This post originally appeared at https://www.prolifewi.org/blog/2021/8/2/pro-life-wisconsin-at-ozaukee-county-fair-encountering-post-abortive-women

PRO-LIFE WISCONSIN AT OZAUKEE COUNTY FAIR: ENCOUNTERING POST-ABORTIVE WOMEN

By Dan Miller, Pro-Life Wisconsin State Director

I had just checked in for my shift at the Ozaukee County Fair, unpacked my three boxes of 12-week baby models and got settled in.  We had to bring more in, only a day into the fair!  Kids of all ages were flocking to the booth to see the baby models.  The moms were given their teachable moment and most said something like, “That’s what you looked like when you were in my tummy when I was pregnant with you!”  The kids marveled at how tiny the 12-week baby model was and one said, “She’s a tiny baby!”  I responded, “Yes!  Exactly!  The only difference between me, you, and a baby in the womb is time and nourishment.  We all grow up.” 

Later that evening, I was talking with two young ladies who were also drawn in to see the baby models.  It was a normal conversation.  I could tell they had never really been exposed to the pro-life message at the public school they had attended, but you could definitely tell that they were both pro-life by how they were communicating.  Then, suddenly, a middle-aged woman nearby who had overheard our conversation barged in and said to the younger ladies, “But you know, it’s your body, so it’s your choice.”

I responded and said, “Yes, unfortunately abortion is legal in the United States.  We are doing everything we can to make it illegal once again.” Her next comment was a critique of the 12-week baby models.  “These models aren’t medically accurate!  IT doesn’t look like that at twelve weeks!”   

I responded, “When you say IT, do you mean the baby in the womb?”  She continued, “Yeah, IT’S just a clump of cells at that point.”

I followed up with, “That clump of cells that you keep referring to has a heartbeat at twenty-one days, a circulatory system, a brain, eyes, and nervous system.  Everything is there.  All that’s left to do is for the baby to grow and be born.”  Then I showed her some pictures of the gestational progression the baby makes from a handbook published by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services (printed only under Governor Walker). 

She said, “Those pictures aren’t real.  Those are fake.” I retorted by saying, “Abortion kills a human being and harms the mother, too.” 

She said, “Abortion doesn’t kill anything.  Nothing is living in there at that point.”  I then asked her, “At what point does life begin?”  No response, but she pivoted, “Abortion doesn’t harm anyone.” 

I disagreed and said, “An abortion dismembers the baby.  They rip off her arms and legs first, then they crush the skull and decapitate to get the baby out without dilating the cervix too much (takes too much time).  Then they scoop everything out and throw the baby in the trash.  You should google abortion and see what abortion really is.” 

She said, “I’ve seen an abortion before.  It’s just a mass of tissue.”  It didn’t hit me at that time, but I came to realize she was talking about her own abortion.  This is what happens when women and men don’t heal from their abortion.  Misery wants company.  They will justify that abortion until they are blue in the face.  I’m so glad I was at that booth at that exact time.  This woman needs healing and prayer.  Thank you in advance for praying for this woman.  She was lied to about her baby.  Now she has heard the truth.  The rest is up to God.  If you or someone you know is post-abortive, we invite you to find healing here.

Thank you to all of you who helped organize or volunteer for the fair, especially John and Charmaine Herbert, PLW Ozaukee County leaders, and PLW intern, Emily Czaplewski!  It was a tremendous success!