From Our Friends in the UK, honoring a
very special woman .. we honor her as well
We want to take this opportunity to
honour a very special lady who has been a key part of the work of CBR UK as
well as the general fight for life in this nation. Her story is an amazing
example of what faith and perseverance can achieve.
A
woman who made a stand
As a passionate follower of Jesus,
Caroline Hubert was standing outside Wistons abortion clinic in Brighton for
well over a decade. This was alongside raising eight children and a career in
Pharmacy.
Wistons clinic was one of the first
abortion facilities in the UK, opened over 40 years ago by Bpas (British
Pregnancy Advisory Service). Around 3,000 babies were killed there annually in
recent years.
Following her husband Jeremy’s call
to stand and pray outside the abortion clinic, Caroline joined a small group of
faithful prayer warriors, including Sister Agnes, Judy and Kym.
A
woman faithful to the cause
Caroline was involved with CBR UK
right from the beginning, eagerly supporting us and attending many of our
Public Education Displays. Some of our first displays were outside Wistons, and
she would stand at the clinic door with Kym to pray and speak to the ladies
going in, while the rest of the team stood with the display at the other side
of the clinic facing the college. Her daughters attended that college, and
would walk across the road to join the displays and prayer vigils. Pro-life
work was a normal part of Caroline’s family life and they have always been an
integral part of CBR UK and the work we do.
Caroline was at the Brighton Wistons
display when our founder Andy Stephenson and Kathryn Attwood, were arrested and
prosecuted by the Police for displaying factual graphic abortion images outside
the clinic. This led to us winning a significant case, giving us the legal grounds
to hold our Public Education Displays.
A
woman of prayer and action
Caroline and Kym, now partners in
the battle for life, became convinced that the two most powerful weapons
against the abortion industry and to save lives, were prayer and pictures.
They would pray weekly outside Wistons, with or without CBR UK display teams,
carrying leaflets with pictures showing the humanity of babies in the womb and
the reality of abortion.
Prayer presence was increased
outside Wistons in 2012 and 2013, as they mobilised a small team for twelve hours a day over forty days as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign.
Above: Kym, Caroline and Jeremy in
Heart Publication
Two great victories from this first
campaign were the two baby girls whose lives were saved from being
aborted, when Caroline and Kym met them at the clinic’s doors. They went above
and beyond, even housing one of the mothers in their homes when they were in
desperate need.
Caroline was determined to see the
closure of Wistons clinic, so no more babies would be killed there. She would
envision, with Kym, the building used instead for prayer, life-affirming
projects and a memorial garden for the babies who had been killed there. The
prayer vision was further inspired after Caroline’s visit to Auschwitz,
formerly a concentration camp, where a house of prayer now stands opposite.
A
woman victorious in battle
In December 2014, Caroline was
diagnosed with cancer. Through it all, she remained full of faith in God and
never complained. Her health improved, despite ongoing challenges.
Prayer outside Wistons continued
over the last two years, with the 40 Days for Life campaigns. Then the amazing
news came, in March 2021, from Brighton and Hove City Council: “The British Pregnancy
Advisory Service (BPAS) Wistons clinic on Dyke Rd will be closing in June/July this year as BPAS will no longer be providing
pregnancy advisory services in Brighton and Hove…”.
Victory! Kym and Caroline were
ecstatic to hear the news! Caroline had been too ill to attend any of the
prayer vigils in person that year, but on the 28th March 2021, Caroline, Kym,
and many of those who had been involved praying outside of Wistons over the
years, went for a final session. This time, Caroline was armed with a guitar,
worshipping God for what He had done!
A
woman of legacy
Two of Caroline’s great desires and
prayers were that she would see Wistons clinic close and that she would see her
grandchildren. Caroline welcomed her first grandchild in February of this year,
with another one on the way. Wistons clinic closed on 30th June 2021 - no more
babies would be killed there or mothers’ and fathers' lives marred. The
property is now on sale for £3,000,000.
Three months later, on 25th
September 2021, Caroline passed from this world to eternal life with her Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to the one she loved and put her faith in. From the
time she was diagnosed with cancer to her final departure, the LORD graciously
gave her (and blessed us with) seven more years on earth.
In that time Caroline continued to
fight for life and support our work, warmly hosting many of our team meetings,
presentations and Christmas parties in her home. She joined us on displays,
toured with us in Ireland and fought dragons in central London. She remained a
trusted intercessor - leading the CBR UK prayer group for a season. You knew
when you asked Caroline to pray - she would pray - empowering us through her
great faith and encouraging us through words and pictures she received from
God.
One of the biggest gifts Caroline
has given us at CBR UK, is her daughter, Aisling Goodison. Aisling, like her
mother, fearlessly defends life, and in her role as Head of Training, also
equips others to do so with excellence. Meeting Aisling’s mother and father,
makes you realise why Aisling is so bold, confident and full of faith. What a
legacy Caroline has left behind in the fight for life, through her children.
Above: Caroline and daughter Aisling
A
woman who knew her God
The Biblical story of David and
Goliath gave Caroline great hope. She knew that the “Goliath” of the abortion
industry could be overturned by a small group of people who were willing to go
to battle because they knew their God.
Born on 23rd April - St George’s
day, Caroline, along with other prayer warriors over 54 years, slayed the
dragon of Wistons abortion clinic - destroying it by acting out her faith in
God. Caroline’s family fellowship was called: “Mustard Seed Family Church”, and
her life truly demonstrated this faith which can move mountains and shut down
abortion clinics.
To God be the glory.
