My friend, BAS, is the chair of the board of directors for Rogue Valley Pregnancy Resource Centers (RVPRC). This little organization has had some staff changes in the last year, and new faces are in place. Those new faces want to make RVPRC a presence in southern Oregon, and I am all for it.
I was asked several months ago to come to do my testimony. No problem. Two big names were also at this event. Abstinance advocate and great Christian man, AC Green. He was an LA Laker player when the Lakers announced Magic Johnson had the AIDS virus. AC Green was a virgin when he married his wife at age 38. I give this man my respect. Here he is working side by side with a man who is leading a promiscuous lifestyle, while maintaining his purity. Amazing.
The other big name was Bob Kilpatrick. A very influential musical artist and producer. He wrote the song we all know "In My Life Lord". He has worked with big name artists like Randy Stonehill, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Newboys to name a few.
And I did my testimony sandwiched in between these men. Tracy and her husband (see the blogs I watch) Denis came, and again, it was so nice to have familiar faces in the crowd. I visited with them before hand during a dessert reception. Tracy was so sweet asking me what I wanted to eat, and I never turn down lemon bars! But this night, if I ate anything, it wouldn't stay down. I was very nervous.
There was an estimated 300-400 people there. Bob performed. It was a funny combination of humor, music and worship. Great way to start the evening. I did my testimony. AC Green did his talk and reflections. It was wonderful.
I say it was wonderful for a reason. Before I had kids, I worked for PRC of Greater Portland. One of the biggest PRC organizations in the United States. A great place to work. I used to put on events just like this. For three years I also worked in the counseling room, administering pregnancy tests, and talking to lots and lots and lots of women about pregnancy, relationships, STD's, and their future. Those were incredibly hard years, where I worked hard to not burn out. But I would do it again. So that is where I came from.
In terms of events, being behind the scenes this night felt very familiar to me. What just flabbergasts me is how many attacks there were by Satan. I am not one of these people who thinks Satan is behind everything, but you have to wonder with this night.
So many things went wrong. The video presentation that was presented, the credit card machine that didn't show up, the programs that were printed moments before the event, people falling and injuring themselves in the parking lot, family members suddenly getting gravely ill, AC's flight being delayed and rerouted, etc.
I think Satan doesn't want RVPRC to grow.
BUT! God prevailed, if you didn't know all of these things were going wrong behind the scenes, and participated as an attendee, you would not have known so much was going wrong. It went off well. To God be the glory for that.
New donors were recruited, new faces saw what RVPRC does, and RVPRC will be growing soon by adding ultrasound machines to their ministry. I know Satan doesn't want that to happen. Women who see their babies on an ultrasound machine statistically don't have abortions. Suddenly the positive test stick becomes a human being.
What were some fun things? AC Green raffled off a few things signed by him. I put a whole bunch of stock in the signed basketball and bought a bunch of tickets. I wanted to bring that ball home to the boys. I didn't win. BUT! As I was talking to AC, he told me this summer, in my city, where he holds an annual basketball camp, bring my kids and a ball and he'll sign it for me. How generous and kind! He told me when he would be there and how to catch him. I didn't ask, he offered that, and he certainly didn't have to do that. How nice!
JM asked that I have a picture with him doing rabbit ears. Get this, AC let me! I don't know if I would do that. Have you ever done rabbit ears behind a man who is six feet nine inches tall? The ears are hard to see.
Anyway, a great evening. I am thankful for the opportunity. I am still reveling in it. I am excited to hear how God grows this ministry. Satan got stomped on that night. The attempts to stop this event were not successful, and they were pretty amazing attempts.
This man won the basketball.
Tracy with AC Green. Her shoulder comes up to his elbow.AC is dauntingly tall.
I am standing on two steps. I would normally be closer to where Tracy was.
2 comments:
The man who won the basketball also goes to my church. He's an adoptive father as well. They have a biological brother and sister rescued from an orphanage in Sudan. I recently heard the story from his wife. The little girl was so malnourished she would not have lived much longer if they had not gotten her out. The boy was 5 and the girl was 2 at the time. We have a lot of adoptive families in our church.
God is SO good and I love to read about how He always prevails in the midst of Satan's attacks. What an incredible Savior we serve! Thanks for sharing that Sister.
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