Do You Love Your Neighbor?

 Do You Love Your Neighbor?

This is a message for all of you who have been on the frontlines of this battle for a long time. Sometimes we can get so short-sighted and forget the wonder of God. We forget that on any given day at the mill, a life can be completely transformed. We forget that the Kingdom of God can be instantly birthed into the heart of those who are walking further and further into the pit. And who does Jesus use to do such things, but ordinary people who serve an extraordinary God. Be encouraged! Your work is not in vain! To the wonderful young adults in Dallas that have taken hold of the vision with such fervor, we want you to know how encouraging you are. If there be any that can turn the tide of darkness back in the streets of Dallas, TX, it is you! You are a brilliant light! Stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord! - Kristene O'Dell

The following essay was written by Brandi Chapman, a sidewalk counselor with OSA-Dallas. She had written this essay for an English Composition Class at Dallas Baptist University. She just was notified that she received an "A" on the essay! I pray that it blesses all who read it, and encourages all who have labored in the streets, to continue to be steadfast, for in due time you will reap a harvest!

Keep shining for Jesus, Brandi! You're doing a great job!

John D. Reyes

Director, OSA-Dallas

Do You Love Your Neighbor?
Brandi Chapman
February 20, 2003

      "The opposite of tolerance is biblical love." These words began to echo over and over again on an early evening in March of 2002. Little did I know that the three people standing before me would become part of the team of people who would lead me into my purpose and life-long dream in life: to save innocent lives. As I sat still and silent in the upstairs drafty classroom, I began to evaluate my values, dreams and aspirations that had brought me to this meeting.

      The intriguing figure had a difficult time remaining behind the old, worn podium. He held a small cup of coffee in his right hand for the majority of the meeting, taking several drinks in between his garrulous notions. To the left of him was a large table full of what looked like pamphlets, and pictures of grotesque unborn children. My eyes began to wonder over to the small framed guy resting nonchalantly on the table. He appeared to be a very passionate and enthusiastic man who had lived a very interesting life. The woman standing to his side was the most captivating of them all. She was tall, slender and stood with a countenance that was full of compassion, humility and selflessness. The three individuals were consumed by a passion greater than themselves.

      Flip continued to sip his coffee as he informed us about biblical love, "It demands that you get involved," he said. My physical body was motionless as my mind rolled over each word that was penetrating my being. The same desires I had held as a child were now becoming real through the discourse of this interesting man that had seemed so familiar to me. It didn't take me long to realize that this man and his two allies would become a vital part of my life from this day forward.

      These three individuals took the evening to explain to me, as well as fifteen other students of Christ for the Nations, the need for Christians to become involved in the sinful act of abortion. The relationship I developed with Flip Benham, John Reyes and Kristene O'Dell introduced me to a new understanding of why I was created. They instilled within me the same desire to reach out of myself and save innocent lives, the place where I would feel completely fulfilled.

      It was now October of 2002 and I had been actively involved in the issue of abortion for nearly seven months. Flip, John and Kristene had revealed the true meaning of what it meant to say, "I love my neighbor." Flip had told me many times, "If you really love your neighbor you would do everything you could to save an innocent life." The day was coming when I would truly understand why I had been brought into a close relationship with these three people.

      The morning was very typical to any other Saturday morning in front of 2321 Fairmount Street abortion clinic, located in the heart of downtown Dallas. Who could have known that the facility which brought such serene and tranquil thoughts on the outside could be a place of death and destruction on the inside? The clinic was an attractive building, landscaped with yellow flowers, outlined by large green bushes and well-kept grass. The customers entering into the clinic always walked in with panic stricken faces and an anxious hop to their step. To me this morning was nothing more than arbitrary; however, it was within minutes that my feelings began to change. The moment I had been praying for, waiting for and had been prepared for was now about to take place. As a car pulled near the front of the abortion clinic, barely coming to a stop, a young African - American woman stepped out. Her genre was normal to my eye, one often seen at this place. She was wearing a red jumpsuit (every woman coming to get an abortion was told to wear a comfortable, loose-fitting outfit), grey and white tennis shoes and her hair was pulled back very slick and glossy-like. Not only did her physical appearance look similar to the patients of Fairmount Clinic, but so did her countenance. For this young woman held her head low, walked with a slight uneasiness and attempted to avoid me at all costs. As I approached this woman I began to sense an urging that I could not shake off. This woman, though everything about her seemed similar to the other twenty-five ladies who had walked through the clinics doors this morning, held something abnormal and very irregular.

      "Good morning, can I please share some information with you before you enter the clinic?" I asked.

      "I'm twenty-one and already have three children, I have to do this," she said.

      "Please, will you stop and listen to what I need to inform you about before you go through with this abortion? There are many risks involved in this decision that may seem to you as the only way out of your situation...," my words began to stammer out. And then I began to grasp the realization that this woman was different than the rest; she truly wanted to listen to what I had to share. As I focused upon her face I noticed that she was looking at me with tear-filled eyes and a heart that truly did not want to go through with this decision. I continued to share my heart with her, and as I spoke I can only remember becoming so concentrated in what was coming across her face that I too began to cry. I asked her for her name and she said in a still, small voice, "Isha."

      I said, "Isha do you realize that making this decision will not bring the peace and comfort you are searching for? God does not want you to make this mistake of taking the life of your child and having to live with the grief for the rest of you life. He loves you and has created this child for a purpose. We can help you with this child." By now my cheeks were very damp and my heart was reaching out to Isha in every way possible. 'This child is on the verge of death if this woman walks into that clinic,' I thought. I realized at this moment that God would need to be the factor involved in allowing Isha to see where she was headed if she made this decision to kill her baby.

      It was nearly several minutes later when Isha agreed to go with me to a pregnancy center and receive the proper help that would encourage her to keep her baby. My mind was swirling as I held onto Isha so dearly. 'Her baby is saved, her baby is going to live and grow up with a future,' I began to think.

      I embraced Isha with all my might and encouraged her that she had made the right decision. My emotions were shot and my heart was about to leap out of my chest. The moment that I had prayed to happen, lived to be a part of and hoped to someday experience was now taking place in front of the Fairmount Abortion clinic.

      As I look back to the memorable day I can still feel the residue of emotions lingering in my heart. Those three people that I had been introduced to in March had held such a dear part in me that I could not approach this young woman who had kept her baby without seeing their beautiful faces as well.

Note: Isha had a beautiful baby girl on February 23, 2003. She named her Alani, which is Hawaiian for "Cloud of Heaven". Little Alani was born at 7 lbs and 7 oz. Brandi and Christy Tiso, another sidewalk counselor with OSA - Dallas have invested a great deal in Isha's life and went to the hospital to visit her when the baby was born. Please continue to pray for Brandi and Christy as they disciple Isha in the way of the Lord. Also keep Isha and her other children (Willie, Heaven and Chastity) in your prayers.