by Evie S., volunteer sidewalk counselor
I was so blessed to arrive to the Uptown Planned Parenthood (PP) on such a sunny day with no PP escorts! I had many receptive clients taking literature! There truly is a big difference when the escorts aren’t “poisoning the well” against my intentions.
Through the fence, I approached a young couple at the back door. While holding the door open for the woman, the man took the literature and continued to stand and listen to me! I gave the usual spiel about the help available, etc. Then he said “No English”! I then gave him our Spanish literature and began to say the only Spanish words I knew: “Estamos Aqui” (“We’re Here for You”) and “Gracias”. They were grateful but still went inside the abortion facility.
However, they soon came out. I asked if we could talk and they walked over to me. The mother was tearful and he had his phone pulled up with a translation app. He shared with me that she had changed her mind and that she only had this appointment due to pressure from others; she didn’t want to proceed! Praise God!
I told her that she was making the right choice, that fear is the opposite of love. “Amore,” I said, and made a heart sign as I shared a gaze into her tearful, but resolved, eyes. She smiled back.
I found out she was eight weeks along so I gave her the tiny baby model. The Alpha Women’s Center (mobile pregnancy resource center) was parked nearby.
The couple agreed to go inside for an ultrasound and consultation. They came out near the end of my shift and the father proudly showed me the ultrasound printout!
They smiled and thanked me. Using the translation app, I asked if they needed any resources and he said, “No, we’re good. Thank you for making us change our mind.” I motioned, “Me?!” They both smiled, and he laughed and nodded.
Until seeing those word on the app, I didn’t know if it was me that had made an impact. I thought it might have been the Spanish literature or just simply the fact that she didn’t want an abortion in the first place, combined with something (whether it be me or the literature). Maybe a young looking woman pleading with them, even in a different language, got the message across that this abortion wasn’t the answer. God only knows.
I just know a little life was spared. I pictured her as a mom and I really think she will be happy.
At the end of my shift, I decided to chalk my usual messages and had a very long, interesting conversation with a PP client. I did use the story of this couple to debunk the pro-choicers’ myth that most abortion clients know about all the help already and they’ve made up their mind.
It was neat to have an example in my tool belt from less than an hour before of my fruitful efforts. God is so good!
