{{first_name|Friend}},
On Wednesday night, Blanca said something that I think every one of us needed to hear:
"You do not need a crowd to pray. Sometimes it is just one person faithfully standing on that sidewalk — and that one person matters."
Twelve years ago, that's all we were. One person, then a handful, standing on a sidewalk in Las Cruces with nothing but prayer. Everything you've heard about this week — Guiding Star Southwest, The Lily Pad, the Her Care Connection office next door to Santa Teresa — grew out of that sidewalk.
And here's what it looks like now.
A few weeks ago, a woman from Cuba walked up to the Santa Teresa abortion center. Our team at Her Care Connection, now right next door, saw her. But before they could say a word, the clinic staff pulled her inside: "You're going to be late for your appointment."
Ten minutes later, she walked back out. She crossed over to our door and said: "I want help from you guys."
That's the difference being right next door makes. As Aida put it on the webcast, "You can only imagine the sorrows happening right here behind this wall." And some of the clinic's own clients now walk into our office looking for the abortion center — and find coffee, childwatch, a chapel, an ultrasound room, and a nurse who will sit with them instead.
The sidewalk is no longer the last line. It's the front door to everything else.
That's why we're not going home when the 40 days end. Blanca announced that three of our four vigil sites are becoming 365-day campaigns — the Planned Parenthood in El Paso, Dr. Theard's clinic in Santa Teresa, and the Pink House in Las Cruces. We're also praying at the construction site of the $10 million UNM abortion center. Every week, we're seeing about 67 women walk into the abortion clinic — and 62 of them are Texas women.
Will you take one hour? The greatest need is weekdays from 1 to 6 PM and on weekends. Sign up here: 40days.southwest.life
Pastor Morris Wolfe reminded us on Wednesday that "we have looked at the back of the book, and we've seen that you win hands down." The task is big. But as he said, it's not bigger than God.
And if you can't be on the sidewalk, you can still make sure the door next to it stays open. Through midnight on October 15, every dollar you give is doubled by the $150,000 matching challenge — and the first organizations to meet their match are in the running for one of El Paso Giving Day's limited $25,000 bonus awards.
Thank you for standing with us — one person, one hour, one door at a time.
Gratefully in Christ,
Jessica Sifuentes
President & CEO
Southwest Coalition, Inc.
P.S. — Tomorrow and Tuesday, 5–7 PM: tour Guiding Star and ride the shuttle over to the Lily Pad to meet the girls' home. Our open house passport tour wraps up this week.
P.P.S. — Aida's live walk-through of the Santa Teresa office is worth the replay alone. Watch here »
Devotional for Day 20
Intention: For those who faithfully pray and serve, especially when they feel their efforts are too small to make a difference.
Scripture: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
Reflection: Prayer is where our yes to God begins. Through prayer, He gives us the courage to act, the strength to persevere, and the grace to trust Him. Think of the mothers, babies, and families whose lives have been touched because someone faithfully prayed and answered His call. We may never know all that God accomplishes through our prayers, but we can trust that He hears every one.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, strengthen those who faithfully serve You, especially when they feel discouraged or alone. Remind us that no prayer offered in love is ever wasted. Give us perseverance, humility, and the grace to trust that You are working even when we cannot see it. Amen.
Challenge: Commit to praying for one hour for Dr. Theard and his team at the Santa Teresa Chapel this month.