then we ask you to consider partnering with us on a monthly basis or with a generous one time gift. We will send new donors a uniquely designed pro-life birthday, anniversary and other special day forever calendar pictured above as a thank you gift. You can donate here online securely. You can also send your donation by mail, details here.
Please Pray For Us:
~For an end to abortion in New Mexico.
~For the conversion of every abortion doctor and clinic worker.
~For softened hearts of the women we speak to each day at abortion clinics.
~For the moms who have already chosen life and for the means to continue to serve them.
~For a continued grace filled and Christ centered ministry focus.
~For more opportunities to share the truth about abortion and it’s effects with the Christian community.
~For the Christian community to rise up out of apathy and a spiritual awakening.
~For more workers for this ripe harvest.
~For our safety in this spiritual battle.
