As you can tell, our JLI pioneers left energized and excited last Thursday to spread the message of life in their communities.

And, from my part, I have been waiting for this day.  Yes, for three years now, we have been hosting weekend pro-life camps with the Knights of Columbus known as "Louisiana Camp Joshua".  While we certainly love Camp Joshua and are continuing to spread it across the state (see bottom of email for new LCJ), we have been waiting with the Knights for the right time to launch the Joshua Leadership Institute.  And the time was right!

JLI goes beyond Camp Joshua by moving the students from "seat-work" to "feet-work."  Through lecture and interactive presentations ("seat-work"), students are educated and prepared to defend life, but it is not until they go out and put it into practice ("feet-work") do they realize they can "change so much", as one student commented.

With this confidence, and the exhortation to "keep marching even when times are tough", we know these "Joshuas" can bring down the walls of the culture of death and rebuild walls of life!

Here is a look at some of the exciting sessions at last week's JLI:

• How Abortion Effects Women --> Interaction at Pregnancy Center
  Dr. John Bruchalski, a former abortionist who now runs an impressive pro-life medical clinic in Fairfax, VA, joined the students the first two days to discuss abortion, its effect on women, and what it means to make a difference.  The picture at the right shows Dr. Bruchalski with students considering medical professions.  After the good doctor, students visited with the Care Pregnancy Center and were able to see a live ultrasound and mock counseling session.  Thank you Care Pregnancy Center!
  
  
• Pro-Life Persuasion --> Activism at LSU
  Next, nationally-renown pro-life apologetics trainer Steve Wagner from Justice for All spent four hours with the students preparing them to effectively speak with strangers about abortion.  The next day, our students ventured to LSU's free speech alley, student center, and quad to engage others in a survey on abortion.  Though timid at first, the JLI students gracefully dialogued with many people, and were even able to change the minds of some.  The photo at the right shows JLI chaperone Dominique discussing abortion with an LSU student. 
  
  
• Media/Radio Practice
  Three of our JLIers, Camille, Grace, and Joey, went on Baton Rouge Catholic Radio last Wednesday morning to discuss JLI, especially the trip to LSU.  Hit this link and scroll to the bottom to hear the interview!
  
  
• Sidewalk Counseling Training --> Prayer at Abortion Facility
  Also on Wednesday, Maria Graham trained our students in the ins and outs of sidewalk counseling and then accompanied the students as they prayed in front of Delta abortion facility.  The photo at the right shows Addy, a JLI student, leading the group in prayer.
  
  
• Some Fun! Rock Climbing at LSU
  While the week was intense, the students had a great time Wednesday evening at the indoor rock climbing gym at LSU.
  
  
• Stem Cell Research and End of Life Issues
  The students also were educated in the technical aspects of stem cell research (by yours truly) and end of life issues (by local hospice administrator Ryan Verret).  The students were so inquisitive that my stem cell talk lasted three hours... and they loved it (seriously!)!
  
  
• Terri's Story with Bobby Schindler
  To conclude the week, they were able to hear from and spend time with Bobby Schindler, the brother of the late Terri Schiavo.  His testimony and example of courage sealed in the students' hearts a desire to speak for the weak, whether unborn, disabled, or elderly.

See all the 2010 JLI photos online by clicking here!

As you can see, the week was full of interactive learning, powerful activism, and a lot of fun (so much fun the students did not want to leave!).

But as we reminded the students, JLI has ended, but its mission is just beginning.  We look forward to hearing from these courageous students as they organize and activate their communities for life!

Please see below for our 2011 Joshua Leadership Institute and Louisiana Camp Joshua dates.  Spread the word, and lets double our number of Joshuans in Louisiana in the coming year!