I am usually the one interviewing people for my radio show, Arise Butterfly Glorify on GNCR, but on this day, it was my turn to be interviewed. Lauren Jacobs, who is a great inspiration to me, interviewed me on her show on Radio Cape Pulpit.

Lauren and I spoke about women empowerment, abortion, and the Michelle Williams acceptance speech that went viral. Michelle Williams received an award a few weeks back and said that it is because of a woman’s right to choose that she was able to win her award. Basically, that because of the fact that she had an abortion, that she was able to succeed in her career. 

The media often send the message that abortion is empowering for women, but we discuss how this is not true. 

Below is the link to the interview, we start speaking at 6 minutes 45s. 

Lauren Jacobs and Melissa Hertz abortion and women empowerment interview

I watched Unplanned for the first time at the Africa Cares for Life Conference last August, and I have watched it three more times since, simply because I love the movie. 


I am so happy to see that it is showing at selected Ster Kenikor theatres around South Africa, as I believe that it will stop many women and girls from having an abortion. I think that this movie has to power to encourage Churches to have conversations about the topic of abortion and abortion recovery. It is a conversation that is much needed in our country, as South Africa has high rates of abortion.

The movie is about the true story of Abby Johnson, an abortion counsellor; whose life is changed after witnessing an abortion procedure. She then leaves the abortion industry, but not without a lawsuit and backlash from Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the US, that she previously worked for. 

I would not recommend that anyone under the age of 16 years watch Unplanned, as it is graphic and disturbing. If you are squeamish or sensitive to blood, you need to be aware of a few scenes where you may have to look away.
Nonetheless, the movie has a powerful message and shows the reality of abortion. 

Unplanned is a world-class Christian move, and I love that the movie has a massive focus on Jesus, and finding forgiveness after an abortion. Many women and girls struggle to forgive themselves after an abortion, and in the movie, we see how Abby has to learn to forgive herself. We see her journey of the grieving process that follows after she asks God to forgive her. 

The movie ends with information about an organization called, And Then There Were None, that was started by Abby Johnson, to help abortion workers to leave the abortion industry. The organization supports those who choose to leave the industry by assisting them in finding other work and advising them on legal matters.

I would rate this movie a 9 out of 10.

For those who do not know, I am a qualified post-abortion counsellor, and I have done The Journey Post-Abortion Recovery Programme training with Africa Cares for Life. If you are struggling with feelings of regret and loss, WhatsApp me for free online post-abortion recovery.

FLUTTER INC AND AFRICA CARES FOR LIFE DONATE AN ULTRASOUND MACHINE TO TSHEPHO WOMENS HEALTH 

Earlier this year, at the Africa Cares for Life Conference, I met Karla Sutter, founder of Flutter Inc, based in the U.S.

Karla was one of the fantastic speakers at the conference this year and is also the author of a few books, including Flutter - a children's book with a strong pro-life message.

Flutters vision statement is that every girl, in every nation, should have the right to an ultrasound during her pregnancy.  It is for this reason, that Karla and her team, bring unused ultra machines from America, to countries in Africa.

Karla donated a machine to Africa Cares For Life this year, who then chose to give it to Tila Maganyane from Tshephos Women's Health.

It was a very special moment to witness how the machine was received with such gratitude. I have no doubt in my mind that this ultrasound machine will prevent many abortions. According to Life News, 78% of pregnant women who see an ultrasound of their baby reject abortion.

Below is a video of how Tila received her ultrasound machine at the Africa Cares for Life conference.

Visit www.flutter-effect.com or follow them on social media!

March for Life 2019 Radio Interviews

Leading up to the March For Life South Africa 2019, I had the privilege of interviewing two very influential people in the Pro-Life movement here in South Africa. 

Earlier this year I was asked by GNCR if I would like to be a presenter on their station, and how could I say no?
(More shows will be available early next year!)

I spoke to Liza from Doctors For Life, and Graeme Schnell, CEO of Focus on the Family Africa. 

Below are the links to the interviews, I hope you enjoy getting to know Liza and Graeme as much as I did!

https://soundcloud.com/user-210646615/graeme-schnell-from-focus-on-the-family-interview

https://soundcloud.com/user-210646615/liza-from-doctors-for-life-interview-on-gncr

On the 20th of August, my friend Youandi and I flew to Johannesburg for four days to attend the Africa Cares for Life conference.
 

Africa Cares for Life is an umbrella body and support structure for pregnancy centres in South Africa. Africa Cares for Life also offers various development programs to empower pregnancy centres in South Africa.

Each year, ACFL has a conference to refresh, encourage and empower pregnancy centre leaders and volunteers. 

While most pregnancy centres are actual centres in a physical building, there are a few online counselling helplines and organizations that offer online pregnancy help. 

Youandi Gilain from Open Arms SA, and Nina McNeil from 11th Hour are both online pregnancy support counsellors. 

I represent my organization, Project Life, and do most of my pregnancy help and post-abortion counselling on Whatsapp, with the odd person contacting me on Facebook. 

The majority of clients who contact me, contact me for post-abortion counselling, but now and then, I do receive a client seeking pregnancy counselling.

Daniele Gradwell, director of ACFL put together an exceptionally inspiring conference, and world-class speakers shared their stories and passion for assisting girls and women in unplanned pregnancies.

Karla Sutter, Ellen Foell, Grant Edkins, and Lusanda Dhlamini are some of the fantastic influencers that spoke at the conference.

Each day, we had the option of attending wonderfully informative workshops. One of the workshops that particularly stood out to me was Breaking Soul Ties, by Joyce Ray. 
 

I also had the privilege of seeing the movie Unplanned at the conference. The film is powerfully moving, and I have no doubt in my mind that it will change and challenge many hearts on the topic of abortion. I imagine that many lives will be saved because of this movie.

I will be planning a screening for the movie Unplanned in Cape Town towards the end of October, so keep an eye out for the details. 

On the last evening of the conference, Daniele organized a banquet, and we were encouraged to dress up. The theme for the conference was BOLD, so I wore a brightly coloured dress and painted my face like a warrior, symbolic of my passion to boldly fight for what I believe is right.
My heart was so full of joy to be surrounded by people with the same passion, who are on the same mission that I am on. 

I would like to say a special thanks to you to Daniele for putting together an amazingly informative and motivational conference.  
I have been inspired to take bold steps and to keep moving forward. I have been inspired to be courageous.

#NOTALLMENARETRASH

On Saturday, I had the honour of speaking at a High Tea for moms and their teenage sons. 

Due to the extremely violent crimes commited against women and children that have been reported in the news recently, a  popular hashtag here in South Africa right now is #menaretrash.

I titled my speech #notallmenaretrash, in an attempt to encourage and motivate these boys to be better men.
I told the story of how I know men who have behaved like trash, but also men who are of great value to this world. The opposite of trash is something valuable, and the main message that I hoped to get across to these boys, is that they have a choice between these two.
To be trash, and to make the world ugly and dirty. 
Or to be of value to this world, and to do great things and leave a legacy. 

I have been hurt by men who treated me like I was trash.
I have been sexually harassed, abused, abandoned and used. 

But, I have also been respected and protected by men out there who are not trash.

My grandfather, a respectable and kind man, is not trash.

My husband, a man of integrity, who honours me and my children, is not trash.  

My sons, Dominic, and Quade, are not trash.
And I will do my best to raise them up to be good men.

Perhaps, instead of calling all the men out there trash, we can try to speak life over the ones who are not. It is not fair to call young boys trash. Children will grow into what we speak over them.

To the men out there, the good ones, thank you.

Thank you for being a man of value. 

And please. Please protect us.

Teach your sons to respect women, and don't make fun of women.
Don't share content on your social media that is inappropriate. Don't encourage your friends to act violently. And stop watching porn- it is highly addictive, and studies show that it teaches men to dehumanize and objectify women. There is strong evidence that men who rape and sexually abuse women, watch pornography before committing the crime. So just don't.

Be the man that you wish your daughter could marry.
Add value to the world and make it a better place.
Be that guy. 


#notallmenaretrash
#protectus

August Speaking Opportunities:

Me, sharing my story at New Beginnings Church.

On Friday the 10th of August I had the honor of speaking at a woman's event at the New Beginnings Church in Phoenix.

I shared my testimony at the event, of how God spared my life after I almost died, after giving birth to my son Quade, three years ago. I also shared my abortion story and how abortion negatively affected my life. 

At the event, I met Loaraine Moonsamy, who invited me to speak at her church the next day.

Me, sharing my story at Calvary Chapel.

 I wanted to embrace the opportunity to share my testimony once again, so on Saturday the 11th of August, I spoke at the Calvary Chapel Woman's event. I shared my story and offered free online post-abortion counselling to anyone who felt that they might need it. I had ladies come to me after  I spoke to share their stories of how they have lost children to abortion. Many women do not seek therapy and counselling after an abortion, and many women struggle with feelings of loss, regret and sadness, after having an abortion. 

I feel so privileged to have had two opportunities to speak. 
I love being a speaker and am so thankful for the opportunities that God gives me to share my story of His grace. 

If you would like me to visit your church, to raise awareness on abortion and baby abandonment, and for me to share my testimony, send an email to melissahertzmusic@gmail.com.
Many blessings!

At the Calvary Chapel Woman's event with two of the other speakers.