March 30, 2005

C. Fletcher Armstrong
Director, CBR Southeast
P.O. Box 20115
Knoxville, Tennessee  37940

Dear Dr. Armstrong,

Thank you and CBR for bringing the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC).  I was scared at first.  I questioned GAP at first.  But time after time the Lord Jesus was gracious and compassionate in showing me that this is His heart for UTC.  I was amazed at how smoothly things worked out.  God provided all the workers we needed, and He even planed there to be a pro-life/pro-abortion debate the night before GAP, completely unaffiliated with what we were doing.  Pat, the pro-life representative, presented our side with such conviction the pro-abortion representative left the room, quite flustered, during the debate!

During the display we had many looks, a few passing comments like, “That is just horrible,” and lots of people to come and talk.  We also had over 50 people sign up for our brand new pro-life group, which is such a blessing!  I have also had two instructors come up to me and ask me to talk about abortion in their political science classes next semester.

Even yesterday I am still hearing positive comments.  One woman I had never seen before in my life said, “You're Mark Baker, right?  You guys did a great job on the display last week.  It was disturbing, but it needed to be said.”  Others were impressed that a student group on campus was actually DOING something.  One friend of mine, who I knew was pro-choice before GAP, not only seems to be pro-life now, but signed up on the list to be part of the student organization!

Some of the negative comments were fairly harsh, but at the same time, not discouraging.  One girl who I knew came up to me, very mad, and said, “What is this?”  Then she continued to bombard me with questions like, “What about rape or incest?  What if the mother is about to die?”  Before I could respond she stormed off and said, “Don't ever talk to me again, Mark.”  I am not discouraged by that kind of reaction, because it means something is going on in her heart, which is the road to healing.

Another friend of mine gave me the silent treatment.  I said hello to him one day and he responded, “Why are you talking to me.  I hate you.  I f****** hate you!”  I had seen him looking through the window at our presentation and knew that he was quite upset.  Later we talked and he said he had lost sleep over it because abortion is never a cut and dry issue, no matter what anybody says.  These people we must let Jesus change their heart because we cannot do anything.

I would definitely do it again!  Thanks for all you do!

In Christ,
Mark Baker, President
UT Chattanooga Students for Choosing Life