For a few days this week, I did some sidewalk counselling outside of 'Dr. Emily's' abortion clinic in the Bronx. It was interesting to note where the abortion clinic is situated; on one side stands a company with 'agape' (the Greek word for unconditional love) written on the sign, and on the other is a company with an image of St Michael the Archangel destroying satan on it. This really hit home for me, how the devil can work so casually in among every-day life. Many people will walk past Dr. Emily's having no idea of the horror that goes on in there.
Our job was to stand near the entrance and approach any woman who might be going in - not an easy job at all, and we had little success. We did manage to give out some leaflets, in the hope that they, or someone they know, might read it and find help. Around the back of the clinic, Alvaro managed to speak with one girl who was there with a friend; upon finding her unease with the idea of abortion, he directed her to the Bronx EMC clinic where she went and was put in contact with the necessary organisations that could offer help. A miracle indeed. Pray that she stays with the decision to parent, and is not pressurised into changing her mind again.
One aspect of sidewalk counselling that is quite difficult to get used to, is the presence of a security guard at the front of the building - A man sits on his chair with a yellow vest, does his crossword and stares (somewhat menacingly) at the prolifers. He did not have much of a problem with us, as we kept our distance and were by no means harrassing the women, however, if he noticed us talking to someone who was going in, then he would tell them to ignore us, and open the door and usher them in. If we had managed to give them a leaflet, he would take it from them, and bin it ... Clearly pro-abortion and not pro-'choice'.
When something good is occurring, (ie allowing women to assess all of their options), our enemy the devil has to up his game. (I am not saying the security guard is the devil, or that he is evil - just that his cooperation with something so detrimental to women, and everyone for that matter, is not a good thing for his soul.)
By opening the door for women, ushering them in, and binning what is probably the only piece of true information they may have that day, highlights how we must up our game too.
We need people standing at clinics.
We need good support systems.
We need prolife organisations.
We need the truth.
And as I've said before, we need prayers. Your prayers.
If you have the chance, please pray the St. Michael prayer - Perhaps offer it for the security guard and the clinic workers, that their minds and hearts may be open to God and that they might recognise the damage abortion does to thousands of women, men and children every day.
Tonight, in New York alone, 400 women could be thinking about their abortion they have booked for tomorrow. 400 women. Some will be old, some young. All scared. The fear of motherhood outweighs the fear of abortion, perhaps. Pray that those women will be given the opportunity to change their mind. Pray that someone on their journey tomorrow will give them hope, and that they will be treated with kindness and love. There is so much hurt already in this world, and tomorrow, in NY, another 400 lives may be lost, and countless more ruined. We can't let this keep happening.
Over and out.
God bless, Vx.
Our Lady of Gaudalupe, pray for us.
St Michael the Archangel, pray for us.
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
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