“Go get her out of there”

Family Planning Associates, Miramar Road, San Diego, Saturday, March 24, 2012

News from the Trenches

There were about 80 prayer warriors in front of FPA on Miramar Road this morning, along with four sidewalk counselors. This is one of four 40 Days for Life sites in San Diego County. It was a busy morning, and most of the people coming in were not interested in what we had to say. Some were quite hostile, throwing out foul language and spewing anger. About 50 of the prayer warriors came from Good Shepherd Parish for a Rosary Procession in front of FPA.

An Hispanic couple in their late 30s came into the parking lot with Arizona plates, and one of the sidewalk counselors attempted to persuade them not to go upstairs. The couple spoke no English, and the counselor knew little Spanish, so the couple drove into the lot. Another counselor rushed over to the large group of prayer warriors praying on the sidewalk, and recruited a Spanish-speaking interpreter. They walked up to the car, and for the next 15 minutes explained all about the history of the abortionist, the risks and side effects of having an abortion, and the fact that they will regret what they were about to do.

The couple was not married, and the man had two older children from a previous relationship. The man was polite, but it was apparent that he had no intention of starting another family. The interpreter picked up on the counseling and interjected her own heartfelt arguments for not going through with it. They listened, but their hearts were not moved enough, and after a while they said they needed to go, and went upstairs.

Another couple in their early 20s drove in with several other people, and two women got out of the car and went upstairs to the abortion mill. A counselor tried to give the driver some information, which he took, but he would not talk about the subject. They left and came back about 20 minutes later. The male driver, and someone in the back seat, stayed in the car with the windows rolled up. Finally the driver got out to stretch his legs, and another counselor who was nearby came over and talked to him.

The counselor asked the man if he had friends upstairs, and if one of them was there to have an abortion. He answered ‘yes’ to both questions. The counselor explained the risks and side effects of having an abortion, especially the emotional side effects. He showed the young man a picture of a 6-week-old unborn baby, and explained that the doctor and nurses would lie to them, telling them it was just a tissue blob, and it was no big deal.

The young man stared at the picture, and motioned the counselor away from the car, then asked in a low voice, “Is that all they do up there, abortions?” When the counselor replied that Saturday mornings were almost exclusively for abortions, he said, “Tell me some more.” The counselor continued to talk about women who were still suffering from the emotional trauma of abortions done 20 to 30 years ago, and how sooner or later the women come to grips with the fact that it was not a tissue blob, but a real person. The counselor then asked the man if it was his girlfriend up there. He said, “Yes, but it is her decision.” The counselor said, “But it’s your baby too. Do you love her? Do you want to marry her?” The man nodded yes. The counselor advised him that their relationship would probably not last if they did this. The counselor said, “This might be your only son. It’s not too late to go upstairs and get her out of there. Even if she is sitting on the table, she can still get up and walk away.”

The man was still staring at the picture, which showed all of the fingers toes, arms, legs, head, and budding eyes. He was looking a little jittery and said “Can I take this?” motioning with his head toward the abortion mill upstairs. The counselor said, “Yes, go get her out of there.” He paused briefly and then looked toward the car and said sheepishly, “You don’t need to talk to them… They don’t know why we are here.” He then rushed toward the building and disappeared into the elevator. A few seconds later he exited the elevator on the second floor, and began running for the front door, looking as though we was afraid he might not get to his girlfriend in time. He flung open the front door and went inside.

After about 10 minutes they came out and walked toward their car, near where the counselor was standing. Not wanting to tip off whoever was in the car, the counselor gave the man a semi-hidden “thumbs up,” with a question look on the counselor’s face. The man looked right at the counselor and gave a “thumbs up,” with a bright smile on his face. They got into their car, and both waved to the counselor as they drove away.

Please pray that this couple continues to choose life.

— The sidewalk counselors of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, San Diego