Most women who accept a flyer in front of Planned Parenthood don’t stop to listen for more than a few seconds, if that. Those who do stop to listen to the counselor are either polite and curious with a cheerful demeaner (some declare they are pro-life), or their mood and look are worried, and they are there for an abortion. The woman that morning who stopped, hesitated, and then approached the counselor for a flyer was the latter.

As she scanned through the flyer, the counselor explained the common risks of an abortion, as well as the emotional trauma, showing her what a 6-week and 12-week unborn baby looked like. She was in her early 30s and was listening intently with a somber look, which clearly indicated she was there for an abortion. The counselor explained all of the free help that was available at the pregnancy resource centers listed on the back of the flyer as she looked it over. She began inching herself toward the entry, thanked the counselor and went inside.

About 45 minutes later, a large group from St. Anne’s had arrived and was praying the rosary about 30 feet away on the sidewalk. The woman came back out with no “white bag” or other Planned Parenthood paperwork. As she walked by the counselor, he looked at her and said “I’m praying for you”. She smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, and walked up the street.

About 20 minutes later, a different woman in her mid- to late- 30s came down the walkway and stopped just short of the sidewalk, looking at her phone, apparently waiting for a ride. The counselor said good morning, and offered her a flyer. She paused, and then with a cynical look of reluctance, she reached out for the flyer. After a few sentences explaining the flyer, she said, “And who is going to take care of my kids?” She glared at the counselor, “Are you going to take care of my kids?”

The counselor calmly explained there actually was free baby sitting through some of the pregnancy resource centers, as well as free diapers, baby clothes, and prenatal care. Her tone softened when the counselor asked about her kids and their ages. She said they were her best friends. The counselor shared about his family, and reassured her that the older kids would love, cherish, and play with the new baby, and to remember what it was like when she held each of her kids the first time. She began tearing up, and her attitude totally changed. The counselor noted a cross pendent hanging from her neck and said “Jesus wouldn’t want you to be here. I know this (keeping the baby) won’t be easy, but you can do this. Jesus will be walking with you.” Tears were rolling down her face.

She said she was 19 weeks pregnant, and had just had the laminaria inserted (for dilation) for the first day of a two-day procedure. The counselor pointed out “Culture of Life Family Services” on one of the flyers, and told her a doctor there could remove the laminaria safely, and that he had sent women there before for this. That seemed to lift a weight off her shoulders. The counselor told her to call the number right away. About this time, an Uber car had arrived, and she asked the counselor his name, gave him her name, and shook his hand. He said he would pray for her. She thanked him, and said “God bless you” as she got into the car, and then they drove away.

Please keep both of these women and their unborn babies in your prayers.

– The Sidewalk Counselors of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants San Diego