As told by John Barros:

Good Friday was very full today. I’m really having trouble sorting it all out. Actually I’m so overwhelmed. Just trying to grasp what our King did for us and what is going on down here. Going from here to St. Andrew’s tonight, it sure makes you long for heaven.

So blessed to have folks down today that don’t get to make it to often. So thankful for Chelsea Stolz taking her day off to come down. Doug and Carol Sarver brought their precious daughter Miriam Sarver down. Miriam is a Sacred Music Major at Reformation Bible College. She brought her cello down for worship and it was amazing. Tonight at church, the full orchestra, choir, and congregation sang “Oh Sacred Head Now Wounded.” It was awesome but I have never heard anything like what Miriam led us in out hear. The blinds were banging with all inside waiting to kill their children looking out. There is a Muslim man that drops his wife off at her appointment down the street. He always walks around watching the preaching while waiting. Today he saw the music and walked over. As they began to sing “Amazimg Grace” I told him to join them. He took his son and went over to join in. I wonder if this has ever happened before. When his wife was finished they said thank you. Please pray that I can become friends with them.

We had a couple of ladies come by wanting to know how they could adopt. The Sarvers worked with them. Carol works at a pregnancy center in Detroit. They will be calling Life For Kids next week.

We had three ladies do what I would like to call “Choose Life” but only time will tell. The first one came in but once inside turned out with a look of fear and said “I’m not doing this. I’m out of here.” She wouldn’t talk as she couldn’t get out of here fast enough.

The second was a mother that brought her daughter. They got money from a suspicious car down the street to pay for it. They were angry. Beth Goble, Cassidy Goble, and Heather Marie tried working with them. They just seemed to get angrier but then about half way through the preaching they came out with terror looks in their eyes. They literally ran down the street before anyone could catch them.

Then there was Joshua and Gianna. They went inside but didn’t last very long at all. They left and spoke with Heather and Yolie. They said they had come for an ultrasound but couldn’t take the evil inside. They will be going to Choices on Monday and will see Heather again. They asked if everyone would pray for them as they now have to share what has happened with their parents.

I don’t know what was going on today but there was nothing left when I was done preaching. Seems like I barely made it home and slept for two hours. People always ask what they can pray for. Strength and energy would be a great start. Praying you all have a blessed Easter.

As told by John Barros:

After thinking about it tonight I am amazed at how God can work so sweetly in the midst of such wickedness and horror.

There were six that came here today on Maundy Thursday to kill their children. One couple was on the second day of their late-term labor and delivery abortion. The longer this process took over two days the uglier the baby’s dad got.

Pastor Emerson came down to learn and serve. He is from a Reformed Baptist Church in Edgewater, Florida. It was a blessing to have him join Bill, Yolie, and Karen who is now working at First Life Pregnancy Center with Carmem.

In the middle of the ugliness a young Guatemalan couple showed up. They spoke a different dialect of Spanish than Yolie Gonzalez knows. Bill, a deacon from my church, worked with them for about an hour. It was so amazing to me because somehow they could understand him without English. At one point, she went to her knees pleading with her man and hugging his leg. God was working in their hearts in much less than ideal situations. Yolie took them over to Choices where they were loved and cared for by Vicky Botsford Mathews and the gang in a language they could understand. God did this in such a sweet way and He wasn’t finished.

A young lady I have been working with came by today. Brandi is very pregnant. We were talking about her situation and how we may be able to help when she looked me in the eye and said “John, can you help me to be a Christian?” I couldn’t believe it. She asked for a Bible and wanted other reading materials. I gave her a Bible and R.C. Sproul’s “Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow.” We are going to meet again tomorrow where she will be given a Study Bible. God worked in hearts in such a special way today. I get so sick from all the vileness down here and sometimes fail to see how kind He is.

As told by John Barros:

Such a crazy Ash Wednesday. I know to many people certain days aren’t different than others but I really get more upset during the holidays. Pastor David Netzorg joined us down here today. He is such a blessing to me.

So many people came down today. It was just awful really. There are way too many stories to tell but I will share a few. We had two choose life and a couple of turnaways.

One couple came, listened for a little bit but went inside. The guy came outside and talked with Karen for a long time. He went on about how he didn’t want her to do it but it was her choice. Well, as the preaching went on, she came out and chose life. He stood at the front door trying to get her back inside but she stood strong. They took our info and left.

A couple of other ladies came late in the day. Yolie Gonzalez met them and spoke at length. They chose life as well. We had a time of prayer and they left saying they would be going to Choices.

There were others that left during the preaching as well but the guys wouldn’t stop to let us talk. We also witnessed something that happens from time to time. Olivia brought a friend for an abortion. They were young and foul. We tried warning them all day as they came out for smokes. They finally had the abortion and left. They came back three times in agony to see the doctor. Each time you could see the pain was much worse. I don’t know what was going on but they didn’t have smart mouths anymore.

There was a ray of sunshine though today. Myra came walking down the street and asked if I remembered her. I said “Who could forget you?” Four years ago she worked down the street. She made me her friend on Facebook so she could pray throughout the day. A war was going on one day between me and a couple that was here. It went on forever. Myra called me and asked if the girl was there. I said yes. The couple had chosen life at this point and we’re trying to get their money back. Myra came flying up in her car and ran inside yelling “John, that’s my niece!” As she opened the door her niece and her boyfriend were coming out! I have never seen so much screaming, crying, and hugging in my life.

Well, Myra works somewhere else now but just wanted to drive by and say thank you. Her niece is married now to her baby Logan’s father. They are all doing fine and Logan is three now. Please pray for them and all the folks that left and heard the Gospel today.

As told by John Barros:

I know people don’t really believe me but full moons make people crazy down here.

We had the Satanist yesterday and other people that seem to be bonkers. Had another guy making death threats and hooting and howling. Even people walking down the street were attacking.

The Lord was so good though. He led two couples to lead their babies out of here. One guy pulled up while I was preaching with his lady. He rolled his heavily tinted window down, looked at me and gave a huge thumbs up with tears pouring down his face. He just kept saying over and over again Thank You. It is such an awesome thing to see God turn hearts. There is nothing like it. Please pray for these ladies and the two guys.

So thankful for Bill, Karen, Marcia MacDonald Devor, and Yolie Gonzalez. I would be lost and 80 lbs lighter without them. Also blessed to be on American Adversaries this evening. It is absolutely wonderful to share what Jesus does and was blessed to share the true Gospel over Orlando on a secular radio station. God is so good.

As told by John Barros:

What greater contrast could there be between yesterday and today. Yesterday, I was at the Choices Walk for Life with Vicky Botsford Mathews, her staff, and volunteers. There were hundreds of people and forty-five different churches with pastors and elders that want to end abortion and be a tool for Jesus to use. It was absolutely wonderful.

Then there was today. I showed back up at the pit and people just couldn’t wait to get inside to kill their babies. Deanna Waller and I had a bit of trouble trying to keep up with folks as they all arrived at the same time. The guys were filled with vileness and they were spewing death threats as they tried to hurry the ladies inside.

Then a Satanist showed up with his daughter. He tried to hurry her inside and was in my face — close enough to know he needs a lot of mouth wash. It was so strange to look at this guy. Here he has tattoos all over his face and neck with a giant star on his cheek and he just wanted his daughter inside. Deanna and I tried to reason with her. She started crying as she reached for the handke. She was yelling saying she was going to do it. She came out a few times and continued crying. Her dad was getting more upset by the minute. It was weird how she would call this guy “daddy.” By no stretch of the imagination would I say she chose life but they left on the bus. Please pray for this young lady, and her dad.

So Thankful for Michael Stephen Phillips, Brian and Allura Lightfoot, and Anne Marchetti and her husband who came to minister till it closed.

Palm Sunday…What a contrast. Thankfully, I was able to worship at St. Andrew’s. God cleanses me there every week. Blessed to hear Pastor Burk preach on Romans 9. Salvation is the Lord’s.

Also, I was so blessed to attend Miriam Sarver’s cello recital. She did an amazing job. This precious lady is a Sacred Music Major at Reformation. Bible College. She has served down here at the pit. Sometimes even with her cello.

You know the battle is tough but if you sit back and look at the big picture as we fight the evil darkness, He has surrounded us with love, care, kindness, and He is pleased.

Blessed Beyond Measure.

As told by John Barros:

Another day at the pit. It’s just never ending. There were two ladies that had their hearts turned by God. Beth spoke with a young lady at length. She went inside but immediately turned around and left. Then there was a couple that left during the preaching. She actually had a guy that manned up and got her out of here.

Pastor Dan joined us today. He just got back from Russia and Ukraine. He met with many in churches over there. He told us one horrifying statistic: the average lady over there has had 15 abortions. Some as many as 30. There is almost a missing generation there.

Had a special treat today. A precious lady from my church, Cecilia Durso, sent a blanket with Yolie Gonzalez for me. I can’t believe how awesome it is. It is so intricate and is the softest thing I have ever felt.

Please pray for the ladies that left and pray this place goes away.

As told by John Barros:

I haven’t posted from this place for a few days but that certainly doesn’t mean nothing has been happening. Saturday morning a beautiful young Christian girl was met by Beth Goble. She pulled in the driveway and as soon as she met Beth she burst into tears. She shared that she was part of a worship team at her church in Kissimmee. She fell in with the wrong guy, had sex for the first time, and now was here. She knew it was wrong but didn’t know what to do. After some time, she chose life and went to First Life.

Sunday and Monday the people were so cold here. Monday not one person came out for anything. But then there was today.

The day got off much like the others. Nobody would talk and it was disheartening. Matthew came till 8:30 and then Pastor H.P. McCracken arrived. Karen, Chuck, and Mary also a member down. I am so glad they came because even this afternoon I started wondering if what happened really happened.

Twelve ladies came for abortions. During the preaching, they began to come out. The first one out with her husband was ecstatic to find out she wasn’t pregnant but when she drove up she said “Thank you” and waved so I have no idea.

There was a lady that had been here twice over the last few weeks and both times God turned her heart and she left sobbing. Today, she tried again but God did the same. I have never seen someone leave quite that traumatized before. Ladies just kept coming out with tears literally pouring down their cheeks. It was so awesome seeing so many late-term Moms leave. They were thankful but unbelievably shaken.

Then there was a lady I will call Juanita. Her husband parked across the street with their six-month-old baby. Juanita was hard and cockey. She was pretty upset we were there and came out several times. She actually wouldn’t speak much but kept coming out. She finally came out and called her husband to come get her. She kept saying this place is a fraud.

Then the abortionist Randall Whitney pulled in the drive. We told her that was the abortionist. She walked down to his car and began calling him names. She told Randall that “He should be dead already.” Then she came up front and began telling others about Randall and trying to get those that were left here to leave. Randall Whitney called the police on her. Randall took Juanita words as death threats. H.P. thinks she was actually referring to Randall’s age.

Juanita’s husband had told Karen earlier that he had been praying that she would change her mind and keep her baby but said she was stubborn, had a temper, and would not change her mind. It’s so funny how many times we hear that.

I can’t go into everything; it would take all night. When preaching, it was so hard today. It was like there was a dark wall in front of me and I could almost feel a war going on all around. It was so bizarre in so many ways. One lady, before she killed her baby, stood on the porch loudly speaking in tongues. The Lord moved in a mighty way. So thankful to have pastors like H.P. that come down to serve God at the pit.

Seven ladies left this place today. Please pray the Lord would draw them and the people that came with them to Himself and that they would stay strong. God is so amazing.

As told by John Barros:

The Lord moved so powerfully today. He shined a beautiful light in four ladies’ hearts today. He delivered one in a soft way and a few others it could almost be said they were delivered violently.

Two ladies showed up and came walking up the drive. Beth Goble met them and told them she could help them. They stopped and listened to everything she said. That’s all it took. They thanked her, took the info, and went to Choices.

Half way through the preaching a young man led his lady out. He smiled, waved, and said “Thank you, we aren’t going to do this.”

Another couple came out right after them. He was upset saying it wasn’t right that preaching should be going on here. He said it was making him feel bad. His lady came out and chose life.

Then there was Yehzani. She was met by Bill when she got here. She wouldn’t talk but one time she came out and said she was a Christian. She began coming in and out. You could see her struggling. Then she came out and said she was keeping her baby. She went to the end of the street and sat on the curb. Mary went down and sat with her. She told Mary that she was disgusted with what she was going to do and with this place. She couldn’t even walk back this way. She began opening up to Mary about how she may lose her sports scholarship for being pregnant but she thanked Mary and walked away. Please pray for all these folks.

Then I was blessed to have John Cleveland and his wife Sarah from Faith Presbyterian in Brooksville, Fl. stop by. They were here for their anniversary. They just wanted to stop by, pray, encourage, and buy us lunch. They are awesome.

As told by John Barros:

Today was pretty incredible. As far as I know there were no babies killed today. The parking lot was filled with workers’ cars but no clients. Lucas Mann, Karen, Donna Eggars and I were able to catch up on some fellowship.

The timing was amazing because we had three special visitors. Richard Pelletier, a dear man who fights from behind the scenes, stopped by to encourage. Richard and his precious wife are priceless.

David Johnson stopped by during his lunch hour to do the same.
Jeremiah Meriwether from Jacksonville stopped by to serve and we ended up having a great conversation.

There is a young lady that delivers sandwiches to this abortion clinic. She hates coming here very much. We have gotten to know each other a bit. She has heard the Gospel and I’ve had the pleasure of praying with her about certain areas in her life.

Today she pulled up and walked inside with a sandwich. A minute later she burst out the door with a huge smile on her face and yelled “John, this is for you! It says Orlando Women’s Center John Barros on the receipt!!” I couldn’t believe it. It turns out a dear young lady from church Heather Marie had sent it. That girl sure knows how to embarrass people. 😉

Thanks to all of you that continue to pray.

As told by John Barros:

Today was fairly busy but a bit unusual. We had two turnaways and don’t know why they left. Then there was “Sherry” and “Julie”. They came last Sunday. Deanna and I were able to speak with them at length. They were very mouthy. Told me to do things that are physically impossible. Sherrie is about six months pregnant and was the driver for Julie. The abortion mill sent everyone home because they aren’t going to be open on Sundays anymore.

Well they returned today. Pretty mouthy again. Julie was dead set on killing her baby. After the preaching she came out. Sherrie wasn’t there and I was able to go in depth what God would do for those that would trust Him. Went into the fact that it wasn’t by chance that she was outside talking to me.
Sherrie came out yelling for me to shut up because “There is nothing on earth that will change her mind.”

Sherrie came back out and sat on the bricks. She told me she doesn’t love or have feelings for her baby. We went into how God would give her those and that I’ve seen this many times.

Then Sherrie broke out sobbing. She literally became undone wrestling with herself and her God. Finally she got up and chose life. As they were leaving, I told her to thank God because “there is nothing on earth that can change their minds, but the One that does change minds met her on the porch.”

Please pray for these ladies. Pray she stays strong and gets ahold of me.

So blessed to have folks filter in and out to serve throughout the day. Matthew, Lucas, Karen, Chuck and Mary. Also was blessed to have a lady named Helen drop by with some Danish Pastries. She just wanted to say thank you for being here throughout the years. She has driven by so many times but felt led to stop today.