Trial begins today -- please pray

This morning at 8:30 am, Terri and I will be on trial, facing charges of trespassing.

The charges date back to September 14, 2004, when Terri and I were outside the Family Planning Associates abortion chamber in Bakersfield.

According to the official complaint, on that date Terri and I "entered into lands declared closed to entry as provided in Section 4256 of the Public Resources Code," which allows for the closing of hazardous fire areas such as National Forests.

Several weeks later, Terri received an arrest warrant in the mail, citing her for violating Penal Code Section 602(o) -- trespassing. (For some reason they did not send the warrant to me at that time.) In all of these years of ministry, this is the first time we have faced charges like this.

We are confident that we did not step on the abortion chamber's property that day (as we have always been careful not to do so) but apparently some witnesses intend to claim that we did so.

Over the past several months and about a half-dozen court hearings we have tried in vain to understand these charges. We would like to think that this will all just go away, but our opponents clearly intend to use this situation to stop us. So what could have happened on September 14, 2004, which would have resulted in these charges of trespassing into a "hazardous fire area"? The only thing unusual we can recall about that day was a particularly intense time of prayer and worship. (Perhaps others sensed the intensity of the Holy Spirit's fire as I did that day.)

If you have time this week, you are welcome to come to court and hear what happens.

Please pray!

• Pray that God will direct the jury selection process, and that any jurors who have a hidden agenda will be removed.
• Ask God to use this trial to speak to the hearts of the jurors, attorneys, and other witnesses.
• Pray for protection for our children during this time, especially our son Micah who is under severe attack from the enemy right now.
• Pray for those who will be outside the abortion chamber in our absense, and pray that God will save the children who are scheduled to be aborted today and tomorrow and that He will protect their mothers from harm.
• Ask God to silence the accusers, to confuse them and prevent them from providing false testimony, and ultimately to speak to their hearts through this trial.

Thank you for your prayer support and encouragement during this trial.

In Christ's service for those who cannot speak for themselves,

Tim Palmquist

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