By Debra Braun, Education Director
I was finishing up my shift at the Uptown Minneapolis Planned Parenthood (PP) on October 3 and was talking briefly with my replacement, Brian Walker, Program Director, when a young woman came out the front door, looking very distressed.
I gave her literature and asked if she had already taken the first abortion pill. She said she had been there for an abortion, but didn’t do it. Then a PP staff member came up to us and asked her if she had a way home. She said she was going to take an Uber, so I offered her a ride which she readily accepted. She stayed with Brian while I went to get my car and told him she was a Christian. After she got in my car, I stopped a few blocks away so we could talk and I found out that she had received the brochures on the way in from Tom G. (volunteer sidewalk counselor).
Tearfully, she opened the “We’re Here” brochure and pointed to the word “God” (“Your unborn child is an unexpected treasure that God has entrusted to you .. .”). That really made her question her decision to abort since she does believe in God. (A bit later she asked if God would forgive her for going to PP and I assured her of God’s mercy, especially since she turned AWAY from the sin of abortion.)
PP had asked if she wanted to make another appointment and she said no. I told her about First Care, the nearest Pregnancy Resource Center, but she just wanted to go home at that point due to her mental and emotional exhaustion and the fact that she was hungry. I asked if we could just drive by First Care so that she could see where it was and she agreed.
Once there, she said she wanted to go in. She met two of the staff and then said she would make an appointment for another day. We stopped at a grocery store and then I dropped her off at her apartment. She is close to one particular relative and planned to tell her soon about the pregnancy, knowing that this relative would not approve of abortion. (Other acquaintances had encouraged abortion.) She also asked about nearby churches, wanting to renew her relationship with God. I have been following up with her, and she has remained firm in her decision for life!
