It’s cold. We arrive at the sidewalk. We´re sleepy. Another day of work. What can mark the difference between today and yesterday? Babies, they are always the difference. The difference of a life. The difference of a decision, the difference between a yes or a no.
It’s cold. ‘Can I speak with you for a sec Mami? We can help you’. She walks away. We are still outside. It’s cold. A guy comes to me and says: “You are the babies´ hope. Keep doing it”.
‘Thank you’, I think to myself. We are the babies´ hope. We are their last hope. We are the hope between them and the clinic. Let’s keep doing this. Let’s be the difference.
It’s cold. But all we know is that this is what we have to do, be HOPE.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Why I Came to NYC to Volunteer
Hello, my name is Santiago. I'm from Spain and learned about the pro-life movement through my daughter, Tatiana, who was here this past August as an intern. She told me about this organization and the great work they do on behalf of the unborn and their parents,and the wonderful experiences that she had everyday here in NYC.
I was impressed by her enthusiasm for both the organization and the entire team - Chris, Julie, Liz, Trisha, Heather and other colleagues. I felt that I wanted to have the same experience in volunteering and personally meeting this team.
I travelled from Madrid to New York with great excitement and here I have been received by all with open arms. I am thankful for the warm reception - only a few days here and already it seems like family. I am also thankful for this great opportunity which gives me the chance to help pregnant women and their unborn babies; I hope with God's help to become a part of the team.
I was impressed by her enthusiasm for both the organization and the entire team - Chris, Julie, Liz, Trisha, Heather and other colleagues. I felt that I wanted to have the same experience in volunteering and personally meeting this team.
I travelled from Madrid to New York with great excitement and here I have been received by all with open arms. I am thankful for the warm reception - only a few days here and already it seems like family. I am also thankful for this great opportunity which gives me the chance to help pregnant women and their unborn babies; I hope with God's help to become a part of the team.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Work Hard, Play Hard
Today is Thanksgiving day in America and we didn´t go to work. We had a lot of fun.
We woke up early in the morning and went so see the Thanksgiving parade in Manhattan. To those who don´t know what that is, it is a parade of floats and big balloons, gigantic balloons! There are also famous singers like Carly Simon and Andrea Boccelli. It is put on by Macy´s and they´ve been doing for 77 years. Those balloons were amazing and we took a lot of pictures. It is a review of the pop culture over the past 77 years. Sponge Bob, Mickey Mouse, Spiderman and more.
After that exciting experience, around 1:00 pm we went to have a snack before going to the best show I´ve ever been. We went to see the “Christmas Spectacular” at Radio City Hall. The famous Rockettes were performing. It was awesome.
Then we went to mass at Saint Patricks and afterwards to see some decorated store windows on fifth avenue, until we got hungry. Even though we didn´t have the traditional turkey dinner we had a great meal in Chinatown.
It was a really nice day for all of us. As Chris (our boss) says, if you work hard, play hard.
We woke up early in the morning and went so see the Thanksgiving parade in Manhattan. To those who don´t know what that is, it is a parade of floats and big balloons, gigantic balloons! There are also famous singers like Carly Simon and Andrea Boccelli. It is put on by Macy´s and they´ve been doing for 77 years. Those balloons were amazing and we took a lot of pictures. It is a review of the pop culture over the past 77 years. Sponge Bob, Mickey Mouse, Spiderman and more.
After that exciting experience, around 1:00 pm we went to have a snack before going to the best show I´ve ever been. We went to see the “Christmas Spectacular” at Radio City Hall. The famous Rockettes were performing. It was awesome.
Then we went to mass at Saint Patricks and afterwards to see some decorated store windows on fifth avenue, until we got hungry. Even though we didn´t have the traditional turkey dinner we had a great meal in Chinatown.
It was a really nice day for all of us. As Chris (our boss) says, if you work hard, play hard.
Pressured by her Boyfriend to Abort
The morning air was filled with mist and fog. Girl after girl walked right past me ignoring my offers of help. I turned around and there she was, I didn´t even see her get out of the cab.
I introduced myself and asked her if she had an appointment for an abortion. She said she didn´t, but that she was 5 months pregnant and didn´t want the baby. She already had one at home. I asked her if she really wanted to have an abortion, and that´s when she told me that her boyfriend was the one that wanted her to get it. She didn´t know much about the surgery so I started to tell her about it. At 5 months the likely procedure was a Dilation and Evacuation. She was unaware that this meant that her tiny child would be dismembered, literally torn limb from limb inside her womb.
As I told her about Post Abortion Syndrome she seemed all to familiar with the symptoms. I knew that if I didn´t address her past abortion, than I would lose her. ¨Did you have an abortion before?¨ ¨Yes.¨ she said. ¨How did you feel afterwards?¨ I asked, ¨Sad, depressed…¨ she said as tears filled her eyes. We hugged. ¨You don´t want to feel that way again!¨ ¨I know, I know. But it´s the only way, I have no choice. I almost aborted my son too. I didn´t want to, but my boyfriend was pressuring me.¨ She said that she lied and told him she had the abortion. She carried her son to term. In the beginning he wasn´t happy about it, but he loved his son.
Now she was pregnant again and faced with the same situation, but this time she had me on her side. We talked for many hours and I offered time and time again for her to accompany me to our nearby Crisis Pregnancy Center. She didnt want to come, so in the end I treated her lunch at a nearby pizza place and we came up with a plan. She would bring her boyfriend into our center in about a week to meet with me and I would let him know exactly what he wanted his girlfriend to do. If he really loved her than there would be no way that he would ask her to go through with the abortion. We wanted him to know the risks and complications involved, as well as some simple facts about fetal development. She and I exchanged phone numbers and it is my hope that I can help her to regain her power and self confidence so that never again will she be willing to go through such an ordeal just because someone else wants her to. Pray for this young family please.
I introduced myself and asked her if she had an appointment for an abortion. She said she didn´t, but that she was 5 months pregnant and didn´t want the baby. She already had one at home. I asked her if she really wanted to have an abortion, and that´s when she told me that her boyfriend was the one that wanted her to get it. She didn´t know much about the surgery so I started to tell her about it. At 5 months the likely procedure was a Dilation and Evacuation. She was unaware that this meant that her tiny child would be dismembered, literally torn limb from limb inside her womb.
As I told her about Post Abortion Syndrome she seemed all to familiar with the symptoms. I knew that if I didn´t address her past abortion, than I would lose her. ¨Did you have an abortion before?¨ ¨Yes.¨ she said. ¨How did you feel afterwards?¨ I asked, ¨Sad, depressed…¨ she said as tears filled her eyes. We hugged. ¨You don´t want to feel that way again!¨ ¨I know, I know. But it´s the only way, I have no choice. I almost aborted my son too. I didn´t want to, but my boyfriend was pressuring me.¨ She said that she lied and told him she had the abortion. She carried her son to term. In the beginning he wasn´t happy about it, but he loved his son.
Now she was pregnant again and faced with the same situation, but this time she had me on her side. We talked for many hours and I offered time and time again for her to accompany me to our nearby Crisis Pregnancy Center. She didnt want to come, so in the end I treated her lunch at a nearby pizza place and we came up with a plan. She would bring her boyfriend into our center in about a week to meet with me and I would let him know exactly what he wanted his girlfriend to do. If he really loved her than there would be no way that he would ask her to go through with the abortion. We wanted him to know the risks and complications involved, as well as some simple facts about fetal development. She and I exchanged phone numbers and it is my hope that I can help her to regain her power and self confidence so that never again will she be willing to go through such an ordeal just because someone else wants her to. Pray for this young family please.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
One Rainy Day in November
On a rainy day in Brooklyn, a young lady and a young man came into our office. We gave her a sonogram; she was 18 weeks pregnant. At 18 weeks a baby can hear her mommy's voice. Linda talked to the girl's mother on the phone, because the girl was afraid to tell her mother. At first she yelled at Linda saying she wanted her daughter to get an abortion, but eventually she broke down and cried. (Actually, this kind of things happen all the time here.)
Linda didn't give up talking with the mother - she kept trying to help the mother understand and change her mind. What really surprised us was that Linda and the mother became friends after talking quite a while.
In the end the young lady was going to keep her baby and her mother is supportive and is looking forward to holding her grandchild. She is going to do her prenatal care at our office. Linda is going to do what she can do help find the baby's father a job. She also put them in touch with the Sisters of Life for ongoing support.
What a happy ending.
Linda didn't give up talking with the mother - she kept trying to help the mother understand and change her mind. What really surprised us was that Linda and the mother became friends after talking quite a while.
In the end the young lady was going to keep her baby and her mother is supportive and is looking forward to holding her grandchild. She is going to do her prenatal care at our office. Linda is going to do what she can do help find the baby's father a job. She also put them in touch with the Sisters of Life for ongoing support.
What a happy ending.
Standing in the Face of Adversity
I saw her exit the abortion clinic through the back door; she was perhaps 16 or 17 years old. I motioned for her to come over to talk. She left her mother´s side and approached me. I asked if she would like to keep her baby. She replied, "Yeah; the problem is it´s (the baby) my cousin´s." The look on her face told me that she really wanted the baby. She went back to her mother who was standing with a couple. I could see them trying to persuade her to go back into the abortion place, but she -I'll call her "Rosa" - was refusing to budge.
After a good half hour of their taking turns trying to convince her, a car suddenly pulled into the lot and a couple got out and headed toward the small group. I waved and they came over to see me, but as soon as they realized I was a "pro-lifer", the man stalked off saying, "I'll take care of this!" He grabbed Rosa by the arm and started dragging her toward the clinic door. Meanwhile, the woman was telling me she was the aunt and had come to "save Rosa from her mother", but I knew she was lying and also thought the girl should terminate the new life growing within her.
Rosa was able to pull free of the man´s grasp and retreated. At this point, he decided on a different approach, gently touching her arm and trying to coax her into the clinic. Rosa stood, looking down, arms folded, as if hugging herself, and shook her head "No". Then the adults, in between hurling insults at me, started on her again; all the while Rosa was crying, yet somehow fighting off their attempts to weaken her resolve. Eventually, they all left.
I do not know what will happen to Rosa and her unborn baby, she may in the end give way under such unrelenting pressure; I can only pray for her now. But I was deeply touched by this immense display of courage from such a young woman. This is the heart of true motherly love, that, whatever the circumstances or difficulties, she stands strong and defends her child, not considering the sacrifice or struggle involved.
After a good half hour of their taking turns trying to convince her, a car suddenly pulled into the lot and a couple got out and headed toward the small group. I waved and they came over to see me, but as soon as they realized I was a "pro-lifer", the man stalked off saying, "I'll take care of this!" He grabbed Rosa by the arm and started dragging her toward the clinic door. Meanwhile, the woman was telling me she was the aunt and had come to "save Rosa from her mother", but I knew she was lying and also thought the girl should terminate the new life growing within her.
Rosa was able to pull free of the man´s grasp and retreated. At this point, he decided on a different approach, gently touching her arm and trying to coax her into the clinic. Rosa stood, looking down, arms folded, as if hugging herself, and shook her head "No". Then the adults, in between hurling insults at me, started on her again; all the while Rosa was crying, yet somehow fighting off their attempts to weaken her resolve. Eventually, they all left.
I do not know what will happen to Rosa and her unborn baby, she may in the end give way under such unrelenting pressure; I can only pray for her now. But I was deeply touched by this immense display of courage from such a young woman. This is the heart of true motherly love, that, whatever the circumstances or difficulties, she stands strong and defends her child, not considering the sacrifice or struggle involved.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What a day!!
Today was very busy at Dr. Emily´s abortion office in the Bronx, and we were short one helper. There were just 3 of us to be there for the women: two at the front door and me at the backdoor, alone.
Thirty girls went into the abortion clinic today!! You’ve got to be paying attention 200% to every girl that comes along next. We felt as if someone had thrown five balls at one time and we had to catch them all. There were times I had to watch a girl pass by on her way into the clinic as I spoke with another one.
But wait, this is not a bad story. I don’t know how, but at the end of the day, there had been five women who made a choice for life! FIVE! We couldn’t believe it. I said to Julie, one of the other counselors, “What did you say? That girl leaving is not having an abortion.” and she said, “Nothing, I just handed her a brochure as she passed by.” And then Julie asked me, “what about her? she just told me that she is keeping her baby, too!” I replied, “Well, I talked with her, but I thought for sure she was having the abortion…”
So there were we, amazed, trying to understand why these girls today were keeping their babies.
What I learned from this experience is that one word, helped by prayer, will make a difference in the life of a young woman, if you have faith and don't give up.
We will be there for the women every morning; please be there for us in your prayers.
Thirty girls went into the abortion clinic today!! You’ve got to be paying attention 200% to every girl that comes along next. We felt as if someone had thrown five balls at one time and we had to catch them all. There were times I had to watch a girl pass by on her way into the clinic as I spoke with another one.
But wait, this is not a bad story. I don’t know how, but at the end of the day, there had been five women who made a choice for life! FIVE! We couldn’t believe it. I said to Julie, one of the other counselors, “What did you say? That girl leaving is not having an abortion.” and she said, “Nothing, I just handed her a brochure as she passed by.” And then Julie asked me, “what about her? she just told me that she is keeping her baby, too!” I replied, “Well, I talked with her, but I thought for sure she was having the abortion…”
So there were we, amazed, trying to understand why these girls today were keeping their babies.
What I learned from this experience is that one word, helped by prayer, will make a difference in the life of a young woman, if you have faith and don't give up.
We will be there for the women every morning; please be there for us in your prayers.
Little Lives Bring Happiness to the People.
Today was such a busy day at our clinic in Brooklyn, NY. Many young women visited us. It is always an exciting occasion, as was today, when mothers bring their babies into meet us, especially when she was previously considering abortion.
Many girls come to our office undecided about what to do with their pregnancy, very often they are considering abortion. Often times they look very gloomy. However, today, a young woman brought her newborn baby in to the clinic. He brought such joy to the faces of the clients and workers! Everyone smiled! The baby was just 8 days old, so tiny and so cute. Everytime this adorable little child frowned his face, everybody Oohed and Ahhed, everybody wanted to hold him. The young girls who were considering abortion smiled a lot, looking at the baby. The baby just made everybody happy and brought such love in that center. Watching all of this I thought to myself, ¨This little child is like a King! Everyone wants to be around him!¨ He brought to my mind the Baby Jesus. The baby changed whole atomosphere of the clinic.
The other day another woman brought her child in to visit. This beautiful little girl with big, pretty, dark, eyes was once in danger of being aborted! The baby is so beautiful and she is a survivor. Now Mom wants to have another baby so she came to the center to be help.
Eeverybody in the center, was so happy to meet these little survivors of abortion. They are just lovely, and cute. They have a power to make poeple smile even though they don't really say anything.
With the two babies visiting, it gave me an even stronger conviction, that we must offer women options to abortion, life hangs in the balance.
Many girls come to our office undecided about what to do with their pregnancy, very often they are considering abortion. Often times they look very gloomy. However, today, a young woman brought her newborn baby in to the clinic. He brought such joy to the faces of the clients and workers! Everyone smiled! The baby was just 8 days old, so tiny and so cute. Everytime this adorable little child frowned his face, everybody Oohed and Ahhed, everybody wanted to hold him. The young girls who were considering abortion smiled a lot, looking at the baby. The baby just made everybody happy and brought such love in that center. Watching all of this I thought to myself, ¨This little child is like a King! Everyone wants to be around him!¨ He brought to my mind the Baby Jesus. The baby changed whole atomosphere of the clinic.
The other day another woman brought her child in to visit. This beautiful little girl with big, pretty, dark, eyes was once in danger of being aborted! The baby is so beautiful and she is a survivor. Now Mom wants to have another baby so she came to the center to be help.
Eeverybody in the center, was so happy to meet these little survivors of abortion. They are just lovely, and cute. They have a power to make poeple smile even though they don't really say anything.
With the two babies visiting, it gave me an even stronger conviction, that we must offer women options to abortion, life hangs in the balance.
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Change of Heart
It was cold when we left the Lifehouse early that morning, and by the time we arrived at the abortion mill we were freezing and sleepy.
We didn´t have time to eat breakfast before leaving the house and we started thinking about the rumbling in our stomachs. We´re not supposed to leave the entrances without counselors, but when you´re starving and you´re cold it can be very tempting to disregard directions. However, we stayed there knowing that directions are given for a reason.
That reason came walking up to the clinic door: A couple came five seconds after we decided to stay and not give into the temptation of breakfast. We spoke to the woman, but she passed by uninterested. The guy however, stopped and spoke to us for just two minuets, and we knew in that short time that he didn´t want his girlfriend to have the abortion. Then he followed her into the clinic.
They came out of the abortion mill 5 minutes later and left. I walked behind them, speeding up to catch them because they were pretty far away. The guy listened to me again, but he didn´t say a word. What was going on?
About an hour later the couple came back again, and they went inside. The guy looked at me with helplessness in his eyes as he followed his girlfriend in. Within twenty minutes they were back outside again. We needed to know what was going on. We were not going to go home without an answer. This time the couple motioned to us to come over. ¨We know Mom, that you don´t want to talk to us, we just want to help. This is not the way, this is not the answer to your problems.¨ ¨I already have a son, I can´t take care of a new one.¨ she said. So we asked the boyfriend if he would help her with the son and he said “Yes” in a quiet voice. So we thought, ¨Let´s make this guy say that a little louder, she needs to know that she has his support, she could use the encouragement.¨ As he said it, she looked at him and started to cry. It was a different kind of crying, a peace-filled crying. They got in the car, smiled at us, and left.
We don´t know what happened next, we did our best and something changed in their hearts, we could tell.
We didn´t have time to eat breakfast before leaving the house and we started thinking about the rumbling in our stomachs. We´re not supposed to leave the entrances without counselors, but when you´re starving and you´re cold it can be very tempting to disregard directions. However, we stayed there knowing that directions are given for a reason.
That reason came walking up to the clinic door: A couple came five seconds after we decided to stay and not give into the temptation of breakfast. We spoke to the woman, but she passed by uninterested. The guy however, stopped and spoke to us for just two minuets, and we knew in that short time that he didn´t want his girlfriend to have the abortion. Then he followed her into the clinic.
They came out of the abortion mill 5 minutes later and left. I walked behind them, speeding up to catch them because they were pretty far away. The guy listened to me again, but he didn´t say a word. What was going on?
About an hour later the couple came back again, and they went inside. The guy looked at me with helplessness in his eyes as he followed his girlfriend in. Within twenty minutes they were back outside again. We needed to know what was going on. We were not going to go home without an answer. This time the couple motioned to us to come over. ¨We know Mom, that you don´t want to talk to us, we just want to help. This is not the way, this is not the answer to your problems.¨ ¨I already have a son, I can´t take care of a new one.¨ she said. So we asked the boyfriend if he would help her with the son and he said “Yes” in a quiet voice. So we thought, ¨Let´s make this guy say that a little louder, she needs to know that she has his support, she could use the encouragement.¨ As he said it, she looked at him and started to cry. It was a different kind of crying, a peace-filled crying. They got in the car, smiled at us, and left.
We don´t know what happened next, we did our best and something changed in their hearts, we could tell.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Her Child Had a Price on it´s Head; Mommy Are You Going to Kill My Little Brother or Sister? Part 2
¨I asked her what her family thought about her pregnancy and what they thought she should do. Her mother was against abortion and wanted her to keep the baby. Just the emotional support she needed! Her three year old daughter just hours earlier had said, ¨Mommy, are you going to have an abortion? Are you going to kill my baby brother or sister?¨
Oh my goodness, Mama are you serious?¨ I said. ¨What does your three year old know about abortion? Have you ever mentioned it to her before? Have you spoken of it in front of her?¨I asked. She told me that never in her life had she told her daughter about abortion. ¨You know that´s God, right?!? Sometimes he speaks through the smallest and most innocent.¨ I asked her what her daughter wanted her to do? Did she want her mom to have an abortion? We talked about what it would be like to have to face her daughter one day and tell her that her little brother or sister was dead because of a choice that she made.
By this time it was getting late and I should have closed up the office at least an hour before, but I knew that this was to important to go home. Her child´s life and her happiness were hanging in the balance. So we continued. I told her what would happen if she had an abortion, how she would be treated by the staff, how they would turn the sonogram screen away from her to hide her child´s humanity, and how much money her baby was worth to the clinic. To the Clinic Staff her child had a price on it´s head.
We talked about the abortion procedure itself and all of the risks and complications that it would expose her body to, not to mention what it would do to the tiny body of her baby. She didn´t know, and when I told her it was almost too much to believe. She had never been told about the havoc that this surgery could reap on her uterus, or that abortion gives a woman a higher risk of Ectopic Pregnancy, and she had never even heard of an Abortion Induced Embolism before. She started to weigh the risks. Could she put herself in such danger? After all, she had two small children at home that needed their mom.
At about this time her boyfriend returned from his walk. He sat down and she asked me to tell him about some of the things we had just spoken of. We talked for a long time. Before we said goodbye, I told them that there was something that they needed to see. It was hard to see, it was graphic, it was a video of abortion. If they were considering abortion, than they should know exactly what it is, what it does, and what it looks like so that they could make an informed decision. They said they wanted to see it. As they watched the video, it became apparent that abortion was not for he! ¨They´re gonna do that to me? Ï can´t do that to my baby!¨ He was not pleased. I made an appointment for her for a free sonogram and we hugged and said goodbye. Before they left I told him, ¨You´re angry that she met me aren´t you?¨ ¨No.¨ he said and they left my office. I closed up and made my way to the bus stop in the dark. As I sat on that bus, I was tired but happy, a satisfaction deep down in my spirit. I had stayed late, but in doing so I helped to change a woman´s mind and save her child´s life.
To be Continued......
Oh my goodness, Mama are you serious?¨ I said. ¨What does your three year old know about abortion? Have you ever mentioned it to her before? Have you spoken of it in front of her?¨I asked. She told me that never in her life had she told her daughter about abortion. ¨You know that´s God, right?!? Sometimes he speaks through the smallest and most innocent.¨ I asked her what her daughter wanted her to do? Did she want her mom to have an abortion? We talked about what it would be like to have to face her daughter one day and tell her that her little brother or sister was dead because of a choice that she made.
By this time it was getting late and I should have closed up the office at least an hour before, but I knew that this was to important to go home. Her child´s life and her happiness were hanging in the balance. So we continued. I told her what would happen if she had an abortion, how she would be treated by the staff, how they would turn the sonogram screen away from her to hide her child´s humanity, and how much money her baby was worth to the clinic. To the Clinic Staff her child had a price on it´s head.
We talked about the abortion procedure itself and all of the risks and complications that it would expose her body to, not to mention what it would do to the tiny body of her baby. She didn´t know, and when I told her it was almost too much to believe. She had never been told about the havoc that this surgery could reap on her uterus, or that abortion gives a woman a higher risk of Ectopic Pregnancy, and she had never even heard of an Abortion Induced Embolism before. She started to weigh the risks. Could she put herself in such danger? After all, she had two small children at home that needed their mom.
At about this time her boyfriend returned from his walk. He sat down and she asked me to tell him about some of the things we had just spoken of. We talked for a long time. Before we said goodbye, I told them that there was something that they needed to see. It was hard to see, it was graphic, it was a video of abortion. If they were considering abortion, than they should know exactly what it is, what it does, and what it looks like so that they could make an informed decision. They said they wanted to see it. As they watched the video, it became apparent that abortion was not for he! ¨They´re gonna do that to me? Ï can´t do that to my baby!¨ He was not pleased. I made an appointment for her for a free sonogram and we hugged and said goodbye. Before they left I told him, ¨You´re angry that she met me aren´t you?¨ ¨No.¨ he said and they left my office. I closed up and made my way to the bus stop in the dark. As I sat on that bus, I was tired but happy, a satisfaction deep down in my spirit. I had stayed late, but in doing so I helped to change a woman´s mind and save her child´s life.
To be Continued......
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Worst Atmosphere Leads to Prayer to God
We went to the Dr. Emily abortion clinic the other day as usual. It was raining and cold outside. Our feet were wet, freezing and sore. However, it was important that we be there; many babies die in that place because their mothers do not know the truth about the abortion procedure or even about fetal development.
Sadly, even though we tried to talk with the girls to help them, most of them were unwilling to talk with us that day. They would hurry past or make angry remarks or shake their heads as they walked by. The young women who come to the offices for a pregnancy test are often confused and undecided, but the ones who walk into the clinic have generally already made up their minds to abort. But even so, it is worth being there for the ones who will listen.
Whenever we stand outside of the building, we have a sense of emptiness and darkness as if it were a prison or abandoned factory. So we have to keep in mind that we are fighting against the evil that is influencing these people.
Only prayer enables us to stand outside in all kinds of weather and do what we do.
Sadly, even though we tried to talk with the girls to help them, most of them were unwilling to talk with us that day. They would hurry past or make angry remarks or shake their heads as they walked by. The young women who come to the offices for a pregnancy test are often confused and undecided, but the ones who walk into the clinic have generally already made up their minds to abort. But even so, it is worth being there for the ones who will listen.
Whenever we stand outside of the building, we have a sense of emptiness and darkness as if it were a prison or abandoned factory. So we have to keep in mind that we are fighting against the evil that is influencing these people.
Only prayer enables us to stand outside in all kinds of weather and do what we do.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Mommy Are You Going to Kill My Little Brother or Sister?
It was getting late and my 4 pm appointment seemed to be a no show. The day was over and it was time for me to head home for a well deserved rest. As I packed up my belongings to leave, I heard a ¨Knock! Knock! ¨ on the door. I opened it and there they were. They took seats in my office as I welcomed them in. I filled out her intake form and it didn´t take much time for her story to come out and her tears to flow.
She had two young children a home, a son with her boyfriend and a daughter from a previous relationship; both were the light in her eyes. This couple was young, in their early twenties. She was a stay at home mom who took care of the kids and the house, and he was the bread winner, their sole source of support. Money was tight, very tight.
When she stepped out of the room to take a pregnancy test, I had a chance to speak with him one on one. I asked him what he really wanted her to do, since his previous answer seemed less than honest. (At this point you may be asking yourself what his prerogative has to do with her decision; you may be thinking that this is her choice. You would be surprised to find out how many women submit to abortions simply because they are being pressured into it.) That´s when the truth came out, he wanted the abortion. He said it was because he wasn´t ready to have another child. I asked him what it meant to be a man, and shortly thereafter told him that a man was meant to selflessly protect his family, and that this child was just that, his family. What does it mean to love? Love means to will the best for the other, not just to want what is best, but to do what is best. Would abortion really be what was best for his girlfriend? What about his child?
Within a few minuets she returned and he decided to take a walk. This gave me the opportunity to speak with her, and find out what was going through her mind.
To say that she was undecided would be an understatement, because she was being pressured to choose abortion by a lack of emotional support. You would think that the issue of money or a lack thereof would be the driving force, for this couple to consider abortion. When it comes down to it though, with emotional support a woman can find courage to face the unknown. She thought that she had to get an abortion, because it would be too hard and they didn´t have enough money. How could she to afford to clothe this baby? Not to worry! I told her about one of our Centers that housed a large stock of resources for mothers facing Crisis Pregnancy! I asked her what her family thought about her pregnancy and what they thought she should do. Her mother was against abortion and wanted her to keep the baby. Just the emotional support she needed! Her three year old daughter just hours earlier had said, ¨Mommy, are you going to have an abortion? Are you going to kill my baby brother or sister?¨
...to be continued...
She had two young children a home, a son with her boyfriend and a daughter from a previous relationship; both were the light in her eyes. This couple was young, in their early twenties. She was a stay at home mom who took care of the kids and the house, and he was the bread winner, their sole source of support. Money was tight, very tight.
When she stepped out of the room to take a pregnancy test, I had a chance to speak with him one on one. I asked him what he really wanted her to do, since his previous answer seemed less than honest. (At this point you may be asking yourself what his prerogative has to do with her decision; you may be thinking that this is her choice. You would be surprised to find out how many women submit to abortions simply because they are being pressured into it.) That´s when the truth came out, he wanted the abortion. He said it was because he wasn´t ready to have another child. I asked him what it meant to be a man, and shortly thereafter told him that a man was meant to selflessly protect his family, and that this child was just that, his family. What does it mean to love? Love means to will the best for the other, not just to want what is best, but to do what is best. Would abortion really be what was best for his girlfriend? What about his child?
Within a few minuets she returned and he decided to take a walk. This gave me the opportunity to speak with her, and find out what was going through her mind.
To say that she was undecided would be an understatement, because she was being pressured to choose abortion by a lack of emotional support. You would think that the issue of money or a lack thereof would be the driving force, for this couple to consider abortion. When it comes down to it though, with emotional support a woman can find courage to face the unknown. She thought that she had to get an abortion, because it would be too hard and they didn´t have enough money. How could she to afford to clothe this baby? Not to worry! I told her about one of our Centers that housed a large stock of resources for mothers facing Crisis Pregnancy! I asked her what her family thought about her pregnancy and what they thought she should do. Her mother was against abortion and wanted her to keep the baby. Just the emotional support she needed! Her three year old daughter just hours earlier had said, ¨Mommy, are you going to have an abortion? Are you going to kill my baby brother or sister?¨
...to be continued...
New EMC Office in Queens Open for Life Saving
Over the past week we have been working very hard to open our new EMC Crisis Pregnancy Center in Queens. We were asked to have everything ready for the first appointment on Thursday morning and we didn´t know if we were going to make it in time.
To say that we worked hard would be an understatement. We painted a whole room in two days, transported a sonogram machine, cleaned, moved furniture and cleaned some more! All in preparation for the first appointment! Thursday morning came and went and thanks be to God we got the job finished in time! We made it!
A very nice couple came in at 11 am, and everything was prepared and ready to go. Since we had such a short amount of time to work, we were a bit worried, but in the end everything worked out well. After a pregnancy test, consultation, and an ultrasound, the couple left with an appointment to return in 3 weeks. When that moment came, at the end of a successful appointment, we were all very happy, it made all of our hard work worth it.
We can now say that the new center is up and running, ready to save the lives of mother´s and their children from the horrors of abortion. This great pro-life organization is growing, and so are the needs. Thanks to all the volunteers, workers and last but most certainly not least, our donors without whom none of this would have been possible.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Featured on the 40 Days For Life Blog
Here at EMC we were very proud to be featured on the official 40 Days for Life blog! They wrote a great piece about the work that we do everyday to save lives in NYC, they even quoted from a blog that I wrote! Check out this beautiful story!
"A few days ago, I mentioned that Shawn Carney, our 40 Days for Life campaign director, was headed to New York City. Shawn made a short video account of his visit to the 40 Days for Life campaign in the city labeled “the abortion capital of America.”
If you only watch one video during this 40 Days for Life, it HAS to be this amazing clip.
During the brief video — which was filmed right on the street in Queens — you will:
Hear from a volunteer who puts in 6-10 hours EVERY DAY outside of two of the largest abortion centers in the United States
See hundreds of passers-by receiving a pro-life education on the street
Discover the challenges of holding a campaign in a crime and drug infested area — on the spot where a murder took place right before 40 Days for Life
Meet a sidewalk counselor who shares how they are saving lives in the midst of the hustle and bustle
Learn JUST HOW MANY lives have been saved in the Big Apple due to 40 Days for Life campaigns over the last two years — prepare to be amazed in the last 20 seconds of the video!
The video is loud. Everything’s in motion. It’s got attitude. But hey — it’s New York City!
Watch this video now. You’ll be glad you did!
By the way, Shawn is going to be on international TV tomorrow night! The third installment of the Being Human series makes its broadcast debut at 6:30 PM Eastern time on the EWTN network (5:30 Central, 4:30 Mountain, 3:30 Pacific). This episode interviews a physician, former abortion providers, and philosophy professor Peter Kreeft. They answer the question of when life begins and what personhood means.
EWTN is available on many cable and satellite TV services. The program may also be seen online at http://www.ewtn.com where you can click on “television,” then on “watch live.”
Chris Slattery, who is featured in Shawn’s video clip above, not only coordinates the 40 Days for Life campaigns in Queens and The Bronx; he also directs Expectant Mother Care Frontline Pregnancy Centers.
This organization offers internships for young people to learn first-hand about various aspects of pro-life ministry.
The interns’ blog tells a story of life on the sidewalk at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center, the 40 Days for Life vigil location in The Bronx.
It was 11:30 in the morning, and the interns were going to a pro-life conference. As they were leaving, they watched two young women leave the clinic. Once they reached the sidewalk, one of the 40 Days for Life volunteers handed one of them a brochure.
One intern saw this, walked up beside them, and started asking questions. “Have you had an abortion? How far along are you? Have you been allowed to see a sonogram?”
She learned that the women had only been inside the clinic for a short time — it was already too late in the day to schedule an abortion. The two were sisters, she learned. The older sister was there for the abortion, the younger one for support.
The intern saw an opportunity.
“I offered her a free sonogram appointment and began to tell her about fetal development. She was so surprised to find out that her baby’s heart started to beat at 17 to 21 days,” the intern said. “She thought that wouldn’t happen until the sixth month. I asked her what she knew about the abortion procedure, what had they told her in the clinic? She knew nothing, so I started to explain.”
The woman who had tried to schedule the abortion said she wasn’t feeling very well, so the intern offered to treat her and her sister to lunch.
As they walked to the burger shop, the intern and the younger sister had to steady the older sister.
About that time, some clinic escorts walked towards them — and then walked right past. “They saw a girl in obvious distress who had just come out of the clinic,” said the intern. “They just didn’t seem to care!”
The pro-life people on the sidewalk tell the women going into the clinic that they are there to help them. “Of course, the ‘clinic escorts’ scoff at the idea,” the intern said, “but when it counts, the proof is in the pudding.”
They sat in that restaurant talking for a long time — “almost two hours,” said the intern. “She started to feel better. In the end, she decided not to abort her baby!”
By the time lunch was over, this young woman knew that even if she faced hardships or had to make sacrifices, it would all be worth it for the life of her child.
God bless pro-lifers in the Big Apple — and all around the world!" - http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=468 - October 27, 2009
"A few days ago, I mentioned that Shawn Carney, our 40 Days for Life campaign director, was headed to New York City. Shawn made a short video account of his visit to the 40 Days for Life campaign in the city labeled “the abortion capital of America.”
If you only watch one video during this 40 Days for Life, it HAS to be this amazing clip.
During the brief video — which was filmed right on the street in Queens — you will:
Hear from a volunteer who puts in 6-10 hours EVERY DAY outside of two of the largest abortion centers in the United States
See hundreds of passers-by receiving a pro-life education on the street
Discover the challenges of holding a campaign in a crime and drug infested area — on the spot where a murder took place right before 40 Days for Life
Meet a sidewalk counselor who shares how they are saving lives in the midst of the hustle and bustle
Learn JUST HOW MANY lives have been saved in the Big Apple due to 40 Days for Life campaigns over the last two years — prepare to be amazed in the last 20 seconds of the video!
The video is loud. Everything’s in motion. It’s got attitude. But hey — it’s New York City!
Watch this video now. You’ll be glad you did!
By the way, Shawn is going to be on international TV tomorrow night! The third installment of the Being Human series makes its broadcast debut at 6:30 PM Eastern time on the EWTN network (5:30 Central, 4:30 Mountain, 3:30 Pacific). This episode interviews a physician, former abortion providers, and philosophy professor Peter Kreeft. They answer the question of when life begins and what personhood means.
EWTN is available on many cable and satellite TV services. The program may also be seen online at http://www.ewtn.com where you can click on “television,” then on “watch live.”
Chris Slattery, who is featured in Shawn’s video clip above, not only coordinates the 40 Days for Life campaigns in Queens and The Bronx; he also directs Expectant Mother Care Frontline Pregnancy Centers.
This organization offers internships for young people to learn first-hand about various aspects of pro-life ministry.
The interns’ blog tells a story of life on the sidewalk at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center, the 40 Days for Life vigil location in The Bronx.
It was 11:30 in the morning, and the interns were going to a pro-life conference. As they were leaving, they watched two young women leave the clinic. Once they reached the sidewalk, one of the 40 Days for Life volunteers handed one of them a brochure.
One intern saw this, walked up beside them, and started asking questions. “Have you had an abortion? How far along are you? Have you been allowed to see a sonogram?”
She learned that the women had only been inside the clinic for a short time — it was already too late in the day to schedule an abortion. The two were sisters, she learned. The older sister was there for the abortion, the younger one for support.
The intern saw an opportunity.
“I offered her a free sonogram appointment and began to tell her about fetal development. She was so surprised to find out that her baby’s heart started to beat at 17 to 21 days,” the intern said. “She thought that wouldn’t happen until the sixth month. I asked her what she knew about the abortion procedure, what had they told her in the clinic? She knew nothing, so I started to explain.”
The woman who had tried to schedule the abortion said she wasn’t feeling very well, so the intern offered to treat her and her sister to lunch.
As they walked to the burger shop, the intern and the younger sister had to steady the older sister.
About that time, some clinic escorts walked towards them — and then walked right past. “They saw a girl in obvious distress who had just come out of the clinic,” said the intern. “They just didn’t seem to care!”
The pro-life people on the sidewalk tell the women going into the clinic that they are there to help them. “Of course, the ‘clinic escorts’ scoff at the idea,” the intern said, “but when it counts, the proof is in the pudding.”
They sat in that restaurant talking for a long time — “almost two hours,” said the intern. “She started to feel better. In the end, she decided not to abort her baby!”
By the time lunch was over, this young woman knew that even if she faced hardships or had to make sacrifices, it would all be worth it for the life of her child.
God bless pro-lifers in the Big Apple — and all around the world!" - http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=468 - October 27, 2009
Painting 4 Life
We are so excited to be opening a new office in Queens, NY just 100 feet from Abortion Row, the location of one of our 40 Days for Life sites. Abortion Row is a very unique location because it consists of two abortion clinics side by side separated only by a Dunkin Doughnuts! We have worked in this area for many years, but never before have we had an office in such close proximity to the abortion clinics. We will be able to serve more women and save more lives!
This past Monday I had the opportunity to paint the new Queens office. It was hard work, but when you are thinking of the fruits of your labor, it makes it that much sweeter. The idea of working on a place where lives will be saved and changed forever, that is enough to make you work with all of your heart! We were just painting a room in an office, but in actuality that room will be an amazing place of healing, that changes a simple job of painting an office into something you can be really proud of. After painting for hours, doing the same thing all day can be tiring, but the hope of making the office a place where a girl is going to be comfortable to talk and have the courage to choose life for her child, gave us strength to continue painting. We were painting for life.
This past Monday I had the opportunity to paint the new Queens office. It was hard work, but when you are thinking of the fruits of your labor, it makes it that much sweeter. The idea of working on a place where lives will be saved and changed forever, that is enough to make you work with all of your heart! We were just painting a room in an office, but in actuality that room will be an amazing place of healing, that changes a simple job of painting an office into something you can be really proud of. After painting for hours, doing the same thing all day can be tiring, but the hope of making the office a place where a girl is going to be comfortable to talk and have the courage to choose life for her child, gave us strength to continue painting. We were painting for life.
Life is More Than Strong!
Wednesday, November 11th 2009: the weather is colder than yesterday, but I enjoy the winter weather in NY, even though I don't like their subway system. Today we went to the EMC center in Brooklyn where there are miracles every minute, everyday. The director, Linda, whose work I admire very much, has warm charisma based on "Love". She is helping many girls and their unborn babies, and, at the same time, teaching me about prolife work - what I am most impressed by is her sympathy for the smallest and the neediest, mother and child.
As I mentioned, there are many miracles in this center; today we had an amazing one which I want to share here. The last patient at the center today was a very special young woman. Actually her mom called the office wanting her to keep the baby. But the daughter had already taken the abortion pills twice with this pregnancy. Linda asked her mom to have her daughter come to the office as soon as possible.
She did come to the office - Her belly was already big, and she looked very tired, and sick. We were all worried about her condition, and no one was sure whether or not the baby was OK. Linda suggested a sonogram to find out.
After the sonogram, Linda cried out, "The baby is alive!" and everybody clapped and shouted with joy and happiness. I went to the sonogram room and saw the picture myself. The baby was really strongly moving and was quite big.
Today I learned that human life is stronger than we thought, and we can not do whatever we want to. Life is a gift which belongs to God. The sonogram showed us life is very precious, something to protect, not something to get rid of.
I see this kind of extraordinary story all the time here.
As I mentioned, there are many miracles in this center; today we had an amazing one which I want to share here. The last patient at the center today was a very special young woman. Actually her mom called the office wanting her to keep the baby. But the daughter had already taken the abortion pills twice with this pregnancy. Linda asked her mom to have her daughter come to the office as soon as possible.
She did come to the office - Her belly was already big, and she looked very tired, and sick. We were all worried about her condition, and no one was sure whether or not the baby was OK. Linda suggested a sonogram to find out.
After the sonogram, Linda cried out, "The baby is alive!" and everybody clapped and shouted with joy and happiness. I went to the sonogram room and saw the picture myself. The baby was really strongly moving and was quite big.
Today I learned that human life is stronger than we thought, and we can not do whatever we want to. Life is a gift which belongs to God. The sonogram showed us life is very precious, something to protect, not something to get rid of.
I see this kind of extraordinary story all the time here.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Great Day
Last week when we were at Dr. Emily´s I handed out pamphlets. Monday, Chris asked me if I would video tape Julie while she was sidewalk counseling. He wanted this so that we would have proof that none of us is breaking the law, in case we are falsely accused by the abortion clinic workers of harassing the girls, as happened last week.
We were at the clinic´s back entrance when a girl came out of the abortion mill. As usual, the indefatigable Julie talked to the girl. I couldn’t video tape that conversation, because it is illegal to do so without having the person´s permission, and it is risky asking for their permission because it could frighten them away and then we would lose the opportunity to speak with them – “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”, as the saying goes.
There were a lot of policeman taking notes during this, but we didn´t get in trouble. Even with this new law that tries to hinder our work for Life, we are able to save babies. We thank Our Lord for this day and pray for protection in the future.
We were at the clinic´s back entrance when a girl came out of the abortion mill. As usual, the indefatigable Julie talked to the girl. I couldn’t video tape that conversation, because it is illegal to do so without having the person´s permission, and it is risky asking for their permission because it could frighten them away and then we would lose the opportunity to speak with them – “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”, as the saying goes.
There were a lot of policeman taking notes during this, but we didn´t get in trouble. Even with this new law that tries to hinder our work for Life, we are able to save babies. We thank Our Lord for this day and pray for protection in the future.
Friday, November 6, 2009
My First Day on the Sidewalk
My name is Tomás, I am from Bilbao (Northern region of Spain, the Basque country). I came to New York City on Monday with my friend Javier, who was here two years ago. Tuesday was my first day volunteering with EMC. I arrived outside the clinic early in the morning and I didn’t know what to say, what to do, how to react. I felt helpless watching girls going inside to get an abortion; it touched me deeply. But the idea that their babies were not going to have a chance to live freaked me out, so I had to do something. There was one guy, whose girlfriend was aborting, but I waited with him outside, talking. After a while he told me that they won’t abort the next child (we all hope so). That was what I wanted to hear, that he is thinking differently, so in the future we won’t need to talk to him, he will be a father, he will be a daddy to his children.
One Girl Changed Her Mind in Front of the Abortion Clinic.
On Tuesday, November 3rd, at 7:30 a.m., EMC interns were at Dr. Emily's in the Bronx passing out our pamphlets to people walking on the street. Our group was divided, some of the interns were standing at the back entrance, and some at the front entrance on Southern Boulevard.
With sidewalk counseling we mostly hope to reach the women who want to have an abortion. On Tuesday, most of those passing by had their hands in their pockets due to the cold weather. Of course, that makes more difficult to hand out the pro-life materials to the people. However, we were able to talk a few people and we had time to pray. About mid morning, a young 21 years old was walking into Dr. Emily's, and I said "If you want any help, we will help you." She came to me and said, "I don't want to have an abortion, but I had a caesarian and the doctor who removed my staples three months ago said it would be very dangerous if I got pregnant too soon. So, I have to do an abortion even though I don't want to."
I said "You should have a second opinion from another doctor, and an abortion is also very bad for your body anyway. Also they don't care about your body condition, and they may not even explain the procedure. She went into the office and later she came to me again. She said, "I want to keep my baby, you are right." She said that they only asked her two things - Do you have a money for this? Do you have insurance? She also said that the clinic only really cares about her money, not her. Then she invited me to be there when she delivers the baby!
I was so happy and promised to keep in touch and I encouraged her to go to an EMC center to get a referral for a different doctor.
That was the most fulfilling day for me as an intern of EMC.
With sidewalk counseling we mostly hope to reach the women who want to have an abortion. On Tuesday, most of those passing by had their hands in their pockets due to the cold weather. Of course, that makes more difficult to hand out the pro-life materials to the people. However, we were able to talk a few people and we had time to pray. About mid morning, a young 21 years old was walking into Dr. Emily's, and I said "If you want any help, we will help you." She came to me and said, "I don't want to have an abortion, but I had a caesarian and the doctor who removed my staples three months ago said it would be very dangerous if I got pregnant too soon. So, I have to do an abortion even though I don't want to."
I said "You should have a second opinion from another doctor, and an abortion is also very bad for your body anyway. Also they don't care about your body condition, and they may not even explain the procedure. She went into the office and later she came to me again. She said, "I want to keep my baby, you are right." She said that they only asked her two things - Do you have a money for this? Do you have insurance? She also said that the clinic only really cares about her money, not her. Then she invited me to be there when she delivers the baby!
I was so happy and promised to keep in touch and I encouraged her to go to an EMC center to get a referral for a different doctor.
That was the most fulfilling day for me as an intern of EMC.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Richer than the Common Life
I have returned to New York City for a second internship wth EMC. I felt as if an ordinary life wasn´t enough for me, I felt compelled to do this work in saving lives. I still don´t know what I´m looking for but what I know is that here I feel satisified with life, as if life didn't make sense without saving babies and helping women in need.
It is hard for me to counsel these women but even this sacrifice, when given to God gives my life new meaning. In working with EMC, something I can't explain is going on within my spirit, making changes for the better. Life is changing it´s perspective and showing me a different part which is richer than the common life; the kind of life filled with purpose and a mission. .
This time I am staying for 3 months, let´s see if I change lives... maybe even my own.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Our visit to the Korean community in Flushing, Queens.
On October 25th, we went to Sunday mass at St. Paul Chong Ha-Sang Roman Catholic Church in Flushing. We wanted to meet a Korean priest and introduce him to EMC's work. Fortunately, there was a fund-raising bazaar at the back of the church, so we hoped to be able to speak with him there. Unfortunately, so many people wanted to see the Korean priest, we were afraid we wouldn't get to speak to him. They were selling Korean food which made us very happy and did some shopping!
Then we headed over to him, and introduced ourselves. I felt a little shy to talk about myself and my work to a stranger, even though he was a priest, but we did it as our mission. We were finally able to speak with him. I felt my face blush, but I didn't stop talking about the beautiful work of EMC.
It became evident that it wasn't the right time to go into detail, since a large of group of people approached and he had to welcome them, and so our conversation ended for the time being.
Then we talked to a Korean nun who took our pamphlet and said she would share with other people because this is really important work. Father came back and we continued talking to him about EMC's work and goals for this Asian community. I gave him some materials and we ended our mission happy that we had made a contact in the community.
We hope that he remembers us and our work which for life.
It was a beautiful day for all of us.
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