by Debra Braun, Education Director
On the second abortion day of the New Year (January 3), I was sidewalk counseling at the west driveway outside Whole Woman’s (WW) in Bloomington. Erin G. was sidewalk counseling at a point on the frontage road leading to WW. Marie H. was near the parking lot and Gini B. was at the north driveway.
A couple drove past Erin as she offered literature, but the man held up his hand politely as if to say, “No thanks.” They didn’t stop for me, but before they got out of their vehicle and as they walked in, Marie smiled, waved and showed them the sign she was holding: “I Regret Aborting my Daughter Auna Alease”. She had propped another sign (“Pregnant? We will Help You”) in the snowbank nearby. This was near enough to be seen by the abortion-bound couple. As they walked in, I called out to them about how we could help them, encouraging them to look at their ultrasound.
During the second shift when sidewalk counselor Tom C. and I were there waiting for the clients to come out so that we could urge them to save their babies even at that point with abortion pill reversal, this couple came out. They walked straight towards me.
The man said, “I just want to thank you for being here. We decided not to have the abortion.” I was so happy for them and their baby, and asked what changed their minds.
He said that there were many things, including the fact that they didn’t really want to do it and he’s a Christian. He also stated that seeing us “standing out here in the cold” reminded them that God wouldn’t want them to abort their baby! I gave them our literature and my business card after explaining the help available.
They went to their vehicle and drove off with smiles and waves!
Please know that your presence outside an abortion facility can be particularly effective in the winter; thank you for continuing to go out. As Erin G. said later, “Makes the cold toes all worth it!” Standing outside in the beautiful spring weather will be your reward (along with the babies saved and all the other blessings God gives us doing this work of course)!
