Be Prepared for Sanctity of Human Life Day, Sunday, Jan 18

Be Prepared for Sanctity of Human Life Day, Sunday, January 18!

This Sunday, January 18, thousands of pro-life advocates in North Carolina will join millions from across the nation in recognition of “Sanctity of Human Life Day.” This day, which has been set aside for churches to honor the intrinsic value of human life, officially kicks of this year’s “Sanctity of Human Life Week,” which runs January 18-25. The events coincide with the January 22 anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s twin decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton that legalized abortion on demand in our country.

In preparation for “Sanctity of Human Life Week,” the North Carolina Family Policy Council has prepared a downloadable bulletin insert, in color (http://ncfamily.org/pdffiles/SOHL.Bulletin.insert.color.pdf) and black and white (http://ncfamily.org/pdffiles/SOHL.Bulletin.insert.b&w.pdf), for churches to help motivate their congregations to take action the issue of abortion. The Council has also prepared a video that can be shown at churches. The bulletin inserts and video are free to use. To access the video go to http://ncfamily.org/videoresources/slhsunday2007.mov.

For more information, including suggested sermon topics and other free Sanctity of Human Life Day resources, visit www.beavoice.net.

Planned Parenthood Sues to Reverse Bush Abortion Protections

Planned Parenthood Sue to Reverse Bush Abortion Protections for Docs

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) --

The attorneys general of seven states and leading pro-abortion groups have filed a lawsuit against the new pro-life protections the Bush administration recently put in place. The "Provider Conscience Rule" provides more enforcement for laws protecting medical centers and professionals who don't want to do abortions. The new rule, which requires medical facilities to affirm in writing that they won't force staff to participate in abortions and potentially denies federal funding for centers or governments that do, is slated to take effect January 20. The protections merely provide additional enforcement for existing laws, some of which have been on the books for decades, that allow medical professionals to avoid involvement in abortions. Led by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, six states filed suit today against the new rule claiming that it allows medical centers and staff to deny women birth control, including the morning after pill. Blumenthal says he sued because he believes the new rules will override a state law that forces all hospitals and medical centers to provide the morning after pill to victims of sexual abuse. State officials in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Rhode Island also joined in the suit.

Christian Girls Rescued from Sex Slavery

Baptist Press 1/15

Christian girls rescued
from sex slavery
By Mark Kelly


KARACHI, Pakistan (BP)--Two Christian girls in Pakistan have been rescued after more than a month of captivity as sex slaves to Muslim lawyers in Karachi.

According to International Christian Concern, a human rights organization focused on Christians who are persecuted for their faith, Parvisha Alam, 18, and her 14-year-old sister Sanam of Gujranwala, Pakistan, were abducted Nov. 12 by a neighbor, Muhammad Irfan, who offered them training in cosmetology and jobs in his beauty salon.

When Irfan arrived to take the girls to his shop, he and an accomplice, Muhammed Mehboob, reportedly gave the girls drinks that were drugged. When the sisters awakened, they were locked in a hotel room nearly 500 miles away from home. According to ICC, the two men raped the girls at gunpoint, then took them to Karachi where, after several more days of sexual assault, the girls were forced to convert to Islam.

Promised that if they cooperated they would be released soon, the two girls were taken to meet with two lawyers, identified by ICC as Kokab Sahab-Ul-Din and Nayer Zia-Ul-Din. Irfan reportedly told the lawyers both girls had embraced Islam and wished to enter a government women's shelter. The girls were told the lawyers would present them in court the next day and they would be free to go.

The lawyers then allegedly took the girls to an apartment for the night and gave them a room to sleep in. After the girls had fallen asleep, the lawyers returned and dragged Parvisha Alam into another room and sexually assaulted her, according to the ICC report. Her sister ran to help her, then saw a cell phone lying on a table, which she used to call police. The police arrested Sahab-Ul-Din, and Parvisha was taken immediately to a hospital.

The girls' father, Sharif Alam, who is a pastor, traveled to Karachi to bring his daughters home then contacted CLAAS, a Christian legal group for help. When the CLAAS team visited the family Dec. 31, a crowd of about 35 people gathered outside the house, demanding the "converted" girls be turned over to local Muslim authorities, according to ICC. The crowd began throwing bricks and stones at the house and when Alam went out to talk with them a gun was fired. The mob beat Alam's son Sheraz and was trying to break into the house when police arrived. Three people were arrested for the attack.

Since that incident, Alam's son-in-law, Stian Akram Khokhar, has disappeared, according to the family.

"Christians in Pakistan are often targeted not only for their faith but because they live in poverty and have little means to defend themselves," an ICC spokesman said in a written statement.

The spokesman also requested prayer for the Alams.

"Please pray for Parvisha and Sanam and their family," the spokesman said. "Pray that God would strengthen their faith and heal their wounds. Pray that those responsible for these heinous crimes would be caught and punished appropriately."

About 500,000 young women worldwide are sold into sex slavery each year -- 150,000 of them in southern Asia, according to U.S. State Department figures reported by The New York Times.

ICC suggests concerned parties contact Pakistani embassies and request that the government of Pakistan work harder to protect the rights of religious minorities. A call placed by Baptist Press to Pakistan's embassy in Washington, D.C., was not returned by publication deadline Jan. 15.

National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2009

National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2009
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

White House News
En Español

All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.

The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My Administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing Federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence, and funding crisis pregnancy programs. In 2002, I was honored to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which extends legal protection to children who survive an abortion attempt. I signed legislation in 2003 to ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abortion, and that law represents our commitment to building a culture of life in America. Also, I was proud to sign the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or injury to a child in the womb with a separate offense in addition to any charges relating to the mother.

America is a caring Nation, and our values should guide us as we harness the gifts of science. In our zeal for new treatments and cures, we must never abandon our fundamental morals. We can achieve the great breakthroughs we all seek with reverence for the gift of life.

The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2009, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon all Americans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and to underscore our commitment to respecting and protecting the life and dignity of every human being.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Ministry Update from Dawn

Lois’ Lodge Ministry Update November 20, 2008

Can you believe it’s almost time for Christmas?

I remember when I was twelve, wishing with all my might that I was a teenager. My grandmother wisely cautioned me not to “wish my life away”. She said before I knew it I would be old like her and wonder where the time went. Well, I wouldn’t consider myself old quite yet, but I am wondering how the time slips away so quickly!!

Right now I feel the Lord impressing me to slow down just a bit and be intentional about how I spend my time and resources. There is no better way to invest what He has blessed me with than to reach out to others – sharing myself, my time, my money, my family and other resources.

I challenge you to do the same - Take a break and evaluate. And let me know what He impresses you with. I’d like to be encouraged by hearing how God is speaking to you.

Praise!
The Fall Banquet of Hope was held on November 6th. The Lord filled the ballroom with 355 people who wanted to learn about His work in the lives of women, babies and families. Many new friends were made and support was raised as a result.

Someone has met the need for copying. Thank you to Qwik Copies on Kings Drive!

Prayer Requests!
We have 3 expectant moms due in December. Please pray for their unborn babies and the incredible miracle that they are about to experience. This baby might have been conceived outside of God’s will – but life is always a miracle!

Also, pray for our staff as they deal with a house full of pregnant young women - 3 due in one month!

Please pray for the family relationships of our clients. The holidays have a way of spotlighting relational breakdowns. Join my in committing these issues to the Lord, who is able to heal and restore.

Please pray for the mother-in-law of a staff member, who is having major health issues and is no longer able to care for herself, and pray for the family who is caring for her.

Also please pray for the son of a staff member who is having medical problems.

How YOU Can Help – Ministry Needs!
We are in desperate need of a team to rake leaves, pick up sticks, and weed the yards at our 4 homes.

Catering is needed for our Lunch & Learn on the 3rd Friday of each month. We are looking for someone who can donate a light lunch for these events. Attendance varies from 6 to 15 people.

Donation Drive Needed. We need paper products including bathroom tissue, paper towels, copy paper and postage stamps for the administrative office.

We also need donations of the 100 calorie snack packs and bottled water. We use these for participants in our classes at the Mom Shoppe Learning Center.

I’m looking for secret pals to encourage our program staff with words of encouragement, notes and very small gifts. A 3 month commitment will encourage someone who gives tirelessly to ministry of our clients.

If you have any questions, comments or are able to meet any of the mentioned needs please contact me.

Learn More!
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about Lois’ Lodge we offer 3 events to help...

Lunch & Learn – 3rd Friday of each month at noon. This one hour presentation provides a history and ministry overview along with a tour. Lunch is complimentary but reservations are required.

Volunteer Orientation – 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30pm. This one hour orientation includes an overview of the ministry as well as volunteer program. A tour is included. Please let me know if you are coming.

Informational Coffee – Beginning with the new year we would like for some of our ministry friends to host an informational coffee/dessert in their homes. Invite your small group, friends, and neighbors to learn about Lois’ Lodge. A representative will come and do a presentation. This is an informational meeting only, not a fundraiser. If you are interested in hosting one please contact me.

I pray that you have a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday. May God bless you and use you to bless and encourage others!


With Gratitude,
Dawn Guptill, Development Coordinator
Lois’ Lodge
www.loislodge.org
704.376.8550